World News

On a rollGold continues record run to break $US2000 barrier

Spot gold soared to a record above $US2000 an ounce as investors continue to seek a haven for their assets amid daunting economic and geopolitical risks.

Steven Frank and Yvonne Yue Li

SEE THE VIDEOAussie among dozens dead in Beirut blasts

An Australian is among dozens dead following “nuclear-scale” blasts in Beirut which have left thousands injured and the area declared a “disaster zone”. WARNING: GRAPHIC

Stephen Drill and AFP, Europe Correspondent

Terrifying videoAustralian among dead in shocking Beirut explosion

At least one Australian is among more than 70 people killed in a deadly warehouse explosion in the Lebanese capital of Beirut.

Lanai Scarr

Latest newsTrump says Epstein ‘might have been murdered’

US President Donald Trump has suggested that billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein may not have taken his own life in jail last year as he awaited trial on sex charges.

Nathan Vass and Tiffany Bakker in New York

Marriage dramaKim photos hint at divorce plans

As rumours continue to swirl over the stability of Kanye West’s marriage to Kim Kardashian, the reality star has taken a pointed stand in distancing herself from the troubled rapper.

Sarah Blake in New York, Katy Hall, Zoe Smith, Nadia Salemme

Aspen Security ForumPM’s unity call as Labor queries lack of ‘adults’

Scott Morrison has called on China to step up and take a more active role in a stable world order as Labor accused a rogue backbench, anti-China group of dominating the Government’s foreign policy.

Lanai Scarr

COVID impactHSBC profit plunges by 69 per cent

The bank was also moving ahead with plans to reduce its total workforce from 235,000 to about 200,000 in the coming three years.

Long roadPerfect COVID vaccine may never come: WHO warns

There may never be a ‘silver bullet’ for COVID-19 in the form of a perfect vaccine and the road to normality will be long, the World Health Organisation has warned.

Michael Shields and Emma Farge

Dig overMaddie cops find suspect’s ‘secret cellar’

German police have reportedly uncovered a “hidden basement” at the former home of the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

Zoe Smith and Tiffany Bakker

PandemoniumFlight panic: Mid-air brawl breaks out over face masks

A frightening mid-air brawl has broken out on a flight to Ibiza after two men refused to wear face masks.

Trump bags AusDonald Trump’s cocky tweet on Vic outbreak

The US President has used Victoria’s second wave of COVID-19 cases to defend his handling of the pandemic racing across America.

Sarah Ison

‘Engulfed in flames’Frank Ocean hit by tragedy as brother dies

The 18-year-old brother of the Grammy-nominated artist Frank Ocean has reportedly died in tragic circumstances.

Lily Hoffmann

Exclusive‘No one watching’: Rogue Aussie joined Taliban kill missions

One of Australia’s most decorated former top soldiers has given a rare insight into Australia’s Special Forces’ mission and culture which allowed him to loan himself out to the enemy.

Charles Miranda

Judge’s delayGhislaine’s ‘secret sex files’ stay sealed for now

A US judge has agreed to postpone the release of ‘secret’ files related to alleged sex abuser Ghislaine Maxwell and dead paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein.

Nathan Vass and Tiffany Bakker in New York

Latest updatesBunnings joins Woolies mask stance as Vic COVID toll rises

A day after Woolworths urged customers to wear masks in stores across Australia, hardware giant Bunnings says it will do the same. It comes as Victoria braces for further restrictions as the state struggles to curb its COVID numbers.

David Mills, Clare Armstrong, Sarah Blake in New York, Katy Hall, David Aidone, Jade Gailberger, Maria Bervanakis, Erin Lyons, Zoe Smith, Tiffany Bakker

Safe havenGold on track for biggest monthly gain in four years

Spot bullion is up 10 per cent in July as a gauge of the dollar slumped, prompting concerns its status as the world’s reserve currency of choice is at risk, and US real yields fell to a record low.

Phoebe Sedgman

See the list165 vaccine hopes that could save the world from COVID-19

Australia is spearheading one of many vaccine developments across the world, which are racing against time to stop coronavirus as countries face surging caseloads.

Sue Dunlevy

‘Cry for justice’Oprah honours Breonna Taylor with September cover of O

US talk show host Oprah Winfrey will break a 20-year tradition by not appearing on the cover of her magazine, with the September edition devoted to US police shooting victim Breonna Taylor.

Figures stingUS rebound uncertain after historic GDP plunge

The full scope of the pandemic’s toll on the US economy was on display overnight when government officials reported that gross domestic product shrank the most on record.

Reade Pickert, Katia Dmitrieva, Olivia Rockeman and Maeve Sheehey

See the picsQueen’s touching gesture at Beatrice’s wedding

Stunning images from the secret wedding of Princess Beatrice reveal how the Queen made sure her granddaughter’s nuptials were extra special in the fallout of the Prince Andrew scandal.

Stephen Drill in London, Nadia Salemme

BackflipTrump backtracks on call for election delay

Just hours after he touted the idea of delaying the election due to the ‘threat of mail in ballots’ he told reporters at the White House he wanted an election ‘much, much more than you.’

Election shockTrump floats US election delay over postal vote ‘fears’

Donald Trump has floated delaying November’s US presidential election, saying increased postal voting because of the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to fraud and inaccurate results.

Tech issuesInstagram, Facebook and TikTok may never be the same again

Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg has been warned he could be forced to sell Instagram, as Donald Trump said he is considering banning TikTok over China spy fears.

Sarah Blake

Royal revelationsMeghan’s ‘heated’ tiara spat with Queen

From drama over a tiara to tension with Kate Middleton, the explosive tell-all Finding Freedom reveals the drama between Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and the royal family. These are the most startling claims.

Nadia Salemme