NEWS

Donald Trump has authorised the purchase of F-15 fighter jets to Qatar days after accusing the Gulf nation of funding terrorism. Washington and Doha signed an agreement on Wednesday with an initial cost of US$12 billion (AU$15.8 billion).

At least 12 have died in the West London fire that consumed a residential building on Wednesday, according to police. Firefighters have so far rescued over 70 people, with 18 people in critical condition and many more unaccounted for.

Donald Trump has just lost a friend. The US president has been denounced by Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker for taking the Gulf nations’ side in the Qatar diplomatic crisis.

West London is currently battling fire after a high-rise tower block in the area is consumed by flames. More than 200 firefighters are currently trying to snuff out the blaze engulfing the 27-storey Grenfell Tower on Latimer Road in North Kensington.

Following their win against LeBron James’ team in the 2017 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors refused to commit to whether or not they will visit US President Donald Trump in the White House.

Former FBI Director James Comey felt pressured by US President Donald Trump to drop the investigation of formal national security adviser Michael Flynn. According to Comey’s written testimony, Trump demanded that he gave his loyalty to him, which he refused to do.

The Qatar diplomatic crisis was partly triggered by the huge ransom the small nation paid to secure the release of its royal family members and Russian hackers’ planting of fake news report, it has been claimed.

Qatar citizens are panic-buying even after its government assured citizens importation of goods will not be affected by the Arab country’s rift with its neighbours. Seven countries have cut off diplomatic relations with Qatar for its alleged ties to terrorist groups, which it has vehemently denied.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale has quit in a hospital dressing gown and pyjamas. The Queensland politician addressed reporters on Tuesday morning from St Andrew’s Private Hospital to announce his resignation, citing health reasons.

Qatar has been shunned by its neighbours over its alleged ties with terrorism in the region. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Egypt have all cut their diplomatic ties with the Western Asian country after accusing it of backing militant groups such as the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda. Qatar has denied the accusations.

The acting US ambassador in London has praised London Mayor Sadiq Khan for his “strong leadership” after the London Bridge terror attack. Lewis Lukens’ tweets came just hours after US President Donald Trump criticised Khan.

Former Labor minister Ian Macdonald has been sentenced to up to 10 years in jail for brazen misconduct in public office. His ex-union boss, John Maitland, will spend from at least four years to a maximum of six in prison for being an accessory.

The passengers of Malaysia Airlines flight MH128 have criticised the Victoria Police for letting them wait 90 minutes on the plane with a man who threatened to blow it up.

Vili Fualaau and Mary Kay Letourneau are splitting so he could start a weed business. Fualaau said he still loves his former teacher and he only filed for marriage separation so he would be allowed a licence to open a cannabis store.

Canadian serial killer Karla Homolka now volunteers at a Christian elementary school.

Vili Fualaau has separated from his wife and former teacher, 55-year-old Mary Kay Letourneau, who was jailed for having sex with him when he was just 12.

The gunman who reportedly killed a police officer on Monday afternoon in Queensland has died following a shootout with cops. Rick Maddison reportedly opened fire on officers after emerging from his bolthole on the same day.

A gunman is believed to have shot dead a police officer after he opened fire when he was pulled over in a car in Queensland on Monday afternoon. The cop was reportedly ambushed in Lockyer Valley in Brisbane.

Australia will send additional 30 troops to Afghanistan, Australian Defence Force Minister Marise Payne announced Monday. The move follows requests from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the United States.

Ben & Jerry’s Australia has banned two scoops of the same ice cream flavour together at their 26 stores nationwide. The ice cream-maker aims to drive a message in support of same-sex marriage in the country.

Taiwan has become the first in Asia to make marriage equality constitutional. Its highest court legalised same-sex marriage on Wednesday, stomping down an age-old provision of its family laws.

Conservative magazine Quadrant “unreservedly apologised” on Wednesday for suggesting the Manchester blast terror attack should have happened at ABC’s Q&A headquarters instead. The apology came following ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie’s condemnation of the article.

One of Australia‘s most senior cyber crime investigators has warned that the country’s “critical infrastructure and systems of national significance” are being targeted by international hackers.

Justin Trudeau continues to win hearts by just appearing on photos. The Canadian prime minister photobombed a group of high school students attending their prom, or called formal in Australia, while out on a run in Vancouver on Friday.

Cassandra Sainsbury reportedly worked as a prostitute at a brothel in western Sydney months before she was arrested in Colombia. The accused drug mule was apparently called “Claudia” at Club 220 Gentleman’s Club, a brothel in Penrith.

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands is not just the country’s head of state, he was also an airline cockpit’s co-captain. The 50-year-old monarch has been secretly moonlighting as a co-pilot for the Dutch airline KLM for 21 years.

Princess Mako of Japan is giving up her royal status to marry her commoner boyfriend. The eldest granddaughter of Emperor Akihito will be marrying law firm worker Kei Komuro, a commoner who once starred in a tourist campaign as the “Prince of the Sea.”

An aspiring heart surgeon who stabbed her boyfriend may be spared jail because a UK judge said prison would ruin her career. Oxford University student Lavinia Woodward is expected not to spend a day in jail because she’s an “extraordinary able young lady.”

A new high-tech precinct at Badgerys Creek airport will create hundreds of jobs in western Sydney.