INSTAGRAM BACK UP

Facebook and Instagram are back up and running after a six-hour global outage.

Social media giants confirmed the outage via twitter, stating that some people were having trouble accessing apps and products.

Facebook and Instagram were functional again at around 9am but users reported the pages as “Glitchy.” WhatsApp still appears to be down.

The outage comes a day after a whistle-blower’s debut on US television admitting she leaked documents to authorities alleging the social media giant knew its products were harmful to mental health.

QLD doctors' fear hospitals won't cope with potential outbreak

Queensland doctors express fears hospitals won’t be able to cope with rising Covid cases once borders open. 

The Australian medical association of Queensland says systematic problems within Queensland hospitals must be addressed before interstate borders can be opened. 

Emergency physician Dr Kim Hansen says hospitals are currently operating at 100% capacity, which must be brought down before - quote - “the inevitable outbreak of the delta strain.” 

QAS volunteer honoured for 50 years of service

A volunteer for the Queensland Ambulance Service has been honoured for 50 years of commitment. 

83- year-old Enid Machin joined the Ipswich local Ambulance committee in 1971, raising roughly $100,000 dollars over her 50 years of service. This was, at one stage, enough to buy an entire ambulance in the 1970s.

The QAS celebrated her long-term service with an intimate ceremony with family and friends.

QAS West Moreton District chief superintendent Drew Hebbron says, "It would be fair to say her work formed the foundation of the modern ambulance service."

 

FNQLD records some of the lowest vaccination rates

There is growing concern over low vaccination rates in Northern Queensland. 

Parts of regional QLD have some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, with only a third of residents being fully vaccinated. The figures show only 44.9% of residents in far north Queensland have had their first dose. 

Experts are urging the states health workers to target areas where vaccination rates were lowest. 

Australian swimming community grieves loss of Olympian

TRIGGER WARNING: This next story mentions mental health and abuse. 

The Australian swimming community were left reeling after the loss of Shane Lewis in February this year.

Shane Lewis represented Australia at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and passed away in February this year.

Lewis revealed that he had been sexually abused by elite swimming coach, John Wright, just prior to his death.

Two other former swimmers have revealed they were abused by Wright at around the same time at Brisbane’s Chandler location. 

Thousands enter new vaccine lottery

Over 350,000 Australians have entered the $1million vaccine lottery in less than a day. 

The lottery site which aims to incentivise Australians to get the vaccination, crashed within the first 24 hours of its launch. The initiative was started by the Million Dollar Vax Alliance, “a group of generous philanthropists and corporations.”

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews has given the initiative a thumbs up of approval saying he's "not fussed about what motivates you, just go and get vaccinated.” 

 

Californian oil spill wreaking havoc

A large oil spill off the coast of California has been labelled an environmental catastrophe. 

It is believed the crude oil has been leaking from a southern Californian pipeline. Over 470,000 litres has spread into an oil spill over 33 square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean, injuring local wildlife and devastating a large ecological reserve. 

Sunshine Coast to honour returned Olympians

Sunshine Coast olympians and paralympians are set to be honoured in an event next week. 

Federal minister for Fairfax Ted O’Brien has organised the event in conjunction with the Sunshine Coast and Noosa councils. 

The Sunshine Coast is a key delivery partner for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson says, “our local Olympians and Paralympians will be an integral part of supporting our road-to-glory journey together towards 2032.”

The free event will be held on Thursday at the USC stadium.