Toys'R' Us to close Australian stores, hundreds to lose jobs
Toys’R’ Us Australian operations will close in July, following the collapse of the US head office.
Administrators had hoped that the local business could be merged with the Asian arm of the corporation, allowing it to continue trading until it could be sold off.
Employee entitlements are ranked as priority claims against the company’s assets, and are expected to be paid in full.
Ipswich council accessed extra legal insurance before first corruption charges
Ipswich City Council took out a further legal insurance policy three months before the former mayor, Paul Pisasale, was charged with corruption.
The policy was designed to help council employees access and pay for legal services for either personal or professional lawsuits, providing they obtained approval from either the CEO or Mayor.
The policy is in addition to insurance provided by the Local Government Association of Queensland.
Queensland endures record-breaking winter week
Today is a dark day in the Sunshine State as we have reached the shortest day of the year, with only 10 hours and 24 minutes of daylight expected.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned last Friday that temperatures in the Sunshine State were expected to drop and dip below freezing during the past weekend and earlier this week, with widespread frost also forecast.
Brisbane recorded its coldest morning of the year by dropping below 7 degrees on Saturday
Emily Wurramara: Milyakburra
- Lady Blue, the latest single from this long-awaited release from Brisbane based singer-songwriter Emily Wurramara, refers to her Grandmother’s affectionate name for the sea, summoned up by the many dreaming stories she would listen to growing up with family surrounded by the allure of the water, camping and fishing. In that way it's very emblematic of her new record.
Busdriver: Electricity Is On Our Side
- Regan Farquhar has spent the last twenty years as underground hip-hop’s resident eccentric. His uniquely absurd delivery coupled with an eclectic mix of jazzy instrumentals and conscious subject matter helped lead the way for a new generation of rappers, further exploring the territory he uncovered.
In case you’re unfamiliar, Busdriver sits somewhere between a jazz singer and a slam poet. His intonation is pointed and deliberate, dynamically darting up and down the melodic register to deliver abstract sing-song verses, intricately moulded around each beat.
Johnny Marr: Call The Comet
- Well-loved for the guitar work that gave Morrisey and his songs the musical platform they deserved, Johnny Marr deserves his legendary status due to the Smiths alone. Vegan Marr has (rarely in this industry) been happily married since before even the Smiths formation. Perhaps that plays into his stable creative force and keeps artistic integrity above any desire for stardom.
Review: 4Seasons
4Seasons was an experience. The creative vision, the sounds of Vivaldi, the performance, movement, contemporary and expressive dance forms - everything was happening and yet time was slowing down at the same time. But how do you make time slow down and captivate the audience to then take them on a journey which they will never forget? 4Seasons does so effortlessly, making this an unmissable performance running until June 22nd at Queensland Performing Arts Center.
11am Zedlines
This is Ha-Teya and Amy with your 11am Zedlines.
The ingredient Triclosan found in toothpaste, hand wash and cosmetic products has been found to cause antibiotic resistance and build superbugs, according to a Queensland research paper.
Triclosan has been found to ‘accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance’ according to University of Queensland researcher Dr Jianhua (Ji-an-hwa) Guo (gwo).
Brisbane protesters disrupt mining conference
Protesters in Brisbane have disrupted an international Mines and Money conference this morning.
Two protesters entered the conference to interrupt proceedings and draw attention to the damaging impacts of fossil fuels, while a giant banner was hung in the main foyer of the convention centre as patrons entered the event.
The conference was attended by international investors, politicians and multinational mining companies to increase the investment in coal, oil and gas projects in Queensland.
$700 price difference between same-speed NBN plans
Choosing the wrong NBN service could cost Australians an additional $700 per year.
New research conducted by energy provider MOZO has found there was a significant price difference of nearly 50% between same speed NBN plans, equaling potential savings of up to $736 per year.
Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont, says consumers should shop around as some contract plans come with hefty installation fees, cancellation fees and locked-in contacts making it difficult to swap providers.