Latest News Stories
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Today
Australia’s Labor government adjusts capital gains tax reforms amid backlash
Australia’s Labor government announced significant adjustments to its capital gains tax (CGT) reforms on June 18, 2026, expanding exemptions for small businesses, startups, and testamentary trusts ami...
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- The 50% small business capital gains tax (CGT) discount for active assets will be extended to businesses with a turnover of up to $10 million (previously $2 million).
- The government will introduce a new CGT concession for startups, including founders, early-stage investors, and employees granted shares as remuneration, with details to be finalised after consultation.
- Discretionary testamentary trusts will be exempted from the proposed 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts, addressing concerns about a 'death tax'.
Pauline Hanson’s National Press Club speech on One Nation’s policies and vision for Australia
Pauline Hanson’s first National Press Club speech on June 17, 2026, marked a bold declaration of One Nation’s vision for Australia, emphasizing a 'monocultural' society and rejecting multiculturalism....
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- Pauline Hanson delivered her first National Press Club speech on June 17, 2026, declaring Australia must be a 'monocultural' society and rejecting multiculturalism.
- Hanson pledged to axe SBS and overhaul the ABC, including imposing a licence fee for metropolitan households to watch the public broadcaster, while protecting regional services.
- During her speech, a protest banner appeared behind Hanson, stating: 'I opposed a pay rise for workers while I took a $100,000 pay rise for myself.' The banner was removed by staff and GetUp claimed responsibility.
Kyle Sandilands settles $12m lawsuit with ARN Media amid ongoing Jackie O legal battle
Kyle Sandilands has settled his wrongful termination lawsuit against ARN Media for $12.09 million, significantly less than the $85 million he initially sought. The agreement includes $1.5 million in a...
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- Kyle Sandilands settled his dispute with ARN Media for a $12.09 million cash payout, with $3 million payable in July and the balance monthly until June 2029.
- ARN Media agreed to provide $1.5 million in advertising services for Sandilands’ new media venture over three years as part of the settlement.
- Sandilands is barred from appearing on ARN Media’s direct competitors for nine months (until March 2027).
Vodafone Australia network outage affects millions, later restored
Vodafone Australia experienced a nationwide network outage on June 18, 2026, disrupting services for millions of customers, including those on TPG, iiNet, Internode, Lebara, and Kogan Mobile. The outa...
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- Vodafone Australia's mobile network crashed on 2026-06-18, affecting millions of customers nationwide
- The outage was caused by a power failure at one of Vodafone's network hubs around 08:00 AEST on 2026-06-18
- Vodafone's own Network Status Checker displayed a '502 Bad Gateway' error during the outage
US-Iran war ceasefire and 60-day deal after Trump's failed regime-change campaign
The articles cover the US-Iran ceasefire deal announced in June 2026, following a failed US-Israeli war launched on February 28 to topple Iran’s regime and dismantle its nuclear program. The 60-day ag...
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- The US and Iran agreed to a 60-day ceasefire and temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with formal signing planned for June 19, 2026, in Geneva.
- The war began on February 28, 2026, after US-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran’s leadership, including the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- Iran’s new Supreme Leader is Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Sydney pram tragedy kills two children; parents speak out, community reacts
Two children, five-year-old Katherine and one-year-old Harry, were killed in Sydney’s Cabramatta on June 17, 2026, after being struck by an SUV while crossing a road with their mother, Sok Ram. The cr...
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- Two children, five-year-old Katherine and one-year-old Harry, were killed when struck by an SUV at the intersection of Cumberland Highway and Gilbert Street, Cabramatta, Sydney, on June 17, 2026, around 3:15 PM.
- The children’s mother, Sok Ram (33), and father, Vundy Tha, were present during the crash and spoke publicly about their grief, stating they forgive the driver.
- Bystanders collectively lifted the SUV onto its side to rescue one of the children trapped underneath, and others performed CPR on the children and their mother.
Death of Melbourne wellness influencer Stacey Warnecke after unassisted home birth inquest
The death of 30-year-old Melbourne wellness influencer Stacey Warnecke on 29 September 2025 after a freebirth at home has become the focus of a coronial inquest examining the risks of unassisted birth...
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- Stacey Warnecke, a 30-year-old Melbourne wellness influencer and nutritionist, died on 29 September 2025 from a postpartum haemorrhage after giving birth at home without medically trained staff.
