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Australia's 2026 federal budget introduces major tax reforms on negative gearing, capital gains tax, and trusts
Australia's 2026 federal budget, delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on May 12, introduces significant tax reforms aimed at addressing intergenerational inequity and housing affordability. The budget ...
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- Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax (CGT), and family trusts in the 2026 federal budget on May 12, 2026.
- Negative gearing will be restricted to new builds only from July 1, 2027, while existing investors will be grandfathered and can continue to negatively gear their properties.
- The 50% capital gains tax discount will be replaced with an inflation-based model starting July 1, 2027, with a minimum 30% tax rate on capital gains from July 1, 2028.
Federal Court rules Coles misled shoppers with fake Down Down discounts
The Federal Court ruled that Coles misled shoppers through its Down Down discount campaign, finding that 13 of 14 sample products were falsely advertised as genuine discounts. The Australian Competiti...
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- Federal Court Judge Michael O'Bryan ruled that 13 of 14 sample products in Coles' Down Down promotions were misleading because discounts were not genuine
- The ACCC sued Coles over 245 common household products under the Down Down promotion between February 2022 and May 2023
- Coles increased prices on products for a median period of 28 days before placing them on Down Down promotions, which the court ruled was too short to be considered genuine discounts
Trump-Xi summit in Beijing focuses on Iran war, Taiwan, trade and tech
Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on May 13, 2026, for a two-day summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the first US presidential visit to China in nearly a decade. The summit is dominated by discussion...
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- Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on May 13, 2026, for a two-day summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, marking the first US presidential visit to China in nearly a decade.
- The Iran war, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz (which carries about 20% of global oil supplies), is a major focus of the summit, with China being Iran’s largest oil buyer.
- Trump stated he would discuss US arms sales to Taiwan with Xi, including a reportedly stalled $11 billion arms package approved in December 2025.
Ivan Cleary announces departure from Penrith Panthers coaching role after 2027 season
Ivan Cleary, the Penrith Panthers coach, announced he will step down after the 2027 NRL season, ending a dynasty that included four consecutive premierships from 2021 to 2024. The decision, made after...
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- Ivan Cleary will not coach Penrith beyond the 2027 NRL season, ending his second stint after four consecutive premierships (2021–2024).
- Peter Wallace, current assistant coach, will replace Cleary as head coach from 2028 on a three-year deal.
- Nathan Cleary (Penrith’s halfback) and key players Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To’o, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Isaiah Papali’i, Blaize Talagi, and Paul Alamoti are off-contract after 2027.
South Carolina Supreme Court overturns Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions due to jury interference
The South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously overturned Alex Murdaugh’s 2023 murder convictions for killing his wife Maggie and son Paul in 2021, citing egregious jury interference by former court cle...
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- Alex Murdaugh, 57, was convicted in 2023 of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul in 2021 and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without parole.
- The South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously overturned Murdaugh’s murder convictions on May 13, 2026, due to 'shocking jury interference' by Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill.
- Becky Hill pleaded guilty in December 2025 to obstruction of justice, perjury, and two counts of misconduct in office, admitting she showed sealed crime scene photos to a reporter and lied about it.
Virgin Australia introduces friction-free bag drop and check-in kiosk removal
Virgin Australia is eliminating traditional check-in kiosks in favor of a streamlined bag drop system that combines boarding pass scanning, bag tag printing, and luggage drop into a single step using ...
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- Virgin Australia is replacing traditional check-in kiosks with a one-stop bag drop system using advanced camera and barcode recognition technology
- The new system allows passengers to scan their boarding pass, print their bag tag, and drop their luggage in a single step without rescanning the boarding pass
- Virgin Australia expects the change to cut boarding processing times by up to 50%
Disgraced barrister Norman O'Bryan avoids jail for fraud in Banksia Securities class action scandal
Norman O'Bryan, a once-respected Victorian Senior Counsel and Order of Australia recipient, avoided jail after pleading guilty to attempting to defraud clients in the Banksia Securities class action s...
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- Norman O'Bryan, 68, was sentenced to 600 hours of community service over four years in the County Court of Victoria on 2026-05-14 for attempting to obtain financial advantage by deception between November 9, 2017, and February 16, 2018.
- O'Bryan was a former Senior Counsel and Order of Australia recipient who led a class action for 16,000 investors affected by the 2012 collapse of Banksia Securities, which owed about $660–$663 million.
