From the Daily Ohs, I'm the Emma, I'm Harry. It's Wednesday, the twentieth of November. Here's what's making headlines this evening.
Two Melbourne teenagers are on life support in Lao with suspected methanol poisoning. The two were affected by a suspected mass poisoning that's believed to have led to the deaths of two Danish backpackers and the hospitalization of at least ten others. Methanol is a colorless, sweet smelling chemical used in petrol and is dangerous for humans to consume. It's different to ethanol, which is the chemical present in alcoholic drinks.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed its providing help to the families of the two travelers, who are now in separate hospitals in Thailand. The Smart Traveler website, which provides advice to Australians heading overseas, has updated its caution for Lao to urge anyone traveling there to be cautious of any alcoholic drinks, especially spirit based beverages and cocktails.
Mining giant Rio Tinto will take over its subsidiary Energy Resources of Australia or RA, in a move that could see an inactive uranium mine shut down permanently in the Northern Territory. The ERA was set to spend over seven hundred and sixty six million dollars to rehabilitate the Range of Mine near Kakadu National Park, which hasn't been operational since twenty twenty one. Rehabilitating involves trying to restore contaminated
land to its natural state. The land used by the Range of Mine is expected to be incorporated into Kakadu National Park. In a statement to the asx Rio, Tinto announced it would take over ninety eight percent control of the RA and push ahead with the rehabilitation plans. A similar move has taken place in era's neighboring site, Jibulika, which was never mined for uranium but was identified as
a potential uranium site. Whinto said its takeover means Jibulika will not become an active mind in the future.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree lowering the threshold to justify using nuclear arms. It follows an announcement earlier this week from US officials confirming they gave Ukraine approval to fire long range missiles into Russian territory, a move that it hadn't allowed until now. The White House has not officially commented on the reports. Since the announcement, Ukraine has launched several rockets into the border Kersk region,
where Ukrainian troops have held onto Russian territory. Overnight, Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed to the lower threshold for a nuclear response would be if a country supported by a nuclear state attacks Russia, because the US has a stockpile of nuclear weapons. This has been considered a reference to Ukraine's long range strikes.
And in today's good News, the Peak Body for General Practitioners or GPS, has confirmed it's filled all its GP training roles for junior doctors heading into next year, a move that it says will help ease shortages of GPS across the country. The program trains roughly ninety percent of the country's GPS and include spots for doctors planning to work in remote and regional communities. The Department of Health estimates as a current shortfall of roughly two and a
half thousand doctors across Australia. It's projected worse shortages to come over the next decade. The Royal Australian College of GPS says it marks the first time in years that its specialist training program has been at capacity, adding that the one thousand, five hundred trainees in twenty twenty five is a sign that the GP workforce is recovering.
That's the latest from the Daily Oas newsroom. If you're looking for something else to listen to, make sure you catch up on today's deep dive why thousands are protesting in New Zealand.
We'll be back tomorrow morning. Until then, have a great evening.
My name is Lily Maddon and I'm a proud Arunda Bujelung Calkatin woman from Gadighl Country. The Daily oz acknowledges that this podcast is recorded on the lands of the Gadighl people and pays respect to all Aboriginal and torrest Rate island and nations. We pay our respects to the first peoples of these countries, both past and present.