- Warnecke gave birth to her son Axel at approximately 3:00 AM on 29 September 2025, followed by the placenta 20-25 minutes later, after which she suffered a massive postpartum haemorrhage.
- Emily Lal, the birthkeeper hired by Warnecke for $6,000, was present during the birth and described her role as non-medical, primarily supportive, and not responsible for calling an ambulance unless explicitly asked.
Qantas delays Sydney-London non-stop flights to October 2027
Qantas has announced its long-awaited non-stop Sydney to London flights under Project Sunrise will finally launch in October 2027, five years behind the original 2022 target. The delay stems from airc...
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- Qantas will launch non-stop Sydney to London flights in October 2027
- The flights will use 12 modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft with 238 seats each
- Project Sunrise was first announced in 2017 by former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce
US to review NATO troop benefits, demand higher European defense spending and basing support
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of American military forces in Europe, threatening to reduce US contributions to NATO unless allies increase defense spending and take...
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- US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of US military forces in Europe to assess their benefits and whether NATO allies are taking primary responsibility for Europe’s defense.
- Hegseth stated that US contributions to NATO’s budget will be contingent on allies meeting defense spending targets, framing NATO as a 'two-way street' where America cannot bear more responsibility than its allies.
- Hegseth criticized NATO allies for failing to provide basing, overflight, and access for US operations targeting Iran, calling their refusal 'shameful' and 'putting America’s sons and daughters at risk'.
Gina Rinehart proposes giving Australian islands to Elon Musk and Israel for tech/defense projects
Gina Rinehart proposed offering sparsely populated Queensland islands to Elon Musk for SpaceX satellite launches and defense projects, including advanced war drones for Israel, during a June 18, 2026,...
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- Gina Rinehart suggested offering sparsely populated Queensland islands (including Magnetic, Rattlesnake, Acheron, Palm, Orpheus, and Pelorus) to Elon Musk for SpaceX satellite construction and launches at no cost
- Rinehart proposed offering free land near Townsville to Israel for advanced war drone manufacturing and defense development
- Rinehart mentioned offering free land near Prairie (340km west of Townsville) to Taiwan’s microchip industry, with tax holidays and infrastructure support
Pauline Hanson attacks Guardian journalist, threatens media bans, proposes ABC/SBS cuts
Pauline Hanson sparked controversy during her 2026-06-18 National Press Club address by personally attacking Guardian Australia journalist Sarah Martin, calling her 'trashy' and banning her from futur...
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- Pauline Hanson called Guardian Australia senior correspondent Sarah Martin 'trashy' during her National Press Club address on 2026-06-18, saying she would be banned from future events
- Lee Hanson (Pauline Hanson’s daughter) earns a taxpayer-funded salary of about $150,000–$180,000 as a senior adviser to NSW One Nation senator Sean Bell, despite living in Tasmania and leading the party’s expansion there
- The Media Arts and Entertainment Alliance condemned Hanson’s attack on Martin as 'bitter, personal, and unprofessional' and described One Nation’s ban on Guardian/ABC journalists as an 'assault on press freedom'
Death of the 1,000–1,200-year-old Major Oak tree in Sherwood Forest, UK
The Major Oak, a legendary 1,000–1,200-year-old tree in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, England, has died after failing to produce leaves in spring 2026. Both the ABC and the Guardian confirm its de...
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- The Major Oak tree in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, England, failed to sprout leaves in spring 2026, leading to its confirmed death.
- The tree is estimated to be between 1,000 and 1,200 years old, with the Guardian citing at least 1,000 years and ABC citing 1,200 years.
- The tree’s death was announced by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which manages Sherwood Forest.
NSW coroner finds racism hindered 1988 Mark Haines death investigation, calls for new probe
A coronial inquest into the 1988 death of 17-year-old Indigenous teenager Mark Haines near Tamworth, NSW, found that racism and systemic flaws in the initial police investigation likely prevented just...
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- Mark Haines, a 17-year-old Gomeroi Indigenous teenager, was found dead on railway tracks near Tamworth, NSW, on January 16, 1988.
- The deputy state coroner, Harriet Grahame, ruled that the initial police investigation into Mark Haines’ death was 'deeply flawed, superficial and inadequate from the outset' due to racism.
- Mark Haines died from traumatic head injuries, and the coroner ruled out suicide, noting a towel was placed under his head.
