A Canberra mother who lost her son to suicide in 2010 is welcoming the new mental health services boost being introduced in the ACT.

Ben Williams who had chronic schizophrenia was forced to change doctors which was found to hinder his treatment.

Ben’s mother says "At times we felt really very alone and we were crying out for help at different times and there didn't seem to be any services that could help our needs."

Former live sheep exporter, Garry Robinson, has avoided jail despite his company’s role in the death of 22,000 sheep in Pakistan.

Robinson was charged in Western Australia after falsifying Commonwealth documents allowing the sheep to be imported into Pakistan.

Inspectors believed the sheep were diseased and the animals were then slaughtered and some buried alive.

Low-income earners are still struggling in the rental market, despite Brisbane being branded as one of Australia’s more affordable cities for rental properties.

Reports found that a single person on an income of $15,000 a year, including benefits, would find the majority of Brisbane out of their price range.

Housing and homelessness peak body Q Shelter executive director Leone Crayden said that working families with children, students, young people and low-income households continue to be stuck in rental stress.

City road users are sceptical about the closure of the Victoria Bridge, despite council saying drivers will not have to fork out more money to get around.

The closure will facilitate the proposed Brisbane Metro project and council says they will spend $5 million to upgrade other intersections to compensate for redirected traffic.

However, opposition public transport spokesman Jared Cassidy says “When it comes to this project you can’t trust what is written down, let alone what is said off the cuff.”

A cloud of sulfur dioxide has formed off the coast of Hawaii as lava from the Kilauea volcano flows into the ocean.

The cloud is affecting air quality and poses a threat to public health as the gases can cause breathing problems and skin irritation.

The Hawaiian Coast Guard is advising locals to stay indoors.

Dozen of people have died in a heatwave in Pakistan.

According to local media, up to 100 people have died of heatstroke.

Just after the start of Ramadan, a heatwave hits the city of Karachi with temperatures of 44 degrees Celsius.

To prevent the labourers from overheating, residents of Karachi have teamed up to provide people with water.

The Federal Government’s company tax cut plan has been dealt a blow with One Nation announcing they will pull support from the plan.

One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson had pledged support for the plan in exchange for a 1,000 place apprenticeship scheme.

When the scheme was not included in the budget One Nation rescinded their support for the tax cut plan leaving the Government with three less senate seats to pass the plan.