Latest News Stories
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Today
Death of James Valentine, beloved ABC radio presenter and musician, aged 64
James Valentine, the beloved ABC Radio Sydney presenter, musician, and author, died on April 23, 2026, at age 64 after a two-year battle with oesophageal cancer. He passed peacefully at home in Sydney...
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- James Valentine died on April 23, 2026, aged 64, after a two-year battle with oesophageal cancer.
- Valentine used voluntary assisted dying (VAD) at home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on April 23, 2026, surrounded by his family.
- Valentine hosted ABC Radio Sydney’s Afternoons program for 25 years, retiring in February 2026.
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson sue ARN Media over contract termination
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson, former co-hosts of ARN Media’s Kyle & Jackie O Show, are suing their employer for wrongful termination after being sacked in February 2026 following an on-air...
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- Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson were each on $100 million, 10-year contracts with ARN Media for the Kyle & Jackie O Show, totaling $200 million combined.
- Both Sandilands and Henderson were sacked in February 2026 after an on-air dispute where Sandilands called Henderson 'off with the fairies' and accused her of being 'unfocused'.
- ARN Media is countersuing Sandilands and Henderson for breach of contract, lost advertising revenue, and legal costs, seeking millions in damages.
US envoy proposes replacing Iran with Italy at 2026 World Cup, sparking backlash
A proposal by US special envoy Paolo Zampolli to replace Iran with Italy at the 2026 World Cup has sparked controversy. Zampolli, a Trump ally, suggested the swap to both Trump and FIFA president Gian...
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- Paolo Zampolli, US special envoy for global partnerships, suggested Italy replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup to Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino
- Italy dismissed the proposal, with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi calling it 'not possible' and 'not appropriate'
- Iran confirmed it is preparing to participate in the World Cup, with matches scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle
Anzac Day 2026 trading hours, public holidays, and state-specific rules across Australia
Anzac Day 2026 falls on Saturday, April 25, with varying trading hours and public holiday rules across Australia. New South Wales, Western Australia, and the ACT will have an additional public holiday...
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- Anzac Day falls on Saturday, April 25, 2026, with no additional public holiday in Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, or the Northern Territory.
- New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will observe an additional public holiday on Monday, April 27, 2026.
- In New South Wales, major retailers (Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Bunnings, Kmart, Target, Big W, Westfield) and bottle shops (Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars) must remain closed all day on April 25, 2026.
Billionaire Judith Neilson’s ex-secretary Annalouise Spence charged with $1.6m fraud
Annalouise Spence, 50, the former private secretary of billionaire philanthropist Judith Neilson, was charged on April 23, 2026, with 68 counts of fraud after allegedly using Neilson’s Centurion Ameri...
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- Annalouise Spence, 50, was charged with 68 counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception against Judith Neilson
- Spence allegedly used Neilson’s Centurion American Express card to spend over $1.6 million between March 2023 and September 2025
- The fraud was detected after Neilson’s new executive assistant, Katy Lloyd Jones, noticed a $58,593 charge for a Rolex watch in July 2025, which Neilson did not own or wear
Death of Australian author David Malouf at age 92
Australian author David Malouf died on 22 April 2026 at age 92 after a prolific career spanning poetry, fiction, essays, and libretti. Born in Brisbane on 20 March 1934 to a Lebanese Christian father ...
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- David Malouf died on 22 April 2026 at age 92
- Malouf was born in Brisbane on 20 March 1934
- His father, George, was a Lebanese Christian boxer; his mother, Welcome Wilhelmina (née Mendoza), was of Sephardic Jewish descent
Australia debates 25% gas export tax amid budget deliberations and industry pushback
Australia’s federal government is facing pressure to introduce a 25% tax on gas exports, with a Greens-led Senate inquiry and public campaigns led by figures like independent Senator David Pocock and ...
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- Former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry urged a 25% gas export tax during a Senate inquiry on April 24, 2026, calling it 'in the national interest' and stating 'just do it, and stop the crap that the Australian public have put up with for decades now'.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ruled out a 25% gas export tax in the upcoming May 12, 2026 federal budget, citing concerns about alienating key buyers like Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea.
- The Australia Institute estimates a 25% gas export tax could raise $17 billion annually for Australia.
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, ...
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- 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.
NSW Fair Trading crackdown on petrol price mismatches and misleading practices
New South Wales Fair Trading has conducted a statewide crackdown on petrol stations for price mismatches and misleading practices, issuing 210 fines since March 2026. Over 2,300 stations were inspecte...
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- More than 2,300 petrol stations in NSW have been inspected since March 2026 by Fair Trading
- 210 fines have been issued to petrol stations for breaching fuel transparency regulations, with 70% in regional areas
- The Bowser Busters initiative allows motorists to report price mismatches via the FuelCheck app, with 40% of penalty notices issued through this portal
India's failed 2026 Women's Reservation Bill and delimitation controversy
India’s parliament rejected a bill in April 2026 that would have reserved one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, despite broad support for the Women’s Reservation Bill since its unanimous pass...
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- The Women's Reservation Bill, which reserves one-third of parliamentary seats for women, was unanimously passed in 2023 but not yet implemented due to pending electoral boundary redrawing.
- The 2026 vote on the bill failed with 298 MPs voting in favor and 230 against, falling short of the required two-thirds majority for a constitutional amendment.
- The bill was linked to a delimitation process to redraw parliamentary constituencies based on the 2011 census, increasing seats from 543 to about 850.
Death of Michael Tilson Thomas, Grammy-winning conductor and composer
Michael Tilson Thomas, a celebrated American conductor, composer, and 12-time Grammy winner, died aged 81 on April 23–24, 2026, at his San Francisco home. Known for his innovative approach to classica...
