Hawaii lava finally reaches the Pacific - only to create another deadly danger.

Residents of Hawaii’s Big Island is under threat of Laze as Kilauea Volcano lava reaches the Pacific ocean.

 

Laze is a product formed when hot lava hits the ocean, sending hydrochloric acid and volcanic glass particles into the air.

 

It’s proved deadly before, leading to two deaths in 2000 and can cause lung, eye and skin irritation.

 

The US Coastguard has enforced a Lava Entry Safety Zone for the navigable waters around the Kilauea Volcano.

 

Far West NSW to see last ever cotton harvest

The final cotton harvest of far west New South Wales is taking place in the town of Menindee, as the water rights to the Tandou property were sold back to the government after several years of difficult conditions caused by a water shortage.

 

Property Manager Robert Lowe said the current conditions are significantly worse than the 1990s, when the property could support a full cropping program.

 

The government buyback will allow the water authorities to reconfigure the surrounding lake system to be more efficient.

 

Commonwealth Bank under fire for manipulating children's bank accounts

Commonwealth Bank once again has found themselves in hot water as reports reveal they manipulated children accounts.

 

The ‘Dollamite’ accounts were activated by the bank’s own staff to increase sales and targets to reach bonus goals.

 

Commbank’s new chief executive, Matt Comyn said he deeply regrets what’s happened and sworn to take action against any employee caught doing the wrong thing.

 

World First Technology could save Great Barrier Reef Tourists

A world first technology which scans tourists handprints to identify and track them is being tested in the Great Barrier Reef.

 

Currently, tour operators use manual headcounts, although the Tourist Onboard Management System using palm vein scanning technology created by Fujitsu to identify tourists.

 

The technology on trial has so far proven successful and could save lives by ensuring drivers are not left behind.

Brisbane residents prioritise green space

Brisbane residents want to prioritise lifestyles and green space, according to responses in Brisbane City Council’s urban design game Plan Your Brisbane.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the results indicate a high level of agreement around planning Brisbane’s future, while also emphasising the council’s move to a more open style of consultation.

The Lord Mayor said the council will review all ideas put forward during the consultation on Brisbane’s future to develop a charter for guiding future planning decisions.

Former Malaysian PM fears for his safety

Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Najib Razak fears for his safety and has asked for police protection a day after he complained about police searches on his properties for evidence of corruption.

 

The new Government led by Mahathir Mohamad is looking into how billions of dollars disappeared from a state fund, Mr Razak has denied any wrongdoing.

 

Mr Razak who led Malaysia for 10 years has been banned from leaving the country after a surprise election loss on May 9.

US-China Trade War “On Hold”

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says the US trade war with China is on hold after the two countries agreed to drop their tariff threats, whilst both countries work on a larger trade agreement.

 

Both countries have announced they have discussed terms where  China would commit to purchasing more energy and agricultural resources from the US to narrow a trade deficit against the US valued at nearly 450 billion dollars.

 

Banking royal commission to investigate small business lending

The treatment of small business by financial institutions will be investigated by the banking royal commission today, as fees, improper lending practices and asset fire sales come under scrutiny.

Nationals senator John Williams expects Commonwealth Bank subsidiary Bankwest to be focused upon in the hearings, as he said many farms and small businesses have their seized assets sold for far below their market value.

Calls to ban live sheep export gaining ground in parliament

Politicians are moving to ban live sheep exports, as Sussan Ley MP will today introduce a private member’s bill to end the practice entirely within five years.

Labor is expected to be in favour of a ban, as shadow agriculture minister Joel Fitzgibbon says he will recommend the party supports the bill.

However, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is supporting the recommendations set down by the McCarthy review, which does not advocate for ending sheep exports.