Motoring group RACQ has hit out at service stations for gouging customers as petrol prices continue to rise across the state.

With unleaded petrol rising to its highest figure since 2014 at $1.62 per litre, retailers are taking their customers for a ride with the recent price hike.

RACQ spokesperson Lucinda Ross believes that even with the fluctuation of global oil prices, service stations were taking a big slice of the higher prices.

Eastern Australia’s low projected grain harvest will harm contract harvesters who rely on the drought-affected crops for income.

Bruce Estens, a contractor who harvests up to 25, 000 hectares of grain from Queensland to Victoria each winter, says 6000 hectares could be an optimistic result this year.

"We're being ravaged, just like the farmers," he says, citing one crop he’s worked on for over 22 years, which was completely wiped out this year.

Wentworth frontrunner has backed out of the liberal preselection to make way for more potential female candidates.

Andrew Bragg said on social media that his withdrawal was necessary to help pave the way for women in parliament.

Bragg’s resignation comes after Julia Banks accused the Liberal party of bullying and intimidating female members.

A Westpac manager has allegedly handed over banking passwords of up to 80 customers to a mortgage broker, breaching customer privacy.

The ABC revealed the data breach is one of 32 big four data breaches disclosed to the Australian Information commissioner.

The allegations come as the banking industry continues to be scrutinised by the financial services royal commission, and as privacy in the age of social media continues to be debated.

Three students have been shot at a school just outside Chicago in the United States, with at least one in critical condition.

The shooting happened just after the school day had finished at 4:30pm local time.

Police say they do not yet know how the shooting occurred, but are questioning two persons of interest.

Japan is facing backlash after proposing to end the commercial whaling ban.

According to the proposal, there is no scientific justification for the ban as certain species of whale populations can be harvested sustainably.

This proposal has been met with opposition from various countries such as Brazil, the United States, and Australia, who agree the ban is necessary for conservation.

A Queensland primary school principal has received an outpouring of social media support for charging parents who drop their kids off early to school.

Burrowes State School principal, Kristine Lemon, advised parents in an email last week that any drop offs before 8:30am would be charged $2.60 per child, including breakfast.

Some commenters said the change was “unfair” to working parents, but others said the fee was cheaper than alternative childcare, and teachers shouldn’t be treated like babysitters.