Antarcticas rich biodiversity is at risk from fishing and mining.  China and Russia look set to block the wildlife protection proposals as they see value in the immense wealth of minerals and sea life as an opportunity for plunder.

An international meeting being held in Chile this week will aim to break a deadlock over proposals to protect this precious environment.

Image: Can we save Antarctica and its wildlife? Image: Shutterstock

Produced By: Wendy Frew

Featured In Story: Adjunct Professor Tony Press, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 20 June 2023

The post Will the world save Antarctica in time? appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Lebanon, a once vibrant tourist hotspot, has been in crisis for years. Corruption of officials long pre-dating the pandemic was exacerbated by COVID-19.  Since then, Lebanon has endured the Beirut ammonium nitrate explosion of 2020 that destroyed 77 000 apartments, wounded 7000 people and displaced 300 000 people.  Rapid inflation has seen the countrys currency, the Lebanese Pound, lose over ninety-five percent of its value in February of this year effectively rendering the currency useless  Now the Lebanese economy runs on American dollars.

Education has increased by 191% and healthcare has increased by 176% leading to severe medication shortages, including cancer drugs, leading patients to gamble on black market medications in the hope of saving their lives.

To add to the pile of problems, the Lebanese parliament has failed for its twelfth time to install a President.  The country has been without a head of state since October last year.

Image: Image: Shutterstock: P.jowdy

Produced By: Dominic Giles

Featured In Story: Amar Mustafa PHD Student in History and International Relations Specialising in Lebanese and Syrian Politics at Monash University.

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 20 June 2023

The post Lebanon Fails to Elect President appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

PricewaterhouseCoopers the huge accounting, legal and consulting conglomerate who was already reeling from multiple Government confidentiality breaches, suffered another setback with a massive cybersecurity breach.

The firm, who specialises in cyber security consulting, was itself the target of Russian-linked criminal group CLOP which broke into their file transfer system MOVEit .  Once there, they had access to any detail from any moved file globally.  Rival consultancy EY was also affected.

This pile-on disaster for PwC was mirrored in organisations across the world including the BBC, Shell Energy, and multiple US Federal agencies.

Image: Image: Shutterstock TK Kurikawa

Produced By: Roderick Chambers

Featured In Story: Dr Ahmed Ibrahim Senior Lecturer Computer and Security, School of Science at Edith Cowan University

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 20 June 2023

The post PwC hit by massive Cyber breach appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

On Wednesday 17 May, Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-033 was noted passing through Rockhampton Airport.

It looked to arrive from Brisbane and later depart to Townsville.

A40-033 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Snooker 40".

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 17 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-010 as "Wallaby 33" looked to complete airwork at Dysart Aerodrome - twice - during a flight up from and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by Steve Vit 

With one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world, Australians love their furry best friends.  However, Australias cost of living crisis has left many pet owners in a difficult and expensive situation, wondering if their beloved pets are worth the costs.

The cost of pet products has jumped by almost 12% in the last couple years.  The increased cost of not only pet food, but medications, mandatory shots and, vet bills has forced many to give over their pets to animal rescue organisations.  These organisations are now also struggling and encouraging those who can afford it, to adopt a rescue pet. Our cost of living crisis has now left our pets in crisis.

Image: Image: Shutterstock, Holli

Produced By: Julia Schmidt

Featured In Story: Nicki Hutley, President of the NSW Branch of the Economics Society of Australia, and

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 20 June 2023

The post Pets in Crisis appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Nine people remain in hospital a week after a deadly bus crash in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, which claimed the lives of 10 people. 

The tragedy, which is Australias worst road accident in about three decades, has sent shock waves across the country. In the days following the crash, the Hunter Valley community was still trying to process the loss. 

Hit particularly hard is the town of Singleton, home to about 25,000 people, where a number of those who died had lived.

Chaplains are providing pastoral care at crisis centres set up in Singleton and Branxton.

David Riethmuller from the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network speaks about this tragedy and how it has impacted the community.  

Image: Image courtesy Sky News Australia

Produced By: Aryana Mohmood

Featured In Story: David Riethmuller from the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network, and

First aired on The Wire, Monday 19 June 2023

The post Hunter Valley bus tragedy impacts local community appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Australian researchers have found that the migration of populations from major capital cities into smaller regional towns does not ease population growth pressures in major metropolitan cities.

As the cost of living skyrockets in major cities, some city dwellers are looking to escape the city for a more affordable and comfortable lifestyle in regional towns. 

The new study recommends long-term management strategies to help alleviate potential issues arising from population growth in these regional areas in order to maintain their local regional lifestyle and careful population management.

The Wires Toni Pankaluic spoke with Dr Laura Crommelin, Senior Lecturer in City Planning at the School of Built Environment at the University of New South Wales Arts, Design & Architecture to find out more

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick handed down the 8th budget of the States Labor government this week. The good news for the government was an unexpected windfall from state coal royalties, which the government used to provide cost of living relief for Queenslanders.

4ZZZ Reporters Alexis Pink and Eliza Marlow were in the budget lockup and brought us a breakdown of the measures and how it will impact Queenslanders.

Produced By: Alexis Pink, and Eliza Marlow

Featured In Story:

First aired on The Wire, Monday 19 June 2023

The post Impact of Qld State Budget on Queenslanders appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Last weeks state budget saw the Queensland government announce a $320 million investment to assist those facing housing insecurity. 

But advocates say the five hundred new social and affordable houses promised by the state government are not nearly enough to address the current housing crisis.  

The Wires Mary-Kate Hannagan spoke to Queensland Council of Social Services CEO, Aimee McVeigh, to find out more

Image: Image courtesy: Ikram Shaari/ Pexels

Produced By: Mary-Kate Hannagan

Featured In Story: Aimee McVeigh, CEO Queensland Council of Social Services

First aired on The Wire, Monday 19 June 2023

The post Queensland State Budget for Social Housing Not Enough to Fix Housing Crisis appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.