The Coalition has come out in defence of MPs attending the Conservative Political Action Conference, which is known to be a far-right-wing event.

Raheem Kassam is one of the far-right figures who attended the conference alongside Coalition members MP Craig Kelly and Senator Amanda Stoker; Kassam is well known for labelling the Qur’an as ‘evil’. 

Australia has banded together with powerful international allies to demand tech giants do more to combat the circulation of child pornography.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who led talks on the issue of child exploitation, says the companies have a moral obligation to allow spies and law enforcement agencies access to encrypted data.

The companies have been given until September to prove what action they have taken to combat the "abhorrent crimes".

The Queensland Performing Art Centre is set to undergo a $150 million renovation. 

QPAC’s new theatre will be completed in 2022, featuring architecture that was born from a competition to design the theatre. 

Queensland’s Minister for the Arts, Leeanne Enoch, says the design was mainly chosen because of its commitment to featuring Indigenous culture.

More than 14,000 people are expected to attend the 12th annual Gold Coast Multicultural Festival at the Southport Broadwater Parklands this Sunday.

Ben Brauer, President and CEO of Queensland Cultural Events Association says there is a lot of cultural diversity on the Gold Coast with 28 per cent of residents born overseas. 

The festival will provide a display of culture including international music, dance, drumming, instrumentals, art and craft, food and cultural information with up to 65 stalls.

Saudi Arabia will allow women to obtain passports and travel abroad without approval from a male "guardian", ending a longstanding restriction that drew heavy international criticism.

A government ruling, published in the official gazette Umm Al Qura says "a passport will be granted to any Saudi national who submits an application.” 

The regulation will be applicable to women over the age of 21, the pro-government Okaz newspaper and other local media reported. 

The United States has launched a new set of tariffs on China, escalating tensions in the ongoing ‘trade war’. 

Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the US will target China with punitive tariffs on another $300 billion in goods, with 10 per cent duties taking place from September. 

This follows previous tariffs introduced on Chinese goods, meaning Trump has now targeted virtually all of the $500 billion of Chinese-made products imported into the US yearly. 

A national survey shows for the second consecutive year that tradies are more likely to take care of their tools than their physical and mental health.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association surveyed more than 800 construction tradespeople, the results showed attitudes towards health and safety have increased, but only 60 per cent look after their body and mental health.

The Morrison Government’s emission reductions fund has been labelled ineffective, following reports that the initiative bought cuts equivalent to only 0.01% of Australia’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison previously said the emission reductions fund, which is the Coalition’s main climate change policy, would get an extra $2 billion in funding, but less than $1 million has been dedicated to the initiative’s projects.

Brisbane’s Powerhouse is hosting Livewired, a free comedy event, this August. 

The event will take place every Sunday in August, from 5pm to 6pm. 

The event is free but attendees must book tickets, which can be picked up from the box office 60 minutes before the show starts.