Latest News Stories
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Today
Major fire at Viva Energy's Geelong oil refinery impacts fuel supply and raises concerns
A major fire broke out at the Viva Energy oil refinery in Corio, Geelong, on April 15, 2026, around 11:05pm, following multiple explosions and flames. The blaze, which was not under control for approx...
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- A fire broke out at the Viva Energy oil refinery in Corio, Geelong, Victoria, on April 15, 2026, around 11:05pm local time, following multiple reports of explosions and flames.
- The fire was not under control for approximately 12-13 hours, with firefighters extinguishing it by around 12:11pm on April 16, 2026.
- The refinery supplies about 50% of Victoria’s fuel and 10% of Australia’s total fuel supply, including petrol, diesel, jet fuel, LPG, and aviation gasoline.
Europe faces jet fuel shortages due to Strait of Hormuz blockade, risking flight disruptions
Europe is facing an imminent jet fuel crisis due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked since late February 2026 in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes. The International En...
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- The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned Europe has 'maybe six weeks of jet fuel left' as of mid-April 2026, citing blocked shipments from the Middle East.
- The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed since Iran's retaliation against US and Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, disrupting global oil and jet fuel shipments.
- IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol stated that if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, 'soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be cancelled as a result of lack of jet fuel.'
Saudi PIF may cut funding for LIV Golf, threatening its future
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reportedly reconsidering its $5 billion+ investment in LIV Golf, with executives summoned to an emergency New York meeting on April 15–16, 2026, to discu...
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- Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has spent over $5 billion on LIV Golf since its 2021 launch
- LIV Golf’s UK arm lost $461.3 million in 2024, $393.9 million in 2023, and $243.7 million in the 18 months to the end of 2022, totaling over $1.1 billion in losses
- LIV Golf executives, including CEO Scott O’Neil, attended an unscheduled meeting in New York on April 15–16, 2026, amid speculation about PIF’s funding withdrawal
Iranian women footballers granted asylum in Australia seek privacy while rebuilding lives
Two Iranian women’s football players, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, were granted asylum in Australia after refusing to sing Iran’s national anthem during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in la...
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- Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh are the two Iranian women’s football players granted asylum in Australia after the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
- Seven members of the Iranian women’s football team delegation (six players and one staff member) were initially granted humanitarian visas by Australia, but five withdrew their claims and returned to Iran.
- The players did not sing Iran’s national anthem before their first match at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, sparking criticism and safety concerns in Iran.
Trump accuses Australia of failing to support US in Strait of Hormuz crisis
Donald Trump publicly criticized Australia for not supporting the US in the Strait of Hormuz crisis during a press interaction on April 16, 2026, stating he was 'not happy' with Australia’s lack of in...
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- Donald Trump said 'I’m not happy with Australia because they were not there when we asked them to be there' regarding the Strait of Hormuz on April 16, 2026, outside the White House
- Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles stated 'We’ve not received a specific request in relation to the Strait of Hormuz' on April 16–17, 2026
- Australia has deployed an E-7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to the Gulf region, initially for four weeks, with its deployment extended for another month
Sydney childcare worker faces 137 child abuse charges after AFP investigation
A Sydney childcare worker, whose identity is protected by a court non-publication order, has been charged with 129 additional offences related to child abuse, increasing his total charges to 137. The ...
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- A Sydney childcare worker has been charged with 129 new offences, bringing the total to 137 charges, including 68 counts of production of child abuse material, 29 counts of filming a person engaged in a private act without consent, and 11 counts of aggravated use of a child under 14 to produce child abuse material.
- The man has been in custody since July 2025 and cannot be identified due to a court non-publication order.
- The Australian Federal Police (AFP) launched Operation Moonbi in June 2025 after receiving a report from the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about child abuse material uploaded online.
Armed robbers hold 25 hostages at Naples bank, escape via sewer tunnel
Armed robbers entered a Crédit Agricole bank branch in Naples, Italy, on April 16, 2026, around 11:30 AM, taking 25 hostages including staff and customers. The three thieves locked the group in a room...
