Toowoomba's request for more water

The drought affected city of Toowoomba may be forced to take millions of litres from Brisbane's water supply via a yet-to-be-used pipeline.

Toowoomba's three dams were at 35.7 per cent on Thursday – the lowest level since before the 2011 floods.

When the level falls below 40 per cent, the Regional Council is permitted to take water from Wivenhoe Dam – the main reservoir for Brisbane and Ipswich – via brand new $187 million Toowoomba Pipeline.

Boeing 737 Max aircraft grounded 'until May at least'

All Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 aircraft will remain grounded until May after the fatal Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday

The tragic incident was the second deadly occurrence involving this model of Boeing aircraft in 6 months.

Many in the international community have found it appropriate to ground or ban the model outright until Boeing can fix the problem.

Though the investigation is still underway, reports of a software malfunction seem to implicate that certain features of the on board flight software were unknown to the pilots.

Volkswagen executive apologises for 'Nazi slogan'

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".

Supercell storm causes damage to Sydney

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.  

School students wagging to attend climate protests

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.

$5 million to ecotourism experience in North QLD

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.

QLD road upgrades to use 'smart crossings'

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.

Gold Coast the face of Australian tourism campaign

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.

 

Saudi women activists on trial after being detained without charge

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.