Zimbabwean authorities fire 16,000 striking nurse
The Zimbabwean government has sacked 16,000 nurses who have been engaged in strike actions since Monday.
The nurses strike follows a month of industrial actions by junior doctors agitating for better pay and more funding for health infrastructure.
Evelyn Ida Morris: Evelyn Ida Morris
- Over the years Pikelet, the nom (-nom-nom) de plume that Evelyn Ida Morris worked under forever, has become an enduring fixture of experimental pop in Oz. An antipodean co-traveller to the likes of Jenny Hval or Julia Holter, like those artists they’re capable of putting complex subject matter to work in experimental songcraft, all the while weaving a catchy tune into sweet harmony.
Poll suggests Australia tax and regulate cannabis instead of prohibiting it
Released information from a 2016 Essential Media poll suggests Australia should tax and regulate cannabis rather than prohibit it, after 55% of Australians supported the idea.
The idea calls for similar arrangements as those surrounding alcohol and cigarettes for the drug, with required proof-of-age to purchase and plain packaging with health warnings and product information.
Protest over NT government moratorium on fracking lifted
250 people have protested outside the Northern Territory parliament house in response to Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s announcement that the moratorium on fracking would be lifted.
Local musician David protested "This is the first issue that's really engaged me and I think it's just because water is such a precious resource and we need it to live.” he said.
Study finds Great Barrier Reef transformed by mass bleaching
A team of international researchers have discovered that corals in the Great Barrier Reef have a lower tolerance to heat stress than expected, contributing to a permanent transformation of a mix of species in some of the most pristine regions.
Dome-shaped porites corals were found to be relatively resilient to the researchers test on how much abnormal heat triggers bleaching, and testing revealed how much heat stress is required before coral species can’t transition to survive.
Brisbane Restaurant allegedly poisons eight customers with Salmonella
The new owner of a popular Vietnamese restaurant, in Brisbane's West End is desperately trying to salvage its reputation, after being accused of poisoning eight customers with salmonella.
Maria Nguyen bought the business off David Duong after council health inspectors last year discovered pigeons in the kitchen, black slime near food preparation areas and raw meat defrosting on the floor underneath dirty dishes.
Indonesia warns Norway over proposed ban on CPO imports
Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita has warned Indonesia will reject fish imports from Norway if they go ahead with the proposed ban on crude palm oil.
Last June, the Norwegian parliament voted to introduce a ban on the procurement of palm oil and palm oil products for use as biofuels with the EU following suit with calls to halt CPO-based biofuel imports in 2020.
Indonesian export value to Norway reached US$65.5 million in 2017, while Indonesia's imports from Norway were $237.7 million consisting of mostly fish and fishery products.
Screamfeeder: Patterns Form
- Brisbane’s indie-noise guitar outfit Screamfeeder first started pumping out tunes over a quarter of a century ago. They produced six quality albums over the next decade or so, topping it off with their 2004 compilation Introducing Screamfeeder, which was a collection of their singles and almost-singles up until then. Whilst there were the occasional live performances after that, the recorded output from the individual members of Screamfeeeder was through various other collective and solo projects.
8am Zedlines
Good Morning this Justin and Maria with your 8am Zedlines.
Image: The Woodlands Township
Castro Successor Announced in Cuba
Cuban officials have selected the successor to the retiring President Raul Castro.
Miguel Diaz-Canel, foremost of the country’s vice presidents, will assume the role, marking the end of the nearly 60 years of Castro rule in Cuba.
Mr Diaz Canal will take charge of a stagnating economy and disenchanted younger population eager for change.