Latest News Stories
Sorted by number of sources covering the story
Victorian Labor leadership spill: Jacinta Allan resigns, Ben Carroll becomes premier
The core story across all articles is the dramatic leadership spill in the Victorian Labor Party, where Jacinta Allan resigned as premier on July 28, 2026, after losing the support of her caucus. Ben Carroll, her deputy, was elected as the new premier, marking a significant shift in the party’s leadership just four months before the November 28, 2026, state election. Allan’s resignation followed a cross-factional delegation informing her on July 26, 2026, that she no longer had majority support, driven by poor polling, her unpopularity, and allegations of corruption in the Big Build construction program. Carroll’s first act as premier was announcing a royal commission into the construction sector, a move Allan had resisted. The leadership change reflects a broader struggle within the party, with Carroll representing the right faction and Allan the left, signaling a potential return to the centrist approach of the Bracks-Brumby era. The chaotic process, including a brief challenge from Allan’s ally Sonya Kilkenny, underscored the urgency of the situation and the need for unity ahead of the election.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Jacinta Allan resigned as Victorian premier on July 28, 2026, after losing caucus support and paving the way for Ben Carroll to become leader.
- Ben Carroll was elected as the new Victorian premier on July 28, 2026, after Allan’s resignation, with Gabrielle Williams as his deputy.
- The leadership spill occurred just four months before the November 28, 2026, Victorian state election.
Today
CFMEU corruption inquiry implicates Mick Gatto in labour hire schemes and tax evasion
A Queensland inquiry into CFMEU corruption has focused on allegations that underworld figure Mick Gatto controls a network of labour hire companies, including M1 Trades and Labour Group, through dummy directors Michael Portia and Tony Paragalli. Geoffrey Watson SC’s report claims Gatto’s influence secured contracts for Victoria’s $109 billion Big Build program, with M Group companies paying him over $1 million between 2016 and 2025 while allegedly evading $13 million in tax debts. Watson’s findings, which suggest corruption added 15 per cent to Big Build costs, have sparked political fallout, leading to the ousting of former Premier Jacinta Allan and the appointment of Ben Carroll, who announced a royal commission into the construction industry on Tuesday. Gatto and his associates deny wrongdoing, while M Group’s lawyers argue payments to Gatto were necessary to secure contracts blocked by larger CFMEU-aligned firms. The inquiry has highlighted tensions between Watson’s allegations and government responses, with no direct contact from officials despite public criticism of his $15 billion corruption estimate.
Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja dies in avalanche on Broad Peak with 10 others
Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, a former British special forces soldier and record-holder for climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000m+ peaks in 2019, died in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan in [DATE UNVERIFIED]. The disaster struck an expedition of 10 climbers—including six Nepalis, a Pakistani, an Omani, a US climber, and a Chinese national—around midday on Thursday, though GPS data from the Guardian suggests the avalanche began earlier. Four bodies were recovered by Friday, with six climbers still missing. Purja’s death was confirmed by his company, Elite Exped, and his legacy includes multiple rescues, such as saving climbers stranded for 40 hours on Annapurna and at 8,400m. His achievements were documented in Netflix’s 2021 film *14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible*, though ABC notes he was also featured in the 2023 documentary *Finding Michael*. The expedition aimed for Purja to become the first to summit all 14 peaks twice without oxygen, a goal he had discussed on social media before the tragedy. Rescue efforts were hindered by harsh weather, and authorities from Nepal, Pakistan, and China coordinated to locate the remaining climbers.
Tuvalu boxer wins Commonwealth Games bronze without winning a fight, highlighting climate crisis
Tuvalu’s Tarona Taafaki, a twenty-year-old boxer, secured her country’s first Commonwealth Games medal without winning a bout after receiving a bronze in the women’s 75kg category. She lost to India’s Lovlina Borgohain in the semi-finals, with both sources confirming the medal was earned due to the small field of five entrants. The achievement is celebrated by Tuvalu’s 10,000-person population, a nation spanning just 10square-mile, as a symbol of resilience amid a climate emergency. Rising sea levels threaten Funafuti, with experts predicting half the capital could be submerged by 2050. Taafaki and her brother Pasoni train in New Zealand, where facilities are superior to their homeland, where athletes often use the airport runway as their training ground. The medal is seen as a way to raise global awareness of Tuvalu’s struggles, including coastal erosion and land loss, with Taafaki’s father emphasizing the urgency of the crisis. Both articles also note Australia’s Taylah Robertson won a bronze in 2018 without winning a fight, drawing a parallel to Taafaki’s historic moment.
