Does the flu vaccine give you the flu? 5 questions about the vaccine answered

Winter is coming, and with the cold weather comes respiratory viral infections, including influenza. So now's a good time to protect yourself and others with the flu vaccine. It's effective, free and widely available for many high-risk groups. Even if you don't qualify for a free vaccine, it's still recommended for you and your family.

 

Russia holds nuclear drills on land, sea and air, joined by its ally Belarus

MOSCOW (AP) – Trucks carrying intercontinental ballistic missiles rumbled over forest roads, atomic-powered submarines set sail from Arctic and Pacific ports, and crews scrambled into warplanes as Russia and neighboring Belarus held the final stage of their joint nuclear drills Thursday.

Victoria Approves Major New Gas Project to Boost Local Supply

Victorian industries are set to gain access to more locally produced and affordable gas following approval of a major new offshore development. The Victorian and Federal Government have approved the production licence for Amplitude Energy's Annie Gas Field Project in the Otway Basin, paving the way for new gas supplies to enter the Victorian market.

Ukraine says its drones hit another refinery deep inside Russia

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian drones smashed into another Russian refinery overnight, starting a fire that produced huge clouds of black smoke, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday, in what appeared to be the latest long-range attack on Moscow’s vital oil industry.

As America hits 250, many Brits say one man defines it: Trump

WASHINGTON, England (AP) – Loud. Broken. Baffling. Ask Brits what they think of their former colonies in 2026, and they note these long-held views of America and Americans. But after 250 years of independence from Britain, the country’s former rulers cannot discuss the United States without mentioning President Donald Trump.

10 Million Litres Of Diesel Secured For Victorian Farmers

The Victorian Government has secured a 10 million litre diesel reserve to strengthen fuel security for the state's agricultural sector. The strategic reserve is designed to ensure farmers can access fuel during times of major disruption, giving regional communities greater certainty ahead of the winter growing season.

 

US stocks rally as pressure eases from the bond market

NEW YORK (AP) - The U.S. stock market bounced back after pressure eased on Wall Street from the bond market. The S&P 500 climbed 1.1% Wednesday. The Dow Jones added 1.3%, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 1.5%. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell back below 4.60% as the price of Brent crude oil dropped 5.6%.

Top Asia Pacific Breaking News: Latest Updates

BEIJING (AP) – On the surface, Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s back-to-back summits with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin looked pretty similar, with formal handshakes in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, enthusiastic greetings from flower-waving children, and marching columns of soldiers branching gleaming bayonets.

Fed Square To Host Socceroos World Cup Screenings

The Victorian Government has stepped in to ensure Socceroos World Cup matches will be shown live on the big screen at Fed Square this year. The move comes after Melbourne Arts Precinct decided not to host public screenings of the matches - a decision the Government has now reversed.