Leaders from five countries in Africa’s Sahel region are meeting with French president Emmanuel Macron to negotiate a French military withdrawal from the region.

The French army established Operation Barkhane to combat jihadist groups in the region, but it has grown increasingly unpopular both in France and the Sahel.

Despite France having over 5000 soldiers stationed in the region, critics say the operation has failed to prevent jihad and has instead perpetuated the violence.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer is calling for Queensland’s top training talent to enter the 2021 Queensland Training Awards.

The awards recognise outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations across 14 categories celebrating excellence, innovation and quality in vocational education and training

High achievers are being called to share their training stories in the prestigious awards after nominations opened yesterday.

The Queensland Government is holding a cabinet meeting today at the defence contractor Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Centre in Ipswich in a bid to secure a $27 billion contract with the company.

The state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rheinmetall for the construction of 450 infantry vehicles for the Australian Army yesterday.

The Premier says the project will bring hundreds of long-term jobs to Ipswich amid the COVID-19 jobs crisis.

Brisbane City Councillor Nicole Johnston is launching a petition to improve safety on Annerley’s streets as heavy vehicle traffic increases to facilitate the Cross River Rail construction program.

Councillor Johnston says the opening of Brisbane South State Secondary College near the Dutton Park station construction site will increase pedestrian presence in the area and that heavy vehicle traffic will endanger local residents.

The Cross River Rail construction project is underway across Brisbane and is slated for completion in 2024.

Yemeni Houthi rebels say they have conducted drone attacks on airports in the Saudi Arabian cities of Jeddah and Abha. Riyadh denies the attacks were successful, saying its air defences shot the drones down before they could reach their targets. The incident comes as the US State Department considers removing the Iran-backed Houthis from its list of terrorist groups in order to facilitate the delivery of foreign aid to the Yemeni people.

Pro-independence parties have won a majority in Catalonia’s recent regional elections. The left-wing ERC and CUP parties and centrist Junts per Catalunya have a combined majority in three of Catalonia’s four provinces, with the exception of Barcelona. The result returns Catalonia’s independence movement to the centre of Spanish political debate, with federal ruling party Podemos already attempting to draw divisions between the independence parties.

Vietnam will receive produce from a new Melbourne irradiation facility after approval of a new Australian biosecurity facility that bears fruit for growers. Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says Vietnam provided interim approval to receive produce from a newly established Merrifield irradiation treatment facility in Melbourne. Vietnam is a very important trading partner for Australia and this approval is key in the emerging market. 

North Stradbroke Island tourism operators say thirty six million dollars worth of state funds has been directed towards unneeded tourist attractions at the expense of basic infrastructure. Locals have criticised large-scale projects such as the Whale on the Hill and Dunwich art museum, saying they have drawn funding away from roads, toilets and disability access schemes. Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe denies the funds have been misused, saying that small-scale amenities are a Redlands City Council Responsibility,

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk plans to fight against online bullying after having her life threatened online during the border closures last year. She says cyberbullying in children is still a really big issue and tackling the issue will be a priority during this term of government after getting the economy back on its feet after damage due to covid 19. Ms Palaszczuk will not face re election until the end of 2024, she says “the next four years are of action”