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- Three armed robbers held 25 people hostage at a Crédit Agricole bank branch in Naples, Italy, on April 16, 2026, around 11:30 AM local time
- The hostages were freed by police shortly after 1:30 PM without serious injuries, as stated by Naples Prefect Michele di Bari
- Police broke windows to enter the bank in piazza Medaglie d’Oro, Arenella district, Naples, after the robbers escaped through a hole in the floor into the sewers
Elijah Hollands' erratic AFL performance and mental health concerns after Carlton's loss to Collingwood
Elijah Hollands drew widespread concern after a dismal performance in Carlton’s narrow loss to Collingwood on April 17, 2026, at the MCG. He registered just one disposal despite playing a majority of ...
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- Elijah Hollands played 60% (The Age) / 75% (ABC) of the match against Collingwood, registering just one disposal (a kick) in Carlton’s 13.10 (88) to 12.11 (83) loss on 2026-04-17 at the MCG.
- Carlton coach Michael Voss stated Hollands was 'pretty shattered' with his performance and 'really disappointed with how he started the game,' feeling he had 'let me down.'
- Hollands was benched for most of the last quarter, with Voss citing 'constant conversations' with him during the match and noting he 'wasn’t having a great night.'
UK Foreign Office overrules security vetting denial for Peter Mandelson as US ambassador
The core story involves the UK government’s controversial decision to overrule a security vetting denial for Peter Mandelson, allowing him to become ambassador to the US in February 2025 despite faili...
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- Peter Mandelson failed UK Security Vetting (UKSV) clearance in late January 2025, but the Foreign Office overruled the decision to allow his appointment as UK ambassador to the US.
- The decision to overrule UKSV’s denial of clearance for Mandelson was made by officials in the Foreign Office (FCDO) over a 48-hour period between 28 and 30 January 2025.
- Mandelson was appointed as UK ambassador to the US in February 2025 and later sacked in September 2025 after revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Yesterday
Australia’s 2026 National Defence Strategy and $53B defence spending boost
Australia’s government announced a $53 billion boost to defence spending over the next decade as part of its 2026 National Defence Strategy, with $14 billion allocated in the next four years. Defence ...
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- Australia will spend an additional $53 billion on defence over the next decade, with $14 billion extra over the next four years.
- Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the 2026 National Defence Strategy on April 16, 2026, at the National Press Club in Canberra.
- The strategy aims to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2033, using NATO’s methodology (which includes veteran pensions, intelligence, and other defence-related costs).
Israel-Lebanon ceasefire talks amid escalating conflict and US pressure
The articles cover the escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon, centered on a fragile 10-day ceasefire announced on April 16 after intense US pressure on Israel. The ceasefire follows a devasta...
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- Israel launched 100 airstrikes in Lebanon in 10 minutes on April 14, killing over 300 people, including many civilians (women and children).
- The US declared a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on April 13, continuing through at least April 16.
- Lebanon’s death toll from the conflict stands at 2,167 (as of April 15), with 7,061 injured, including 172 children killed and 656 injured.
NSW Supreme Court strikes down anti-protest law after Bondi terror attack
The NSW Supreme Court struck down the Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (PARD) law on April 16, 2026, after three activist groups challenged its constitutionality. The law, enacted in December 2...
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- The NSW Supreme Court struck down the Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (PARD) law on 2026-04-16, ruling it unconstitutionally burdened freedom of political communication.
- The PARD law was enacted after the Bondi Beach terror attack on Christmas Eve 2025, which killed 15 people.
- The law restricted protests in parts of Greater Sydney, including the CBD, for nearly two months, ending on 2026-02-17.
Pope Leo XIV condemns war and feuds with Trump over Iran conflict
Pope Leo XIV delivered a strong condemnation of war and tyrants during a visit to Cameroon on April 16, 2026, explicitly criticizing leaders who use religion to justify military conflicts amid a publi...
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- Pope Leo XIV said the world is 'being ravaged by a handful of tyrants' during a visit to Cameroon on 2026-04-16, condemning leaders who spend billions on war and manipulate religion for military gain.
- Pope Leo XIV did not name any individual in his remarks but referenced a public spat with US President Donald Trump over the war in Iran.
- Donald Trump attacked Pope Leo XIV on social media, calling him 'WEAK on Crime' and saying 'Leo should get his act together as Pope' after the pontiff opposed the Iran war.
A 50-year friendship between Russell James and Russell Thompson highlighted by a book revelation
The articles from SMH and THEAGE both explore the deep, 50-year friendship between Russell James, an 83-year-old retired teacher, and Russell Thompson, a 63-year-old transport engineering professor at...
