Toys R US Closes in USA

Toy retailer Toys R Us will cease trading in all 800 of its American stores, after an announcement earlier in the week it would also close its 100 United Kingdom stores.

The chain, which employs up to 33,000 employees in the USA, filed for bankruptcy in America and Canada in October 2017.

The Australian arm, which comprises 39 stores, said after the bankruptcy filing last year it was “”business as usual” for local operations, although it’s unclear what effect the latest development will have.

Liberals on track to take government in South Australian election

The South Australian election remains a genuine three horse race rarely seen in Australian politics.

ABC election analyst Antony Green believes the Liberals are on track to win the 24 seats required to form government following an electoral redistribution in the state; Labor would need a uniform swing of 3% to retain government.

South Australia Best leader Nick Xenophon is in a tight battle for the seat of Hartley with the very real prospect of losing out to Liberal incumbent Vincent Tarzia as the pressure of leading a campaign for government has become apparent.

Northern Territory experiences coral bleaching

The Northern Territory marine ecosystems may be under threat after rising sea temperatures lead to coral bleaching in waters near the Co-bourg Peninsula.

Rangers at the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park have documented large patches of bleached coral from the air in January this year, in the same area where coral grew healthily in 2015.

Vice Admiral Commemorates 75th Anniversary

Today marks the 75th anniversary since the American Seventh Fleet was created out of General Douglas MacArthur’s Brisbane headquarters in the old AMP building on Queen St during World War II.

Current commander of the Seventh Fleet, Vice admiral Philip Sawyers, laid a wreath yesterday on the New Farm Submarine Heritage Walk, the site of an Allied submarine base during World War II.

The Seventh Fleet operates out of the Pacific, and comprises up to 40,000 sailors and more than 60 ships and 300 airplanes.

Medicinal cannabis being administered illegally at Lady Cilento Children’s hospital

Doctors at Lady Cilento children’s hospital are allegedly ‘turning a blind eye’ to parents illegally administering medicinal cannabis to their seriously ill children.

In a recording obtained by the ABC, Brisbane father Steve Peek told a doctor he would be administering the drug while his daughter is in Hospital, to which he was told as long as staff didn't know about it, it was ‘completely fine’.

Two arrested for alleged sex in Banda Aceh

A man and a transgender woman were arrested in Banda Aceh, Indonesia for allegedly engaging in intimate acts in a beauty salon.  

Banda Aceh has a record of poor human rights and discrimination particularly since it was granted special autonomy in 2001 to be ruled by Islamic law.

The pair, who deny the allegations made against them, face charges under Article 26 of Aceh sharia law which carries a punishment of 100 lashes.

Britain expels 23 Russian Diplomats

23 Russian Diplomats have been ordered to leave the United Kingdom after the attempted assassination of a former Russian intelligence operative on British soil with a Soviet-era nerve agent.

UK authorities are holding the Russian State responsible for the act, though Russian authorities deny their involvement.

Adani Supporters frustrated with delays

The support of rusted-on Adani coal mine backers is beginning to waver as the Indian conglomerate misses another self-imposed deadline to secure financing.

Former north Queensland Labor MP Jim Pearce said, “they’re putting people like myself out there in the middle of the road, only to get run over.”

Mackay’s Mayor Greg Williamson has also expressed frustration, saying “for goodness sake, get it going.”

Labor’s planned changes to dividend imputation system sparks fury among retirees

The Federal Labour Party’s proposed shares policy has angered retirees after Bill Shorten floated changes to the dividend imputation system which may leave many at a loss of income.

Self-funded retiree, Margaret Osbourne, said this policy will result in her and her partners’ income dropping by 30%.

Retirees with lower incomes may be pushed down towards the age pension, however, Mr Shorten has promised compensation through higher pension payments to those affected by the changes.