Sydney

In short:

Thousands of doctors at NSW public hospitals are set to strike for three days from tomorrow over pay and conditions.

The union says while elective surgeries will need to be rescheduled, staffing levels in key areas will be maintained.

NSW Health says that if patient care is at risk, a direction will be issued for doctors to return to work.

Trainlink is updating its booking site and maybe other stuff I don't know.

Anyway, I have a 6 month Discovery Pass that expires today I think. Despite the booking page not having 3 month or 6 month Discovery passes for sale I was able to use my current pass to book a return trip. The only differences are that the name of the concession (they call a pass a concession) is different (180 day premium pass etc) and there is an extra $5 charge for each trip. Apparently the 3 and 6 month passes will be available only by Thursday if you want to renew (buy) a pass. Maybe.

In short:

NSW Health doctors will take part in strike action next week to protest chronic understaffing and working conditions.

The industrial action will impact elective surgeries and non-urgent appointments.

What's next?

The doctors' union has called for NSW Premier Chris Minns to settle the dispute.

In short:

Footage has emerged of a moving Sydney Metro's carriage door being left wide open during Wednesday morning's commute.

The driverless metro service was running between Chatswood and Crows Nest about 8am.

What's next?

The incident is now under investigation, with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union calling on Sydney Metro to stop operations until interim safety measures are implemented.

Video here (for those who don't like giving Xitter the traffic): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wre_7nKyo8

Cash washed up on the beach. Get to it!

Just a little bit warm

NSW could be impacted by destructive tropical cyclones this decade, and it's not because of climate change.

While only two cyclones have directly struck NSW since 1974, the state was pounded by a cyclone every two years from the 1940s to the 1970s, many leading to record flood levels and deaths.

What's concerning is the Pacific pattern behind the abundance of cyclones last century has now returned.

In short:

An online video shows two NSW Health nurses making threatening comments about Israelis.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the comments made by the pair were "vile, dehumanising and unacceptable".

In short:

A NSW Health review has recommended the state government consider changing abortion legislation so more health practitioners could prescribe MS-2 Step.

It also recommended the health ministry explore ways to "increase understanding" of the rights and obligations of practitioners with a conscientious objection to the practice.

What's next?

A spokesperson for NSW Health Minister Ryan Park says the government will consider the review's recommendations.

More than 100 venomous snakes have been captured in a backyard in Sydney's west in what snake catchers said was their biggest find ever.

The home owners at Horsley Park noticed snakes disappearing into a mulch pile on their property over the past two weeks.

Reptile Relocation Sydney owner Cory Kerewaro said his snake catchers were called to the property last Friday after the owner's dog was bitten.