News

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton outlined a plan to tackle rising energy costs by forcing gas giants to set aside a portion of their supply for domestic use, while also pledging to invest in youth mental health services and increase apprenticeship opportunities. His proposals, however, have drawn criticism from the gas lobby and raise questions about their feasibility.

Chinese electric vehicle company BYD is outperforming Tesla, with revenue exceeding $170 billion in 2024 and a new super-fast charger that promises to fully power EVs in five minutes. This rapid expansion and technological advancement are putting pressure on Tesla as the company faces declining global sales.

Australia's high tobacco taxes have inadvertently fueled a thriving black market for cheap, untaxed cigarettes, robbing taxpayers of billions of dollars and undermining efforts to reduce smoking rates. Experts call for a multi-pronged approach that includes stronger enforcement and addressing the root causes of smoking.

The US government plans to end financial support for Gavi, an organization that helps buy vaccines for children in developing countries, and scale back efforts to combat malaria, a highly dangerous infection spread by mosquito bites. This decision could have a significant impact on global efforts to combat preventable diseases in developing countries.

Queensland's melioidosis outbreak continues to claim lives, with five more deaths reported in the past week, bringing the total death toll for the year to 25. Public health officials urge vulnerable individuals to avoid flood clean-up activities and keep wounds clean to minimize their risk of contracting the disease.