A study conducted by Monash University has found that discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people has risen dramatically.

The study, conducted on behalf of ‘Inclusive Australia’, found the percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people who reported experiencing at least one form of major discrimination increased from 29% in 2019 to almost 50% in 2020.

Board member of Inclusive Australia, Yorta Yorta man Ian Hamm believes that strong political and social leadership is needed to reverse this trend.

Continuing tremors in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s sixth largest city Goma are complicating recovery efforts following a large volcanic eruption over the weekend.

Mount Nyiragongo, one of the world’s most active and dangerous volcanoes, sent a half-mile wide stream of lava towards Goma, destroying several villages and displacing thousands.

The lava stopped short of the city but continuing tremors have deterred people from returning to their homes and hindered efforts to unblock a main road and restore electricity.

Iran will extend its agreement with the global nuclear watchdog, allowing negotiators more time to agree on terms for Iran’s return to its 2015 nuclear deal with a coalition of Western powers.

Iran granted the International Atomic Energy Agency a one-month extension to keep its monitoring equipment in Iranian nuclear facilities, however Iran will keep the tapes until a return to the deal is agreed.

Activists say a new mine will threaten the river system that supplies Queensland’s second largest dam.

Anti- mining action group Lock The Gate says the proposed expansion of the Ensham mine near Emerald could cause nearby land to sink, putting local farmers at risk 

A world-first satellite monitoring system, developed with Queensland and international scientists, will begin scanning the world’s oceans to spot coral bleaching in real time. 

The satellite imagery will allow scientists to detect differences in reef brightness allowing organisations to see where coral bleaching is taking place. 

Dr. Chris Roelfsema from the University of Queensland’s Remote Sensing Research Centre says with ever increasing levels of warming, the satellite’s monitoring capability is desperately needed.

Queensland teachers and parents are concerned students are trading highly addictive flavoured e-cigarettes.

The Puff Bar e-cigarettes contain 5 per cent, or 50 milligrams, of nicotine, allegedly the equivalent of two-and-a-half packs of cigarettes.

It is illegal to possess nicotine e-cigarettes without a prescription in Queensland and Lung Foundation Australia says the devices can affect learning, memory and impulse control.

Starting at 18:00 tonight, private gatherings will be limited to five people, public gatherings will be limited to thirty people and face masks will be mandatory indoors in Melbourne.

The move comes after four new locally acquired COVID-19 cases were detected in Melbourne last night and a fifth was detected this morning.

The Victorian government says the measures are to allow time for contact tracing and further testing.

The first person to face war crimes charges for their involvement in South Sudan’s Darfur conflict is now standing trial at the International Criminal Court.

Ali Muhammed Ali Abd-al-Rahman, former commander of the government-backed Janjaweed militia, faces 32 charges including persecution, murder, torture and rape.

The War in Darfur lasted from 2003 to 2009 and resulted in up to 300 000 deaths and 2.7 million displaced persons.

Myanmar’s democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi has appeared in court for the first time to face charges ranging from illegally possessing walkie-talkies to violating state secrets laws which could result in up to 14 years in prison. 

This is the first time Suu Kyi has been seen since she was arrested on February 1st during a military coup which overthrew her National League for Democracy party.

She remained defiant throughout the hearing and said her party would exist as long as people continue to support it.