Russian energy giant Gazprom says new US sanctions put its undersea gas project Nord Stream Two at risk. The controversial pipeline is set to supply Russian gas to Germany, however pipe-laying ship Fortuna and its owner have been caught up in the recent raft of US sanctions over Russia’s actions on the Ukrainian border and their treatment of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. The US has previously criticised the eleven billion dollar pipeline, saying it will increase Europe’s dependence on Russia and damage the continent’s energy security.

German Greens Party co-leader Annalena Baerbock will be the party’s first ever candidate for chancellor in September elections, with growing support for the Greens suggesting she has a strong chance of winning. Worries about climate change and frustration over the ruling Christian Democratic Party’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic mean the Greens have closed the gap on the CDU from 22% this time last year to just 7% in recent polls. Baerbock is running on a climate action and social development platform as Germans seek a new, more progressive direction after 15 years of conservative rule.

Mount Lindesay Highway in Brisbane’s south was down to one lane yesterday evening after a truckload of chicken guts was spilt on the road creating quite the mess. The traffic slowed at the Jimboomba portion of the Highway as police and emergency services tried to clean the meat spill. Passersby described the mess as horrific before images were posted on Facebook where users commented concerned about animals running onto the road following the smell of the meat.

Construction on the controversial Inland Rail project is set to continue in the Scenic Rim despite strong community opposition. The $15 billion, 1700 kilometre project will supposedly allow freight to move between Brisbane and Melbourne in 24 hours or less, but Scenic Rim community members say the rail line will devastate the region. Residents have raised concerns regarding noise pollution, dust and traffic, saying the project will turn visitors away from the region and blemish the landscape.

A man who found himself stuck in a manhole in the middle of a street in south-east Queensland after looking for a lost dog has been rescued by a driver on the road. The man was only wearing underwear when he tried to climb out after swimming through the drainpipe tunnels before crawling into the manhole. The driver who rescued him says the man was very lucky not to get hit as a major accident could have occurred.

Families of Australian military veterans who took their own lives welcome royal commission on veteran suicides saying their voices will finally be heard. The announcement was made yesterday by Prime Minister Scott Morrison after pressure from government and a long running campaign from former soldiers and their families. The Prime Minister previously rejected calls for this to be established but says the service of our veterans is something that is pressed on his mind every single day.

Gastro outbreaks have hit childcare centers in Victoria as case numbers are four times higher than the average. So far this year at least 389 outbreaks have affected childcare centers. A warning issued by the Department of Health says teaching children hand hygiene is key to stopping further outbreaks. Hand sanitiser is not sufficient for preventing gastro as authorities say hand washing and cleaning tables and kitchen tops is the best way to handle the infection.

The Cuban Communist Party has elected Miguel Diaz-Canel to the country’s most powerful position, party first secretary, marking the end of brothers Fidel and Raul Castro’s 62 year rule over the country. Diaz-Canel was appointed president in 2018 and was Raul Castro’s first pick for the position, meaning it is highly unlikely the leadership change will mark a move away from Cuba’s one-party communist system. Fidel and Raul Castro came to power when they overthrew the US-backed government in a 1959 revolution and Cuba has since become an international pariah state, suffering due to Western sa