Online map of Sydney shows hot spots for harassment
An online map is being launched in Sydney today for women to map areas where they feel harassed or unsafe as well as areas where they feel safe.
The lead researcher on the project Dr Nicole Kalms said these maps often reveal that women usually have negative experiences in busy, public places rather than in quiet, dark alleys, where people often expect bad experiences to happen.
The findings will be used to help develop the city as well as several other major cities around the globe.
Report finds skilled migrants add to Australia’s wealth
A new joint report by the Australian Treasury and the Department of Home Affairs found skilled migrants are adding to Australia’s wealth.
The report said migrants will limit the economic impact of the aging Australian population.
The report also said further pressures on infrastructure and housing from an increased population needs to be addressed to “fully reap the benefits” of skilled migrants.
Commonwealth Games clock set on fire
Police have released footage of three people setting fire to a Commonwealth Games clock in Southbank in response to police force used against the Stolen Wealth games protest.
While not endorsed by the Stolen Wealth protestors, the three individuals captured on CCTV claimed they were in solidarity with the protestors.
The two females and one male posted the video to social media themselves and stated it was a response to the ‘excessive force’ used by police against indigenous land rights protesters on Friday.
Tow truck regulation to limit prices
Queensland tow truck companies can no longer set their fees, with state-regulation coming in after a number of rogue operators were exposed.
A pre-tow release is now $150, a holding yard release fee is $250, with a flat charge of $25 per day for storage.
Tow truck operators are prohibited from charging for locating the owner, travelling to collect the vehicle, and allowing the vehicle owner access to the holding yard during business hours.
10am Zedlines
Your 10am Zedlines with Neesha and Georgie.
Photo:Wikimedia Commons/PHIL, CDC
New mosquito trial in north Queensland
A new mosquito trial has begun near Cairns as part of a CSIRO project to eradicate Aedes aegypti in North Queensland.
The mosquitos were bred in a lab environment and then the males, which do not bite, were infected with a bacteria that makes their offspring sterile, they were then released en-mass to make any offspring produced with wild females non-viable.
Aedes aegypti transmit many diseases including dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever.
Viking treasure uncovered by amateur archaeologist
Archaeologists have uncovered treasure connected to 10th century Danish King Harald Bluetooth in northern Germany.
The treasure, initially uncovered by an amateur archaeologist and a 13 year old boy, was made up of about 600 coins as well as jewelry and a Thor’s hammer.
Lead archaeologist Michael Shirren said the discovery is significant as it is “the biggest discovery of Bluetooth coins in the southern Baltic sea region.”
Ex-Auschwitz guard charged at 94 years old
Prosecutors in Germany have charged a 94 year old Ex-Auschwitz guard with aiding and abetting the murders of 13,335 people.
This is the latest in a series of recent convictions of SS guards, after a 2011 ruling meant charges could be lain against guards as an accessory to murder.
The unnamed guard, from northern Serbia, was 19 at the time of his work at the camp and so will be tried as a minor.
Rural ranger program cuts threaten 700 Indigenous jobs
The federal government’s rural ranger program is currently under threat of funding cuts, posing a threat to the the 700 Indigenous Australians as part of the scheme.
Employees who are part of the scheme tackle feral animals, manage invasive species and monitor native wildlife.
Spokeswoman for the Country Needs People Campaign, Sophia Walter, said the government needs to recognise the success of Indigenous rangers by delivering long term contracts.
Workers out in force for wage increases
Thousands of workers will be out in force for wage increases and job security in union rallies across the country over the next two weeks beginning with a delegates mass meeting in Melbourne today.
The union representatives will meet in Melbourne town hall before workers rally across Australia from Newcastle, Ipswich, Canberra, Maryborough, Fremantle, Darwin and Melbourne until May 18.
The marches will be the biggest campaign since the your rights at work effort in 2007 which helped bring down the Howard government and work choices.