Australia's economic anxiety, inflation, and proposed budget deficit reduction
Both articles analyze Australia’s economic challenges, focusing on persistent inflation, rising cost-of-living pressures, and the government’s reliance on short-term measures like 'cost of living support'. The federal budget is projected to remain in deficit for three consecutive years, totaling $97 billion, with the current year’s deficit at $31.5 billion (1% of GDP). Economists like Ken Henry and Stephen Richardson argue that reducing the deficit by cutting spending or raising taxes could lower inflation and interest rates, citing historical examples from the Hawke-Keating and Howard-Costello governments. Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock supports the idea that fiscal policy can help manage demand-driven inflation, though Treasurer Jim Chalmers disputes the direct link between government spending and interest rates. The articles highlight a political dilemma: balancing economic stability with public resistance to spending cuts or tax hikes, while Pauline Hanson’s opposition is framed as offering only superficial solutions.
Mass migrant surge into Spanish enclave Ceuta from Morocco in July 2026
In late July 2026, a mass surge of migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, with estimates ranging from 2,000 to 50,000 people entering in a single day. The event followed a Supreme Court ruling in early July that barred authorities from summarily returning migrants intercepted at sea, which Spain’s government blamed on criminal organisations exploiting the decision. At least 18 to 57 deaths were reported, with many drowning or crushed during the crossing. Spain deployed additional police and military forces to Ceuta, while Morocco used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. By Friday evening, thousands had returned to Morocco, though the exact number varied between sources. The crisis prompted Italy to temporarily suspend parts of the Schengen Agreement and France to strengthen border checks, highlighting regional tensions over migration policies. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Ceuta to address the situation, calling it a violation of territorial integrity, while far-right parties in Europe blamed Spain’s migration policies for the surge.
Garma Festival 2026: Australia's Indigenous cultural gathering returns
The Garma Festival, an annual Indigenous cultural gathering, is set to return in 2026 according to multiple sources. SBS describes it as Australia's biggest Indigenous event, taking place on Yolŋu Country, while The Guardian highlights its role in uniting community leaders, advocates, and artists. The festival is hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation and the local Yolŋu people, emphasizing its significance as a celebration of Indigenous culture and tradition. No conflicting information was found between the sources regarding the event's timing or key participants.
2026 Commonwealth Games mile race revival and historical parallels to 1954 Miracle Mile
The [DATE UNVERIFIED] Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is reviving the mile race for the first time in six decades, drawing parallels to the legendary 1954 Miracle Mile between Roger Bannister and John Landy in Vancouver. Both races feature a showdown between elite athletes: Josh Kerr, the 28-year-old world record holder at 3:42.66, Jake Wightman, and Cameron Myers, a 20-year-old Australian rising star. The 1954 race, run over 1,600 metres, saw Bannister overtake Landy in the final 100 metres after Landy glanced back, while the [DATE UNVERIFIED] race aims to recapture that drama under cooler 13C conditions. Kerr’s dominance in middle-distance events, including his 2022 1500m world title in Eugene, contrasts with Myers’ aggressive pacing style, as seen in his five-second faster heat win. The mile’s return after a 60-year absence highlights its historical prestige, with Australia and Scotland vying for glory in a race that could redefine modern athletics.
Trump administration botched Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation and wrongly charged Olympian David Hearn
The Trump administration's rushed renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, costing US$14 million ($20 million), was widely criticized after it failed to address leaks and turned the pool green with algae. The project was completed by July 4 to coincide with America's 250th birthday celebrations. Former Olympian David Hearn, 67, was wrongfully charged with felony property destruction after allegedly touching the damaged lining on June 19. Prosecutors dismissed the case on September 28 after discovering the damage was caused by a botched installation, not vandalism. The pool was leaking over one million gallons of water per week and had preexisting issues, including a rip in the liner. Hearn's lawyers argued the case was politically motivated, and the DOJ admitted the renovation was 'hasty and botched'. The dismissal marked an embarrassing setback for the administration, which had initially blamed vandals for the damage.
Deadly infections from 3T Heater-Cooler machines in heart surgeries persist despite fixes
The articles detail a deadly flaw in the 3T Heater-Cooler machines used during heart surgeries, where contaminated water tanks can spray Mycobacterium chimaera bacteria into patients' chests. Fay Sherret, an 83-year-old former nurse, died 18 months after her 2015 heart valve replacement surgery due to this infection. Between 2016 and 2022, three other Australians died from similar infections linked to these machines. The TGA briefly suspended the devices but allowed them back after design fixes, though investigations suggest these fixes failed. Eleven Australians were infected between 2015 and 2016, with four deaths, and the TGA received 22 reports of contaminated devices between 2021 and [DATE UNVERIFIED], including four infections and one death. The Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney initially dismissed the risk in 2014, prioritizing life-saving procedures over infection concerns. Experts argue the devices remain fatally flawed, with over 120 global infections linked to heater-coolers, likely underreported. The first known case occurred in 2008 in Zurich, and the manufacturer, LivaNova, detected the bacterium in its factory in 2014. Despite claims of improved safety, studies show the devices are nearly impossible to clean, and infections continue to occur.
