NEWS

Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has dismissed claims that he is pushing for control of the $50 billion infrastructure rollout from the federal government. He said it “didn’t come from me.”

The increase in energy costs across households and businesses in Australia is expected to continue, according to the Australian Industry Group. The escalating prices can be attributed to rising gas prices, putting jobs at risk.

While “Grand Theft Auto 6” is still a year or two away, fans are already widely speculating about the game, and how Rockstar Games will surprise them all. The developer is currently concentrating its efforts on “Red Dead Redemption 2,” another big title from the developer.

Health Minister Jack Snelling has revealed that a whooping cough outbreak would become epidemic in the next few years.

Microsoft Surface Phone is a highly-anticipated device, not as another power-packed smartphone, but a device that can change the very concept of smartphones. At least that’s what Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella would like fans and tech enthusiasts to believe. Apple has a big release coming up in the form of iPhone 8/iPhone X, whatever it might be called. As no one knows what features Microsoft Surface Phone will come up with, Apple must be taking this device very seriously.

Those who have already pre-ordered “Horizon Zero Dawn” can now preload the action RPG. The game is Sony’s next big PS4 exclusive and it’s arriving in the US on Feb. 28 and Europe on March 1. The file size is reportedly 39.485GB.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 5 is definitely coming and there is no doubt about it. Its predecessor, the Surface Pro 4, has impressed greatly, and Microsoft will only want to take forward this hybrid segment for more success. The Surface Pro 5 is one of the most highly-anticipated devices this year, subject to intense speculations and rumours.

Australia has started its preliminary screening in relation to its vetting deal with the US on Manus and Nauru Island refugees.

Bestselling Australian author Mem Fox was detained at the Los Angeles Airport and questioned for two hours by customs officers. Fox said she may never return to the United States after the experience.

“The Elder Scrolls Online” director Matt Firor has revealed that the game has surpassed 8.5 million copies. The massively multiplayer online role-playing video game, developed by ZeniMax Online Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, has registered the figure on the basis of copies sold and not just registered accounts.

The Asus ZenFone Live is the latest smartphone to be unveiled and it aims to tap into the selfie rage. Asus has described this entry-level handset as “the world's first smartphone with hardware-optimized, real-time beautification technology.” Even though the smartphone is mostly targeted to budget shoppers, it still impresses with a few tricks up its sleeves.

If latest reports are to be believed, LG G6, that is expected to launch at MWC 2017 on Feb. 27 (EST), will be available for pre-order from March 3 and will be globally released on March 110 (EST). LG has been teasing its flagship via short videos. The company also released a press released, providing some details on the flagship’s camera capabilities.

If latest reports are to be believed, “Halo 6” will see the return of split-screen multiplayer. All future “Halo” titles, developed by 343 Industries, will have split-screen. This feature was missing in “Halo 5: Guardians,” which enraged fans.

“Overwatch” players, who are signed in to the game’s public test region (PTR), must be aware of the fact that a big change is coming and it has something to do with Doomfist. A new update rolled out on PTR recently and players can try out the upcoming changes to the game. As per a photo, shared by Blizzard on the game’s official Twitter account, a popular location is seen heavily damaged.

“Mass Effect: Andromeda’s” Training Hub has been updated with biotics and weapons. The latest update has included some very handy tools required in all interstellar explorer kit. It has received new guns but that’s not it. There are jetpacks, biotics, clubs and knives that provide the freedom to players to battle with greater skills.

The weapons that will be included in “Battlefield 1’s” upcoming DLC expansion, “They Shall Not Pass,” in March have been revealed, thanks to the newest CTE update. It’s a testing server where a game’s developer team trials features and balance changes before being made available to players.

There are a lot of odds “For Honor” new players will be facing as an incredible number of players have already mastered their character of choice. Hence, it is extremely important to know the set of best characters that new players should choose to begin their journey.

LG has surprised everybody by announcing the LG X Power 2 smartphone ahead of the MWC 2017 event. When everybody was expecting further details about its highly-anticipated flagship, the LG G6, the phonemaker has dropped a bomb just two days prior to the event, scheduled to be held in Barcelona, Spain.

There are various rumours pointing towards a Pixel successor, Google Pixel 2, in the smartphone category. However, if reports are to be believed, Google may also come up with a Nexus 7 2017 tablet during the latter half of the year.

A lot is being said about the upcoming open world action video game “Death Stranding,” developed by Kojima Productions. It is being designed by Hideo Kojima himself, who has stated that the game will immensely intuitive. No release date for the game has been officially revealed, though a 2018 release date is a possibility.

BioWare has recently revealed the only tie “Mass Effect: Andromeda” has with the other older games in the trilogy. It has got nothing to do with characters. BioWare stated that the only tie carried over from earlier games is players’ option to select which gender Commander Shepard is before they start the game.

Senator Pauline Hanson has continued the ongoing war of words with Australia Post CEO Ahmed Fahour saying that she has no problem with his skin colour.

The Microsoft Surface Pro range of ultraportable devices is facing a stiff competition from both Apple and Samsung. The tablet has been compared with the Galaxy TabPro S2 that Samsung is reportedly working on. It could also be unveiled at the MWC 2017 along with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3.

A 16-year-old girl, who suffers from autism and has been living in Australia for eight years, could be deported. This comes after she could not clear immigration medical assessments.

The full spec sheet of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus flagship has been leaked. The leak has confirmed the smartphone’s massive screen and all the specs it is coming with. Known tipster Evan Blass has shared an image of the spec sheet of the device on his Twitter account.

A report by Gartner has revealed that sales of Windows devices have been almost non-existent in the fourth quarter of 2016. Windows mobile OS accounted for only 0.3 percent share of the total smartphone sales during the fourth quarter. This is a clear sign of the death of Windows mobile operating system. This seriously puts the Microsoft Surface Phone at risk.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would like to triple the bilateral trade with Australia. The two countries will work together on technological innovation and strengthen their aviation ties, offering easier ways for people to travel between the two countries.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has revealed an aggressive production plan for its Model 3 sedan so that the electric vehicles hit the market by year end. In order to support the rollout, Tesla may need to raise more cash. Musk has stated that Tesla Model 3 production is very much on track and that the company is looking to ramp up production to 5,000 vehicles a week in the fourth quarter.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is expected to arrive in Australia on Saturday morning for a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.