The Chief Executive of Volkswagen has apologised for evoking a Nazi slogan to describe the importance of boosting the group's profits.

Herbert Diess used the line "Ebit macht frei" at a company event on Tuesday, which echoes the maxim “Arbeit Macht Frei”, a phrase famously emblazoned on the gates of Auschwitz.

In a statement, Mr Diess said he was sorry for what he described as "definitely an unfortunate choice of words".

Sydney is in clean up this morning after a supercell hit the city overnight with giant hail falling in some parts.

The supercell moved through Sydney’s basin which saw heavy rain, strong wind and intense lighting smash areas in every direction according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The worst hail damage was reported in the west of Sydney with 163 calls to the State Emergency Service coming from Blacktown.

44 flights at Sydney’s Airport were cancelled during the storms with more flights being grounded this morning.  

Thousands of school and university students nationwide are expected to miss classes today in support of climate change protests.

The protests have divided political leaders with some backing the cause and others reminding the public that skipping school is breaking the law.

New South Wales Education Minister Rob Stokes says the law is clear and always has been, kids are required to be at school on school days.

The Palaszczuk Government yesterday announced more than $5 million to complete the first phase of a world-class ecotourism experience that’s tipped to create 150 jobs and pump up to $300 million into the Tropical North Queensland economy.

Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui confirmed the Palaszczuk Government has committed $5.7 million to complete the seven kilometre ‘Mowbray North’ component of the 94 kilometre mountain bike and walking Trail.

Queensland roads are set for an upgrade as pedestrian crossings with special sensors are set to be rolled out across the state.

Compared with normal pedestrian crossings, which use a timer, the smart crossings use sensors to detect the movement of walkers and adjust the amount of time required to cross.

After trials in Logan, the Gold Coast and Bundaberg, the state government will roll out the $3 million smart pedestrian crossing technology over the next two years at up to 300 crossings.

A new $7.5 million campaign by tourism Australia is aiming to attract working holiday-makers placing Gold Coast at its forefront.

The campaign aims to target young people from across the UK, Germany and France and across the world who have a high chance of wanting to travel overseas.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Simon Birmingham says the holiday makers will not only help farmers but also inject $85 million into the local economy.

At least 10 Saudi women have appeared in court for the first time since being detained last year without charge.

Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on activists seeks to pacify international criticism over last year's brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi, with the detention of these women garnering more criticism on the kingdom’s human rights record.

The British government has promised to fund free sanitary products for school and college students.

England will fund free sanitary products for students after teachers expressed concerns that some girls were skipping classes during their period because they could not afford to buy tampons and pads.

The government initiative will take effect at the start of the next school year in September 2019.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he will not endanger Australians by helping home-grown Islamic State terrorists return to the country.

Mr Morrison’s remarks come after pleas for help were made by an Australian woman trapped with her two young children in a refugee camp for Islamic State families.

He said that although it is tragic that IS sympathisers have dragged their children into warzones, they still need to take responsibility for their decisions.

The High Court has denied an appeal by Tasmanian councils to overturn a Supreme Court decision that exempts not-for-profit organisations from paying rates.

Retirement Village operator Southern Cross successfully took a case against the council last year as they faced a $564,000 increase to their rates.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the decision will force a council rethink as more organisations claim the charitable rates exemption, and that they will have to work out how to make up the funds.