NSW Governments plan to conserve Koalas is criticised by environmental group.
An environmental organisation has raised concerns over the New South Wales governments $45 million intervention package to protect the threatened koala population
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW has welcomed the move but believes it falls short of a comprehensive plan and does not tackle the biggest threat to koalas being habitat loss.
CEO of the Nature Conservation Council Kate Smolski says, while introductions of hospitals is positive it would be better to ensure the safety of koala habitat.
More than 9 homes destroyed by lava in Hawaiian Volcano
9 homes have been destroyed and more than 1,700 residents evacuated from the danger area in Hawaii’s recent volcano eruption.
Hundreds of small earthquakes continued to rumble through the area on Saturday, after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake happened on Friday.
Geologists say the Magma moving through Kilauea set off the earthquakes, being one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
China hits back at the White House
China has hit back at the White House, as they have demanded foreign airlines change their websites to describe Taiwan as part of China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, says foreign companies operating in China should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity, abide by Chinese laws and respect national sentiments.
The United States cannot change the fact there is only one China in the world and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions are integral parts of operations in the Chinese territory.
Drug testing at festivals supported by young music fans
Young people at a music festival in Victoria have shown support for an Australian-first pill-testing trial, saying they want more drug checks.
At the Groovin the Moo festival in Bendigo on the weekend, there was a no tolerance policy for illicit drugs.
A number of music fans at the event said it was inevitable that young people would take drugs, and therefore substance checks could minimise the harm.
The festival facilitated the trial at its Canberra festival last month, after it was approached by ACT Health.
Russian drug illegal in Queensland
A Russian drug has now been made illegal after 10 students from the Gold Coast overdosed on the substance.
The drug, called Phenibut, is among 104 new substances now illegal in the state, after students were hospitalised in February.
According to Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath, it is an essential move that has been made quickly to ensure this chemical is illegal, as it is not safe and has no therapeutic value.
8am Zedlines
With Anna and Paulo.
Explosion in Afghanistan mosque
14 people have been killed and 33 others injured in an explosion at a mosque in eastern Afghanistan on Sunday.
The mosque, in the city of Khost, was being used as a voter registration centre ahead of parliamentary elections in October.
Khost's Chief of Police Basir Bina says the blast was caused by a bomb placed in the mosque, rather than by a suicide bomber.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, so far.
Pakistan's Interior Minister shot and wounded
Pakistan's Interior Minister, Ahsan Iqbal, has been shot and wounded in his shoulder while attending a provincial assembly meeting in Narowal.
A district police officer says as he got out of a car, a young man shot him.
The assailant has been apprehended and identified as Abid Hussain, a 21-year-old from Neelum village in Narowal.
It has not been confirmed if the gunman is a member of a hardline Islamist group, but more details are to be released today.
Parents in shock as gun advertisement placed near childcare
The Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) has received complaints over the weekend as a billboard advertising a rifle has been spotted near Goodstart Early Learning Centre in Brisbane.
A spokeswoman for the ASB states in this example there is no violence shown, only the image of the product and the advertisements for weaponry may fall under Section 2.3 of the Australian Association of National Advertisers Code of Ethics which states:
Tasmanian bikie laws set to affect other riders
On Sunday, over 100 motorcyclists gathered in Denoport, Tasmania to oppose anti-bikie laws.
Local Doris Smith states the new laws discriminate against non-criminals as it’s hard to distinguish the two.
However Michael Ferguson, Tasmanian’s police minister says most of the motorcycle groups in our state who are law-abiding groups have absolutely nothing to fear because they won't be affected.
He also urges riders to read the proposed laws before consultation closes on May 11th.