Technology giant Apple are releasing their first ever smart speaker and Australian consumers will be some of the first to experience it.

The Apple HomePod will go on sale in Australia next Saturday, after a surprise announcement by Apple overnight.

Marketing senior vice-president for apple Phil Schiller, explained the HomePod’s audio capabilities are huge, using a woofer, six microphones, spatial awareness and is compatible with Apple Music.

The New South Wales Southern Tablelands are experiencing one of the driest summers on record, leading farmers in the region to make tough decisions about how to deal with the scarcity of water.

Braidwood farmer Mark Horan said the dry spell means many properties in the area are lacking grass for cattle to feed on, and he is considering selling livestock prematurely.

Neighbouring farmer Ian Cargill says the dry conditions are making it difficult to operate their farms and says he is praying for some rainfall during autumn.

Researchers from the University of Queensland have found almost half of all Australian families in a long-term study have experienced poverty at least once.

Emeritus Professor Jake Najman says the study, which followed families for 30 years, indicate it is common for families to slip in and out of hardship, mostly due to circumstantial changes such as relationship breakdowns and employment loss.

Professor Najman says the study found single mothers, the unemployed and elderly pensioners were the most likely groups to suffer poverty.

The Visit Sunshine Coast CEO believes a fast rail network is the missing piece for connectivity between the Coast and Brisbane.

The Federal Government  evaluating a project which will connect the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane by rail and decrease travel time to a paltry 45 minutes.

Simon Latchford expects there to be an increase in tourists to the Coast if there was an ease on the congestion hotspot which is the Bruce Highway.

Queensland’s Premier has accused the big fuel retailers of price gouging during this first week of the school year as prices have risen around 20 cents per litre over the past week.

The average price in Brisbane for unleaded is 1.49 which is 12 cents higher than the average Sydney price.

CEO of Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketeers Association Mark McKenzie says Brisbane’s 30 to 40 day fuel cycle is responsible for the sharp rise.

However, Premier Palaszczuk stopped short of approving  RACQ’s calls for a boycott.

Palestinian members of the Israeli government were kicked out of parliament on Monday for protesting a speech given by US Vice President Mike Pence.

Mr Pence became the first US Vice President to address the Israeli Knesset and was interrupted by protesters shouting ‘Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine’.

Protesting MP Jamal Zahalka stated Palestinians protested the speech because they oppose the recent decision of President Trump to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and said Mr Pence is an unwanted visitor to the region.

A former chief of staff in the Egyptian army has been detained after announcing his intention to run for the Presidency.

Sami Anan who served between 2005 and 2012 had announced his intention to run against incumbent President Sisi on social media earlier this month.

However, he has been accused of a number of indiscretions by the military including violating Egypt’s military code, running for the post without permission and forging documents.

The South Australian government has been criticised for its policy to fine hospital departments if they exceed waiting time targets.

No patient should spend more than 24 hours in the emergency department according to the policy.

In his annual report, principal community visitor Maurice Corcoran questioned whether imposing $1000 fines on the mental health ward at Adelaide’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital was any value, saying it created problems further downstream.

The Federal Government will invest $26 million into 19 clinical trials in an effort to improve the low survival rate for rare cancers and other diseases.

The amount set to be invested into the trials is double that initially flagged by Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt when he called for applications last year.

Only 12 percent of the available research funding is given to solving rare cancers, despite them being responsible for more than half of all cancer deaths in Australia.