PM

Western allies have reacted angrily after Russia vetoed a draft resolution, to support an investigation into the suspected chemical attack in Syria last week. The United Kingdom has accused Russia of collaborating with Syria, and says the country can no longer claim it's against chemical weapons. The attack killed 80 civilians.

Some of the world's largest companies are pouring billions of dollars into artificial intelligence research and development. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, refers to the creation of machines that work and react like humans. And those machines can soon take over jobs like truck and taxi driving and even salad-making. Australian AI companies are up against a booming Chinese industry. And they want stronger policies and support from government to make them competitive.

A group of South Australian businesses have had a major victory in their bid to keep electricity price rises at bay. In a national first, the Competition and Consumer Commission has given them permission to negotiate a joint electricity contract. The group, which includes resources and manufacturing companies, will be able to buy power together to cut costs and ensure stability of supply. The ACCC will make its final determination in the coming months, but the group can begin discussing contracts with power companies.

Experts are warning that 800 people are dying a year from overdosing on pain killers, a number that is affecting rural and regional areas across the country. Clinics that were once set up for heroin addicts are now being used for Australians trying to get off pain killers, but the problem is growing as addicts are moving across borders to get their fix.

The Department of Defence is defending the continued use of a fire fighting foam product that contains trace amounts of controversial chemicals. The stance is at odds with the Commonwealth-owned company, Airservices Australia, that uses an alternative product at all civilian airports.

There are hopes a mine that's been in limbo for about 15 years could help fuel a clean technology market and revitalise a struggling NSW community. The $900 million cobalt, nickel, and scandium mine in the state's central west has been approved since 2001, but now a company is confident it can get the project off the ground.

The Prime Minister's doing his best to squash the talk of people being able to use their superannuation to buy a house. The idea has divided the Coalition as debate has raged for days about whether it would help to make houses more affordable for young people. Speaking from India, Malcolm Turnbull's indicated the idea is on the back burner with a pointed reminder that he previously called it 'a thoroughly bad idea'.

In Western Australia, an Aboriginal man has walked free from prison after the Appeals Court overturned his conviction for manslaughter. Gene Gibson is from a remote indigenous community and barely understands English, the language in which he was tried and convicted. His lawyers argued he didn't understand what was going on when he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 21-year-old Josh Warnecke.

The Queensland and federal Governments are locked in a stoush over who should foot the bill for the Cyclone Debbie recovery works. The Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is accusing the Federal Government of playing politics. She says it rejected her request for federal emergency funding. But the Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce says Queensland's submission for funding just wasn't good enough.

A former head of Australia's competition watchdog is pushing for greater transparency in the insurance industry. Professor Allan Fels was the inaugural chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. As the New South Wales Insurance Price Monitor, he's now keeping an eye on the cost of insurance premiums in that state. Professor Fels says consumers are being kept in the dark about premium pricing. He will be fronting a Senate Inquiry later this week and pushing the case for insurance companies to provide more information to consumers.