2 h. ago Australia news LIVE: More parliamentarians embroiled in expenses scandal; Teens face day two of social media ban

Follow along as we bring you the latest live news updates from Australia and around the world.

Politics

4 h. ago Behind the cockpit door: How pilots spend their time on long hauls

Flights where nothing out of the ordinary happens and the weather is great are rare because there is always something to deal with.

Economics

4 h. ago Another local council moves to formally oppose Burswood racetrack

Both the Town of Victoria Park and City of Perth have formally rejected the state government’s plans for a racetrack in Burswood. Now, South Perth will debate a motion to follow suit at next week’s council meeting.

Politics

9 h. ago Want to hook gas up to your home? From next year, that will cost $2000

Households in NSW, ACT, South Australia and south-east Queensland must soon pay thousands of dollars upfront to get gas connected after regulators approved new rules.

Economics

12 h. ago Australia social media ban as it happened: PM lauds decision as children under 16 barred from social media in world

Australia’s social media ban is now in effect, with children under 16 barred from some of the most popular social media apps in the world. Look back on our live coverage.

Politics

13 h. ago ‘Just leave it alone’: Nossal calls for VicHealth to be spared from government cuts

One of Australia’s greatest scientists has called the decision to abolish the health promotion agency “a misguided cost-saving measure”.

Politics

13 h. ago Perth man fined for Nazi salute outside pub after March for Australia rally

Daniel Stocks was overheard by patrons at Fenians Irish Pub making racial slurs and performing Nazi salutes with a group of people from the National Socialist Network.

Politics

14 h. ago Soil tests lift Whitebark SA gas, hydrogen and helium gas play

Whitebark Energy’s soil gas survey demonstrated elevated micro-seepage of methane, helium and natural hydrogen at its Rickerscote prospect in South Australia.

Events

15 h. ago Albanese digs in on MPs entitlements saga as more Wells spending comes to light

The prime minister is backing his minister Anika Wells’ use of parliamentary entitlements, even as fresh information reveals more examples of her using taxpayer funds to attend party fundraisers.

Economics

16 h. ago Alcoa’s ‘no mining’ area now covers 860 Optus Stadiums. Environment groups warn there’s a catch

Sections of old-growth forest including part of Lane Poole Reserve, the Munda Biddi Trail, Bibbulmun Track and Nyingarn Bidi Loop, and a new zone around Inglehope will fall into new protected zones.

Events

16 h. ago Royal Perth Hospital calls in AI as new figures paint grim picture of WA emergency departments

A 12-month $700,000 artificial intelligence pilot was announced on Wednesday morning as new statistics came out showing WA’s emergency departments were the slowest in the nation for patients to be seen.

Politics

17 h. ago ‘It didn’t work bro I’m still here’: Kids brag as they beat social media ban

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spent the morning speaking about Australia’s world-first legislation being a success while teens were flooding his social media comments with a different story.

Politics

17 h. ago A shootout looms between two very different cricketers if Khawaja is axed

Usman Khawaja’s Test future hangs on a bold Adelaide call as Beau Webster pushes his case, with Pat Cummins’ return set to reshape Australia’s selection puzzle.

Events

17 h. ago More teens charged over alleged ‘north vs south’ Ellenbrook school stabbing

Three more teenagers have been charged after a feud between rival gangs from north and south of the river allegedly spilled over from social media onto the grounds of Ellenbrook Secondary College on Monday.

Politics

19 h. ago Beach, beers and a kick: How England’s Ashes cricketers are spending their Noosa break

Members of the travelling English media posted photos of the squad on social media at the beach on Wednesday, the second day of their Sunshine Coast jaunt.

Economics

19 h. ago I wrote the book on anxious kids. It doesn’t matter if this ban isn’t perfect

The American author of The Anxious Generation writes that parents around the world are cheering on Australia as its pioneering social media law comes into effect today.

Politics

21 h. ago ‘Backdoor way to control access’: World reacts to social media ban

As Australia brings in the world’s first social media ban for teenagers, other countries are watching closely and many want to introduce similar measures.

Politics

21 h. ago ‘Parents need help’: US Republicans back Australia’s social media ban as tech groups attack

Australia’s move has galvanised advocates for reform in the United States, despite lobby groups claiming the Australian ban will “severely disadvantage” US companies.

Politics

21 h. ago Stakeknife: British agent inside IRA committed murders with MI5’s knowledge

UK security services protected the spy – despite his links to more than a dozen killings, abductions and torture during the Troubles – and suppressed the truth about for him decades, a new report reveals.

Events

21 h. ago Kids can still use social media – they just can’t sign their lives away to tech giants

The American author of The Anxious Generation writes that parents around the world are cheering on Australia as its pioneering social media law comes into effect today.

Politics