ORRCA's Port Stephens and Newcastle pod is asking the community to help fund a drone. The pod hopes to raise about $4,000. Volunteers say the drone would help them keep entangled whales in sight until rescue teams arrive, and check injured dolphins, seals and whales. The appeal has received $1,000 so far, including $500 each from Soldiers Point Bowling Club and Tilligerry Peninsula Lions Club. Anyone who sees a stranded, injured or entangled marine mammal is urged to call ORRCA's 24-hour hotline rather than attempt a rescue.
A drone will operate at Carmila Sports Stadium on Friday, 30 October 2026, between 8am and 12pm. Engineering firm INTEGRAL Engineering will use the drone to capture aerial imagery as part of a facility inspection. All drone operations will follow the rules set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Residents with questions can contact the council's Customer Service Centre, which operates around the clock.
A false hijack alert from a flight from Corfu briefly suspended operations at Nuremberg Airport in Germany. The Corendon Airlines jet landed safely as planned. The airline said a malfunction in its radio communication system caused the code to be sent, and that no passengers, crew or aircraft were in danger. Police said the pilot could not be reached by radio, which led to several alarm scrambles. Flights later resumed normally. The incident comes amid heightened alert in Germany over drone sightings at airports.
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