Latest News Stories
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Today
Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz amid US-Iran ceasefire and nuclear talks
On April 17, 2026, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz fully open to commercial shipping for the duration of a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, triggering a 10% drop in oil prices as global markets reacted...
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- Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz 'completely open' for commercial shipping on April 17, 2026, for the duration of the ceasefire in Lebanon
- The ceasefire in Lebanon began on April 17, 2026, after Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a 10-day truce
- US President Donald Trump welcomed Iran’s announcement but stated the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain until a deal is finalized
Fatal car crash at Melbourne Showgrounds during Supanova Comic Con kills one, injures another
A fatal car crash occurred on April 18, 2026, at approximately 5pm on Langs Road in Ascot Vale, outside the Melbourne Showgrounds, where the Supanova Comic Con & Gaming event was underway. A 33-year-o...
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- A 33-year-old Werribee man was arrested at the scene and is 'well known to police'
- The incident occurred on Langs Road in Ascot Vale just after 5pm on April 18, 2026
- A silver Toyota Echo (described as grey/blue-grey sedan in some reports) swerved onto the footpath and traveled 120 metres along it
Elijah Hollands' mental health episode during Carlton's loss to Collingwood
Elijah Hollands, a Carlton utility player with a history of mental health struggles and past substance issues, experienced a public mental health episode during Carlton’s narrow loss to Collingwood at...
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- Elijah Hollands played 60% of Carlton’s match against Collingwood on 2026-04-17 for a solitary kick, despite erratic on-field behavior.
- Hollands was benched for most of the last quarter, playing only 8.5 minutes in the final term.
- Carlton coach Michael Voss described Hollands as 'pretty shattered' and 'emotional' after the game, saying he felt he 'let people down'.
Queensland arrests protesters for banned pro-Palestine slogans at Brisbane rally
On April 18, 2026, Queensland police arrested 20 protesters at a pro-Palestine rally in Brisbane after they chanted or displayed banned slogans 'from the river to the sea' and 'globalise the intifada'...
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- 20 protesters were arrested at a pro-Palestine rally in Brisbane on April 18, 2026, for chanting or displaying 'from the river to the sea' and 'globalise the intifada'
- Police laid 14 charges of displaying prohibited expression and 7 charges of reciting prohibited expression
- The rally was held at Emma Miller Pl (Roma St) in Brisbane on April 18, 2026, with about 300 protesters
Machete attack at Melbourne's Eaton Mall involving masked assailants and teen victims
On April 17, 2026, around 7:30–7:45 PM, a group of 8–12 masked men armed with machetes attacked an 18-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy at Eaton Mall in Oakleigh, Melbourne. The victim suffered non-l...
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- An 18-year-old man from Malvern East was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries after being attacked with machetes at Eaton Mall, Oakleigh, on April 17, 2026, around 7:45 PM.
- A group of approximately 8–12 masked men wearing balaclavas assaulted the victim and fled on foot; at least two assailants used machetes.
- A 16-year-old boy was also assaulted but sustained no injuries.
LIV Golf faces funding crisis as Saudi Arabia’s PIF may withdraw support
LIV Golf is facing an existential crisis as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) reportedly considers cutting or ending its $5 billion+ funding, which has sustained the league since 2021. The F...
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- Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is considering cutting or ending funding for LIV Golf, with reports suggesting a decision could come by April 2026.
- LIV Golf’s UK arm lost $461.3 million in 2024, $393.9 million in 2023, and $243.7 million in the 18 months to the end of 2022, totaling over $1.1 billion in losses over three years.
- LIV Golf has spent an estimated $5 billion since its launch in 2021, including lucrative contracts for players like Jon Rahm ($454 million) and massive tournament purses.
Australia's economic and defence resilience amid global instability and rising populism
Australia faces heightened concerns over economic and defence resilience amid global instability, highlighted by the April 18, 2026 fire at Geelong’s oil refinery, which supplies half of domestically ...
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- Geelong’s oil refinery fire occurred on April 18, 2026, and supplies half of Australia’s domestically refined fuel (80-90% of total fuel is imported).
- The Geelong refinery has been kept operational only by government subsidies and is 72 years old.
- Australia’s defence minister, Richard Marles, announced plans to produce missiles in South Australia (assembly) and Newcastle (manufacturing starting 2027), with a third facility for hypersonic missiles planned in a few years.
Australia's oil refinery crisis after fire at Viva Energy's Corio refinery and decline to two refineries
Australia’s fuel security is under scrutiny after a fire at Viva Energy’s Corio refinery in Geelong, which supplies half of Victoria’s fuel and 10% of the nation’s. The incident highlights the country...
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- Australia had eight oil refineries in 2000, now only two remain: Ampol’s Lytton Refinery in Brisbane and Viva Energy’s Geelong Refinery in Corio.
- Viva Energy’s Corio refinery in Geelong, Victoria, suffered an explosive fire on Wednesday night (2026-04-16), raising concerns about fuel security.
