Gladstone is set to host the world’s largest hydrogen equipment manufacturing plants.

On Sunday, mining magnate Andrew “twiggy” Forrest, head of Fortescue Metals Group announced an initial $140 million stage of an expected 1 billion facility alongside Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Mr Forrest says the time is right for the shift to green hydrogen powered furnaces, with the plant expected to deliver 173 jobs.

After criticising the Premier’s Olympic plans, LNP MP Ted O’Brien has been called out by Health Minister Y’vette D’ath.

Mr O’Brien’s federal colleagues declined to support his comments regarding funding slashes saying he would ask Prime Minister Scott Morrison to withdraw $5 billion unless the Australian government had a stronger say in the Brisbane Olympic Organising Committee. 

Ms D’ath says after meetings with sports minister Stirling Hinchliffe, Mr O’Brien had raised no concerns.

The state government is launching “get ready Queensland week” this week in preparation for the Summer natural disaster season ahead.

The efforts aim to increase Queenslanders’ preparedness for the upcoming wet season through three household steps: understanding risks, making an emergency plan, and packing an emergency kit. 

Heading into Summer, the Bureau of Meteorology says Queensland can expect an average to “slightly above average” cyclone season, as warm waters in the north bring high rainfall.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbot has come under fire from the Chinese embassy over comments on his recent visit to Taiwan.

In Taipei, Mr Abbot raised concerns about possible aggression from Beijing amid growing tensions between Taiwan and China. 

Adamant about his visit to Taiwan as a private citizen, Mr Abbott says Beijing had “cancelled popular personalities in favour of a cult of the red emperor”, a reference to President Xi Jinping.

The Chinese Embassy in Canberra released a statement labelling Mr Abbott as a “failed and pitiful politician”.

Less than a month after it was legalised, a second person has been killed while diving for Beche-de-Mer in the Solomon Islands.

Both deaths came from separate crocodile attacks while the men were diving for sea cucumbers, a culinary delicacy in high demand in China and South-East Asian nations.

The Solomon Islands temporarily lifted the ban on beche-de-mer diving in efforts to kickstart its economy following setbacks during covid.

The sea cucumbers are an endangered species essential to the smooth functioning of the marine ecosystem.

Power is back up and running in Lebanon, following a blackout of the nation’s two biggest power stations on Saturday.

Fuel shortages were cited as the cause of the nationwide power outage, with the energy ministry now announcing it has secured 136 million dollars in credit to import fuel. 

As national fuel supplies dry up, it’s exacerbating an economic crisis in Lebanon, plunging the country deeper into financial meltdown. 

A Queensland Police Officer will be subject to a “full review” of a fine issued to Councillor Jonathan Sri after Facebook posts revealed regular criticism of the councillor. 

Senior Constable Borg made numerous comments criticizing the councillor calling him a “dishonest grub”, while joking about having a bonfire party with Cr Sri’s election yard signs. 

This comes after Pride requested QPS officers not wear their uniforms after an investigation found numerous homophobic, racist and sexist comments had been made by officers on Facebook.

After no new cases recorded on Friday, strong indicators have suggested that the state could open by November.

After eases in social distancing and mask usage, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has so far resisted to give a firm date but still projects vaccination rates are projected to reach 70-80 percent.

As of Friday 68.78 per cent of Queenslanders have had one dose.

Sydney has ended its lockdown, with restrictions eased for those vaccinated. 

Lines of people to retail shops were witnessed before midnight as non critical retail stores are allowed to reopen with density limits for those fully vaccinated.

With 485 deaths and 6938 active cases, fully vaccinated people will still be required to show proof of vaccination and sign in under COVID Safe Check in system.