China has responded to reports of an indefinite ban on Australian coal imports, saying the move is to protect the interests of Chinese importers and the environment.

Customs officers based at a key port in the north of China have reportedly stopped Australian coal imports, which sent the Australian dollar tumbling yesterday.

The move appears political, with only Australian coal being targeted.

Abuse victims of the Catholic church have condemned Pope Francis comments labeling the church’s critics “friends of the devil”.

During a speech to pilgrims from Southern Italy on Wednesday, the Pope said “defects” from the church had to be denounced so they could be corrected, and those who criticize “without love” were linked to the devil.

Many have condemned these comments saying they could endanger people in some parts of the world where his words are followed very closely.

One of the men convicted of the murder of Sydney nurse Anita Cobby has died in jail.

Michael Murphy, 66, died of liver disease in Long Bay jail overnight.

He was one of five men, including two of his brothers, given a life sentence over the 1986 abduction and murder of Cobby.

Football fans will be forking out more for a beer and a burger at Adelaide Oval this year with prices some of the highest in the nation.

Patrons will be forced to pay nearly $10 for a hamburger a dollar more than any other venue, while a bottle of water will cost $5.10 nearly double what those heading to the MCG will fork out.

The Stadium Management Authority says while it's very conscious of setting prices to meet fans needs it must also build revenue to ensure ongoing maintenance costs and staff wages are covered.

The Queensland government’s resources investment commissioner has said Adani will have to “Go back to the drawing board” to satisfy outstanding environmental conditions, and that the approval process could take up to two years.

Queensland government officials have been increasingly cautious when speaking publicly about the controversial Adani mine, and none have previously put a timeframe on the approval process.

A P&O cruise liner is being forced to stay at least one extra night at sea to avoid rough seas and high winds caused by Tropical cyclone Oma.

Passengers onboard the Pacific Dawn cruise were due to arrive into Brisbane on Saturday; however, recent forecast has forced the ship to wait out the weather in the calmer seas of New Caledonia.

P&O say they are “trying to work out a way to get [everyone] home all safely” but at the moment passengers are unaware of much except the captain’s daily updates.

Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro has announced he is closing the border with Brazil as a row over foreign humanitarian aid continues.

The president denies any crisis and calls the aid delivery plans a US-orchestrated show.

More than three million Venezuelans have fled in recent years as the country grapples with hyperinflation and shortages of essentials like food and medicine.

Two young Saudi sisters say they have been intercepted by kingdom officials at Hong Kong airport while attempting to escape to Australia.

The sisters aged 18 and 20 say they suffered violent abuse and fled to Hong Kong in September from a family holiday in Sri Lanka and were planning to fly into Australia.

This comes a month after an 18-year-old Saudi women who drew global attention with her escape from an alleged family abusive, gained refugee status in Canada.

Deputy NSW opposition leader Penny Sharpe has been criticised for tweeting a sign depicting NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian as the “wicked witch of the fest”.

The photo was taken at last night's Don't Kill Live Music Rally in Sydney's Hyde Park, where protestors were rallying against the State Government's new music festival regulations.

The posters from last night's rally were critical of the Government's new music festival regulations, which musicians and festival organisers have said are too strict