Starbucks to close 8000 branches for 'racial bias' training

Starbucks is closing more than eight thousand branches in the US in the afternoon next month to carry out “racial bias” training.

 

This comes after the company apologised over the arrest of two black men who were waiting for a friend at a Starbucks in Philadelphia.

 

Outrage against the company for the arrest has gone viral and Starbucks chief executive Kevin Johnson says they are learning what they did wrong and are taking steps to fix it.

 

Melvins: Pinkus Abortion Technician

- Melvins are among the great ‘90's survivors. Their sludgy metal crawl was a well-documented influence on Kurt Cobain and the grunge movement; however while that very movement has long since come and gone, Melvins have remained active, mavericks who have transcended genre not unlike Neurosis or Mudhoney who also maintain a continuous existence in the American underground.

China’s version of Twitter reverses ban on LGBTIQ+ content

China’s version of Twitter, has reversed a ban on gay content after a backlash by LGBTI activists accusing the company of smearing homosexuality by lumping it in with other banned content.

Weibo had been on a three-month campaign to remove pornographic and violent content as well as gay videos.

The official newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, the People’s Daily, encouraged tolerance towards gay people, and said that vulgar content will be removed regardless of sexual orientation.

Reporters without Borders calls for investigation into death of Russian journalist

Reporters without Borders is calling for a full investigation into the death of Russian Investigative Journalist Maxim Borodin.

Borodin had reported on bodies, believed to be those of Russian mercenaries, being moved to a regional village, some speculate this incident is closely linked to the Russian government.

Borodin was found, having fallen from his fifth floor apartment, the cause remains unclear.

Penguins released from Taronga Zoo

A group of penguins were released from Taronga Zoo Wildlife Hospital Tuesday.

The flightless birds have been released to Manly’s Shelly Beach after being treated for injuries including dehydration, a fishing hook injury and a broken foot.

1500 native animals are treated by veterinarians each year at the zoo.  

Northern Territory lifts ban on fracking

The Northern Territory has opened more than half their landmass to onshore hydraulic fracturing after lifting a ban on the practice.

An independent report presented by Justice Rachel Pepper found the risks of fracking could be managed and regulated.

Environmental groups are pressuring the government to keep the ban because of the impacts of fracking on the environment and public health.

Jamie Oliver's Australian restaurants changing ownership

Staff are concerned after it was announced that all six of Jamie Oliver’s Australian restaurants have collapsed.

All the restaurants, except the Canberra outlet will continue to operate, having been purchased by Hallmark Group.

This is the latest of several of Oliver’s businesses to fail due to financial difficulties.