Latest News Stories
Sorted by number of sources covering the story
Today
Booing disrupts Anzac Day Welcome to Country speeches across Australia
Anzac Day dawn services across Australia were disrupted in 2026 by booing during Welcome to Country speeches in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. A 24-year-old man was arrested in Sydney for an alleged ac...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- A 24-year-old man was arrested at Sydney’s Martin Place dawn service for an alleged act of nuisance during the Welcome to Country, later charged with committing a nuisance on a war memorial.
- Booing disrupted Welcome to Country addresses at Anzac Day dawn services in Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth on April 25, 2026.
- Uncle Ray Minniecon (Kabi-Kabi, Gurang-Gurang, and South Sea Islander) delivered the Welcome to Country at Sydney’s Martin Place service and was booed by a group of protesters.
James Valentine, beloved ABC radio presenter and musician, dies at 64 after cancer battle and VAD
James Valentine, the beloved ABC Radio Sydney presenter and musician, died at home on April 23, 2026, at age 64 after choosing voluntary assisted dying (VAD) two years following his oesophageal cancer...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- James Valentine died at home on April 23, 2026, aged 64, using voluntary assisted dying (VAD) two years after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in March 2024
- Valentine hosted ABC Radio Sydney’s Afternoons program for 25 years, retiring in February 2026 after announcing his final cancer recurrence in June 2025
- He was born on September 12, 1961, in Ballarat, Victoria, and was survived by his wife Joanne Corrigan and children Ruby and Roy
Trump DOJ drops Powell investigation, clearing path for Warsh Fed nomination
The US Department of Justice ended its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on April 24–25, 2026, clearing a major obstacle for Donald Trump’s nominee, Kevin Warsh, to repla...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- US Department of Justice dropped its criminal investigation into Jerome Powell on April 24–25, 2026, citing an Inspector General review of Fed building cost overruns.
- Jeanine Pirro (US Attorney for DC) announced the closure of the Powell investigation and stated she would restart it if new evidence emerged.
- Powell’s term as Federal Reserve Chair ends on May 15, 2026.
Australia’s proposed reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax to address intergenerational inequity
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is preparing to introduce major reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax in the 2026 federal budget, aiming to address long-standing intergeneratio...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is planning reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax as part of the 2026 federal budget, focusing on intergenerational equity.
- The reforms are expected to be announced after a cabinet decision in late April 2026, with existing investments protected under 'grandfathering'.
- Economist Ken Henry has warned that current policies risk leaving future generations worse off, describing it as a breach of the 'unwritten social compact'.
Justin Hemmes' struggles expanding Merivale empire into Melbourne's hospitality market
Justin Hemmes, the billionaire behind Sydney’s Merivale empire, has faced significant challenges expanding into Melbourne’s hospitality scene despite spending over $110 million on properties. His firs...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Justin Hemmes is the head of the $3 billion Merivale empire, which started in fashion (House of Merivale) and expanded into hospitality and property.
- Merivale has over 80 venues across Sydney.
- Hemmes bought Tomasetti House on Flinders Lane in Melbourne for about $40 million in 2021.
Australian ISIS-linked women and children leave Syrian camp for Damascus, seeking repatriation
A group of four Australian women and nine children with ties to former Islamic State fighters successfully left the al-Roj detention camp in Syria on April 25, 2026, traveling to Damascus in an attemp...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Four Australian women (Zeinab Ahmed, Kawsar Abbas, Zahra Ahmed, Janai Safar) and nine of their children/grandchildren left al-Roj camp in Syria on April 25, 2026, traveling to Damascus.
- Seven Australian women and 14 children remain in al-Roj camp as of April 25, 2026.
- The Australian government has refused to assist in repatriating these citizens, with Deputy PM Richard Marles stating 'This government is not participating in the repatriation of people in this circumstance' on April 25, 2026.
US Justice Department expands federal execution methods to include firing squads, electrocution, gas asphyxiation
The US Justice Department under Donald Trump’s administration announced plans to expand federal execution methods to include firing squads, electrocution, and gas asphyxiation, citing difficulties obt...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- The US Justice Department announced on April 25, 2026, it will add firing squads, electrocution, and gas asphyxiation as alternative federal execution methods due to drug shortages for lethal injections.
