Fraser Island bushfire continues to burn after six weeks

A bushfire on Fraser Island continues to burn six weeks after it was sparked by an illegal campfire.

Firefighters have relentlessly worked to contain the blaze that has now scorched a third of the World Heritage Area of Queensland.

Fraser Island environmentalists have voiced their concern regarding the fire’s potential impact on the local ecosystem and wildlife.

Tasmania to reopen borders to Victoria at end of week

Tasmania’s Premier has announced that the state will be relaxing its border restrictions for Victorian residents from this Friday the 27th of November.

Victorians will be able to travel to Tasmania for the first time in eight months, however health screenings will be mandatory on arrival. 

Tasmania is currently open to all other states, except for South Australia.
 

Continued calls to bring back international students as economic contribution revealed

It has recently been revealed that overseas student fees provided $10 billion to Australian universities last year.

The data released by the Federal Government compiled financial statements of Australian universities for the duration of 2019. 

Both the Federal Government and recently Gladys Berejiklian have called for plans to allow international students to return to study in Australia, in an effort to boost the economy.

Sri Lanka digs moat around rubbish tip to deter hungry elephants

Sri Lanka's Government has made plans to dig a moat around one of its landfill sites to keep out hungry elephant herds, and reduce conflict between the wild animals and villagers.

A number of elephants travel daily from the forest to a garbage dump near the eastern town of Ampara, rummaging through the rubbish for food scraps.

The elephants are at risk of ingesting plastic amongst the garbage, and have wandered into nearby villages harming the villagers, their property and agricultural land.

 

France begins process of easing COVID-19 lockdown by Christmas

France’s President Emmanuel Macron has announced that its COVID-19 lockdown will begin to ease this weekend so that shops, theatres and cinemas will reopen by Christmas and people will be able to spend the holiday with their families.

In his address, Mr Macron acknowledged that the worst of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic was over, but that restaurants, cafes and bars would have to remain closed until January 20 to avoid a potential third wave.

The French Government is keen to stress to citizens that they should only expect a gradual reopening.

Hot 100

Voting is open for the 2020 ~ Hot 100!

It's been one big whirlwind, are you ready to hang 2020 out to dry with a celebration of your favourite tracks?

We’re giving you the ultimate freedom to vote for as many tracks as you deem worthy in the Hot 100, you can even rank your songs from most to least favourite - or keep it old school and leave your votes un-ranked. 

Singapore activist accused of illegal assembly over ‘smiley face’ protest

Social worker and activist Jolovan Wham appeared at a Singapore court on Monday for standing alone outside a police station holding a placard with a hand-drawn smiley face in March.

He was showing support to young climate change activists charged for similar one-man protests. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping pushes for global QR code COVID-19 tracking system

Chinese President Xi Jinping is pushing for a global coronavirus tracking system using QR codes.

In the system, each person’s QR code would store their travel and health history, and issue users with a colour code based on their level of potential exposure.