Thai protesters rally against building development

More than 1,000 people have gathered in the city of Chiang Mai in Thailand, protesting a luxury building development in a forested area.

Considered one of the country’s biggest demonstrations protests, the group rallied against a proposed housing development for judges and officials in the foothills of a sacred mountain.

The mountain accommodates a religious temple, and is considered sacred to many of the locals. 

Authorities have defended the building, having already spent $32 million on the project.

Burst water pipe causes mayhem

A quiet street in Melbourne was shaken up on Sunday morning as a water pipe burst on Ervin Road, in the Melbourne suburb of Kilsyth.  

Melbourne Water representative Craig Dixon quickly arrived and assessed the damage. Dixon stated that muddy water had damaged several properties.

Some families were forced to evacuated due to the damage.  

Tasmanian animal welfare adviser quits

An animal welfare adviser to the Tasmanian government is quitting over what he perceives as a lack of progress and deep-seated issues with the way investigations are handled.

Dr Malcolm Caulfield, the principal solicitor for the Melbourne-based Animal Law Institute, says the Department of Primary Industries has been keeping his committee in the dark about animal welfare cases.

This comes after a lack of information about the cause of death of 16 polo ponies in the back of a truck while crossing the Bass Strait on a ship in January.

Landmark newsagent to fight back

Rankin’s on the Mall owner Ross Petersen isn’t going down without a fight in his bid to save his landmark news agency with council redevelopment looming.

On March 29 Brisbane City Council officially notified the Queen Street Mall news agency, which has been operating for 35 years, they would be evicted.

Online and paper petitions calling on the council to allow the news agency to stay on Queen Street have so far received more than 5000 signatures.

WHALEHOUSE @ The Black Bear Lodge

 The girls from Whalehouse absolutely nailed their Sexy Whale Beach Party single launch last Saturday night at Black Bear Lodge. Everything was spot-on - the lineup, decorations, addition of an actual DJ between sets as opposed to house music, everything was thought-out to a tee. It certainly was a night filled with some of Brisbane’s finest up-and-coming femme fronted bands, with supports including Pink Matter and Average Art Club.

AMP chairwoman steps down amidst scandal

AMP chairwoman Catherine Brenner has resigned this morning following the discovery of damning evidence at the banking royal commission of misconduct by the company’s staff.

The royal commission heard on Friday that the AMP could also be facing criminal penalties for misleading corporate regulator ASIC.

Counsel assisting the inquiry Rowena Orr, QC said the AMP may have breached regulations over numerous misleading statements relating to its practice of charging fees for no service.

Armenian protest leader bids to become next Prime Minister

An Armenian protest leader has announced his bid to become the nation’s next Prime Minister after he and his supporters demonstrated against the election of Serzh Sargsyan.

Nikol Pashinyan, leader of the protests, is hoping his bid will be backed by the country’s current president, Armen Sarkisian.

Protests have been occurring since Sargsyan was selected for the role earlier in the month, following him having to step down as the country’s President after 10 years due to Armenian term limits.

Great Brisbane Bike Ride brings disabled riders together

Brendon Donohue, a vision-impaired bike rider posted to Facebook that he needed assistance around the Great Brisbane Bike Ride's 10-kilometre course on Sunday.

Sean Harrison, also a disabled rider responded to Donohue’s request as he wanted Brendon to get the same feeling of being an able-bodied person for a period of time while riding his bike.

There were a few hiccups along the way, but the pair were successful in crossing the finish line.