Hackers target Family Planning NSW

Family Planning NSW has been targeted by hackers who held data on clients for ransom.

The hack occured on ANZAC day and a ransom request for 15,000 bitcoin was sent to the reproductive and health services provider.

Family Planning NSW said medical data was not under threat but that emails requesting information and appointments may have been accessed.

Government department recommends clearing Queensland forest

The Department of the Environment and Energy has recommended mass vegetation clearing of almost 2000 hectares on Cape York Peninsula, despite the likelihood the forest contains endangered species.

Erosion caused by the land clearing could also lead to poor water quality in the Great Barrier Reef.

The department said the possible impacts of the proposal “will not be unacceptable.”

Brisbane West to see new bikeway

Brisbane West may soon see a pedestrian and cyclist bridge as part of the Brisbane City Council’s plan for stage one of the Indooroopilly bikeway.

The bikeway, which is expected to start construction next financial year, will stretch from the existing Western Freeway bikeway,  the University of Queensland’s bikeway and Brisbane River Loop.

The council’s public and active transport chairman Adrian Schrinner, said stage one of the bikeway project would boost safety for the 700 people who rode or walked along Radnor Street every day.

Free washing and checkups for pets sleeping ‘Ruff

Students and volunteers have come up with a plan to help homeless people with pet washing and vet checkups.

‘Ruff Sleepers’ is a not-for-profit which gets together once a month to provide free check ups, a  dog-washing service and general community catch up.

Co-founder Bronwen Dalton, an Associate Professor of Sydney University of Technology, said "it's an environment where we all come together as dog lovers. It’s not paternalistic, it’s friendly and caring.”

Family of five carries out police headquarters bombing in Indonesia

A family of five has carried out a suicide bombing of a police headquarters in Indonesia, following deadly attacks on churches committed by another family on Sunday.

 

The family members were used as suicide bombers, the eight-year-old girl from the family has survived while her mother, father and two brothers died in the blast.

 

The family has been linked to local extremist network Jamaah Ansharut Daulah.

Gaza riots amidst opening of US embassy

Clashes erupted in the border between Gaza and Israel amid the move of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

40,000 Palestinians gathered in protest at the border where 55 have died and 2,400 wounded.

Israeli military said “the rioters [were] hurling fire bombs and explosive devices at the security fence at Israeli troops and are burning tyres, throwing rocks and launching flaming objects with the intention of igniting fires in Israeli territory."

Indigenous flag designer says government should not have a say over Aboriginal art

The designer of the Indigenous flag has spoken out against policing the authenticity of Indigenous art.

Harold Thomas has worked in the art world for more than 50 years and says the only truly authentic indigenous art would be ochre colours on bark.

Thomas said it is important not to allow control of what is and is not Aboriginal art to be policed by a non-indigenous body such as the federal government, who is currently conducting an inquiry into sales of “fake” aboriginal art.

Protest to block morning traffic in West End

Up to sixty residents are expected to show up to a protest in support of improved safety at an intersection in West End this morning.

The protest is planned to block traffic through the Montague Road and Victoria Street intersection from 8 to 8.30am.

Greens Councillor for The Gabba, Jonathan Sri, says the intersection is “extremely dangerous” and needs traffic lights.