- The class action settlement was reached in late 2017 for $64 million, but investors challenged $19.3 million in claimed expenses, including legal fees.
Yindjibarndi awarded $150m in Australia's largest native title compensation payout
The Federal Court awarded Yindjibarndi traditional owners a record $150.1 million in compensation for cultural losses caused by Fortescue’s Solomon Hub iron ore mines, built on their land without perm...
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- Federal Court awarded $150.1 million to Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation (YNAC) for cultural loss and $100,000 for economic loss from Fortescue's Solomon Hub mining operations.
- Fortescue's Solomon Hub mines, built on Yindjibarndi land without their permission, have generated an estimated $80 billion in revenue since operations began in 2013.
- The Yindjibarndi people sought $1.8 billion in compensation, including $1 billion for cultural damage, $678 million for economic loss, and smaller amounts for site destruction and social disharmony.
Albanese government’s property tax reforms and their market impact
The Albanese government’s federal budget introduced major reforms to property taxes, including limiting negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts to new builds from July 2027 while grandfatheri...
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- The Albanese government’s budget changes will limit negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount to investors in new build properties from July 2027, while grandfathering existing investors.
- Treasury forecasts property price growth will slow by about 2 per cent over three years due to the reforms.
- The reforms are expected to lead to 35,000 fewer homes being built over the decade, though other budget measures aim to offset this with 65,000 additional new builds.
Inquest into Clare Nowland’s taser death by NSW police examines dementia response training
A coronial inquest into the death of Clare Nowland, a 95-year-old dementia patient tasered by NSW Police Senior Constable Kristian White in May 2023, began on May 13, 2026, in Queanbeyan. Nowland died...
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- Clare Nowland, a 95-year-old woman with dementia, died on May 24, 2023, after being tasered by NSW Police Senior Constable Kristian James Samuel White on May 17, 2023, at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma, NSW.
- Nowland weighed 48kg (Guardian) or 47.5kg (ABC) and suffered a fatal brain bleed after falling and hitting her head following the taser deployment.
- The inquest began on May 13, 2026, in the Queanbeyan Coroners Court and is scheduled for three days.
AFL investigates Gold Coast Suns staffer Mark Opie over gambling firm links
The AFL integrity unit is investigating Gold Coast Suns team manager Mark Opie over his alleged links to the gambling firm Okebet, which was fined $100,000 in 2024 by the Victorian Gambling and Casino...
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- Mark Opie, a longtime Richmond team manager and Tigers life member, moved to Gold Coast Suns in 2024 and is now under AFL integrity unit investigation for alleged links to gambling firm Okebet.
- Okebet was fined $100,000 in 2024 by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for inducing gambling at local footy clubs, including deals with clubs to encourage players to open accounts in 2023.
- Okebet’s website has stopped offering bets on AFL matches.
Middle-aged women experiencing life upheavals and reinvention
Two articles from SMH and THEAGE explore the phenomenon of middle-aged women undergoing dramatic life changes, including marital breakdowns, career shifts, and personal reinventions. The author descri...
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- The headline 'Middle-aged women are blowing up their lives. This is what’s behind the boom' is identical in both articles.
- The author describes Fiona, a woman who discovered her husband of 30 years cheating with a dishevelled woman and now fights over custody of the 'designer dog' and 'espresso machine'.
- Jodie, aged 67, left her husband of 40 years to hike the Camino trail, describing him as a 'sofa that farts'.
Tasmanian senator Tammy Tyrrell defects to Labor Party in 2026
Tammy Tyrrell, a Tasmanian senator who previously sat as an independent after leaving Jacqui Lambie’s party in 2024, announced her defection to the Labor Party in May 2026. The move, confirmed by both...
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- Tammy Tyrrell, a Tasmanian senator, joined the Labor Party in May 2026 after sitting as an independent for over two years
- Tyrrell previously resigned from Jacqui Lambie’s party in 2024 due to a falling-out, citing dissatisfaction with Lambie
- Tyrrell won the Senate seat previously held by Liberal senator Eric Abetz in 2022
Australia's 2026 budget reforms targeting negative gearing and CGT, sparking political backlash
Australia’s 2026 federal budget, delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on May 14, marks a shift away from the economic policies of the John Howard era, particularly t...
