After being banned from several social media platforms, former US president Donald Trump has announced plans to launch his own app, TRUTH Social, in a bid to “stand up” to bigger companies. TRUTH Social will be created through a new company formed by a merger of the Trump Media and Technology Group and a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), both organisations said …

Violent clashes involving heavy gunfire have claimed at least six lives in Beirut amid protests against the lead judge investigating last year’s deadly port blast. The Lebanese army has been deployed to quash the unrest. On Thursday, scenes of unrest uploaded to Twitter showed people running frantically throughout the Justice Palace area of Beirut, with sirens blaring in the background …

The leaders of the G20 countries have tasked the United Nations with co-ordinating aid for Afghanistan during a special summit although they were not united on how to deal with the country’s Taliban rulers. Italy holds the rotating G20 presidency this year and Prime Minister Mario Draghi called the summit to address the burgeoning disaster in Afghanistan. He said the …

Energy crises in Europe and Asia are delivering windfall profits to Australian oil and gas producers, which are raking in up to $200 million for shipments of gas. Prices for natural gas have reached historic highs in recent weeks as surging demand for the fuel in the Northern Hemisphere collides with tight supplies to send the market soaring. The volatility …

Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s reshuffled cabinet has been sworn in, following the resignation of Christian Porter over accepting anonymous cash for legal fees. Energy Minister Angus Taylor has taken on Mr Porter’s former industry portfolio after the latter’s departure from cabinet. Mr Taylor was on mute during the virtual swearing at Government House on Friday, beset by technical difficulties, so …

  Former prime minister Tony Abbott has described China as a “bully” and stressed the importance of “solidarity with Taiwan”, while addressing a regional conference on the island. Mr Abbott made the visit to Taiwan, where he met President Tsai Ing-wen, after a weekend in which China flew dozens of military jets near the island as part of a bid to exert power over …

Victorian police have issued Premier Daniel Andrews with $400 worth of fines for breaching COVID-19 directions after being filmed without a mask before attending Parliament. Mr Andrews had apologised for the incidents, which took place as he walked across the Parliament carpark to speak to journalists on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. “Victoria Police can confirm it has issued two infringement …

Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced “major changes” to NSW’s roadmap out of COVID-19 lockdowns, as the state recorded 587 new locally-acquired cases in the 24 hours to 8:00pm yesterday. Fully vaccinated adults are due to get a swathe of new freedoms from Monday — including do things like eat at restaurants and go to the gym, which have been off limits …

6.10.2021 NSW: NSW recorded 594 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. No new cases were acquired overseas, 14 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 66,267. Sadly, NSW Health is reporting the deaths of ten …

Hospitals are jointly funded by state and federal government, but Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the Commonwealth had artificially capped spending growth at 6.5 per cent, which could prevent hospitals from being able to meet demand when the state reopens. Mr Morrison said there was already enough federal funding for Queensland hospitals, and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was trying to use …