Venezuela and Uruguay have issued a travel warning to their citizens about the United States following two mass shootings over the weekend that killed 31 people. 

The alert noted factors such as the “indiscriminate possession of firearms by the population” among reasons travelers need to be particularly wary of high populated areas or events while in the states. 

The Red Cross blood service is calling on people with the rare O-negative blood type to donate after reserves reached their lowest point this year. 

Red Cross spokeswoman Helen Walsh says many regular donors are still recovering from the cold and flu, causing O-negative reserves to fall to less than two days’ supply. 

Over the next fortnight the blood service is calling on 5000 people to donate to meet hospital demand, and people with O-negative blood are asked to encourage family and friends to donate alongside them.

An Essential poll has found a vast majority of Australians are concerned about the power of Google and Facebook and want them held accountable for the rise of fake news online.

The survey of more than 1000 voters conducted by the Guardian has uncovered strong support for tighter regulation of the digital media giants as the government prepares to crack down on the sector following an 18-month digital platforms inquiry.

The Gold Coast has been identified as the most vulnerable place in Australia to sea-level rises according to new data from the Climate Council. 

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie says climate change is driving more severe and extreme weather across Queensland and more needs to be done to tackle Australia’s rising greenhouse gas emissions. 

Prime minister Scott Morrisson will meet with Premier Annastacia Palszczuk and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner in Townsville this week to discuss Queensland’s bid for the 2032 Olympics.

Cr Schrinner welcomed Ms Palazczuk’s decision to put the Queensland government’s support behind the games, believing it will create “opportunities right across the state for economic and social benefits.”

Queensland Rail train drivers and guards have pocketed more than $70 million in overtime payments since the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line in October 2016. 

On July 29, Queensland Rail added an extra 430 services and 200,000 seats to the network, restoring the previous October 2016 timetable, which has prompted questions about what impact it would have on overtime costs.

An organisation set up to research low-emission coal technologies is funding a multi-million dollar media campaign aimed at making Australians feel “proud about coal,'' according to the ABC. 

COAL21 is planning to spend up to $5 million on rolling out the campaign across all media platforms next month in an effort to enhance the reputation of Australia’s coal industry and rebut what it calls “false campaigns by activist groups.” 

The government's plans to further tighten the character test to make it easier to deport criminals, even if they haven't served jail time, is likely to deepen a rift between Australia and New Zealand. 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has already described Australia's deportation policy as "corrosive" after rule changes in 2014 led to a spike in Kiwis being sent back, even if they had lived in Australia for most of their lives. 

Philippines authorities say the outbreak of dengue fever can now be considered a national epidemic, with 98 per cent more cases than this time last year.

The Philippines has recorded 146,062 cases of dengue from January through July this year, with 622 deaths attributed to the disease. 

The declaration was made on Tuesday to improve the response to the outbreak by allowing local governments to draw on a special Quick Response Fund.