The federal election will not be a lavish cash splash, the treasurer says, as the prime minister prepares to unveil millions in funding commitments during his unofficial campaign.
With Australians set to vote before the 17th of May, Anthony Albanese has begun the year focusing on marginal electorates across several states.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers tells the ABC that the rising cost of living remains a chief concern for many Australians, and the government will do what it can.
"People shouldn't expect this election to be a big free-for-all of public money, or a huge cash splash. ... We've got to continue to manage the budget responsibly, but if we can do a little bit more to help people with these cost-of-living pressures, of course we'll consider that."
Hate speech and abuse is set to become more acceptable online as Meta loosens restrictions banning the targeting of people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and immigration status.
The change comes as Meta prepares for a potential second Trump administration.
C-E-O Mark Zuckerberg announced the changes on his Facebook page.
"We're going to simplify our content policies and get rid of a bunch of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are just out of touch with mainstream discourse. What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it's gone too far. So I want to make sure that people can share their beliefs and experiences on our platforms."
Meta’s changes have alarmed advocates for vulnerable groups, who warn reduced moderation could lead to real-world harms.
Meta also removed a statement from its policy rationale that said hate speech creates an environment of intimidation and exclusion, and in some cases may promote offline violence.
At least five people were killed as a trio of fast-growing wildfires raged out of control near Los Angeles.
Hundreds of buildings have been destroyed and hillsides scorched, prompting officials to order some 70,000 people to evacuate their homes.
Evacuation orders were issued for Pacific Palisades, home to many A-list Hollywood celebrities.
Further evacuations were ordered in Altadena, 40 kilometres northeast, as a blazed dubbed the Eaton Fire spread there.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone says the deaths occurred as a result of that blaze.
"We have over 2000 acres burning at this time, and the fire continues to grow with 0% containment. We have over 500 personnel assigned, and unfortunately, we have two reported fatalities, to civilians, unknown cause at this time. And we do have a number of significant injuries. We have over 100 structures destroyed and the cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation."
The Israeli military is reporting that the body of Youssef Ziyadne, an Israeli Bedouin abducted by Hamas-led fighters on the 7th of October 2023, has been found in a tunnel in Gaza, along with evidence suggesting his son, Hamza, may also have been killed.
Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani says Mr Ziyadne’s death did not appear recent, and the circumstances are under investigation.
Findings related to his son are also being examined.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to Twitter to convey his condolences to Mr Ziyadne's family.
"On behalf of myself and my wife, I would like to express my deep sorrow for the bitter news that the Ziyadne family received today. We hoped and worked for the safe return of the four family members from Hamas captivity.We returned the children Bilal and Ayehsa on November 23, and we wanted to return Youssef and Hamza as well. I send my heartfelt condolences to the family. I thank the IDF forces and the Shin Bet security service for their determined activity for the return of our hostages. We will continue to make every effort to return all our hostages home - both living and dead."
Jai Opetaia has knocked-out the previously unbeaten David Nyika to retain his I-B-F and Ring world cruiserweight title belts in a brutal Gold Coast homecoming.
New Zealand's Nyika, a late replacement with just three weeks' notice, started strong, matching Opetaia through the first three rounds.
However, Opetaia's fourth-round uppercut floored Nyika, who was soon knocked out by a devastating right hook and left uppercut combination, leaving him on the canvas for several minutes.
This is what Opetaia had to say during his post-match interview.
"I was expecting to start boxing, you know, the first round was pretty intense, and then I wasn't expecting him to come so aggressively. And then, yeah, he just, you know, and then after the first round, I thought, oh, here we go. He's gonna start boxing here, you know, thought he was gonna just come out the first round, but he just kept coming forward. That's what happens. You know, it was good. I respect David, you know, I hope he's all right. He's a great fighter, man. You know, I don't think people will give him the credit he deserves."
It was Opetaia's first fight in Australia since July 2022, when he overcame a double jaw fracture to defeat Latvian champion Mairis Briedis and claim the belts.
