Protests in Sydney against Covid restrictions
Demonstrations have taken place in Sydney, with smaller protests held in Melbourne and in Brisbane at the Botanic Gardens, against tight restrictions imposed to tackle a rise in Covid cases.
People chanted "freedom" as they marched through the centre of Sydney.
Officers say they have made 57 arrests.
A statement from the force says, "the NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly, however, the protest is in breach of the current Covid-19 Public Health Orders."
Great Barrier Reef not listed as an endangered world heritage site
Australia, on Friday, avoided having the Great Barrier Reef listed as an endangered world heritage site by UNESCO, despite extensive climate change-spurred damage to the ecosystem’s corals.
Climate Council spokesman Will Steffen says Australia must stop censoring science, and start taking the steps required to help protect the reef.
UNESCO has accused Australia of failing to meet key water quality and land management targets, while also taking aim at the country’s conservative government for its lacklustre climate efforts.
March in Budapest against new LGBTQI+ discrimination
Thousands of people marched through the capital city of Hungary, Budapest, to defend the rights of the LGBTQI+ community.
It comes after the government tried to limit discussion of homosexuality and transgender issues in schools.
A law to limit teaching on the subject came into force this month and Prime Minister Viktor Orban plans to back it up with a referendum.
A spokesperson for Hatter, the country's leading LGBTQI+ rights association, says that the law "encourages" and "legitimises being openly homophobic or transphobic."
JAZZPARTY: Nobody Gets Away
<p><span><span>- Mondays, <em>ugh</em>, amiright? There’s at least one song about it, no wait I can think of several. Admittedly this was before we lived in an endless now where all time is some kind of beige background that you scream into and nobody can hear. Monday was once, however, the weekly focal point of our collected, psychic horror. That is except for one plucky band of musos, who, exhausted by weekends gigging soulless gigs, decided -on their industry’s day of rest- to have a jam.
Molly Burch: Romantic Images
<p><span><span>- Since her first full length studio album release <em>Please be Mine</em> in 2018, Austin-based singer/songwriter Molly Burch has leant further and further into her jazz roots, to much success. <em>Romantic Images </em>is Burch’s fourth album release, and a distinct revolution stylistically and sonically.
11AM Zedlines
Image Credit: Brisbane City Council
No cases linked to Sunshine Coast infection risk.
Queensland has recorded no cases of COVID-19 linked to the woman who visited several locations around the Sunshine Coast while infected last week.
Health authorities were expecting more local cases after a fully vaccinated woman was infectious in the community between July 15 and 17.
Health authorities have released a list of exposure sites the woman visited which include major transport hubs and they urged anyone who was at these sites to monitor symptoms and get tested if they notice any.
Queensland had 25 active cases on Friday.
An oversized skyscraper has been proposed in West End.
A new twelve-story residential tower development in West End has been proposed to the Brisbane City Council despite exceeding the current seven-story height restrictions.
On behalf of the developer, consultancy group Urbis said that the development’s proximity to other buildings in the area which also exceed the height limit makes it acceptable.
Closed borders have caused distress for Gold Coast businesses.
Gold Coast business owners once again raised concerns over restrictions on the New South Wales border.
At 1am Friday, the hard border was implemented with access only available for emergency services vehicles.
Fourth-generation Gold Coast farmer David Freeman said the last lockdown nearly sent his business under, and he didn’t know how he would “cope” if this closure continued.
Afghan translators will have to flee on commercial flights.
Prime minister Scott Morrison said that unlike the United States, Australia will not be conducting military evacuations for former staff and translators stuck in Afghanistan.
The federal government had been facing increasing pressure to evacuate Afghan nationals who served with their forces and agencies, but a spokesperson for Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said commercial flights were still available for them.
A group of veterans burnt their service medals in protest on Monday.