Thousands feared dead after earthquakes in Venezuela; mining giant Fortescue faces harassment claims; Australia takes on Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup.
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TRANSCRIPT
- Thousands feared dead after earthquakes in Venezuela
- Mining giant Fortescue faces harassment claims
- Australia takes on Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup
Thousands of Venezuelans are feared dead after two powerful earthquakes devastated the country’s north, including the capital Caracas.
The US Geological Survey estimates the disaster may have killed as many as 10,000 people.
Emergency workers have already pulled dozens of people alive from the rubble, including two injured toddlers in the hard-hit coastal state of La Guaira.
At least 188 deaths have been confirmed, with more than 15-hundred injured and hundreds still believed trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
The United Nations is warning the recovery will take months, as international rescue teams arrive to help search for survivors.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric says the response will be long-term.
"But this will be a long haul. There will be the immediate response to the devastation of the earthquake, but it will continue for months to come. And as I mentioned and you mentioned as well, there were already a lot of people who need of humanitarian aid. The Venezuelan people will require the solidarity of the international community.”
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International aid is beginning to reach communities in Venezuela, as rescue crews continue searching through rubble after this week’s devastating earthquakes.
More than 100 buildings have collapsed in the hard-hit coastal region of La Guaira, where survivors are still being pulled from the debris.
Aid worker Francine Delarosa says relief efforts are focused on getting support directly to affected communities.
"I've seen how this aid and this relief really makes it to the heart of a community. When we say 100 per cent of donations get distributed, 100 per cent of donations gets distributed. When we say every single dollar that gets donated is used responsibly and wisely, every single dollar is used responsibly and wisely."
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A West Australian politician is demanding answers after mining giant Fortescue was hit with a class action alleging decades of sexual harassment across remote mining worksites.
The lawsuit filed in the Federal Court alleges women were subjected to harassment, abuse and unsafe conditions at worksites and accommodation villages.
Liberal MP Libby Mettam says the allegations are similar to those uncovered by a parliamentary inquiry she chaired into the mining industry.
Fortescue has previously said workplace safety is a priority, while the WA Premier says there is still more work to do across the sector.
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The Albanese government is preparing to introduce new laws they say will strengthen Australia's world-first teen social media ban.
Children under the age of 16 have been prohibited from holding accounts on major social media platforms since December last year, but many teens report still being able to access their accounts since the ban began.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told the ABC the government wants to make sure the laws will withstand any legal challenges.
"This is important. It's been mirrored in 16 nations. We're just looking at, are the laws as strong as possible, given some of the feedback that is there? Does the E Safety Commissioner have every power available at her disposal? And we will adjust things accordingly."
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NSW Police are investigating after a man was shot and critically injured by officers in Sydney’s south-west.
Emergency services were called to a unit complex in Fairfield last night following reports of a violent disturbance.
Police say a 27-year-old man charged at officers before a constable fired several shots, striking him in the torso and arm.
The man was taken to hospital in a critical condition, while an independent investigation is now underway.
And in sport,
Australia's final group stage match against Paraguay is underway in the World Cup.
If the Socceroos win or draw, they will progress to the next round.
Meanwhile, Japan and Sweden have both made it through the knockout stage after a 1-all draw in Dallas.
The second half saw two great strikes by Japan's Daizen Maeda and Sweden's Anthony Elanga.
Elanga placed Sweden in the last 32 with his goal, just six minutes after Maeda's goal for Japan at the 56th minute.
Japan will face Brazil next, while Sweden will most likely be up against France.