- Donald Trump’s administration rescinded the Biden-era moratorium on federal executions, allowing executions to resume after a 20-year gap (last federal executions occurred in 2021).
- The Justice Department is seeking the death penalty against more than 40 federal defendants, with nine already authorized for prosecution by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Alex de Minaur's loss to Rafael Jodar at Madrid Open highlights clay-court struggles and rising teen stars
Alex de Minaur suffered a crushing defeat to 19-year-old Rafael Jodar in the second round of the Madrid Open on April 25, 2026, losing 6-3, 6-1 in 75 minutes. The match highlighted de Minaur’s struggl...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Alex de Minaur lost to 19-year-old Rafael Jodar in the second round of the Madrid Open (2026-04-25) with scores 6-3, 6-1 in 75 minutes
- Rafael Jodar broke de Minaur’s serve six times during the match
- Jodar hit 15 winners and de Minaur managed only two winners while committing 26 unforced errors
Yesterday
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson sue ARN Media over contract termination
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson, former co-hosts of The Kyle and Jackie O Show on KIIS FM, are suing ARN Media for wrongful termination of their $100 million contracts each, totaling $200 mil...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson were each on $100 million, 10-year contracts with ARN Media for The Kyle and Jackie O Show, totaling $200 million combined.
- Sandilands and Henderson were sacked in March 2026 after an on-air dispute in February 2026, where Sandilands accused Henderson of being 'off with the fairies' and criticized her work ethic.
- ARN Media is countersuing Sandilands and Henderson for breach of contract, lost advertising revenue, and legal costs, seeking millions in damages.
Liberal-Nationals preference deal with One Nation in Farrer byelection
The Farrer byelection in southern New South Wales has become a pivotal moment in Australian politics as the Liberal and National parties have agreed to preference One Nation’s David Farley ahead of in...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Liberals and Nationals will preference One Nation’s David Farley ahead of independent Michelle Milthorpe in the Farrer byelection
- The Farrer byelection is triggered by the retirement of long-serving Liberal MP Sussan Ley, who quit after losing the Liberal leadership to Angus Taylor in February 2026
- Michelle Milthorpe is backed by Climate 200 and has previously cut Ley’s margin to 6.2% at the 2025 election
Prince Harry’s Ukraine visit, EU funding, and calls for Trump/Putin action on war
Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on April 24, 2026, delivering messages to US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin urging an end to the war. He framed the conflict...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Prince Harry visited Kyiv unannounced on 2026-04-24 to address the Kyiv Security Forum, urging Putin to end the war and Trump to show leadership.
- The European Union approved a €90 billion ($147 billion) loan to Ukraine on 2026-04-24 (late 2026-04-23 AEST), ending a months-long deadlock caused by Hungary’s veto.
- Ukrainian presidential adviser Kyrylo Budanov stated Ukraine would not cede 'a single millimetre' of territory, per remarks at the Kyiv Security Forum on 2026-04-24.
Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from French Open due to wrist injury
Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion at the French Open, has withdrawn from the 2026 Roland Garros and Rome Masters due to a serious wrist injury sustained during the first round of the Bar...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the 2026 French Open (Roland Garros) due to a wrist injury suffered in the first round of the Barcelona Open on April 17, 2026.
- Alcaraz also withdrew from the 2026 Rome Masters after scans revealed the wrist injury was more serious than initially thought.
- Alcaraz posted a statement on social media on April 24, 2026, saying: 'After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing to do is to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros as we wait to evaluate the progress so we can decide when to return to the court.'
Film *Alphabet Lane* explores a couple’s fake friends to cope with rural isolation
Alphabet Lane is a darkly comedic and psychological drama directed by James Litchfield, following a city couple, Jack and Anna, who move to rural New South Wales and invent fake neighbors to combat is...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- The film *Alphabet Lane* was directed by James Litchfield and stars Nicholas Denton as Jack and Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Anna
- The film was shot on a budget of less than $1 million around Cooma, New South Wales, on Litchfield’s family estate
- The plot centers on a couple who invent fake neighbors (Joe and Michelle) to combat loneliness after moving from the city to rural NSW
US-Pentagon memo leaks suggest potential Falklands/NATO policy shifts amid Iran war tensions
A leaked Pentagon email has sparked diplomatic tensions by suggesting the US may reassess its support for the UK’s claim to the Falkland Islands and even suspend Spain from NATO, both over their stanc...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- A leaked Pentagon internal email proposed the US should reassess its support for Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands due to lack of support over Iran war.
