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Tony Abbott elected unopposed as Liberal Party president, returning to political frontlines
Tony Abbott will be elected unopposed as the new federal president of the Liberal Party, marking his return to active political life seven years after losing his Sydney seat of Warringah in 2019. The ...
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- Tony Abbott will become the new federal Liberal party president, confirmed at the Liberal party’s federal council meeting in Melbourne next weekend (May 26–28, 2026).
- Alexander Downer withdrew from the presidency race and will instead run for one of the vice-president’s positions.
- Abbott will succeed former South Australian premier John Olsen as federal president.
Australian tourist dies after fall on Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
An Australian man, Matthew Cameron Paton (53), died after falling from the Inca Trail near Machu Picchu in Peru on Wednesday local time. Paton, who was hiking with a tour group near the 50 Gradas sect...
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- Matthew Cameron Paton (53) died after falling from the Inca Trail near Machu Picchu, Peru
- Paton fell on Wednesday, local time (Peruvian time), while hiking with a tour group near the 50 Gradas section of the trail
- His body was found and rescued on Thursday, local time, in a difficult-to-access area
Australian IS-linked families leave Syria for Damascus, potential return to Australia
A group of seven Australian women and 14 children linked to Islamic State left the al-Roj refugee camp in Syria on May 22, 2026, and arrived in Damascus, with plans to potentially return to Australia....
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- Seven Australian women and 14 children (total 21 people) left al-Roj refugee camp in Syria on 2026-05-22 (local time) and arrived in Damascus.
- Four Australian women and nine children returned to Australia from al-Roj earlier this month (late April 2026), with three women arrested and charged upon arrival: Kawsar Ahmad and Zeinab Ahmad (slavery offences), Janai Safar (joining a terrorist organisation and travelling to a declared terrorist area).
- One Australian woman in the group is subject to a Temporary Exclusion Order (TEO) issued by the Australian government on security grounds, preventing her return to Australia.
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch dies at 41 after sudden hospitalization
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion and the sport’s all-time winningest driver with 234 victories, died at age 41 on May 22, 2026, after being hospitalized with a severe illness. ...
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- Kyle Busch died at age 41 on 2026-05-22 after being hospitalized earlier on the same day with a severe illness
- Busch was a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, winning titles in 2015 and 2019
- He was the winningest driver in NASCAR history with 234 races won across all three national series
ICAC inquiry into Parramatta Council's 'Pink Ladies' corruption allegations
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating allegations that three executives at the City of Parramatta Council—Gail Connolly, Roxanne Thornton, and Angela Jones-Blayney—coll...
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- Gail Connolly was appointed chief executive of City of Parramatta Council in April 2023 and was terminated in October 2025
- Roxanne Thornton and Angela Jones-Blayney were hired as executives at Parramatta Council in 2023, with Thornton earning a $228,210 base salary (a $40,000 increase from her previous role)
- The trio (Connolly, Thornton, Jones-Blayney) referred to themselves as the 'Pink Ladies' or 'Pink Ops' and exchanged texts about restructuring roles to benefit themselves
US pauses Taiwan arms sales amid Iran war and Trump-Xi summit tensions
The US has paused arms sales to Taiwan, citing a need to prioritize munitions for its ongoing war in Iran, according to acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao’s testimony on May 22, 2026. Both the Guardian an...
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- US arms sales to Taiwan have been 'paused' due to munitions needs for the Iran war ('Epic Fury'), as stated by acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao at a congressional hearing on 2026-05-22
- Taiwan's presidential office spokesperson Karen Kuo stated on 2026-05-22 that Taipei had received 'no information indicating that the US intends to make any adjustments to this arms sale'
- The stalled arms package to Taiwan is valued at $19.6 billion (Guardian: $14bn; ABC: $19.6bn) — note: Guardian cites $14bn as the pending package, while ABC cites $19.6bn as the approved but unfinalized deal
UN endorses ICJ climate ruling despite US-led opposition; Australia's role analyzed
The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on May 21, 2026, to adopt a resolution backing a landmark International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion that states have a legal obligation to addr...
