The United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union have all imposed targeted sanctions on Chinese government officials over the treatment of the Muslim Uighur minority in the country’s western Xinjiang province. China retaliated to the move almost immediately, sanctioning 10 European officials and 4 entities. China has been internationally criticised for its treatment of the Uighurs, with the United Nations estimating that 1 million Uighurs are detained in detention camps or being used as slave labour across China.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says South East Queenslanders should avoid the roads unless absolutely necessary as heavy rains continue. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued flood warnings for rivers across the region and says conditions are unlikely to change until tomorrow at the earliest. SES first responders are being deployed across South East Queensland and can be reached at 132 500 if you are in need of assistance.

Queensland’s Olympics bid team intends to continue with its plans to build a high speed rail between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast despite Infrastructure Australia rejecting their recent $5.3 billion proposal. Infrastructure Australia said the plan, which would use trains travelling at 150 kilometres per hour to take passengers between Brisbane and Nambour in 45 minutes, was rejected as being costly and inefficient. The Fast Rail network is just one of several proposed developments on the Sunshine Coast in preparation for Brisbane to host the 2032 Olympic Games.

Torrential rain and flooding around Queensland is bringing a new threat to the public. Residents are now being warned about snakes, spiders and other animals looking for dry land. Gold Coast and Brisbane snake catcher, Tony Harrison says snakes are likely to come into people’s homes to escape the conditions. The warnings have been issued to advise people to be on the lookout for wildlife in and around their homes as well as ensuring pets are kept safe.

Extinction Rebellion protesters dressed in red and white pose as dead bodies on a Melbourne CBD intersection causing traffic chaos. This was day one as the protesters have pledged to wreak havoc each day of the week calling for climate intervention. These protests come after the arrests of 2 men who locked themselves to a truck roof last Friday. Police presence was strong and Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius says a direction to stop the obstruction will be issued. Failure to comply will result in arrests.

New South Wales Education Standards Authority have proposed a new literacy syllabus meaning children in early primary school will be taught to use phonics to sound out words. Maths will focus on mathematical reasoning to make sure students know how they got their answer. Premier Gladys Berejiklian is set to release the kindergarten to year 2 curriculum draft on Thursday. Ms Berejiklian says the new curriculum puts more emphasis on basic skills and is more explicit than the old one.

The United Nations warns that displacement in the Mozambican province Cabo Delgado could reach 1 million amid a sharp rise in Islamic terrorism. Islamic State-affiliated group Al-Shabaab have been targeting the gas-rich northern province, creating a humanitarian crisis. Displaced residents are being housed in makeshift refugee camps that lack any basic facilities, with the UNHCR’s Gillian Triggs saying the camps last received food from the government in December.