Low berry prices hurting farmers and more Zedlines

Moreton Bay Council urges State and Federal Government to take over Flying Fox management Moreton Bay Regional Council has tabled a motion to the Local Government Association of Queensland requesting the State and Federal Governments to take over the management of flying fox colonies. The region has struggled with flying fox colonies for some time, with the council drafting the same motion last year. Councillor Adam Hain says State and Federal Government influence would streamline management of the flying foxes, which cause noise and mess concerns. Low berry prices hurting farmers The big supermarket chains are being blamed for the recent drop in strawberry and blueberry prices. Sunshine Coast strawberry farmer, Lillian McMartin, says it costs her approximately $1.40 to produce one punnet, but big supermarkets have been selling them for as little as 80 cents. Ms McMartin says the current prices are ridiculous and unsustainable. Australian kids spending three hours a day on screens A new study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies found that 12 - 13 year old children are spending at least three hours a day glued to electronic devices. The figures are well above the national recommendation of just two hours of screen time per day. Experts say introducing extracurricular activities and guidelines on usage can help to reduce screen time. Three men rescued from Uluru after disobeying directions Three men have been rescued after being stuck on Uluru for several hours. In a delicate 11 hour operation, volunteers from the Northern Territory Emergency Services reached the men via helicopter and abseiled them to safety. An Emergency Services spokeswoman said the “avoidable” incident was costly. Uluru’s Traditional owners, the Anagu, ask people to respect their law and culture by not climbing the sacred site. American police accidentally record fabrication of protester’s charges The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Connecticut are suing state police for conspiring to fabricate criminal charges against a peaceful protester. The police confiscated the activists’ phone which accidentally recorded their discussions to charge the man and cover themselves. ACLU Connecticut Legal Director Dan Barrett, said the case is one of many across the country dealing with the right to record in public spaces. Deadly protests in Democratic Republic of Congo Protests have turned deadly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 17 killed in anti-government protests. Protesters are calling on President Joseph Kabila to step down after scheduled elections for this year were delayed - meaning President Kabila remains in power beyond the two year limit. At least 10 people have been arrested and anti-riot police have been deployed in an effort to restore order to the region.