ZEDLINES: 12/01/2009

New entrants to university this year will carry the burdon of worrying reports concerning the use of unfair advantages amongst school leavers in their transition to tertiary education.
NSW Education minister Verity Firth is being called upon to end the practice of certain private-school students and their parents soliciting unjustified special consideration for entrance into universities.
Greens member of the NSW Parliament John Kaye say the problem is entrenched in the medical institutions of that state.

As of yesterday, Australia is once again globally recognised as equine-influenza free.
A World Organisation for Animal Health declaration, following the 12-month surveillance and compliance period since the last reported case, has internationally confirmed last years Australian government announcement.
Minister of Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin urges horse handlers to defend this newly reclaimed sector of the economy with a high standard of biosecurity and vigilance

Illness related minority groups have been further ostracised after a statement made by a human rights officer about people suffering from tuberculosis, leprosy and HIV.

Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Human Rights Commission, Subashan Reddy has allegedly announced that people carrying life-threatening diseases should be prevented from having children.
Indian doctors were quick to disprove this claim, stating that neither tuberculosis nor leprosy were genetic diseases and pointing out that even people with HIV could now live normal lives due to anti-retroviral drugs.

Witchcraft killings have become an increasing problem in two highlands regions of Papua New Guinea, with more than 50 sorcery related deaths in the past 12 months.
Such statistics have forced the PNG government to create stricter laws to curb the number of witchcraft killings. Currently, rural courts can be lenient to sorcery related deaths, creating an excuse for murders.

Public venues need to offer healthier food options if they wish to maintain a 'family friendly' status, according to the NSW Greens Party.

This statement comes in response to a survey from the Parents Jury which showed almost two-thirds of parents were dissatisfied with children's food options when eating out.
The greens party said it was important for recreation venues, such as pools and sporting centres, to maintain their healthy image through offering healthy food options.

Reported by Siobhan Hegarty, Jerome Walker and Jamie McKinnell