Townsville, Australia News

Queensland Rail says there is significant damage in the state's north after Cyclone Ita, with parts of the east coast network likely to stay closed until at least Sunday.

To the ancient Romans, Yemen was Arabia Felix, translating literally as Happy Arabia, but this was wishful thinking on the part of an empire with designs on the rugged, unconquerable land on the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula.

Palm Island cops seized this alcohol from a tinny arriving at the beach early on March 18. It includes 132 litres of wine, 5.7 litres of rum, 9.6 litres of Vodka, 700ml of Tequila and 13.1 litres of beer.

CONSULTANT to Rudd government's home insulation scheme was paid $1800 a day - so what advice did she provide for the failed scheme? FORMER pro-wrestler The Rock has taken up at a secret hideway while he films a movie in southeast Queensland.

Targeted attack ... two Australian citizens were killed in a US Predator drone strike in Yemen.

THE flooding of tailings dams at Clive Palmer's Yabulu nickel refinery means the plant could be shut down for weeks.

Police raided the home of one gang member yesterday morning at Fred Astaire Avenue, Maudsland were vehicles where seized and taken away Pic by David Clark.

This TRMM satellite rainfall map covers Tropical Cyclone Ita's life from April 1-14.

FOUR men shot a 3m crocodile before dragging it into their boat, taking it home and skinning the protected species.

A NEW inland highway to guarantee transport links between North Queensland and southern parts of the state during a flood or cyclone is being considered by the State Government.

Detectives from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria have been investigating the group for the past year, seizing cannabis, amphetamines, cash, stolen goods, real estate and other assets valued at more than $13 million.

The Queensland Government says it will continue to monitor the water being released from tailings dams for toxic waste at Clive Palmer's Yabulu nickel refinery near Townsville in the state's north.

This is what happens, kids, when you leave wet towels on the bathroom floor. You thought Mom was overreacting when she warned you, but this can really happen.

BUILDING heights along The Strand will rise to five storeys and the $2 billion satellite city of Pinnacles has been ruled out after Townsville City Council voted on what to include in its new planning scheme.

Australia's female basketball competition will not have a team based between Sydney and Townsville next season after the Logan Thunder franchise folded.

CHOPPER pilots have been warned of the potentially devastating effect of wind after a helicopter crash on the Territory/Queensland border.

The storm had begun as a Category 5 system but was downgraded to Category 1 after landing.

Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell says he is concerned the tailings dam at billionaire Clive Palmer's Yabulu nickel refinery near Townsville is overflowing.

Cyclone Ita threatened to gatecrash the wedding of El Arish couple Rachel Skirde and Jason Di Mauro but the monster storm didn't not reckon with the determination of a bride who had been waiting a decade for her big day.

FERRIES to Magnetic Island have resumed and Townsville Airport is open to limited flights as Cycylone Ita continues its track south.