More than a quarter of the world's pigs have been wiped out as African swine fever spreads across the globe. 

Australia is on high alert amid fears the arrival of the disease is inevitable with it now reaching Timor Leste, a nation less than 700km from Darwin. 

The fever has been reported in around 50 countries including China, Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines.  

African swine fever doesn't pose a threat to human health — it's only harmful to pigs.

Brisbane City Councillors have been receiving extraordinary superannuation benefits that are more than double what the average Australian worker receives.

Ratepayers funded $959,000 in super payments last financial year, with the Lord Mayor entitled to more than $53,000 in super and the Deputy Mayor more than $40,000. The standard super payment to a council backbencher was $32,000. 

Emergency service authorities have warned the public to be on high alert, with potentially extreme fire dangers predicted today and tomorrow for areas already devastated by bushfires. 

Fire crews are preparing for serious conditions in Brisbane’s west, where high temperatures and a lack of rain are putting ­communities on edge. 

Residents of fire-prone areas are urged to be prepared to evacuate if conditions worsen.

Several groups representing the Hong Kong Chinese community in Australia have called upon Scott Morrison's Government to allow Hongkongers to remain in Australia "unconditionally" in light of ongoing unrest in the semi-autonomous territory. 

In addition, the groups have urged the government to postpone a pending free trade agreement that was signed earlier this year with Hong Kong, that is yet to be ratified. 

Ahead of World Mental Health Day on Thursday, mental health charities and organisations are encouraging culturally diverse groups in Australia to ask for help.

More Australians than ever before are seeking treatment for a mental health condition.

But while the country has come a long way, advocacy groups are warning there is still a long way to go to break down the stigma around asking for help - particularly in some culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

A second whistle-blower has come forward with information about US President Donald Trump's dealings with Ukraine. 

The second whistle-blower also worked in intelligence and had firsthand knowledge that supported the original accusations that Mr Trump was using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 US election. 

President Trump and his supporters have rejected the accusations that he did anything improper, remaining defiant amid an official impeachment investigation.

Protesters in Iraq have been clashing with government forces for over five days- the Interior Ministry stating that the death toll has risen to 104 killed and over 6000 wounded in the violence, since it began on Tuesday.

Posing a huge security threat and political challenge for Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's government, citizens are protesting the widespread unemployment, political corruption and poor access to water and electricity services, that is pervasive in the region.