Wildfires break out across Sweden

Dozens of wildfires have broken out in the forests of Sweden, after months of high temperatures and drought.

Prime minister Stefan Löfven says all resources are being mobilised to prevent a greater disaster and Sweden has asked for help from other nations.

Sweden is currently facing its worst drought in 74 years.

Changes to Child Protection Act aim for better protection

Changes to the Child Protection Act 1999 will give children on custody orders easier access to vaccinations, as well as improved safety planning.

The reforms are part of a multi-stage approach to ensure better safety for all Queensland children, with the next stage including better support for Indigenous children and young people in care to maintain family connections.

The aforementioned changes will come into effect later this week.

Ipswich City Council secretive development arm discovered

Queensland government auditors have discovered a secretive development arm of the Ipswich City Council, having used up to $83 million of ratepayer dollars for property development deals.

Reports also revealed the company donated $10,000 to a school attended by children of three company directors.

Most shockingly, ICP, one of the council-owned companies examined, was set up for a $150 million facelift to the Ipswich city centre which has yet to come to fruition.

Changes to app agreement hope to rectify MyHealthRecords

The Australian Digital Health Agency released an amended agreement to the app companies with access to My Health Record information.

The new agreement will mean company contracts can be terminated on grounds of damaging My Health Record’s reputation.

Telstra, HealthEngine, Tyde and Healthi already have access to My Health Record information such as Medicare records, test results, scans and prescriptions, for their app users to view on mobile phones.

Men twice as likely to survive heart attacks

Women are twice as likely to die six months on from a heart attack, according to a study published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

The root of the problem was found to be treatment access, with women less likely to get tests to find blockages, as well as lower rates of referral for rehabilitation or access to preventative measures.

Senior author of the study, Professor Clara Chow, could not find a reason why there is a disparity in access between men and women, but believes unconscious bias may be to blame.

Toronto mass shooting leaves 14 injured, 2 dead

A mass shooting in Toronto has left thirteen people injured and two dead, including a ten-year-old girl and an eighteen-year-old woman.

An unidentified man repeatedly fired a pistol into cafes and restaurants. before exchanging fire with police, fleeing, and was later found dead.

Toronto police have not disclosed the still-unidentified man’s cause of death and say his motive remains unclear.

Dying with Dignity urges Longman voters to quiz candidates on voluntary euthanasia position

Assisted dying lobbying group Dying with Dignity has urged residents of the Longman electorate to set the pace for the rest of the state on assisted dying.

 

President of Dying with Dignity Jos Hall said we live in a smart state and yet Queenslanders are still to find their own way to avoid prolonged pain and suffering.

 

Ms Hall is urging resident to ask the candidates for their seat what their position on the issue is so their vote could make a difference.