Iran’s currency, the rial, has plunged to another record low in the face of US-imposed sanctions on the nation’s economy.

The Iranian rial was worth 42,000 rial against $1 USD in April and since has significantly dropped to a rate of 111,500 rial against $1 USD on Sunday.

The rial has lost about half of its value since April because of a weak economy, financial difficulties at local banks and heavy demand for dollars among Iranians who fear the effects of sanctions.

A two-year intensive support trial of specialist foster carers for children with complex and challenging behaviours will start to place its first child in September.

The $2.7 million trial is based on a successful overseas model to help children aged under 12 to overcome significant trauma and go on to a bright future.

Minister for child safety Di Farmer says this new program aims to provide stable, supportive family environments for children and young people with very complex needs.

An ancient Queensland giant red gum tree estimated to be between 250 and 1,500 years old has been given a second chance at life after local artists salvaged it from a wood chip pile.

Artist Anne Harris was at the local dump after the 50 meters tall and 1.8-metre wide tree was taken there after it fell onto the main road and was offered the opportunity to take it away.

Former NSW Police assistant commissioner Mark Murdoch will be leading a task force investigating the cultural issue in prisons after allegations of guards sleeping with inmates surfaced.

NSW Corrections Minister David Elliott has become aware of appalling revelations in prisons across the state in the past 10 days after a female guard was suspended over an alleged relationship with a convicted cop-killer.

The Australian government has been urged to reject election results in Cambodia which have been called a sham.

The election which saw incumbent Prime Minister Hun Sen elected through silencing opposition and press, has been slammed by democracy advocates.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told Four Corners the Australian government would use meetings to advocate human rights and democracy.

More than 5 million people are registered to vote in the first election without former leader Robert Mugabe on the ballot, who was forced out of office through military intervention.

Although it has not stopped the former President speaking out saying he will not vote for his successor Emmerson Mnangagwa who tormented him and will find a candidate from the list of 23 people running for President.

Mnangagwa and MDC alliance candidate Nelson Chamisa is seen as the top two contenders.

Indian authorities are set to release the final draft list of citizens in the state of Assam with citizens fearing tens of thousands of Bengali-origin Muslims will be excluded.

The updating of the National Register of Citizens is part of a campaign to identify undocumented immigrants from Bangladesh.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal says Indian citizens whose names are not included in the list will get adequate opportunities to file claims and objections pertaining to their rights.