South-East Queensland could be nominated to host the 2032 Olympic Games with the Queensland and federal governments joining forces to investigate the possibility.

Federal MP Ted O'Brien says the Brisbane and Gold Coast regions are tourism meccas that would appeal to the International Olympic Committee, who will make the final call.

Queensland Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk will chair a new taskforce that will use a $20 million budget to envisage and examine the costs of hosting the event.

A proposal to end a decade-long dispute over the radioactive contamination of properties on Sydney’s north shore has been rejected by residents and council. 

Council voted against a recommendation by its own consultants to “encapsulate” the low-level radioactive materials in cement “cells” and store it onsite. 

Nelson Parade Action Group member Philippa Clark says residents feel the plan would have made lives worse, with the proposed cells making stigma permanent and impacted houses unsellable.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says unemployed regional Australians should show some ‘innovative spirit’ and move towns to find a job. 

Responding to calls to raise the Newstart allowance, Mr McCormack says the payment was designed to be a safety net during transitions between jobs.

The Australian Council of Social Services has rejected the Deputy PM’s comments, with acting CEO Jacqueline Phillips saying many regional jobs are temporary, making moving a big gamble.

A blackout left over half of Venezuela without power on Monday, causing traffic congestion and forcing businesses and schools to close for the following day.

Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodríguez blames the power cut on an “electromagnetic attack”, although he didn’t provide evidence for the claim.

Venezuela was hit by a series of blackouts in March, including one that plunged all states into darkness for a week.

Authorities in Singapore have seized 8.8 tonnes of elephant ivory worth an estimated $12.9 million in the largest haul in the country to date. 

Nearly 12 tonnes of pangolin scales valued at $35.7 million were also seized from the shipping containers after a tip-off from China’s customs department. 

Authorities discovered the animal products after inspecting a shipment from the DR Congo, which was passing through Singapore on its way to Vietnam.

As few as three wombats are alive in Tasmania’s Narawntapu National Park following an outbreak of mange disease in 2010, which reduced the population by 90 per cent.

Wildlife ecologist Dr Scott Carver says wombats were treated with a chemical drench in an attempt to eradicate the disease, but the treatment was not successful in the long term.

Zoologist Michael Driessen says there is still hope, with his team looking for a treatment that could protect wombats for up to three months at a time.

Russia’s defence ministry has announced its first ever joint air patrol with China, with four bombers, supported by fighter jets, patrolling a pre-planned route over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea yesterday. 

South Korea scrambled fighter jets in response, firing flares and warning shots after it claimed Russian planes had intruded on its airspace over the disputed Dokdo/Takeshima islands. 

Boris Johnson has won a ballot by Conservative party members to become the next Prime Minister of the UK. 

The former foreign secretary and Mayor of London comfortably beat Jeremy Hunt, gaining over 90,000 votes to Mr Hunt’s 46,000. 

In a victory speech, Mr Johnson promised he would “deliver Brexit, unite the country and defeat Jeremy Corbyn” at the next election.

The first terminally ill Australian has been granted access to receive life ending euthanasia drugs under Victoria’s landmark euthanasia laws.

No details on the age or illness of the patient is available under the strict wording of the law which also ensures patients must have six months to live or 12 months for those possessing a neurodegenerative disease.

However, with the program in its infancy there are fears there are not enough qualified doctors and that the scheme may be hard to access with its conservative guidelines.