23 October 2026A warning of slower growth from the Treasurer, storms in south-east Queensland, and an earthquake in Tibet.
Featured image: The Treasury Building in Canberra. Photo: -wuppertaler, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
In brief
- Treasurer warns of slower growth and higher unemployment
- Storms and flash flooding hit south-east Queensland
- Donations pass $600,000 for Save the Children after MP attack
- Magnitude 7 earthquake strikes northern Tibet
- Nigeria reports first Ebola case in more than a decade
- Suspects released after West Bank photojournalist attacks
Top story: Treasurer Jim Chalmers told investors in Sydney to expect a likely slowdown and higher unemployment, with Treasury revising its forecasts.
Australia
1. Treasurer warns of slower growth and higher unemployment
Speaking at the Citi A-50 forum in Sydney, Jim Chalmers said higher interest rates and higher inflation are likely to mean softer growth. Treasury is revising its forecasts, inflation figures are due next Wednesday, and economists expect another interest rate rise in about a fortnight. Oil reached a five-month high after damage to seven tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to petrol price concerns.
2. Storms and flash flooding hit south-east Queensland
The Sunshine Coast recorded about 100 millimetres of rain overnight in some areas, cutting roads and closing schools and businesses. Emergency services responded to more than 500 callouts, including 15 rescues of people from cars in floodwater. Bystanders rescued a man from a car roof near Moreton Bay, and wet weather is expected to continue over the weekend.
3. Donations pass $600,000 for Save the Children after MP attack
Save the Children said more than $600,000 had been donated within 24 hours after the husband of the MP allegedly hit by a vehicle in Wangaratta asked for donations to the charity instead of flowers. CEO Matt Tinkler said the charity was humbled by the response.
Around the World
4. Magnitude 7 earthquake strikes northern Tibet
The earthquake struck Nagqu, a sparsely populated high-altitude county. At least 16 people died, and Xinhua said about 32 were injured, 11 of them seriously. SBS described it as the strongest quake in the region in five years.
5. Nigeria reports first Ebola case in more than a decade
The patient is the Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat based in Abuja. Authorities believe she travelled to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and then through Uganda. Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate said contacts have been traced and high-risk contacts quarantined. The World Health Organization and Africa’s top health agency said they had not received confirmation of her travel to Congo.
6. Suspects released after West Bank photojournalist attacks
Nine of 10 suspects arrested over alleged attacks on a Washington Post photojournalist during a Palestinian olive harvest were released, with a Jerusalem court ordering house arrest, according to law firm Honenu. Rights group Yesh Din reported 125 physical attacks in the 24 days since the harvest began.