FIFA scraps World Cup privatization plans amid backlash
FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced the governing body has scrapped plans to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors following widespread backlash. The decision came after the proposal was criticized for creating divisions that no longer aligned with FIFA's original goals. According to ABC, the plan involved raising $US4.2 billion ($5.9 billion) by selling about a 20 per cent stake in a new unit valued at $US20 billion. UEFA had led opposition, and its 55 member nations unanimously voted to boycott FIFA tournaments less than two weeks after Spain won the world championship. Both sources confirm Infantino’s statement that the proposal will not proceed, though only ABC provides specific financial and stake details.
FIFA president Infantino faces backlash over World Cup sell-off plan and re-election bid
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is under intense pressure after proposing to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, including a $US20 billion subsidiary with 20% ownership by private equity funds. The plan, criticized as a 'bad deal for football,' has led to resignations, including that of senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro, and public rebukes from FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, who called it 'the project of one person.' Opposition from UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation, along with a threatened boycott by UEFA’s 55 members, has intensified scrutiny. A 19 September deadline for federation decisions looms, while Infantino faces potential challenges in next year’s FIFA election, originally expected to be uncontested. The controversy centers on transparency, governance, and the long-term impact of privatizing football’s most valuable asset, with FIFA’s $15 billion revenue and $4.2 billion reserves cited as alternatives to the sell-off.
Alan Jones faces sexual assault trial after decades of influence and controversy
Alan Jones, an 85-year-old former media mogul with a four-decade career, is facing a four-month trial in a New South Wales local court starting Monday. He is accused of 22 counts of indecent assault and sexual touching involving six men, with alleged incidents spanning from 2003 to 2020. The trial will feature 76 witnesses and take place in Downing Centre court, with Jones pleading not guilty to all charges. Both sources confirm his arrest in late 2024 or November 2024, his retirement from a $4m-a-year radio show, and his history of 226 survey wins. The Guardian highlights his controversial past, including lawsuits and defamation cases, while ABC details the evolving charge sheet and pre-trial hearings. Jones’s defence argues the allegations are baseless, while prosecutors claim he acted on a sexual interest in younger men. The trial will be presided over by Judge Glenn Walsh, with media coverage closely scrutinized.
Australia vs Ireland AFLW international match and Irish players' impact on AFLW
The Australia vs Ireland AFLW international match is a historic event marking the first clash between the two teams, set to take place this weekend at North Sydney Oval. Both sources highlight the significance of Irish players in the AFLW, with 46 current Irish players across the competition, including stars like Orla O’Dwyer, Vikki Wall, and Aishling Moloney. The match is framed as a celebration of Irish influence in the league, with players like Moloney and Niamh McLaughlin achieving notable milestones, such as Moloney being the joint leading goalkicker in 2024 and McLaughlin becoming the first Irish AFL/AFLW captain last year. The ABC emphasizes the quick organization of the match, announced in May, with players training under pressure and the Irish team embracing their underdog status. The Guardian provides deeper context, noting the cultural and professional appeal of AFLW for Irish players, many of whom migrate to Australia for opportunities, and highlights the match’s role in fostering a sense of community among the Irish diaspora. Both articles agree on the match’s potential to grow the AFLW, with the ABC focusing on the contrast between Irish chaos and Australian composure, while the Guardian underscores the historical and cultural significance of the event.
Yesterday
Gina Rinehart threatens ABC with legal action over offensive Race Around the World segment
Gina Rinehart and her company, Hancock Prospecting, have threatened legal action against the ABC over a crude segment aired on the *Race Around the World* program on **July 12**. Contestant Kate McGuinness made offensive comments about Rinehart, including a violent and graphic joke about turning her into a 'sausage roll'. Hancock Prospecting demanded the ABC remove the segment, apologize, and investigate its approval, sending a formal letter on **July 23**. By **Friday**, the ABC had not removed the episode, which remained available on iView despite public outrage. McGuinness issued an apology on **Thursday**, clarifying her intent was satirical, but Hancock Prospecting accused the ABC of normalizing violence. The ABC Ombudsman is reviewing complaints, and the episode’s final airing is scheduled for **August 9**. Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells has acknowledged the controversy while upholding the ABC’s editorial independence.