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- The 2026 Australian federal budget was delivered on May 14, 2026, by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
- The budget includes changes to negative gearing and the 50% capital gains tax (CGT) discount to favor younger Australians.
- The Liberal Party and opposition leader Angus Taylor have pledged to fight the changes, sticking with policies benefiting older investors.
St Kilda removed from AFL Pride Game after Lance Collard homophobia case
The Sydney Swans and St Kilda have ended their annual Pride Game partnership in 2026 after fringe St Kilda player Lance Collard was found guilty of using homophobic language in a VFL match. The game, ...
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- St Kilda was removed from the 2026 AFL Pride Game against Sydney Swans due to Lance Collard's homophobic language case
- The Pride Game was originally scheduled for round 13 at the SCG (Sydney Swans vs. St Kilda) but was moved to round 17 (Swans vs. Western Bulldogs)
- Lance Collard, a fringe St Kilda player, was initially found guilty of using homophobic language in a VFL game and banned for seven matches (second offence)
Australia’s Opposition Leader Angus Taylor proposes welfare restrictions for non-citizens
Australia’s Opposition Leader Angus Taylor unveiled a policy on 2026-05-14 restricting access to 17 welfare programs, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and paid parental leave,...
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- Angus Taylor announced a policy banning non-citizens (including permanent residents) from 17 welfare programs, including the NDIS and paid parental leave, effective immediately for new applicants with grandfathering for existing recipients.
- The policy would require a 10-year residency requirement for the age pension and disability support pension, even for naturalized citizens.
- Exemptions would apply to defence/intelligence, domestic violence/child protection, emergency assistance, humanitarian cases, and New Zealanders under bilateral agreements.
Japan Rugby suspends Eddie Jones for verbal abuse during Australia tour
Japan Rugby’s disciplinary panel suspended former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones for six weeks, effective April 24, 2026, after he verbally abused match officials during the Japan Under-23 team’s tour of...
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- Eddie Jones was suspended by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) for verbal abuse directed at match officials during the Japan Under-23 team’s tour of Australia (April 1–15, 2026).
- Jones is banned from coaching Japan in two matches between Japan Select and Hong Kong China Select (May 22 and 29, 2026), the Japan XV vs. Māori All Blacks game (June 27, 2026), and the Japan vs. Italy Test match (July 4, 2026).
- Jones’ suspension lasts six weeks, from April 24 to June 5, 2026.
Finland, Greece, and Australia clash in 2026 Eurovision final amid boycotts and voting reforms
The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna features a high-stakes final between Finland, Greece, and Australia’s Delta Goodrem, after the two European nations dominated the first semi-final. Five coun...
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- Finland and Greece are the two strongest contenders in the 2026 Eurovision final alongside Australia’s Delta Goodrem, after qualifying from the first semi-final.
- The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is the 70th annual event, held in Vienna, Austria, at the Wiener Stadthalle.
- Spain, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia withdrew from the competition, protesting Israel’s inclusion following the war in Gaza.
Giro d’Italia Stage 5 wild finish: Arrieta wins despite crashes and wrong turn; Eulálio takes lead
Stage 5 of the 2026 Giro d’Italia delivered one of the most chaotic finishes in recent memory, with Igor Arrieta (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) winning despite crashing twice and taking a wrong turn just 2km...
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- Igor Arrieta (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) won Stage 5 of the Giro d’Italia despite crashing 13.5km (ABC: 12km/14km) from the finish and taking a wrong turn 2km before the line.
- Afonso Eulálio (Bahrain Victorious) took the overall race lead (maglia rosa) after finishing second in Stage 5, with a 2min 51sec lead over Arrieta.
- Stage 5 was 203km long, starting in Praia a Mare and finishing in Potenza, featuring the Montagna Grande di Viggiano climb (6.6km at 9.2% gradient).
England appoints Marcus North as first foreign men’s cricket selector and names new squad for NZ series
England has appointed former Australian Test cricketer Marcus North as its first foreign national selector for the men’s team, a landmark move that signals a shift in the country’s cricket leadership....
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- Marcus North, a former Australia Test cricketer, is appointed as the first foreign national selector for the England men’s cricket team.
- North will replace Luke Wright, who stepped down earlier this year after the Ashes defeat in Australia.
- North, 46, previously worked as director of cricket at Durham since 2018 and has lived in the north-east of England since the early 2000s.