Palestinian officials dismiss $50bn investment and infrastructure proposal, say political solution must be found first. The United States has revealed a proposal to create a $50bn global investment fund for the Palestinians and neighbouring Arab states, designed to be the economic engine of the long-awaited US Middle East peace plan. The plan was posted on the White House website on …

A ban on mobile phone use in Victorian public schools aimed at curbing distraction and cyberbullying has divided opinion among teachers and students. Education Minister James Merlino said the ban, which would be in place during school hours in state primary and secondary schools, would start in the first term of 2020. Phones must be kept in school lockers from …

The Matildas have crashed out of the Women’s World Cup, losing to Norway in a penalty shootout after scores were locked at 1-1 after extra time. In a tense, dramatic and controversial affair, Australia looked to be mounting another trademark comeback, before Alanna Kennedy was sent off in the 104th minute to turn the tide in favour of the Norwegians. …

French Open champion Ash Barty warmed up for Wimbledon with a comfortable 6-4, 6-3 win over Venus Williams to reach the semi-finals of the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham. Barty is now two wins away from becoming the first Australian woman to top the tennis rankings in more than 40 years as a title win in Birmingham will allow her …

US President Donald Trump says he is not looking for war with Iran but has warned that if a conflict did occur, it would result in “obliteration”. “I’m not looking for war, and if there is it’ll be obliteration like you’ve never seen before. But I’m not looking to do that,” Mr Trump told NBC News in an interview a …

A broad field of US Democratic presidential candidates have delivered their sales pitches to party leaders in Iowa, touting their ability to engage voters, defeat Donald Trump and deliver on longtime party goals such as universal healthcare. The 19 Democrats running for 2020 had five minutes each to sum up their case for the presidency. Most agreed on the problems, …

Rafael Nadal maintained his stranglehold on the French Open by beating Austrian fourth seed Dominic Thiem in four sets to lift a 12th men’s singles title. The Spaniard won for the third straight year at Roland Garros with a 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 victory in a high-quality final. The 33-year-old is the first player to win 12 singles titles at …

Queen Elizabeth has paid personal tribute to veterans of the D-day invasion which helped bring World War II to an end. Rising from her seat not once, but twice, the 93-year-old Queen applauded not the 16 world leaders, the top military brass or dignitories but the frail ageing veterans, their coats heavy with medals. About 300 World War II veterans, …

A man abused by notorious paedophile Christian Brother Edward “Ted” Dowlan is suing George Pell, alleging the disgraced Cardinal did nothing to protect him. The man was a student at East Melbourne’s Cathedral College when he was abused by Dowlan, who was first jailed in the 1990s for abusing boys in the 1970s and 1980s. Taking civil action in the …

A former Australian military lawyer charged with leaking classified documents at the centre of police raids at the ABC on Wednesday says he is facing life imprisonment but maintains he was acting in the public interest. Due to appear in the ACT Supreme Court on June 13, David William McBride, 55, is charged over leaks to ABC journalists Dan Oakes, …