AM

The new Veterans Affairs Minister promises to speed up the processing of thousands of compensation claims lodged by Australia's service men and women

A powerful earthquake in a mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan flattens homes and kills at least 1,000 people;

The energy emergency eases as generators take back control of the east coast market;

And the Defence Minister Richard Marles visits India to compare notes on China.

Conservationists head to court in a bid to block a major gas project off the WA coast, saying it could harm the Great Barrier Reef, thousands of kilometres away

As the competition watchdog investigates spiralling energy prices, how much progress is being made to get more renewable power into the mix?

The National Children's Commissioner urges a shake-up to child protection systems after an ABC investigation reveals the abuse of children in care;

Swimming's world governing body bans transgender athletes from women's elite events;

And illegal fishermen being blamed for killing protected turtles off the WA coast.

It might be politically poisonous but many experts still believe a carbon tax is the long term solution to Australia's energy problems; European leaders visit Kyiv adding their authority to Ukraine's bid to join the EU; and intimidation, violence and crippling staff shortages - how life is becoming unbearable for teachers at a remote high school in the Northern Territory.

Some of the country's biggest energy users have welcomed the dramatic suspension of the national electricity market;

The US announces its biggest interest rate rise in almost 30 years;

And an Australian aid worker found guilty of funnelling millions of dollars to a terrorist group.

Federal cabinet is expected to discuss the energy crisis today, as power interruptions and supply shortfalls loom, while WA opts to get out of coal-fired power.

Major retailers are using facial recognition technology to crack down on theft, but are they breaching your privacy?

And China's President signs an ominous order, giving the military the power to be more active in other countries.

The East Coast is facing blackouts as high prices continue to wreak havoc on the energy market;

There might be signs of a thaw but the South China Sea remains a sticking point in Canberra's relationship with Beijing;

and how Sri Lanka's economic crisis might be pushing a new wave of asylum seekers towards Australia.

Ash Barty, Shane Warne and Professor Mary-Louise McLaws are among those to receive special recognition this Queens Birthday.