Iraq election ballot warehouse catches fire ahead of recount
A Baghdad warehouse holding ballots for Iraq’s parliamentary election has caught fire days after parliament calls for a nationwide recount of votes.
An interior ministry spokesman says most of the important boxes were in three other warehouses where the fire was controlled.
Iraqi parliament speaker Salim al-Jabouri says the fire is intentional and elections should be repeated.
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LNP would gift state land for Brisbane metro
A future LNP government would gift state land to get the Brisbane metro government off the ground.
The Brisbane Metro which has been promised to solve congestion issues by the Brisbane City council, opposition transport spokesperson Steve Minnikin said the project was hamstrung by the government.
The state government owns 1600 square metre parcel of land at South Brisbane which has been heavily featured in plans for the project, the council also wants 4.5-hectare block at Rochedale which would become a depot for 60 vehicles.
Animal collisions increase on Queensland roads
Insurance claims from collisions with animals have risen 25% according to NRMA.
NRMA says winter months have the highest risk for motorists, with collisions with Kangaroos the highest, followed by dogs, wombats, cattle and cats.
Saint George, Warwick, Cunnamulla and Stanthorpe have reported the highest number of collisions across the state.
Defence Inquiry uncovers concerns about conduct of Australian special forces in Afghanistan
A defence inquiry on members of the Special Air Services Regiment and Commando units has uncovered concerns of illegal conduct.
The two-year-long investigation by New South Wales Supreme Court Judge and Army Reserve Major General Paul Brereton has allegedly uncovered five cases of unlawful killing.
Sources have told the ABC that Justice Brereton is nearing the end of his work and will highlight a handle of cases for further investigation.
Sex abuse survivor says national scheme is out of touch
A survivor of child sex abuse has called the National redress scheme out of touch with the needs of Forgotten Australians.
The survivor said while the program helps compensate victims, it was a band-aid approach which did little to help treat trauma.
The scheme will be rolled out in July and will offer compensation between $10,000 and $200,000 to survivors who can prove they were victims of child sexual abuse.
Italy’s new government shuts off entry to migrant boat from Libya
Italy new interior leader, Matteo Salvini says all Italian ports are now closed to a rescue boat carrying 629 migrants from Libya.
Salvini is making good on his electoral promise to halt the flow of the 500,000 migrants who have reached Italy in the past five years.
The Maltese government is rejecting a request to take the boat saying it should be taken to italian ports according to international law.
Taliban ceasefire with Afghan forces for Eid
A three-day ceasefire has been announced between the Taliban and the Afghan government for the religious holiday of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.
This is the first ceasefire in nearly 17 years since the militant government was toppled by the US-led invasion in 2001.
The Taliban says they are instructed to stop their offensive operations against domestic opposition but insists offensives on foreign forces should continue.
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US and DPRK prepare for Singapore Summit
US President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un have arrived in Singapore ahead of their historic summit.
The two leaders will meet tomorrow to discuss denuclearisation from the North in return for economic relief from US sanctions.
The on-again, off-again meeting would be the first meeting between a North Korean leader and serving US President in history.