NEWS

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whose claim to victory at the polls has been widely contested, is no friend of billionaire Elon Musk, and the feeling is clearly mutual, with their war of words escalating amid the political crisis in Caracas.

Iraq signed an agreement with British energy giant British Petroleum on Thursday to develop four oil and gas fields in the northern province of Kirkuk.

US journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US marine Paul Whelan are expected to be released by Russia as part of one of the biggest East-West prisoner swaps since the Cold War, according to US media Thursday.

Under the deal, the staff will receive a 4% salary hike in the first year and 3.75% in the two consecutive years.

Throngs of firefighters were mobilized in California Monday to battle the state's largest blaze of the year, which has prompted thousands of evacuations and already burned an area larger than the city of Los Angeles.

Landslides in India triggered by pounding monsoon rains struck tea plantations and killed at least 93 people Tuesday, with at least 250 others rescued from mud and debris, officials said.

Under the Cyber Security Act, which will be tabled in the parliament, companies will be mandated to declare the ransom payment or risk paying hefty fines.

"Some airlines have postponed or cancelled some flights. Further flight cancellations and disruptions could occur with little or no notice," the government-run Smartraveller has warned.

The housing sector is experiencing a lack of labor and materials, which is why the average approved value of new homes has increased by AU$19,444 between June 2023 and June 2024.

Transport Minister Catherine King said the Australian government has readied a contingency plan to support the airline to continue its services; however, she did not promise a bailout package.

The ban dates back to March 2020 when it was found that the debt collection giant harassed three customers into paying the flawed debt in an outright violation of the Australian Consumer Law.

Criticism against the government's approach to immigration may not subside, as the opposition members echoed doubts about Burke's ability to enact change.

The WA Industrial Relations Commission will join the efforts to examine whether the individual seeking access to worksites is deemed "fit and proper" under some set rules.

According to the recent Commsec State of the States report, South Australia ranked first in three key areas -- low unemployment relative to other states, the amount of construction work completed, and the number of new housing projects started -- catapulting the state to the top spot.

Speaking at an anti-renewables rally in Sydney, Joyce compared the ballot paper to bullets, and asked the crowd to load the magazine and vote against Albanese and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

Arson attacks scrambled France's high-speed rail network for tens of thousands of passengers on Friday, after what officials called premeditated acts of "sabotage" just hours before the Paris Olympics opened.

A TGA spokesperson said the three Australia's sponsors -- Baxter Healthcare, B. Braun and Fresenius Kabi -- have indicated the short supply would remain throughout 2024 due to disruption in global manufacturing and increase in demand.

Authorities have recorded a total of 39,000 casualties in Gaza linked to Israel's ground operations, which began in October last year

The state administration, despite criticism from the opposition and possible policy changes in the future, has set aside AU$80,000 for the private and complimentary service.

Joe Biden will press Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to seal a Gaza ceasefire deal, despite the US president's shock election exit threatening to limit his leverage over the Israeli premier.

Ahead of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Rio de Janeiro, an analysis by global anti-poverty non-profit Oxfam has revealed that the richest 1% have amassed $42 trillion in wealth over the past decade, surpassing the bottom 50% by 34 times.

Craig Keogh's medical conditions included pneumoconiosis or black lung, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema.

Paying tribute to the outgoing ministers, Prime Minister Albanese said, "I am proud to call them my friends. I'm proud to have witnessed firsthand their passion for this nation, their determination to leave the country better for their contribution as members of parliament and as ministers."

Phillip Baker, a research fellow from the University of Sydney's School of Public Health, said that the current rating system still awarded stars to unhealthy ultra-processed foods as it simply judged the product by the parameter of whether it contained good or bad ingredients.

Foreign minister Penny Wong said, "The individuals sanctioned today have been involved in violent attacks on Palestinians. This includes beatings, sexual assault and torture of Palestinians resulting in serious injury and in some cases, death."

The pilot managed to eject safely and was currently recovering in stable condition at the Royal Darwin Hospital.

The total count of births fell to 289,100 in 2023, which marked a sharp 4.6% drop from the previous year and the lowest since 2006.

Toxic "forever chemicals" are increasingly being used in US pesticides, threatening human health as they contaminate waterways and are sprayed on staple foods, a study said Wednesday.

The new AU$25 million Hydrogen Center of Excellence in Sydney intends to train thousands of apprentices, increasing the workforce of the state for renewable energy.