Latest News Stories
Sorted by number of sources covering the story
Today
Donald Trump nominates David Brat as US ambassador to Australia after 15-month vacancy
Donald Trump has nominated former Republican congressman David Brat as the next US ambassador to Australia, ending a 15-month vacancy left by Caroline Kennedy’s departure in November 2024. Brat, a con...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Donald Trump nominated former Virginia congressman David Brat as US ambassador to Australia on April 28, 2026.
- The US ambassador to Australia post has been vacant since November 2024, when Caroline Kennedy left Canberra.
- David Brat served two terms in Congress (2014–2018) representing Virginia’s 7th district before losing to Democrat Abigail Spanberger.
Sabastian Sawe breaks two-hour marathon world record in London 2026
Sabastian Sawe made history on April 26, 2026, by becoming the first man to run a marathon under two hours, clocking 1:59:30 in the London Marathon. His time shattered the previous world record of 2:0...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Sabastian Sawe ran the London Marathon in 1 hour 59 minutes 30 seconds, breaking the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.
- Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia finished second in 1:59:41, also breaking the two-hour barrier.
- Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda finished third in 2:00:28, also under the previous world record.
King Charles III's state visit to the US amid strained US-UK relations and security concerns
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are visiting the US for a four-day state visit beginning April 29, 2026, amid strained relations between the UK and US, particularly over the Iran war and Trump’s cr...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- King Charles III and Queen Camilla are visiting the US for a four-day state visit starting April 29, 2026, marking the 250th anniversary of US independence.
- The visit follows a shooting incident at a Washington press gala on April 26, 2026, where Donald Trump and other US officials were likely targets.
- Donald Trump has publicly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling him 'not Winston Churchill' and dismissing UK aircraft carriers as 'toys'.
UK parliamentary inquiry warns of AUKUS submarine delivery risks
A UK parliamentary inquiry released on April 28, 2026, warned that 'shortcomings and failings' in funding, political leadership, and infrastructure threaten the delivery of the AUKUS submarine pact, d...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- The House of Commons Defence Committee released a report on April 28, 2026, warning of 'shortcomings and failings' in the UK's ability to deliver AUKUS submarine commitments.
- The report states that UK political leadership for AUKUS has 'faded' and calls on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take a more visible role to prevent the pact from being derailed.
- The UK's submarine fleet is at its smallest in living memory, with only one attack-class submarine (HMS Anson) available in February 2026, which was recalled to the Middle East due to war in the Gulf.
Five-year-old Aboriginal girl Sharon Granites missing from Alice Springs town camp; police suspect abduction by Jefferson Lewis
Five-year-old Sharon Granites went missing from her home in Old Timers town camp, Alice Springs, on Saturday night, April 25, 2026, around 11:30pm. She was reported missing by her family at approximat...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Five-year-old Sharon Granites (also referred to as Sharon) went missing from her home in Old Timers town camp, Alice Springs, on Saturday night (around 11:30pm).
- Sharon was reported missing by her family at approximately 1:30am on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
- Police are searching for 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who was recently released from prison and was staying at the same residence where Sharon went missing.
CFMEU administrator Mark Irving resigns amid corruption reforms and leadership upheaval
CFMEU administrator Mark Irving KC resigned on April 27, 2026, after nearly two years leading the union’s reform amid corruption scandals. His departure follows the resignation of his deputy, Zach Smi...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Mark Irving KC resigned as CFMEU administrator on April 27, 2026, citing a need for a unionist to lead the rebuilding phase.
- Irving was appointed administrator in August 2024 amid revelations of widespread corruption, criminality, and violence in the CFMEU.
- Michael Crosby, an experienced union leader, will take over as the new CFMEU administrator, with Irving remaining as senior counsel.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon apologizes after Indigenous players take offense at training comment
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon faced backlash after a comment during training, where he referred to a play by Indigenous players as a 'brotherboy connection', which upset Bradley Hill and Nasiah Wanganeen-M...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Ross Lyon made a comment at training calling a play by Indigenous players a 'brotherboy connection', which upset players including Bradley Hill and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
- Lyon offered to consider stepping down as coach after the incident, telling players he 'misjudged' the moment and took 'full responsibility'
- The comment was reported by journalist Caroline Wilson on Channel 7's *Agenda Setters* on April 27, 2026
Australia proposes new levy on Google, Meta, TikTok to fund local news
The Australian government has unveiled a new News Bargaining Incentive (NBI) scheme requiring Google, Meta, and TikTok to either negotiate commercial deals with local news publishers or pay a 2.25% le...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- The Australian government’s News Bargaining Incentive (NBI) scheme proposes a 2.25% levy on digital platforms’ Australian revenues, with offsets of 150%–170% for deals with publishers.