BTS boycotting 2027 Grammys over new Asian pop category
BTS announced they will not submit music for the 2027 Grammy awards, citing the introduction of a new Asian pop category as the reason. The Recording Academy added five new categories in June, including best Asian pop music performance, best Latin song, and others, aiming to celebrate diverse genres. BTS’s decision follows their return this year after an almost four-year hiatus due to mandatory military service. The new Asian pop category requires meaningful use of an Asian language, which may exclude some of BTS’s recent English-language work. This year’s Grammy ceremony saw Golden from KPop Demon Hunters win best song written for visual media, marking the first win for a K-pop act. Bad Bunny also won album of the year for his Spanish-language album. The controversy highlights debates about whether such categories increase visibility or create barriers for Asian artists.
NSW Liberal Party Reformers faction investigated for alleged illegal donations and branch-stacking
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating the NSW Liberal Party’s Reformers faction, a conservative Christian group founded in 2017 or 2018, for allegedly soliciting illegal donations and engaging in branch-stacking to influence party policies on issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, and euthanasia. Co-founder Robert Assaf, 30, testified that the group aimed to recruit 5,000 members to the party, which had 4,000 members at the time, and secured 1,200 new members by 2020. Key allegations include receiving $165,000 from hotelier Michael O’Hara, $260,000 from Catholic Schools NSW, and $2m from fugitive developer Jean Nassif. Assaf admitted using faction funds for personal expenses, including a bucks night, and described the group as 'a bunch of 20-year-old people trying to figure things out.' The Reformers allegedly used 'fake invoices' and tax arrangements to funnel money through a lobbying firm, Beckington, and were linked to the controversial Catholic organization Opus Dei. Former NSW MP David Elliott called the group 'a cult' and urged a review of preselections ahead of the next state election in March. Federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor denied making payments to the Reformers but was described by Assaf as aware of and supportive of their activities.
Elderly woman dies after delayed ambulance response in Melbourne
An elderly woman in her late 90s died in her Melbourne home after waiting about 2–3 hours for paramedics to respond to a fall on Friday morning. Both The Age and ABC report the incident occurred around 7.30am, with police confirming the death is not suspicious. Ambulance Victoria will review the case, which involved delays in communication between the medical alarm company, Triple Zero, and paramedics. The woman had lived independently at the property for over 30 years. Previous reviews highlight systemic failures in Victoria’s emergency response, with at least 12 deaths linked to ambulance delays between October 2021 and May 2022. The Age also notes 20 deaths since 2020 and 33 deaths between December 2020 and May 2022, while ABC focuses on the 12 deaths in the later period. Funding for upgrades differs, with The Age citing $101.9 million and ABC reporting $333 million invested in 2022.
Queensland court case over suppression order on high-profile man's identity in extortion case
A Queensland Supreme Court judge, Justice James Henry, is considering lifting a suppression order that has prevented the identification of a high-profile man, referred to as 'MM,' in an ongoing extortion case. The order, initially made by a magistrate on May 29 after a bail variation hearing, was challenged by media organisations, including the ABC and unnamed outlets, through a judicial review. The case involves a man accused of threatening to expose an affair between 'MM' and a complainant, with the suppression order applied for by Queensland Police Commissioner Brett Pointing. The four-hour hearing on Friday in Cairns was part of the judicial review, with Justice Henry reserving his decision. Media organisations argue there is no legal precedent for suppressing the identity of a third party who is neither a complainant nor a witness, while the police contend the complainant would be distressed if 'MM's' name were revealed. The suppression order remains in place pending the judge's decision, with the hearing today marking a key moment in the legal battle over press freedom and privacy in the case.
Death of Australian rock journalist Glenn A. Baker at age 74
Australian rock journalist and cultural commentator Glenn A. Baker died at age 74 in July [DATE UNVERIFIED], as confirmed by both SMH and ABC. Born in 1952, Baker’s passion for music began at age 12 after seeing The Beatles arrive in Australia in 1964, a pivotal moment that shaped his career. He became a prominent figure in the music industry, editing Billboard for over 20 years, writing more than 20 books (SMH) or 17 books (ABC), and contributing to numerous magazines or album sleeve notes. Baker also built an extensive music collection, including 80,000 records and 30,000 CDs (ABC), and was known for his distinctive Ottoman-era fez hats. His family described him as a dedicated father to six children and either 10 or 13 grandchildren, who remembered him for his love of music and travel. Both sources agree Baker experienced illness before his death, though ABC notes he had previously suffered a stroke. While SMH highlights his travel writing and anecdotes like meeting Fidel Castro, ABC emphasizes his early radio work, including his role in the formation of 2JJ (later triple j) in the mid-1970s and his 1979 co-founding of Raven Records.