Microsoft’s datacentres and Optus owner among firms paying zero tax on billion-dollar Australian revenues

• UN teams are working to protect families in Gaza from the upcoming rainy season as of Wednesday. • UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that restricted land access and shortages of critical supplies are hindering these protection efforts.

• Jewish settlers are seizing and destroying Palestinian property in an escalating campaign of violence across the West Bank. • The Israeli authorities are actively supporting these efforts to dispossess Palestinians of their land.

• King Felipe VI described the migration crisis in Ceuta as unacceptable two months after the events occurred. • The situation was contained without escalating into an open diplomatic confrontation between Spain and Morocco.

• The United Nations concluded its 81st General Assembly amid rising geopolitical tensions that threaten global cooperation and the pursuit of peace. • The organization is currently facing a rupture of multilateralism, which is the practice of multiple countries working together to solve shared problems.

Warning comes as central bank estimates fewer than one in 100 borrowers owe more on their home than its worthThe Reserve Bank says households are well placed to weather the twin storm of rising interest rates and plunging property prices, but warned that Australia would not be immune from sudden collapse of the global AI investment boom.The central bank’s latest financial stability review – a biannual assessment of the financial system – said the “threats to global financial stability continue to mount”. Continue reading...

BoM expects 30 to 50mm of rain to fall in Melbourne over coming days, with showers and storms also likely for Canberra and Sydney on SaturdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWidespread rain and thunderstorms are forecast to drench south-eastern Australia from Thursday, with the heaviest falls expected across Victoria.A trough moving east across South Australia was expected to combine with a low pressure system moving through the Great Australian Bight on Thursday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Continue reading...

Officials investigating missing persons case find bodies in remote area of Lancaster, north of Los AngelesLaw enforcement officials are looking for additional victims after two bodies were found on Tuesday in a remote area of Lancaster, California, a small city about 70 miles north of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reports.Authorities found the bodies in a shallow grave while they were investigating a missing persons case, according to KTLA. Outside of the sheriff’s department investigating the discovery of the remains as a homicide, little is known about the two people who were found in the shallow grave. Continue reading...

Tapes made in the 90s, including candid conversations between Noel and Liam Gallagher, which were expected to sell for up to £1.6mA collection of unheard Oasis recordings, including 63 live shows, hours of rehearsals and candid conversations between Noel and Liam Gallagher, has been pulled from auction after legal action taken by the band.In September Littleton Auctions in Worcestershire, England, listed the collection made by the band’s former sound engineer, Huw Richards, with a guide price of between £1.2m and £1.6m. Continue reading...

Estonian will navigate narrow ribbon, 160 metres long and 120 metres high, near the city’s famous Gwanghwamun palace on ThursdayEstonian aerial athlete Jaan Roose will attempt to cross a 160-metre long highline suspended 120 metres above central Seoul on Thursday.Roose, a three-time slackline world champion, will step out on to a narrow polyester ribbon between the Koreana hotel and the Dong-A Media Center, near the capital city’s famous Gwanghwamun palace and square. Continue reading...

Democratic governor sharply critical of Donald Trump for not passing comprehensive federal AI regulationsGovernor Gavin Newsom signed laws Wednesday aimed at protecting California workers from the threats of artificial intelligence , including potential job losses and workplace surveillance.The laws ban employers from using the technology to predict a worker’s emotional state by using their biometric data, require employers to send written notices to workers if AI is responsible for mass layoffs and ban employers from relying on AI to decide to fire someone. Continue reading...

Suspect Benny Caldera Jr held on bond as officials say they received ‘credible’ information about Austin threatA 40-year-old man was arrested early Wednesday on suspicion of plotting to attack the Texas state capitol, authorities said.The Texas department of public safety said in a statement that it received “credible information about an individual planning a violent attack” for Thursday in Austin. Continue reading...