Right-wing internet personality declined Australian visa

Canadian right-wing internet personality Lauren Southern has been declined an Australian work visa.

Ms Southern says the situation is a very scary precedent for free speech and believes the Islamic community is responsible.

The denial of her visa comes in the wake of a series of planned protests from Australian anti-fascist activists.

24 hour strike by Geelong bus drivers

About 600 Geelong bus drivers have walked off the job for a 24-hour strike as part of wage disputes.

Transport Workers Union are arguing for a 4 per cent wage increase, in the face of the current offering of 2.5 per cent.

The strike is expected to shut down all of Ballarat’s bus network and half of Geelong’s network, Melbourne’s east is also expected to be affected.

Nestle dumped from Zoos Victoria

Zoos Victoria has dumped Nestle products from sale at their zoos amid palm oil controversy.

Nestle’s certification with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil was suspended last week when they failed to submit a report detailing practices for sustainable use of the product.

Zoos Victoria have said they will remain firm on their stance to not stock Nestle products until the company has abided by RSPO standards.

Replica viking longship to set sail

A replica viking longship set to sail across the Atlantic ocean will leave its current home of Mystic, Connecticut today.

There are more than 30 crew members on board, with the trip expected to see the vessel returning in October.

The ship was built in Norway, crossing the transatlantic to Connecticut in 2016, recreating the trip by the Vikings more than 1000 years previous.

UAE extends compulsory military service

The United Arab Emirates has extended its compulsory military service, amid the nation’s three-year involvement with the war in Yemen.

Emirati men with a high school diploma or equivalent must now serve for sixteen months, while those without will continue to serve for two years.  

The UAE introduced compulsory service in 2014, and have been a key member of the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen since 2015.

Police increased in Cherbourg and Murgon regions

More police will be sent to the Cherbourg and Murgon regions following a visit from Police Minister Mark Ryan and local minister, Dr Anthony Lynham.

A tactical crime squad is being developed to work through immediate additional assistance which can provided by specialists in the short term.

Dr Lynham says more coordination between government services is needed to help address social issues in the area before more crimes are committed.

Palaszczuk reverses Suncorp Stadium stand naming

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has backflipped on her stance to name a Suncorp Stadium stand after her late mentor Terry Mackenroth.

Palaszczuk faced a number of critics on the matter, calling the stance an act of “hubris.”

The government have yet to decide whether the stand will be rededicated, and whose name will be on the stand.

Boil water alert for Deloraine residents

TasWater issued a boil water alert to the residents of Deloraine after treatment plant staff reported contamination in the local water supply.

General Manager of Service Delivery Bennie Smith says they have not confirmed the source of incident, nor how it could be stopped from happening again.

The alert was given on Friday, and TasWater gave no time frame for the alert to be lifted.

Oldest foreign artefact potentially discovered off Arnhem Land coast

Potentially the oldest foreign artefact in Australia has been discovered off the coast of Arnhem Land.

A yet-to-be-confirmed Kilwa coin discovered on Elcho Island could be a part of Medieval African history.

Similar coins were discovered in 1944 by an RAAF serviceman, with the new discovery opening opportunities for weeks of research.