Ben Roberts-Smith's bail variation for war memorial event and war crimes allegations
Ben Roberts-Smith, a former SAS soldier and Victoria Cross recipient, had his bail conditions varied on June 16, 2026, to attend the opening of the Anzac Atrium at the Australian War Memorial in Canbe...
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- Ben Roberts-Smith's bail conditions were varied on June 16, 2026, to allow him to attend the opening of the Anzac Atrium at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on June 23, 2026.
- Roberts-Smith faces five counts of war crime murder related to deployments in Afghanistan in 2009 and 2012, involving alleged killings of unarmed Afghan nationals.
- Roberts-Smith is a Victoria Cross recipient and was invited to the war memorial event as part of standard practice for living recipients.
Liberian refugee family’s football journey to Socceroos World Cup success
The story follows Mo Touré, a Liberian refugee turned Socceroo, whose family fled war in 1989 and resettled in Australia in 2004. Both Mo and his brothers Al Hassan and Musa have become professional f...
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- Mo Touré’s parents, Amara and Mawa, fled Liberia’s 1989 war as children and walked 18 days to Guinea’s border, surviving on wild fruit and vegetables
- Mo Touré was seven months old when his family arrived in Australia in 2004 on humanitarian visas and settled in Croydon, Adelaide’s inner-west suburb
- Mo Touré’s brothers Al Hassan (Sydney FC) and Musa (Randers, Denmark) are also professional footballers, with Al Hassan debuting for the Socceroos in 2025
Olympic runner Jenny Simpson collapses during event, receives emergency medical care
Olympic runner Jenny Simpson, a 39-year-old three-time Olympian and former 1,500m world champion, collapsed during a community running event in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 17, 2026. She suffered ...
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- Jenny Simpson, a 39-year-old US Olympic bronze medallist in the 1,500m (2016 Rio Games), collapsed during a community running event in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 17, 2026, while pacing a mile group.
- Simpson underwent CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED) was used on her at the track before being taken to hospital.
- The event was hosted by Sir Walter Running, and the organizer stated Simpson is 'receiving excellent medical care' and thanked EMS and medical professionals for their response.
UNSW tops Australia in QS 2027 rankings amid workload concerns and funding scrutiny
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has overtaken the University of Melbourne to become Australia’s top-ranked university in the QS World University Rankings 2027, securing 19th place globally. T...
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- The University of New South Wales (UNSW) ranked 1st in Australia and 19th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
- The QS World University Rankings 2027 evaluated 1,504 universities worldwide.
- UNSW improved its global ranking by 1 place from 2026 (from 20th to 19th) and by 30 places since 2017.
Yesterday
Lindsay Fox approves eldest son Peter Fox’s departure from Linfox executive role amid family restructuring
Lindsay Fox, the billionaire founder of Linfox, announced on June 17, 2026, that his eldest son Peter Fox would step down as executive chairman of the family-owned logistics empire, marking a major re...
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- Peter Fox quit as executive chairman of Linfox on June 17, 2026, after months of extended leave described as a 'sabbatical'
- Peter Fox will continue as chairman of Linfox’s cash transport business, Armaguard, and become a non-executive director of Linfox Logistics Australia and New Zealand and Linfox International on September 1, 2026
- Lindsay Fox (89) and his wife Paula are the two shareholders of Linfox, and the decision was described as a 'family choice'
US B-52 bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base kills eight crew members
A Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California on June 16, 2026, killing all eight people on board, including military personnel and Boeing e...
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- Eight people were killed in the B-52 bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base in California on June 16, 2026.
- The crash occurred shortly after takeoff during a test flight supporting a radar modernization program.
- The aircraft made a sharp right turn and nearly completed a 180-degree turn before plummeting at 1,541 meters per minute (nearly 10 times faster than a normal descent).
Australian horror film *Leviticus* explores homophobia and queer teen love through supernatural terror
Australian horror film *Leviticus*, directed by Adrian Chiarella, premiered at Sundance in January 2026 and screened at the Sydney Film Festival in June 2026. The film follows Naim (Joe Bird), a close...
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- Film *Leviticus* premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026
- The film screened at the Sydney Film Festival in June 2026, with its Australian debut on June 17, 2026
- Director Adrian Chiarella wrote and directed *Leviticus* as his debut feature film