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- Michael Tilson Thomas died aged 81 on April 23, 2026, at his San Francisco home
- He was a 12-time Grammy winner and received 39 Grammy nominations
- He served as music director of the San Francisco Symphony for 25 years (1995–2020)
Australia’s US alliance, defence capabilities, and domestic policy debates
Australian political figures are debating the future of the US alliance and national security, with Andrew Hastie warning that over-reliance on the US has weakened Australia’s defence and industrial c...
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- Andrew Hastie (Liberal frontbencher) criticized Australia’s over-reliance on the US alliance, stating it has weakened Australia’s ‘hard power’ and ‘sovereign capabilities’ in a speech to the Robert Menzies Institute on 2026-04-23.
- Hastie argued Australia must invest in its industrial base and defence force, including refining more oil domestically and attracting AI chipmakers, to meet ANZUS commitments.
- Donald Trump has pressured Australia to contribute more to securing the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war, which has disrupted global oil supplies.
US soldier charged for betting on Maduro's removal using classified info
A US Army Special Forces Master Sergeant, Gannon Ken Van Dyke, has been charged with insider trading and fraud for allegedly using classified information to bet over $400,000 on the removal of Venezue...
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- US soldier Gannon Ken Van Dyke (Master Sergeant, US Army Special Forces) was charged with making $400,000+ on Polymarket bets about Nicolás Maduro's removal from office
- Van Dyke was involved in planning and execution of the January 3, 2026 capture of Nicolás Maduro
- Charges include commodities fraud, wire fraud, and unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain
US DOJ audit of Epstein Files Transparency Act compliance and related controversies
The US Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) announced an audit of the DOJ’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of all DOJ files rel...
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- The US Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) announced an audit of the DOJ’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act on April 24, 2026.
- The audit’s preliminary objective is to evaluate the DOJ’s processes for identifying, redacting, and releasing records as required by the act.
- The Epstein Files Transparency Act was passed by Congress in late 2025 and signed into law in November 2025, mandating the release of DOJ files related to Jeffrey Epstein with exceptions for victim privacy, ongoing investigations, and national security.
UK bans tobacco sales to those born after 2008, creating a smoke-free generation
The UK has passed groundbreaking legislation banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, aiming to create a smoke-free generation. The bill, which received final a...
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- The UK parliament passed a bill banning anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, from legally buying tobacco products.
- The legislation will become law after receiving royal assent, with the bill's journey through parliament beginning on November 5, 2024, and ending with House of Lords approval on April 22, 2026.
- The ban will also extend to vapes and nicotine products, prohibiting advertising, branding, and promotion to children, and restricting sales to under-18s.
Ben Roberts-Smith confirms Anzac Day attendance amid war crimes charges
Ben Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient facing five counts of war crime murder related to alleged actions in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012, confirmed he will attend Anzac Day services on Apr...
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- Ben Roberts-Smith confirmed he will attend Anzac Day services to 'pay my respects'
- Roberts-Smith was charged with five counts of war crime murder related to alleged actions in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012
- He was released on bail from Sydney's Silverwater jail to await trial
Australia’s 2026 budget focuses on intergenerational equity, housing, NDIS reforms, and gas tax debates
Australia’s 2026 federal budget, due May 12, will prioritize intergenerational equity amid growing public resentment toward baby boomers, particularly over housing affordability and perceived unfair s...
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- Health Minister Mark Butler announced scrapping the top-up private health insurance subsidy for those over 65, saving $3bn over forward estimates, citing generational equity
- The government plans a $22bn savings overhaul of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), capping cost growth at 2% annually for the next four years
- A Senate inquiry chaired by the Greens is examining a proposed new tax on gas exports, with submissions including Ken Henry’s proposal to invest windfall gains in a sovereign wealth fund for future generations
Police seize $13m meth in Hume Highway drug bust, two charged
Police in Victoria intercepted a Black Toyota Prado on the Hume Highway near Wangaratta on April 24, 2026, uncovering 33kg of methylamphetamine valued at $13 million hidden inside. Two individuals—a 2...
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- Two people (a 22-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman from Hillsdale, NSW) were charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine (33kg) worth $13 million
- The drugs were found in a Black Toyota Prado during a traffic stop on the Hume Highway near Wangaratta, Victoria, on Wednesday afternoon (2026-04-24)
- The suspects are remanded to appear in Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court (on Friday, 2026-04-25, per NEWSCOMAU; 'today' (2026-04-24) per ABC)
Farrer by-election: Coalition preferences One Nation over independent Michelle Milthorpe
The Farrer by-election in New South Wales has become a pivotal contest between independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe and One Nation’s David Farley, with the Liberal and National parties strategical...
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- Liberal and National parties will preference One Nation candidate David Farley over independent Michelle Milthorpe in the Farrer by-election.
- Michelle Milthorpe is a 47-year-old teacher from Jindera, NSW, running as an independent in the Farrer by-election.
- David Farley, the One Nation candidate, is a 69-year-old local agribusiness consultant.
FIA confirms F1 rule changes after driver safety and energy management concerns
Formula 1 has introduced rule changes after drivers raised concerns about energy management and safety issues in the first three races of the 2026 season. The adjustments, agreed upon by the FIA, team...
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- Rule changes agreed on April 20, 2026, by FIA, team principals, power unit manufacturers, and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, subject to ratification by the world motorsport council before the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, 2026.
- Qualifying recharge limit reduced from 8 megajoules to 7 megajoules to encourage flat-out laps without tactical energy recovery.
- Super-clipping recharge limit increased from 250kW to 350kW to reduce 'lift and coast' maneuvering at the end of straights.