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- Russell James, 83, is a retired teacher who taught Russell Thompson, 63, at Highett High School in 1977
- Russell James taught Russell Thompson consumer education in year 9 and accounting in years 11 and 12
- Russell Thompson is a professor in transport engineering at the University of Melbourne
Coalition proposes blocking non-citizens from first-homebuyer scheme, sparking debate
The Coalition’s opposition leader, Angus Taylor, proposed restricting Australia’s 5% Deposit Scheme—a first-homebuyer program—to Australian citizens only, excluding permanent residents. This move, ann...
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- Angus Taylor announced the Coalition would close the 5% Deposit Scheme to non-citizens, reserving it for Australian citizens only
- The 5% Deposit Scheme has issued about 50,000 guarantees to permanent residents since 2023, representing 16% of total guarantees
- The scheme was expanded in October 2025 by the Labor government to include unlimited places, higher property price caps, and no income caps
Former barrister Norman O’Bryan pleads guilty to fraud in Banksia Securities class action
Norman O’Bryan, a once-prominent Melbourne barrister from a distinguished legal family, pleaded guilty in April 2026 to attempting to defraud retirees in the Banksia Securities class action by inflati...
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- Norman O’Bryan, 68, pleaded guilty to one charge of attempting to obtain a financial advantage by fraudulently inflating legal fees in the Banksia Securities class action case
- Banksia Securities collapsed in 2012 owing $663 million, affecting 16,000 Australian investors
- A $64 million settlement was reached in late 2017 between class action participants and Trust Co (acting as trustee for Banksia Securities)
US-Iran ceasefire talks, Strait of Hormuz blockade, and regional conflict updates
The US and Iran are engaged in indirect talks to extend a two-week ceasefire expiring on 22 April 2026, with Pakistan mediating negotiations likely to resume in Islamabad. Both sides appear open to pr...
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- The two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran is set to expire on 22 April 2026, with indirect talks ongoing to extend it.
- Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, led a delegation to Tehran on 16 April 2026 to discuss ceasefire extension and peace negotiations.
- The US naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea was fully implemented by 16 April 2026, with 10 vessels turned back in the first 48 hours.
Lithium battery fire at Byron Bay bike shop causes explosions and evacuations
A lithium battery fire at a bike shop in Byron Bay on April 16, 2026, caused explosions and forced evacuations of six staff and residents above the shop. Both sources agree the fire was challenging to...
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- Fire and Rescue NSW received multiple triple-zero calls at 12:47pm on 2026-04-16 for a building fire at a bike shop in Byron Bay
- Six staff from the commercial premises were safely evacuated during the fire
- Firefighters reported possible lithium-ion batteries exploding inside the building, complicating firefighting operations
Giorgia Meloni distances herself from Trump amid Iran war tensions
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has rapidly distanced herself from US President Donald Trump amid escalating tensions over the Iran war, marking a dramatic reversal from their previously close a...
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- Donald Trump accused Giorgia Meloni of lacking courage for not joining US-Israeli attacks on Iran in an interview with *Corriere della Sera* on April 15, 2026, calling her 'unacceptable' and saying she 'doesn’t care if Iran has a nuclear weapon'.
- Meloni suspended Italy’s automatic renewal of its defence cooperation agreement with Israel on April 15, 2026, citing the 'current situation' (including Israeli strikes near Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon).
- Trump publicly criticized Pope Leo (described as 'weak' and 'catering to the radical left') in early April 2026, prompting Meloni to call his remarks 'unacceptable'.
ABC executive resigns amid yacht trip and team exodus during pay negotiations
ABC’s Head of Employee Relations Josh Keech resigned on April 24, 2026, following questions about a luxury yacht trip with his team on March 31, hosted by billionaire Tom Snow. The trip occurred amid ...
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- Josh Keech resigned as ABC’s Head of Employee Relations & WHS on April 24, 2026, after nearly two years with the broadcaster
- Keech took four of his staff on a private yacht owned by Tom Snow (scion of the billionaire Snow family, owners of Canberra Airport) on March 31, 2026, free of charge
- Four of Keech’s six-person team resigned or left in the first three months of 2026, leaving him with just one employment relations counsel