11am Zedlines - Tuesday, June 5

Your 11am Zedlines with Vivienne and Kate. Photo source: Pixnio

A Texas resident will swim across the Pacific Ocean to raise awareness about plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on the marine life.

Ben Lecomte will swim from Japan to San Francisco through the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, followed by scientists collecting samples of ocean plastic and radioactive material.

The garbage patch is considered to be the size of Queensland, consisting of over 78,000 tonnes of plastic and is considered to be growing ‘exponentially.’

Bill Clinton unfazed by #MeToo movement

Former US President Bill Clinton has stated the #MeToo movement has not influenced his opinion about his role in the Monica Lewinsky scandal, believing he ‘did the right thing.’

Mr Clinton has expressed his support for the #MeToo movement but has not privately apologised to Ms Lewinsky for how he handled the affair.

Ms Lewinsky has commented on his statement, saying her relationship with the former President ‘constituted a gross abuse of power.’  

Western Australia faces extreme cold front

More than 15,000 properties have been left with a power outage in Western Australia as a cold front approaches Perth.

The extreme cold front approaching the southern half of Western Australia has brought damaging winds and heavy rainfall to much of the state.

State Emergency Service crews have already attended to more than 20 homes across Perth to repair damage.

With peak-hour traffic approaching, drivers have been advised to consider putting off any unnecessary travel.

Connecting SA children to the Indigenous culture

School children across South Australia are travelling to the bush to connect with the land and Indigenous culture as part of the ‘Kids on Country’ program run by the Nature Foundation South Australia.

The program takes students to nature reserves for a week in which they take part in hands-on learning activities and are educated about the natural environment by Indigenous elders.

The program has undergone its third camp with 16 students taken to Hiltaba, just north of the Gawler Ranges where they worked to return the former station to its natural state.

$1 billion wind farm project planned for Queensland

The Queensland Government has given the green light for the development of a $1 billion wind farm which will be one of the largest in Australia.

The wind farm will include the installation of up to 195 wind turbines near Rockhampton and is expected to create about 350 jobs in the area.

Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham says the project will help Queensland achieve its 50 percent renewable energy target by 2030.

Brisbane sees shortage of flu vaccines

Brisbane is facing a shortage of influenza vaccinations for children aged five and older after last year’s flu season.

While free vaccinations for children under 5 and adults over 65 are still available through the National Immunisation Program, local parents find vaccinations for older children difficult to acquire.

A Mount Gravatt pharmacist has said it has been difficult to restock the vaccine due to the high demands.

10am Zedlines - Tuesday, June 5

Your 10am Zedlines with Natalie and Patrick. Photo source: Flickr

Saudi Arabia is preparing to lift the ban on female drivers on June 24.

10 women received their driving licenses in Saudi Arabia on Monday. It is currently the only country where women are not allowed to drive.

The move is a part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s liberalisation of the petro-state.

Jordan's Prime Minister resigns following protests

The Prime Minister of Jordan, Hani Mulki, resigned yesterday in the wake of anti-government protesters demanding his resignation.

The public anger follows the government’s increase of general sales tax and the abolition of bread subsidiaries driven by the International Monetary Fund.

The protests have been the largest in the nation since 2011, and 60 people have reportedly been detained.

Proposed 'fast train' network planned for Sydney

A proposed fast train network connecting greater Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle creating a ‘mega-region’ could slash commuters travel time by half.

The report states that the fast train network could also provide 10,000 new jobs for Sydney.

The planned network will connect commuters to Western Sydney from  Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong in less than one hour, potentially reaching speeds of 200 kilometres per hour.