- The leaked memo also suggested suspending Spain from NATO for refusing US warplane basing/overflight rights during Operation Epic Fury.
- UK PM Keir Starmer’s spokesperson stated: 'Sovereignty over the Falklands rests with the UK, and the islands’ right to self-determination is paramount.'
Three runners help collapsed marathoner finish Boston Marathon 2026
During the 2026 Boston Marathon, Ajay Haridasse, a 21-year-old student from Massachusetts, collapsed about 300 metres from the finish line after struggling near the 26-mile mark. Two runners, Aaron Be...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Ajay Haridasse collapsed about 300 metres from the Boston Marathon finish line on 2026-04-22 (Monday).
- Aaron Beggs (Northern Ireland, 40 years old) and Robson De Oliveira (Brazil, 36 years old) helped Haridasse cross the finish line.
- Haridasse, a 21-year-old Massachusetts native and Northeastern University student, qualified for the 2027 Boston Marathon with their assistance.
Discovery of potential unmarked Aboriginal burial sites on Rottnest Island
Authorities on Rottnest Island have identified a dozen potential unmarked Aboriginal burial sites near Holy Trinity Church following the discovery of human remains during construction work earlier thi...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- A dozen more potential unmarked Aboriginal burial sites were identified near Holy Trinity Church on Rottnest Island via ground-penetrating radar.
- Human remains were discovered during construction work at Holy Trinity Church on Rottnest Island earlier this month (April 2026).
- The bones found were confirmed to be 'historical in nature and consistent with Indigenous ancestry' through forensic analysis.
Teen killer's 16-year sentence upheld for murdering Queensland grandmother in 2024
A 16-year-old boy was sentenced to 16 years in detention for the 2024 murder of Vyleen White, a 70-year-old Queensland grandmother, after stabbing her in the heart and stealing her car at Ipswich’s Re...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- A 16-year-old boy stabbed Vyleen White, 70, to death in a shopping centre car park at Ipswich’s Redbank Plains in 2024.
- The teen stole Vyleen White’s car after the stabbing, which left her with a 17cm deep wound through her heart.
- The boy pleaded guilty to murder and other offences, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, in 2025.
Two experienced Australian travelers fall victim to a $1500 taxi scam at Santiago airport
Two seasoned Australian travelers, each with five decades of international experience, fell victim to a taxi scam at Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport on April 24, 2026. They were...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Two Australians paid nearly 1,000,000 Chilean pesos (approximately $1500 AUD) for a taxi ride from Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago, Chile, when the fare should have been $40.
- The scam occurred on April 24, 2026, with the articles published on the same day (THEAGE at 10:25 AM and SMH at 6:25 AM).
- The victims received two white tickets from an 'official' taxi office at the airport, which they later realized may have been a scam indicator.
Suppression order lifted on ex-soldier Benjamin Luke Johnston, revealing his identity in Nick Martin murder case
A suppression order on the identity of Benjamin Luke Johnston, a former soldier and sniper, was lifted by the WA Supreme Court on April 24, 2026, allowing his name to be publicly revealed. Johnston wa...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Benjamin Luke Johnston, a former soldier, was hired by David Pye to murder ex-Rebels bikie boss Nick Martin at Perth Motorplex in 2020
- Johnston was sentenced to 20 years in jail in December 2021 for the murder of Nick Martin
- David Pye was found guilty of ordering the hit on Nick Martin and is awaiting sentencing
ASIC cracks down on unlicensed finfluencers in Australia
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued warning notices to four finfluencers suspected of providing unlicensed financial advice, including claims of guaranteed returns, ...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- ASIC issued warning notices to four finfluencers suspected of giving unlawful financial advice, including promoting claims of guaranteed returns.
- ASIC is reviewing the licensees of a further 15 finfluencers amid an ongoing crackdown.
- The crackdown is part of the second Global Week of Action Against Unlawful Finfluencers, involving 17 global regulators.