Space X satellites to improve Australian weather forecasting
Six satellites set to improve Australia’s weather forecasting were launched into space last night, with the help of a team of experts in the Northern Territory.
Space X and the US Department of Defence, launched two dozen satellites from Florida’s Cape Canaveral to improve global weather monitoring accuracy.
The chief data officer of Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, Dr Anthony Rea, says data from the satellites will flow into real-time operational systems and will be used in Australian weather models.
Seven charged after Cambodia building collapse
Five Chinese nationals are among seven people charged with involuntary manslaughter following the collapse of a building under construction in Cambodia which caused the death of 28 sleeping workers.
The building owner and construction supervisor are among the Chinese nationals charged after the building was used as accommodation for the workers while it was under construction in the country's Preah Sihanouk province.
PNG PM calls on Australia to cancel Manus Island contract
Papua New Guinea’s newly appointed prime minister James Marape wants Australia to cancel its controversial contract with Paladin to deliver services on Manus Island.
The $423 million Paladin contract, which costs at least $1600 per day for each refugee and asylum seeker, is the subject of an auditor-general review in Australia and is due to expire next week.
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Fraud victim holds intentions to save others thousands
Fraud victim and Yeppoon resident, Martin Briscoe, urges Rockhampton residents to shred all of their personal information as they could potentially have thousands of dollars stolen from them.
This warning comes after multiple reports of men going through people bins were circulated.
Mr Briscoe was cheated out of almost $2000 across two separate occasions when people obtained his personal information by going through his rubbish.
ATO warns drivers that mileage claims on lodged Tax returns will be carefully looked at
Drivers are warned to be careful when lodging tax returns this year, the Australian Taxation Office will be looking closer into work-related car expenses such as mileage claims.
The ATO’s assistant commissioner, Karen Float, said millions of motorists make car-related expenses every year but there are concerns some are still over-claiming.
In order to claim travel expenses you must have a work-related need to travel whilst performing your job.
Wollongong University intervenes to approve Ramsay Centre western civilisation degree
The University of Wollongong has bypassed its own academic senate and greenlit the controversial Ramsay Centre-funded western civilisation degree in a bid to head off a looming court challenge.
Despite never being considered by its academic senate, the University announced on Monday its top governing body had approved the degree.
Jillian Broadbent, the university chancellor, says the council had decided to intervene to remove any uncertainty about its commencement at UOW next year.
NBN slammed in scathing attack from Huawei executive
Huawei Technologies Australia Chief Technology Officer, David Soldani, has launched an attack on the government’s management of the National Broadband Network, describing the $51 billion project as a ‘catastrophe’.
Mr Soldani listed 200,000 homes that have not been able to get 25 megabits per second and now the fixed wireless network is delivering only approximately 6 megabits per second to each end-user premises at peak hour.
Three-hundred migrant children removed from filthy Texas border Patrol Station
More than 300 children were yesterday transferred out of a remote border patrol station in Texas following an Associated Press report of the abusive conditions under which they were held.
Some children have been locked in the facility for three weeks with inadequate food, water and sanitation.
Some children have been sent temporarily to another facility on the North side of El Paso, while around thirty still remain in the border patrol station.
Fire in the Everglades
A massive wildfire has consumed more than 17,000 acres of the Everglades National Park in less than 24 hours.
Officials believe lightning started the blaze Sunday evening in west-central Broward County and flames have spread quickly since with 0% contained.
According to the forest service, the fire does not currently threaten any structures, however it does concern drivers along two highways which are expected to be engulfed in smoke.