- The NBI replaces the Morrison government’s News Media Bargaining Code (NMBC), which Labor says is no longer effective.
- Meta (Facebook/Instagram) previously ended deals worth about $70m to compensate Australian news publishers, triggering the new scheme.
PNG Chiefs secure marquee NRL signings ahead of 2028 debut
Papua New Guinea Chiefs have secured two marquee signings ahead of their 2028 NRL debut, with Alex Johnston becoming the first player to commit to the expansion side on a one-year tax-free deal worth ...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Alex Johnston will join PNG Chiefs on a one-year tax-free deal worth $325,000 in 2028
- Jarome Luai met with PNG Prime Minister James Marape and senior club officials during a visit to Port Moresby on April 27–28, 2026
- Luai is contracted to Wests Tigers until 2029 but has exit clauses allowing him to join PNG Chiefs in 2028
30th anniversary of Port Arthur massacre and its lasting impact on Australia
Australia marked the 30th anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre on April 28, 2026, with solemn ceremonies honoring the 35 victims and 23 wounded in the 1996 tragedy. Survivors, families, and politic...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- 35 people were killed and 23 were wounded in the Port Arthur massacre on April 28, 1996.
- The massacre occurred at the Port Arthur Historic Site in Tasmania.
- A memorial ceremony was held on April 28, 2026, marking the 30th anniversary, attended by around 160 people, including survivors, families, and community members.
Dolphin spotted in Melbourne's Yarra River, April 2026
A lone adult bottlenose dolphin was spotted in Melbourne’s Yarra River in late April 2026, surprising locals and delighting onlookers. Experts from the Dolphin Research Institute, including David Donn...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- An adult bottlenose dolphin was spotted in the Yarra River as far up as Herring Island at South Yarra and near Hoddle Bridge at Richmond
- The dolphin appears to be in good health and behaving normally, likely following prey into the river
- David Donnelly from the Dolphin Research Institute stated the dolphin is most likely chasing prey and not in distress
Global military spending hits record $4T in 2025, driven by wars and geopolitical tensions
Global military spending hit a record $4 trillion in 2025, marking the 11th consecutive annual increase and a 41% rise over the past decade, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Ins...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Global military spending reached nearly $US2.9 trillion ($4 trillion AUD) in 2025, the highest ever recorded, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- The United States, China, and Russia accounted for more than half of global defence expenditure in 2025, with a combined total of $US1.48 trillion.
- Global military spending has risen for the 11th consecutive year, with a 41% increase over the past decade.
Melania and Donald Trump criticize Jimmy Kimmel over 'expectant widow' joke amid White House shooting
Melania and Donald Trump publicly condemned Jimmy Kimmel after his April 24, 2026, joke calling her an 'expectant widow' during a *Jimmy Kimmel Live* monologue, which aired days before a shooting at t...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Melania Trump accused Jimmy Kimmel of 'hateful and violent rhetoric' in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on April 27, 2026, calling for ABC to 'take a stand' against him.
- Kimmel referred to Melania Trump as an 'expectant widow' in a monologue on *Jimmy Kimmel Live* on April 24, 2026, days before the White House Correspondents' Association dinner shooting on April 26, 2026.
- Donald Trump demanded Kimmel be fired by Disney and ABC, calling his joke 'far beyond the pale' and stating it was 'despicable' on Truth Social on April 28, 2026.
