An independent public inquiry into the Australia-UK-US Aukus pact highlights substantial concerns regarding its $368bn cost, the suitability of nuclear submarines, and the lack of parliamentary debate, urging greater transparency and scrutiny of the nation's largest defense expenditure.
Australia will conduct a national test of its new AusAlert emergency system on Monday, emitting a siren from most phones. The federal government proceeds despite state concerns over landline reach and warnings from domestic violence campaigners for "safe phone" users to power off devices to avoid exposure.
Labor's Amanda Rishworth dismissed Israeli embassy concerns over the party's proposed Israel-Palestine platform. Barnaby Joyce's interview was interrupted by his dog while discussing Pauline Hanson's trip funding. Pat Conroy defended Australia's $4.2 million hotel reservation for a Fiji climate meeting, stating costs will be recovered.
Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked event is set for July 22 in London, themed "A New Shape Unfolds." The event will likely unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8, and a new Z Fold 8 Ultra, alongside potential new smart glasses. India pre-reservations are open.
South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder believes the demands of modern cricket are making it unsustainable for players to excel across all three formats. Playing for Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket, Mulder also discussed the growth of cricket in the US, the benefits of South Africa's multi-sport culture, and the impact of the SA20 league.
WhatsApp is allowing its 3 billion users to reserve usernames, a feature that will go live in the coming weeks. This allows users to share contact information without revealing their phone numbers, enhancing privacy for individuals and potentially simplifying customer outreach for businesses.
Sunita Ahuja, wife of Govinda, expressed deep regret and broke down on the reality show Lock Upp. She complained about the poor quality of food, calling the soup "cow's piss" and refusing to participate in tasks, even stating she'd rather fall sick to leave the show.
The sharing economy is expanding to include private backyard pools, with platforms like Swimply allowing users to rent pools for parties and gatherings. This trend offers hosts a way to earn income and cover maintenance costs, while renters gain access to amenities without the high cost of ownership.
WhatsApp's new username feature, allowing users to be found by handle instead of phone number, is raising impersonation concerns in India, its largest market. Regulators have warned of increased fraud and phishing, while digital rights groups question the legal basis for intervention.
A new poll reveals Australians have rejected One Nation's proposals like shutting down SBS and ending multiculturalism. Concerns about the party's skills and Gina Rinehart's influence are high, yet over half of voters are considering or definitely voting for One Nation.
WhatsApp is introducing usernames later this year, allowing users to connect without sharing phone numbers for enhanced privacy. The Meta-owned app is opening global reservations this week, enabling individuals, businesses, and creators to claim unique usernames, including existing Instagram or Facebook names.
Automated bots and ticket scalping make it difficult for fans to purchase concert tickets at face value. Governments are tightening regulations, but sophisticated bots and market dynamics pose ongoing challenges for ticketing platforms and consumers.
Telangana's 2BHK Housing Scheme offers free two-bedroom homes with full infrastructure to poor and homeless BPL families. The scheme includes reservations for SC/ST and minorities, with beneficiaries selected through a multi-stage verification and draw of lots process.
Speaking in Bahrain, Rubio affirmed Washington's pursuit of an enduring peace with Iran that safeguards Gulf allies' security. He addressed concerns over Iran's past actions, the Strait of Hormuz, and the potential use of a $300 billion reconstruction fund, reassuring allies that fees for international waterways would not be part of any deal.
France is re-evaluating its long-standing reservations about air conditioning as record heatwaves push temperatures near 40C. The debate sees populist right-wing calls for mass subsidized roll-outs and environmentalists conceding its necessity in schools and hospitals.
Australia's APVMA will allow the continued use of the herbicide paraquat, banned in over 70 countries, with stricter conditions. Despite calls from Parkinson's groups and scientists citing a strong correlation, the regulator found no causal link.
Australia's APVMA will continue to allow the use of the herbicide paraquat, banned in over 70 countries, with stricter conditions. Despite calls from Parkinson's groups and scientists citing a correlation with the disease, the regulator found no causal link.
Valve has opened reservations for its Steam Machine, with prices starting at $1,049 for a 512GB model. A lottery system is in place for the first batch to prevent scalping, requiring users to have a Steam account in good standing and to have purchased something before April 27. The device features a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU, RDNA3 GPU, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and various ports.
Iranian and US negotiators are in Switzerland to advance a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war. The deal faces domestic opposition in Iran, with hardliners questioning Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's stance and utilizing state media to criticize the negotiations.
Despite reservations from Ladakh representatives over meeting minutes, the Centre remains committed to constitutional safeguards under Article 371 and bureaucratic accountability to the political executive. Future discussions will define the scope and framework.
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei authorized a memorandum of understanding with the US, despite personal reservations. He granted approval after receiving assurances that Iran's rights and the "Resistance Front's" interests would be protected.
Xreal is now taking reservations for its upcoming Aura XR glasses, priced at $99 for a reservation that includes a $199 launch credit, effectively saving users $100. However, the final price of the glasses remains undisclosed, leading to disappointment. The glasses feature a 70-degree field of view, hand tracking, and a Snapdragon Reality Elite chip.
Reservations for the Xreal Aura, a new Android XR device developed in collaboration with Google, are now open for $99. The glasses, weighing under 95 grams and powered by the Snapdragon Reality Elite chip, are expected to launch in the US, UK, Japan, Canada, and South Korea this Fall. Early reservation holders will receive a $100 discount.
DoorDash is launching "Ask DoorDash," an AI-powered chatbot for food delivery and grocery shopping in select markets, with plans to add reservations and more cities soon. This move places DoorDash in a competitive race with rivals like Uber and Instacart to integrate advanced AI into user experiences.
