US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has informed Foreign Minister Julie Bishop that the Trump administration intends to hold Russia accountable for the disappearance of flight MH17.  

At an annual meeting in San Francisco, an Australian journalist read Mr Pompeo a question from Anthony Maslin, a Perth father who lost three children in the crash.

Data from the Australian Council of Trade Unions has revealed over 28,000 people are experiencing homelessness despite working full-time.

One in three people experiencing homelessness are employed in some capacity but don’t earn enough to afford accommodation.

ACTU Secretary, Sally McManus says Australians need a livable minimum wage that can pay for everyday basics.

The data comes just 24 days after the minimum wage was increased by 2.4 per cent.

Tougher lending standards by the banking royal commission are creating a great number of “mortgage prisoners” according to Mozo.

The interest rate comparison site found mortgage holders who borrowed near their limit were finding it increasingly difficult to refinance their loans and were ‘trapped’ with their current lender.

Mozo property analyst, Steve Jovcevski said stagnant wages and falling house prices were exacerbating the problem.

Pakistan will head to the polls this evening in what will be the second civilian-to-civilian handover of power in the country’s history.

However, concerns of military intervention and obstruction loom over Lahore. It is widely believed the party led by former cricketer Imran Khan has received the undivided backing of Pakistan’s powerful domestic military.

This has been criticised by the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, labelling the election the dirtiest in the nation’s history.

The East Brisbane suburb of Hemmant was covered in smoke this morning after an industrial fire erupted at a recycling plant.

Fire crews worked through the night to contain the blaze that burned for six hours however smoke can still be seen in the area.

Residents are urged to close their doors and windows.

A New Zealand study has revealed a four day working week is better for businesses and workers.

The trial results found a four day working week meant participants boosted their productivity and 78% reported a better work-life balance and less stress.

The four day working week trial found workers can still complete their jobs satisfactorily with the added benefit of enhanced psychological wellbeing due to feeling more in control.

Rising global demand for cobalt needed for smartphone batteries has led to children in the Congo working in slave-like conditions.

Cobalt is primarily mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa, known for child exploitation and poorly enforced labour conditions.

Tens of thousands of children are being lured or forced into dangerous mine work in response to the cobalt boom.

Law experts in Australia are calling the conditions in the Congo ‘modern day slavery’ with Amnesty International campaigning for change.