Morning Mail: Manus Island unrest, Queensland election, Indonesia drug executions

Guardian Australia's Morning Mail                                                    Monday 19 January 2014 g
Queensland election
At his official Queensland election campaign launch yesterday, Campbell Newman promised a $1bn injection for schools, but key Liberals were noticeably absent, including prime minister Tony Abbott. It was a low-key launch where the applause was obedient and the cheers muted, writes Bridie Jabour. The latest Newspoll confirms the struggle Campbell Newman faces, showing he trails Labor's Kate Jonesin the fight to retain his seat of Ashgrove. Queensland reimagined. See the state resized by the statistics that matter in our interactive map. The Palmer United party has vowed to abolish payroll tax to revive Queensland’s economy, saying "companies will move their offices from Sydney and Melbourne, and Queensland will boom". Former LNP MP Dr Chris Davis has launched a scathing attack on the Newman government in a TV advertisement for the Wilderness Society, warning voters to "be wary of sociopaths".
Manus Island
After violent clashes broke out between PNG police and hunger strikers on Manus Island on Friday, four men have been placed in the notorious “Chauka” solitary confinement unit Amid escalating tensions inside the Manus Island detention centre More than 200 detainees have allegedly received medical treatment as they vow not to give up their hunger strike. Guardian Australia has received video of asylum seekers protesting against riot police. Follow all our Manus Island coverage here.
Australian news and politics
Bill Shorten has said the opposition stands “shoulder to shoulder” with the Australian government in its appeal to Indonesia for clemency to stop the execution of two Bali Nine members.It comes after the weekend execution by firing squad of five other foreigners and an Indonesian woman convicted of drugs charges, which saw Brazil and the Netherlands recall their Indonesia ambassadors in protest. The Liberal party has expelled NSW MP Garry Edwards five months after Icac allegations arose, but he says he's being used as a "political pawn" in a Liberal factional war. The Quakers are pulling their funds from Australia’s big four banks over a lack of "clear ethical policies" – and they are calling on others to do the same.
Around the world
Charlie Hebdo gunman Chérif Kouachi has been buried in unmarked grave near Paris under tight security, in a funeral not attended by any of his relatives. Afghanistan’s president Ashraf Ghani has laboured over the makeup of his new government, but his pick for agricultural minister is wanted by Interpol. At least 200 Yazidis released by Islamic State militants after five months of captivity in Iraq – mostly elderly and infirm prisoners – were probably freed because they slowed the extremists down,Kurdish military officials have said. An estimated six million people in Manila flocked to attend the final mass of Pope Francis’ five-day visit to the Philippines.
One last thing
Why the modern world is bad for your brain. "We are doing the jobs of 10 different people while still trying to keep up with our lives, our children and parents, our friends, our careers, our hobbies, and our favourite TV shows." Constant multitasking is taking its toll, and our addiction to technology is actually making us less efficient.Have an excellent day – and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter @earleyedition.