Nigerian government bans Twitter
Nigeria suspends twitter after the company deleted a controversial tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari made about a secessionist movement.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has warned that those defying the government's ban on Twitter will be prosecuted.
Twitter says it is deeply concerned by the government's action, as free and open internet is an essential human right in modern society.
Monday 7/06/21 9am Zedlines
Your 9am Zedlines with Shreya and Imogen.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons / Babu
Brisbane's Lifeline Bookfest is back
Brisbane's Lifeline Bookfest is back at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from June 26 to July 4.
Due to COVID-19 the event will be cashless and people will be asked to bring their own bags.
Lifeline is hoping to raise $1.5 million from book sales, with 2,000 volunteers needed to help out.
Lifeline Queensland retail general manager Jamie MacKay says the last two Bookfests haven't been able to take place due to COVID-19, so they have got more books than previous years.
Queensland government taken to court over pay dispute
A Queensland public servant has taken the Queensland government to court over a pay dispute.
Glenn Dodds requested an increased pay position in December last year after working in a higher role for more than 2 years, but was denied this request.
The court case continues after his department had claimed his role was only short-term, and not necessary going forth.
Australian Fashion Week welcomes First Nations traditions
Last week, for the first time, Australian Fashion Week opened with a traditional Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by the Gadigal people.
It is a momentous occasion for the First Nations community, and a welcomed change.
Cairns-based Meriam Mer fashion designer, Grace Lillian Lee, who showcased her designs in the show, said it was exciting “to be launching and sharing self-determined, independent, Indigenous designers.”
Concerns changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule may not be ready in time
Changes under the Medicare Benefits Schedule are set to affect orthopaedic, general and heart surgery, coming into effect on July 1st.
Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid says the private healthcare sector – including health funds, hospitals, doctors and patients – will not be ready for the July 1st changes due to poor implementation by the government.
The Australian Medical Association wants a six-month lead time to prepare for the implementation of such changes.
Protests in Hungary over planned Chinese university campus
Thousands of people marched through Budapest on Saturday to protest against plans to open a Chinese university campus in Hungary.
The protesters claim the project will undercut the country's own higher education and increase the influence of China's Communist authorities.
The cost is estimated to be $1.8 billion, which is more than the Orban government spent on its entire higher-education system in 2019.
Expected to be finished by 2024, it will be the first site of this kind in the European Union.
Monday 7/06/21 8am Zedlines
Your 8am Zedlines with Imogen and Shreya.
Image credit: Queensland Government
Vaccination locations to reopen on Sunday
Queensland Health announced community vaccination locations will reopen on Sunday.
Registration is open to aged care workers, disability workers and people aged 40-49 years old.
Up to 15,000 vaccinations are expected, with people advised to make an appointment to secure their vaccination.
However, walk-ins may be accepted if there are enough doses.
Fines for non-voters in the 2020 March elections
More than 19,000 Queenslanders have been fined after failing to vote at Queensland’s 2020 March Local Government Elections.
At the time coronavirus cases were surging in Queensland, leaving at-risk individuals frightened to go out and vote.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland said that non-voters would not be punished only if they were found to have a “valid and sufficient” reason.