French winemaker awarded best vineyard experience

French winemaker Gerard Bertrand was awarded Best Vineyard Experience of 2019 for his biodynamic wine estate.

American Airlines’s luxury publication selected the estate based on its multisensory experience which allows guests to sense the energy of life.

"It's an honour to see our hard work pay off and promote a concept we care so deeply about - showing respect to nature, from the vines to the bottle,"Mr  Bertrand said. 

The estate located between France’s La Clape Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea offers guided tours, wine tasting, and an annual jazz festival.

Labor calls out government over nuclear energy

Labor will pressure the government to reveal over 150 proposed sites for nuclear reactors across Australia. 

Labor’s Shadow Energy Minister Mark Butler said Scott Morrison should reject the nuclear option or be upfront with Australians about exactly where he wants to build nuclear reactors.

“Mr Morrison should forget nuclear energy and focus instead on practical ways of dealing with his government’s energy crisis,” said Mr Butler. 

South-East may face water restrictions in 2020

South Queensland may be facing water restrictions as early as next year if dam levels continue to drop. 

The South-East regions water grid capacity is currently sitting at just over 65 per cent, with Wivenhoe dam down to 53 per cent.

A spokesperson for Seqwater said there’s still “a way to go”, but water restrictions will need to be considered if dam levels continue to plunge.

"We're really looking at this wet season to understand whether we'll see rainfall back to what we usually see during the summer months,” said the spokesperson. 

Tough new drink driving laws for Queensland

The Palaszczcuk government has passed tough new drink driving laws for Queensland.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said drink drivers will need to have an alcohol interlock in their vehicle until they can show a consistent record of clear breath tests over time.

“We know mid-range drink drivers account for more than a quarter of all drink driving offenders and have a crash risk 20 times greater than someone who hasn’t had a drink," Mr Bailey said. 

UK, US, France may be complicit in war crimes: UN report

A United Nations report has found that Britain, the US and France may be complicit in war crimes in Yemen by arming and providing support to a Saudi-led coalition that starves civilians as a war tactic.

Oxfam Yemen director Muhsin Siddiquey says the report should act as a wake up call for the British Government, which continues to supply arms to Saudi Arabia.

Successful endangered bird breeding project in Townsville primary school

Primary school students in Townsville have succeeded in breeding endangered (endénger) species that delayed Adani's Carmichael (Karmaichel) project.

It was a program embedded in the science curriculum collaborating with the Federal Black-throated Finch Recovery Team, breeding one hundred and twenty birds at the end.

However, team member Tony Grice said the program might not cast a vital impact on the survival of birds.

 

NT government prompted action for water trouble in Adelaide

The NT government has urged to build a new dam in response to a growing water security crisis in Adelaide.

Residents of Darwin in rural areas are now facing water shortages due to the critically low underwater levels.

NT sensator, Sam McMahon condemned the government’s slow response to the issue.

The NT government has insisted that they will not take action until the feasibility plan, which will cost hundreds millions is completed.

Australian pig markets facing challenge under the cheap pig imports

An influx of cheap pig imports have risen the price of Australian bacons in supermarkets.

Despite recent droughts, the price of pigs did not increase as usual, which led to the falling sales of the pig market.

In response to the challenge, a pig farmer revealed that pig showcasing and racing are important  to the industry.