Brisbane house prices expected to increase by 13% within three years
Brisbane is expected to experience the highest house growth of all capital cities over the next three years, according to industry forecaster BIS Oxford Economics.
The forecaster predicts house prices in Brisbane will increase by 13%, while house prices in Melbourne and Sydney are expected to decrease by 10%.
This anticipated increase is attributed to an increase in interstate migration and population growth in Queensland.
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The Queensland Milk Bank is facing an unprecedented shortage of life-saving breast milk after an increase in demand for its services.
Doctor Pieter Koorts says the bank currently holds less than 100 litres, and the 85 litres pasteurised in the last fortnight will go quickly.
The milk bank provides supplies for about a dozen hospitals across the country, and fed fifty-one babies at the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital last month.
Houthi missiles intercepted over Riyadh, Saudi Arabian officials confirm
Saudi Arabian officials have confirmed they intercepted two Houthi missiles over the capital Riyadh on Sunday night.
Eyewitnesses heard six loud blasts and described bright flashes of light in the sky, as well as shrapnel raining over the diplomatic quarters where most embassies are located.
The attack was the first to target the capital since the Saudi-led coalition launched an offensive on June 12 to capture Yemen’s Hodeidah port city.
Argentina experiences economic paralysis following union strikes
Argentina has been economically paralysed by a 24-hour general strike, unions are demanding salary rises, as well as protesting the government’s recent deal with the International Monetary Fund.
President Mauricio Macri recently made a deal with IMF which grants Argentina a $50 billion credit line, the conditions of this loan include fiscal targets expected to result in higher unemployment and heavy budget cuts.
Huawei revealed as largest corporate sponsor of overseas trips for Federal politicians
Research from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute has revealed Huawei has paid for more overseas trips taken by Australian Federal politicians than any other private corporation in the past eight years.
The Register of Members Interests declares 12 flights to China, as well as accomodation, have made the telecommunications company the biggest corporate sponsor of overseas trips for Federal Parliamentarians.
A statement from Huawei says the trips provide educational opportunities for politicians.
Lake Eyre flooding brings economic boost to surrounding areas
The flooding of Lake Eyre has brought a crucial economic boost to remote businesses as an influx of tourists come to see the usually dry lake.
Local businessman Trevor Wright says the floodwater increased the numbers of tourists in the upper north of South Australia, to the benefit of many remote communities.
Lake Eyre rarely fills, and the heavy rain from Central Queensland has attracted tourists hoping to see the ephemeral natural event.
Kristopher Rallah-Baker becomes first Aboriginal opthalmologist
Dr Kristopher Rallah-Baker has become Australia's first Aboriginal ophthalmologist.
Dr Rallah-Baker is also the vice-president of the Indigenous Doctors' Association, and has stated he would like to see an increase in the number of Indigenous medical specialists and doctors.
Dr Rallah-Baker hopes to continue providing services to remote areas and Indigenous communities affected by high blindness rates.
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The Coalition have supported a plan by the soft drink industry to reduce their average sugar use by 20% within the next six years.
The Australian Medical Association president, Tony Bartone, has criticised the decision, believing it distracts from issues such as the obesity epidemic and excessive sugar consumption.
The AMA are calling for a national ‘sugar tax’ to discourage consumers from purchasing soft drinks.
US Supreme Court reviews lawsuit against a florist who refused services for same-sex wedding
The US Supreme Court is reviewing a case where a florist was sued after declining to provide services for a same-sex wedding.
The case was reopened following a recent decision where the Supreme Court ruled in favour of a baker who refused to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding, also citing religious grounds.
The court will reexamine the florist case to see if there is an anti-religious bias.
Epilepsy drug with marijuana ingredients approved in US
A potential epilepsy drug utilising chemical ingredients found in marijuana has been approved in the US, despite marijuana remaining illegal in most states.
FDA officials state the drug reduces seizures when combined with other epilepsy drugs, acting in a similar way to cannabis oil, despite a lack of THC and thus no mind-altering effects.
Future accessibility is unknown as medical marijuana is legal in 20 states, but remains classified as having no medical use.