Iran Extends Deal with Nuclear Watchdog

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.

 

New UQ Coral Bleaching Satellite System

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.

Concerns Over E-Cigarette Trading in QLD Schools

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.

New Melbourne Restrictions

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.

 

Content Warning: War Crimes

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.

Aung San Suu Kyi Appears in Court

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.

 

Mass Vaccination Set for Year's End

The Queensland government says they will open community-based mass vaccination hubs in the last quarter of the year when more Pfizer vaccines become available.

It comes after the government announced yesterday they would be delaying opening mass vaccination centres because of a shortage of vaccine doses.

Health minister Yvette D’Ath says the government will begin opening further hubs in October, after they’re expected to receive more Pfizer vaccines