US President Donald Trump has imposed new sanctions against the Iranian metal sector, further escalating tensions, with Tehran saying it will return to enriching uranium.

Trump imposed further restrictions on Iran’s mining industry on Wednesday after a frustrated Tehran said it would suspend some promises it made under a nuclear deal rejected by Washington in a move aimed chiefly at persuading Washington's European allies to step up to preserve the agreement.

Polls closed in South Africa on Wednesday as nationwide elections seem to almost certainly keep the ruling ANC in power despite frustration over corruption scandals, sluggish growth, and record unemployment.

The election was the first measure of whether President Cyril Ramaphosa can restore support for a party whose support flows largely from its liberation credentials.

Australian beekeepers are calling for restrictions to a controversial pesticide that reduces bees’ ability to fly.

Scientists from the Imperial College in London found that neonicoinoid causes bees to only be able to fly one third of the distance they normally would.

The pesticide is banned in the EU but is still widely used in Australia.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission has issued a state-wide alert warning homeowners of audit price gouging on cladding audits following the Grenfell London tower fire in 2017.

Industry experts and authorities said tradies have been increasing quotes up to 160 per cent to check if Gold Coast homes have the same external materials as the Grenfell tower.

A Federal Minister has proposed shortening a Gold Coast tram line extension from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads to end disagreement on the Federal Government’s funding commitments to the project.

Federal MP Karen Andrews for Gold Coast seat McPherson said rescoping the project 700 metres shorter than before so the tram stops at Burleigh Heads State School rather than the township is a way to get the project moving without the Federal Government having to commit further funds to their $112 million pledge to Stage 3 of the light rail.

A new report has found that bacteria causing gonorrhoea, meningitis and other health issues is becoming increasingly resistant common antibiotics in Australia.

The report into antimicrobial use and resistance trends showed antimicrobial resistance, increased by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, showed little sign of decreasing and is posing a risk to patient safety.

The long delayed results of Thailand’s first election since the 2014 military coup that have come in six weeks after the election show the opposition “democratic front” alliance have secured the most seats, but the ruling military junta’s existing policies mean a pro-army party could potentially choose the nation’s next prime minister.

The opposition threatened to take legal action over the results that were released on Wednesday saying that a new seat allocation formula deprived the alliance of a majority in the 500-seat House of Representatives.

The UN humanitarian coordinator has warned that a lack of health funding in Gaza could mean 1700 people shot by Israeli forces could face amputations in the next few years.

Jamie McGoldrick said 1700 people need serious and complicated surgeries to be able to walk again after being shot at protests in the past year and without surgery, are at risk of needing an amputation.

The UN is seeking $20 million to fill the gap, with 120 amputations already having been carried out in the past year.