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- The UN General Assembly voted 141-8 to adopt a resolution backing the International Court of Justice (ICJ) 2025 advisory opinion on climate change obligations, with 28 abstentions.
- The eight countries that voted against the resolution were Belarus, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Yemen.
- Vanuatu led the push for the ICJ advisory opinion and the subsequent UN resolution, with its Minister of Climate Change Ralph Regenvanu calling the resolution 'deeply significant'.
Delayed sentencing of Daniel Billings for Molly Ticehurst's murder in NSW
The sentencing of Daniel Billings for the murder of Molly Ticehurst, a 28-year-old mother from Forbes, NSW, has been delayed until September 2026. Billings pleaded guilty in November 2025 to killing T...
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- Daniel Billings murdered Molly Ticehurst, 28, inside her home in Forbes, NSW, on April 2024
- Billings pleaded guilty to murdering Molly Ticehurst in November 2025
- Billings was on bail for domestic violence charges (including rape, stalking, and intimidation) against Ticehurst when he killed her
Rex Airlines cuts regional flights in Victoria and Tasmania due to fuel costs
Rex Airlines announced it will cut several regional flights in Victoria and Tasmania starting June 20, 2026, citing rising fuel costs, inflation, and softer demand as key factors. The airline will cea...
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- Rex Airlines will cease flights between Melbourne and Devonport from June 20, 2026
- Rex Airlines will reduce Melbourne–Mildura services from 24 to 19 weekly return flights starting June 22, 2026
- Rex Airlines will cease flights between King Island and Burnie from June 20, 2026
Australia suspends new private college bids for international students amid visa abuse crackdown
The Australian government announced a 12-month freeze on new private colleges and training organizations applying to teach international students in vocational education and English language courses, ...
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- The Australian government suspended new applications for private colleges and training organizations to offer courses to international students for 12 months starting May 2026.
- The suspension applies to applications lodged with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) for vocational education and training (VET) and English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS).
- The pause does not affect public education providers, including government schools, TAFE, and Australia’s major public universities.
Cairns State High School evacuated after threat, streets closed
On 2026-05-21, Cairns State High School was evacuated at 9:25am after reports of a threat, prompting Queensland Police to declare an emergency under the Public Safety Preservation Act. Students were m...
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- Cairns State High School was evacuated at 9:25am on 2026-05-21 after a 'threat' was reported
- Queensland Police declared an emergency under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) following the incident
- Students were moved to a safe location (school soccer field) and parents were advised not to collect children during the incident
Victoria approves largest southern hemisphere wind farm amid local opposition
Victoria’s state government has approved the Warracknabeal Energy Park, a 219-turbine wind farm touted as the largest in the southern hemisphere, generating 1.5 gigawatts of electricity to power up to...
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- The Warracknabeal Energy Park, with 219 turbines, is approved as the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere by Victoria’s Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny.
- The project covers 25,000–26,000 hectares of land in Victoria’s northwest, north of Horsham and west of Warracknabeal.
- The wind farm will generate 1.5 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power up to 1.2 million homes and meet 12.5% of Victoria’s future energy needs.
Clare Wright wins top prize for Näku Dhäruk: The Bark Petitions at NSW Literary Awards
Clare Wright’s Näku Dhäruk: The Bark Petitions won the top prize at the 2026 NSW Literary Awards, including the Book of the Year and the $40,000 Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-Fiction. The book recount...
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- Clare Wright’s Näku Dhäruk: The Bark Petitions won the 2026 NSW Literary Awards Book of the Year and the $40,000 Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-Fiction, totaling $50,000 in winnings.
- The book focuses on the 1963 Yirrkala Bark Petitions, presented by Yolŋu elders to the Australian parliament to protest mining on their ancestral lands in Arnhem Land.
- Näku Dhäruk is the third book in Wright’s ‘democracy trilogy,’ following Forgotten Rebels of Eureka (2014) and You Daughters of Freedom.
