Venezuela declares post-earthquake emergency', A slight drop in Australia's unemployment rate, And at the World Cup, South Africa records a 1-nil win over South Korea for the first time.
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TRANSCRIPT
- Venezuela declares post-earthquake emergency'
- A slight drop in Australia's unemployment rate
- And at the World Cup, South Africa records a 1-nil win over South Korea for the first time.
A state of emergency is in force in Venezuela after two strong consecutive earthquakes west of the capital Caracas.
The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes struck less than a minute apart and have brought down scores of multi-storey buildings.
The Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared the state of emergency as rescue workers searched the rubble for survivors.
The US Geological Survey is warning of high casualties and extensive damage.
This resident of Caracas, Avilio Gonzalez, says he and his family count themselves lucky.
"Fortunately, my family—my wife, my granddaughter, and I—were out of the apartment building. When we got back, we saw it was completely destroyed. Luckily, the neighbours managed to save their lives too. What can I say? How many families are going to end up like this, with destroyed buildings in Caracas? Even though it hadn't happened in a while, Caracas is located in a seismic zone."
Wildlife experts say more cases of a deadly bird flu strain are expected to hit mainland Australia thanks to migratory birds.
The deadly H5N1 bird flu has reached a second Australian state, with three confirmed and one suspected case in Western Australia and South Australia.
Experts say the outbreak could wreak havoc by summer, with the threat of more infections among wild birds a likely scenario.
Head of the Kirby Institute Biosecurity Program at the University of New South Wales Professor Raina McIntyre says Australia is well prepared.
"When the virus mutates, if the virus mutates, to switch affinity from the bird receptor to the human receptor. That's when we could see a pandemic. Pandemic planning is, you know, very well advanced in Australia and everywhere. Countermeasures are being developed. There are pre-pandemic vaccines and there are effective antivirals."
Women have alleged sexual harassment, violence and retaliation for speaking out at the Fortescue's remote worksites and accommodation village as they sue the mining company over decades of alleged incidents.
According to the suit filed in the Federal Court, a woman was pulled into a dark alley by a man who forcibly tried to kiss her and another found a random man in her room when she came home one night.
A third woman claims she was told to resign from the mining company after becoming pregnant.
Others claimed they were subjected to vile language.
Australia's unemployment rate has fallen slightly to 4.4 per cent in May.
That's a drop from 4.5 per cent in April in seasonally adjusted terms.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics says an extra 40,300 jobs were added to the economy in May.
The fall in the unemployment rate was in line with expectations.
Federal Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth has welcomed the fall.
"Total number of Australians now in jobs is 14.7 million. This month's job data shows that jobs are up, unemployment is down and that more people are getting the opportunity to enjoy the dignity that comes along with work."
As Pride month is being observed, a Thai transgender woman says Australia has allowed her to live openly and be recognised for who she is.
She says legal recognition has been good for her mental health, sense of belonging and ability to participate fully in society.
Speaking to SBS Thai, Emmy Peerada has recalled visiting a bank to open an Australian account carrying only a Thai passport that still listed her as a male.
She says the bank staff handled the interaction with great sensitivity.
"They looked at my passport, then looked back at me a couple of times. Then they asked me, 'Would you like to use the title that matches who you are? Would you like to use Miss? At that moment, I felt that Australia was really open-minded. They gave me the choice to use the title that I felt most comfortable and confident with one that truly reflected my identity."
South Africa has recorded a memorable 1-nil win over South Korea in the World Cup for the first time.
This, despite captain Son Heung-min's having larger possession and corners in the match.
The Bafana Bafana side failed to make it past the knockouts in 1998, 2002 and 2010.
Thapelo Maseko scored the second-half strike.
"It feels like a dream you know, but great to all the gents - great to everyone today, the defence, they gave their all and this win is just for those who supported us and for those who actually didn't support us too."