Train collision in Indonesia near Jakarta kills multiple, injures dozens
Two trains collided near Bekasi Timur station, about 25 kilometers from Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 28, 2026, killing at least four people and injuring dozens, though the Guardian later reported seve...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Two trains collided near Bekasi Timur station, about 25km (15 miles) from Jakarta, Indonesia
- The crash involved a long-distance train and a stationary commuter train
- The long-distance train crashed into the last, women-only carriage of the commuter train
Marios Fitzroy cafe celebrates 40th anniversary with cultural and culinary significance
Marios, a Fitzroy cafe founded in 1986 by Mario Maccarone and Mario De Pasquale, is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a Melbourne institution. The two 'Marios' opened the restaurant in a rundown Bru...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Marios Fitzroy opened in 1986 on Brunswick Street, Melbourne
- The two founders are Mario Maccarone and Mario De Pasquale, both nicknamed 'Mario'
- Marios is known for its no-booking policy and all-day breakfast service, including late-afternoon/evening breakfast
Death of Nedra Talley Ross, last surviving Ronettes member, aged 80
Nedra Talley Ross, the last surviving member of the iconic 1960s girl group the Ronettes, died at age 80 on April 27, 2026, at her home. Born in Manhattan in 1946, she formed the Ronettes with her cou...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Nedra Talley Ross died aged 80 on April 27, 2026, at home in the morning
- Nedra Talley Ross was born in Manhattan in 1946
- Nedra Talley Ross was a founding member of the Ronettes alongside her cousins Ronnie Spector (Veronica Bennett) and Estelle Bennett
Rock climber dies after fall at Organ Pipes, Mount Arapiles, Victoria
A 24-year-old rock climber from New South Wales died after falling at Organ Pipes near Mount Arapiles in western Victoria on April 28, 2026, around 11:30 AM. The incident triggered a multi-agency resc...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- A 24-year-old woman from New South Wales died in hospital after falling at Organ Pipes near Mount Arapiles on Monday, April 28, 2026, around 11:30 AM
- Emergency services including SES volunteers, paramedics, and Air Ambulance Victoria conducted a high-angle rescue, winching the climber to a nearby paddock for over an hour of advanced life support treatment
- The climber was flown to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne with critical upper-body injuries and died overnight
Northern beaches e-bike hit-and-run incident and related illegal e-bike activity in Sydney
A 38-year-old man was charged in connection with a hit-and-run incident in North Curl Curl on April 28, 2026, after allegedly striking a 15-year-old e-bike rider at the intersection of Abbott Road and...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- A 38-year-old man was charged with driving furiously and causing bodily harm, negligent driving, and driving while his license application was refused after allegedly hitting a 15-year-old e-bike rider in North Curl Curl on April 28, 2026.
- The incident occurred at the intersection of Abbott Road and Pitt Road in North Curl Curl, with police called just after 4:30 PM on Monday, April 28, 2026.
- The 15-year-old boy was airlifted to Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick with serious leg injuries and remains in a serious but stable condition as of April 29, 2026.
Review of Turkish Airlines business class on Istanbul-Sydney route via Kuala Lumpur
Both articles provide identical reviews of Turkish Airlines’ business class on the Istanbul-Sydney route (TK174), highlighting key details such as the Airbus A350-900 aircraft, a 20-hour 15-minute jou...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Flight TK174 operates daily from Istanbul to Sydney via Kuala Lumpur on an Airbus A350-900 with a total flight time of 20 hours 15 minutes (including the Malaysia stop).
- The business class seat (2A, aisle) has a pitch of 44 inches (111 cm) and a width of 20 inches (50.8 cm), with direct aisle access but limited footwell space for size 11 feet.
- Passengers can bring up to 40 kg of checked baggage (50 kg on BusinessPrime fares) and 20 kg of cabin baggage (split as two 8 kg bags plus a 4 kg personal item).
EU sanctions Russia, funds Ukraine; China retaliates amid economic strain on Russia
The European Union finalized a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, primarily to fund defense spending, while simultaneously imposing its 20th round of sanctions on Russia, targeting energy producers, banks,...
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- The EU approved a €90 billion ($147.5 billion) loan to Ukraine, primarily for defense spending, to be delivered over two years.
- The EU imposed its 20th round of sanctions on Russia, listing 120 additional individuals and entities, including 27 Chinese mainland and Hong Kong entities accused of aiding sanctions evasion.
- China retaliated by placing European defense and aerospace companies on its export control list, blocking access to dual-use items from China, within 24 hours of the EU sanctions.