Stephen Colbert's final Late Show episode and CBS cancellation controversy
Stephen Colbert’s final episode of *The Late Show* aired on May 21, 2026, marking the end of a 33-year late-night franchise on CBS after 11 years under his tenure. The episode featured Sir Paul McCart...
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- Stephen Colbert's final Late Show episode aired on May 21, 2026, featuring Sir Paul McCartney as the final guest.
- The Late Show finale included a green wormhole gag with appearances by Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers.
- CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show in July 2025, citing financial reasons, though many suspected political influence.
Trump administration creates $1.776B 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' for alleged lawfare victims
The Trump administration created a $1.776 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' to compensate individuals deemed victims of 'lawfare' and 'weaponization,' primarily targeting allies prosecuted under the B...
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- The DOJ established a $1.776 billion fund (symbolizing 1776) to compensate alleged victims of 'lawfare' and 'weaponization'
- The fund is called the 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' and will be administered by five commissioners, four appointed by the attorney general (removable by Trump) and one in consultation with congressional leadership
- The fund was created as part of a settlement where Trump and his sons dropped a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns
Toxic mouse bait closure of WA agricultural school during plague
A severe mouse plague in Morawa, Western Australia, has overwhelmed the town, forcing the closure of the Western Australian College of Agriculture after toxic zinc phosphide mouse bait (Mouse Off) was...
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- The Western Australian College of Agriculture in Morawa was closed after zinc phosphide mouse bait (Mouse Off) was spread on school grounds on May 20, 2026.
- Zinc phosphide is a Schedule 7 poison that can release phosphine gas when wet, posing risks to humans.
- The school has about 50 students in years 10, 11, and 12, and includes a 3,000-hectare working farm.
Federal tax reforms spark backlash from businesses and states over bracket creep and investment rules
The federal government’s proposed tax reforms—including replacing the 50% capital gains tax discount with inflation-indexed rules and changes to discretionary trusts—have sparked widespread backlash f...
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- NSW Premier Chris Minns criticized the federal government’s tax changes, stating that workers in the top tax bracket (47% on earnings above $190,000) effectively work half the week for the government.
- Federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor proposed indexing personal income tax rates to inflation to address bracket creep.
- The federal government is replacing the 50% capital gains tax (CGT) discount with a model indexed to inflation, with a minimum 30% tax rate.
Double fatality car crash on Princes Highway in Dandenong, Melbourne
Two people died early on May 19, 2026, after their car lost control and crashed into a tree on the Princes Highway in Dandenong, Melbourne's southeast. The crash occurred at around 1:20am, with both o...
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- Two people died after a car crashed into a tree on the Princes Highway in Dandenong, Melbourne's southeast
- The crash occurred at approximately 1:20am on May 19, 2026
- Both occupants of the vehicle died at the scene and have not yet been formally identified
Timothy Loosemore on trial for murder and arson of Maree Vermont in Victoria
Timothy Loosemore, a 62-year-old UK national, is on trial in Victoria’s Supreme Court for the murder of Maree Vermont, 60, after her death in a fire at her Goldie property on August 5, 2023. Prosecuto...
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- Timothy Loosemore, 62, is on trial in Victoria’s Supreme Court for the murder of Maree Vermont, 60, on August 5, 2023.
- Maree Vermont was found dead in her home in Goldie, Victoria, after a fire on August 5, 2023.
- Loosemore first met Vermont in March 2023 when he booked a guest room at her property, 'Stone House,' through Airbnb.
Airlines offering low-cost business class upgrades via bidding systems
Multiple airlines, including Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar, now allow passengers to bid for business class upgrades on economy tickets at significantly reduced prices. The process involves boo...
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- Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar allow travellers to bid for business class upgrades on economy tickets.
- Global airlines offering upgrade bids include Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Fiji Airways, and Qatar Airways.
- The bidding process requires booking an economy flight first, then entering a bid for an available business class seat.