Venezuela's president to run in a third term in an election this July; Foreign Minister Penny Wong ties the knot with her partner of almost 20 years; And in rugby, the NRL threatens Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes with a two-match ban for shoving a referee.
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In this bulletin;
- Venezuela's president to run in a third term in an election this July;
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong ties the knot with her partner of almost 20 years;
- And in rugby, the NRL threatens Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes with a two-match ban for shoving a referee.
TRANSCRIPT
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro will be running for a third term in an election this July after receiving the official nomination of the ruling party.
The election has experienced impacted with controversy after Mr Maduro's main opponent, María Corina Machado who swept the primary election with more than 90% of votes was disqualified by Venezuelan authorities to hold public office for 15 years.
Mr Maduro accepted the nomination as the ruling United Socialist Party's candidate for the upcoming July 28 elections during a party gathering in Caracas.
"A man, alone, would not be here. I am here for you. For your strength, for your intelligence, for your wisdom, for your perseverance. I am here for the people. That is why today, March 16, 2024, I accept the presidential candidacy for the July 28th elections. I accept it, I assume it, and with the support of the people, we will go to a new victory for the Bolivarian and Chavista forces."
Mr Maduro came into power in March 2013, following the death of former president, Hugo Chávez.
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Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Sophie Allouache have tied the knot after nearly two decades together.
The couple were married in Adelaide in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and senior ministers.
The couple's two daughters were reportedly flower girls at the wedding.
During the parliamentary debate in 2017 to expand marriage to same-sex couples like hers, the senator paid tribute to her partner Sophie and their daughters.
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The 3G switchover could be delayed if a working group of telecommunications fails to fix a technical glitch preventing some mobile phones from making emergency calls.
The phase out of the slower 3G mobile network is scheduled over the course of 2024 and started with TPG's network in January.
Around 740,000 mobile phones may not be appropriately configured to contact emergency services on the 4G network.
Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland says people may not realise their devices cannot dial triple zero as they will otherwise function normally for other voice calls and data.
Ms Rowland has established a working group as part of tackling the issue.
"I have therefore established a working group of the carriers with my department as observer to provide regular updates going forward and to have a much more coordinated plan about how this information is going to be communicated to Australian consumers and also to ensure that all efforts are aligned to provide the most critical part of this service which is access to triple 0 in any circumstance."
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Two people were killed and three wounded in a Ukrainian missile strike on the Russian border city of Belgorod, as Russian citizens vote in a three-day presidential election.
Russian president, Vladimir Putin doesn't have major competition in the vote, after two opposition candidates were barred from running.
Governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, says schools and shopping centres would be closed for safety reasons.
"Today is the main moment of truth in our modern post-Soviet history. The fate of Russia, the Russian world, Russian civilization depends on how things will go on today, including events during the saintly and noble special military operation - we hope will end this year. We will do everything possible and impossible to achieve this."
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In rugby,
The NRL has threatened Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes with a two-match ban for shoving referee Chris Butler while trying to stop a try.
Melbourne beat the Warriors with a 30-26 win last night [[on Saturday 16 MAR]].
The charge relates to an incident in the second half, when referee Butler found himself between Hughes and Rocco Berry as the Warriors centre charged for the line.
The player will miss Sunday's clash with Newcastle with an early guilty plea, and risks a second week out if he fights the charge and loses at the judiciary.
