Suez canal may remain blocked for weeks

A container ship could continue to block the Suez canal for weeks, as the company behind the excavation process says the situation remains unpredictable.

The 400 meter long ship became stuck on Tuesday, with efforts to excavate the ship free so far proving futile, with hundreds of boats remaining unable to pass through.  

Egypt’s Suez canal is the fastest trade route between Asia and Europe, with every port in Western Europe expected to feel the impact from the blockage.

 

World Science Festival takes off in Brisbane

Yesterday marked the first day of this year’s World Science Festival in Brisbane.

Hosted by Queensland Museum, this year’s festival is focused on the theme ‘Extremes and Adaptations’. It will tackle climate change, sustainability, and distrust in science.

Chief Executive of Queensland Museum Network, Dr Jim Thompson, said the festival has been providing 'world class' events since 2016. 

From fires to floods: Farmers loose crops due to rainfall

Recent flooding has destroyed some farmers' first decent crop in years along the Dumaresq river across both the New South Wales and Queensland border. 

After years of drought, expected increased rainfall meant farmers in the region planted crops for the first time in years, with the flooding causing millions in lost revenue.  

Farmers are blaming the Bureau of Meteorology for not giving adequate flood warning for the region. 

 

Queensland families call for more epilepsy awareness

Families of children with a rare and severe form of epilepsy known as Dravet Syndrome have called for raised awareness as Queensland's epilepsy awareness month draws to a close. 

Dravet Syndrome affects one in every five hundred children with epilepsy and starts in childhood. Parents of children with the syndrome said stigmas towards those with epilepsy mean few people know how to react to a seizure when they see one or provide the appropriate support for children with epilepsy.

Study finds Australian wild dogs actually dingo's

A study by University of New South Wales Sydney shows the majority of wild dog populations in Australia are actually Dingoes.

The study published in Australian Mammalogy collected DNA results from over 5000 wild canines across the country. It found ninety nine percent of those tested were either pure dingoes or Dingo dominant hybrids.

The research calls into question lethal measures to control wild dog populations, which could be potentially harming native dingo populations.

 

Northern Territory Aboriginal homelands funding changes put on hold

The Northern Territory Government has postponed Aboriginal homelands funding changes amid concerns the process was rushed and ineffective.

The changes were meant to reduce red tape, consolidating municipal and essential services grants into a single grant.

Service providers were originally only given three months warning about the changes, with organizations banding together to voice concerns over the rushed process and the potential for job losses in remote communities.

Palaszczuk Government announces solar energy plan

Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Toowoomba, Townsville, and Yeppoon have been selected as sites for Energy Queensland's trial of grid-connected battery storage.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczcuk said the move was part of an effort to make sure Queenslanders’ solar energy will be used effectively and sustainably as part of the larger effort to move towards fifty percent renewable energy by 2030.

New homes announced for Caboolture West

Deputy Premier Steven Miles has announced a plan for the development of 30,000 new homes in Caboolture West.

Miles says the government and Moreton Bay Regional Council will work with the private sector and utility providers to improve housing choice and affordability.

The development is part of the department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning’s effort to tackle short-term land supply challenges in South-East Queensland.

Miles said the site is expected to provide homes for 70,000 people.

 

New PNG strain no cause for alarm

Queensland authorities have confirmed a new COVID-19 strain was identified in hotel quarantine and linked to Papua New Guinea. 

Queensland Health said the new strain is not of high concern for the state as it is not understood not to be as infectious as the UK and South African strains.  

Travel between PNG and Australia continues to be restricted as the country battles a surge in cases.