Brisbane is set to be the destination of choice for international experts across a range of disciplines over the next few years, with hosting rights for seventeen conferences and meetings now secured in the last twelve months. The events are expected to bring 20,000 delegates to Brisbane and inject over $50 million in direct expenditure into the state economy. Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre general manager Bob O’Keeffe says the successes are evidence of Queensland’s successful COVID-19 recovery effort and show the city is placing itself at the centre of an improving business envi

A woman from Melbourne is calling for hot water bottles to be banned after her son spent a week in hospital when a hot water bottle burst in his lap and burned him. Paramedics gave the 20 year old a shot of Morphine before taking him to the Alfred Hospital where he had to undergo surgery for a skin graft. The woman says the incident was a horrific sight.

The Iranian government says it has sent a letter of protest to the Iraqi government after protestors assaulted the Iranian consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Karbala over the weekend. Protestors say Iran-backed militia forces, who are powerful in the predominantly Shia city, are responsible for the murder of prominent activist Ihab Jawad al-Wazni on Sunday. al-Wazni is the 30th organiser of the 2019 Iraqi anti-government protest movement to be killed and reportedly received numerous death threats from Iran-backed paramilitary groups.

Cyber-criminal group DarkSide says their ransomware attack on the United States’ Colonial oil pipeline was purely for money and not to, quote, “create problems in society.” The cyber attack crippled the pipeline, which provides approximately 45% of the US East Coast’s oil. Operators say they don’t expect to restore service until the end of the week. As fuel prices look set to reach their highest levels since twenty fourteen and authorities begin to prepare for shortages across the country, experts say DarkSide’s statement is proof they are in over their heads.

A new study has found Microplastics detected in rice. Doctor Jake O’Brien from the University of Queensland says regardless of packaging, all samples had some levels of plastic. 

Up to thirteen milligrams has been found in instant rice but research shows it’s also found in beer, salt and shellfish. Washing food before eating can reduce microplastics by twenty to forty percent.

So far there are no known health issues from consuming the microplastics via food.

As NAPLAN testing gets underway today some parents are choosing to withdraw their children from the tests. 

The federal government says the data is more vital now since the last year’s tests were cancelled due to COVID-19.

The Teacher’s Union is opposed to the testing, as it allows parents and schools to compare the results. The Union is encouraging its own members to opt their children out of the test as part of its campaign to abolish it completely.

Surf Life Saving Queensland is set to integrate drones and artificial intelligence into its beach patrol and disaster relief operations after buying search and rescue technology company The Ripper Group.

SLSQ director Grant Dearlove says the integration of drones into patrol operations will allow the service to save more lives and make life saving more attractive to young people.

Drones were first used as shark spotters on the Gold Coast in September last year but are expected to take on a bigger role this surf season following the merger.

Surf Life Saving Queensland is set to integrate drones and artificial intelligence into its beach patrol and disaster relief operations after buying search and rescue technology company The Ripper Group.

SLSQ director Grant Dearlove says the integration of drones into patrol operations will allow the service to save more lives and make life saving more attractive to young people.

Drones were first used as shark spotters on the Gold Coast in September last year but are expected to take on a bigger role this surf season following the merger.

Major train delays across Sydney continue after a Police operation at Westmead Station. Services were suspended after multiple reports of a man seen walking on the tracks.

With crowds of people left stuck at stations across the western Sydney suburbs, people are being urged to use buses instead.