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Pictured: Representative image of the feet of an infant taking a bath.

Australia's Birth Rates Plummet Amid Rising Living Costs, Economic Uncertainty

The total count of births fell to 289,100 in 2023, which marked a sharp 4.6% drop from the previous year and the lowest since 2006. A significant reason behind the drop was thought to be housing costs in major cities.

Deputy PM Marles Dismisses Cabinet Shakeup Speculation, Expresses Optimism For Next Election
"We are confident about the next election, we're certainly not sanguine in the sense that we do not underestimate our opponents," Marles said.
Kamala Harris Could Bring Shift In Gaza War Policy
Kamala Harris's outspoken stance on the Gaza war hints at a possible shift from Joe Biden's Israel policy as she eyes the Democratic presidential nomination -- as Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to find out this week.
Biden To Address US As Clock Ticks On Presidency
US President Joe Biden will give what could be his final Oval Office speech Wednesday to explain why he dropped out of November's election and deny that he will spend six months as a lame duck.
Israel Slams Beijing Deal To Include Hamas In Post-war Gaza Government
Israel swiftly condemned an agreement brokered by China Tuesday which Beijing said would bring Hamas into a "national reconciliation government" for post-war Gaza.

'Truly Frightening': Pesticides Increasingly Laced With Forever Chemicals

Toxic "forever chemicals" are increasingly being used in US pesticides, threatening human health as they contaminate waterways and are sprayed on staple foods, a study said Wednesday.

WAR IN UKRAINE

Ukrainian infantrymen of the Carpathian Sich 49th Infantry Battalion drafted during new mobalisation, train at an unspecified location

Ukraine Grapples With Motivating New Millitary Recruits

The tired troops moved through the forest in east Ukraine at dawn, imitating assault rifle fire while searching for non-existent Russians between the trees.

Economy in Focus

Asian Markets Track Wall St Losses After Mixed Tech Earnings
Asian markets fell on Wednesday following a mixed batch of US earnings that did little to boost enthusiasm as investors look for the tech sector to continue filing blockbuster profits after pumping billions into artificial intelligence.
Climate Change Risk Stirs Oil Market
Weight-loss Drug Maker Novo Nordisk's Profits Soar Further

More News

Stage 3 Tax Cuts Could Ease Mortgage Stress For 1.6 Million Australians: Report
"Although interest rate increases would normally lead to a higher level of mortgage stress, the stage 3 income tax cuts delivered to millions of Australians in early July are set to have a larger impact in driving down mortgage stress over the next few months," Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine said.