Flu vaccines supply shortfall triggered by unprecedented demand
The unprecedented increase in demand for flu vaccinations has impacted the availability of supplies says Australia’s Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Hobbs.
5.1 million vaccines have been made available this year through the National Immunisation program but a 25% increase in demand is reported by states and territories.
Grenfell Disaster Proceedings to begin
An independent public inquiry into the Grenfell tower fire will begin on Monday in London, almost a year after the fire which killed 72 people.
The inquiry was first formally opened in September 2017 by Sir Martin Moore-Brick who was handpicked by British Prime Minister Theresa May to lead the inquiry.
Cuba confirms 110 killed in country’s deadliest plane crash since 1989
Cuban authorities confirmed 110 out of 113 on board has been killed in a plane crash soon after takeoff from Havana.
Safety complaints against the mexican charter company Damojh who leased the 40 year-old Boeing 737 to Cubana have surfaced.
Authorities discovered last year the plane crew was allowing dangerous overloading of luggage on flights to Cuba from the Guyanese airport and has since been barred from Guyanese airspace.
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Venezuelan Election Receives Low Turnout
Venezuelans have voted in the national election, where incumbent President Nicolas Maduro is widely expected to win a second term in office.
The election turnout is believed to be low and comes after calls from the opposition to boycott the election.
President Maduro has promised an “economic revolution” for the country which has faced hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages under his leadership.
The winner of the election will begin a six year term from January 2019.
M1 upgrade set to be included in $45 billion infrastructure budget
The M1’s Cross River Rail is expected to be included in the new $45 billion infrastructure budget.
Queensland’s Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk states the plans are to cope with the infrastructure that is needed for Queensland's growing future.
Palaszczuk also states the $45 billion budget is nine times more than Malcolm Turnbull is giving Queensland from Canberra.
Labor’s official budget will be revealed on the 12th of June.
Homeless targeted with fines for begging and loitering in the UK
Homeless persons are being subjected to hundreds of pounds in fines for loitering and begging in England and Wales, despite guidelines from the home office for councils to avoid targeting those sleeping rough under Public Space Protection Orders.
Under these laws homeless persons have been banned from city centres and given fines, in some cases up to 1100 pounds, for acts such as persistent begging.
Farmers gagged by big banks hope royal commission will uncover what they’re too scared to say
Australian farmers with properties foreclosed by major banks are hoping the banking royal commission hearings will expose unfair treatment.
ANZ and Commonwealth is alleged to have forced farmers and business owners to refinance against their will.
ANZ bank has privately settled with many farmers but has gagged them from speaking out publicly without risking legal action with confidentiality clauses.
Mushroom poisoning reaches 27, expected to increase
Warnings have been issued in NSW as 27 people have been poisoned by eating wild mushrooms.
A spokesperson for NSW Health states while its prime season for mushrooming, pickers are confusing
a poisonous fungi for an edible one.
Jared Brown, head of the Poisons Information Centre says there is no reliable way to distinguish poisonous mushrooms from edible ones.
Anyone in contact with wild mushrooms should contact the PIC on 13 11 26.
Palaszczuk Government to purchase Far-north Queensland law for conservation
The Palaszczuk government has purchased the land proposed for the Earl Hills development at Trinity Beach, protecting the land from developers.
Member for Barron River Craig Crawford says the area is home to threatened species and the plan was to develop the 54 hectares of land into a conservation park by the years end.
Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch says its important to protect areas like Earl Hill to ensure Queenslanders can enjoy the natural beauty they provide.