- Six oil refineries closed in Australia since 2000, including ExxonMobil’s Port Stanvac (2003–2009), Shell’s Clyde (2009), Caltex’s Kurnell (2010), BP’s Bulwer Island (2015), and BP’s Kwinana (2021, converted to import terminal).
Simon Patterson’s memoir on Erin Patterson’s triple murder case and appeals
Simon Patterson, the estranged husband of convicted triple murderer Erin Patterson, is writing a memoir about the case, which involved the poisoning deaths of his parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and ...
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- Erin Patterson was convicted of murdering Simon Patterson’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt Heather Wilkinson, and the attempted murder of Heather Wilkinson’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, in July 2023.
- The murders occurred after Erin Patterson served a lunch laced with death cap mushrooms to her in-laws on July 2023.
- Erin Patterson was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 33 years, which is being appealed by the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions.
Australia signs $10B+ deal with Japan for 11 Mogami-class frigates
Australia and Japan formally signed a multi-billion-dollar contract on April 18, 2026, for the production of 11 upgraded Mogami-class frigates to replace Australia’s ageing Anzac-class vessels. The fi...
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- Australia signed a contract with Japan for the first three Mogami-class frigates on 2026-04-18, formalized by the Mogami Memorandum.
- The first three frigates will be built in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with delivery scheduled from 2029.
- The remaining eight frigates will be built at the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia.
Coroner rules toddler’s leukaemia death at Perth hospital was preventable due to missed blood tests
A coronial inquest into the death of 21-month-old Sandipan Dhar at Joondalup Health Campus in Perth ruled his death from undiagnosed acute leukaemia was preventable due to missed opportunities for a b...
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- Sandipan Dhar was 21 months old when he died at Joondalup Health Campus, Perth, on March 24, 2024, from undiagnosed acute leukaemia
- Sandipan’s parents took him to Joondalup Health Campus on March 22, 2024, and requested a blood test, which was ignored by hospital staff
- Acting State Coroner Sarah Linton ruled Sandipan’s death was ‘highly preventable’ (NEWSCOMAU) or ‘probably preventable’ (ABC) if a blood test had been performed on March 22, 2024
Roberts-Smith family supports son amid war crime allegations and legal battles
The Roberts-Smith family, particularly Len and Sue, have remained steadfast in their support for their eldest son Ben, a former SAS soldier and Victoria Cross recipient, despite his current legal trou...
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- Len and Sue Roberts-Smith gifted their eldest son Ben an ornate sword presented to Len when he was promoted to major-general, which Ben initially declined due to its sentimental value.
- Ben Roberts-Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross and later charged with five counts of war crimes (including murder) in 2026.
- Roberts-Smith senior (Len) offered $250,000 as surety to secure Ben’s bail after he spent 10 days in Silverwater Correctional Complex.
Search for missing man who fell overboard from Carnival Splendor cruise ship near Brisbane
A search is underway for a man in his 70s who fell overboard from the Carnival Splendor cruise ship approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Moreton Island on Friday night, April 18, 2026. The man, tr...
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- A man in his 70s fell overboard from the Carnival Splendor cruise ship about 30km northeast of Moreton Island on Friday night (April 18, 2026, around 2:00am local time).
- The man climbed over the safety railing and jumped overboard, confirmed by Carnival Cruise Line’s review of CCTV footage.
- The Carnival Splendor was sailing from Moreton Island towards Sydney when the incident occurred.
Melbourne hospitality venues targeted in spate of arson attacks; police investigate motive
Melbourne police are investigating a spate of arson attacks targeting at least six licensed venues across the city between April 16 and 18, 2026, with no clear motive established. Two teenagers (16 an...
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- At least six licensed venues in Melbourne were targeted by firebombings between Tuesday (2026-04-16) and Friday (2026-04-18), including Men’s Gallery (Lonsdale St), Albion (York St, South Melbourne), Emerson (Commercial Rd, South Yarra), Kittens Strip Club (South Melbourne), Soho Restaurant and Bar (Southbank), and an unnamed neighbouring business.
- Police arrested two boys aged 16 and 17 in Balwyn at ~5am on Friday (2026-04-18) in connection with an arson attack in Southbank.
- A 25-year-old man from Coburg was arrested in relation to a fire at the Albion on York Street on Wednesday (2026-04-17).
UK PM Starmer’s appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite failed security vetting
The core story revolves around British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US in February 2025, despite Mandelson failing UK Security Vetting (UKSV) clear...
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- Peter Mandelson failed UK Security Vetting (UKSV) clearance in late January 2025 for the US ambassador role, but the Foreign Office overruled the decision.
- Sir Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s permanent secretary, was in charge when the decision to override UKSV’s denial was made in late January 2025.
- Keir Starmer announced Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador before the vetting process was completed, creating a dilemma for officials.
Marie-Louise Eta becomes first woman to coach a men's team in Europe's top five leagues
Marie-Louise Eta made history on April 13, 2026, as the first woman to coach a men’s team in a competitive fixture in Europe’s top five leagues, taking charge of Union Berlin in their Bundesliga match...
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- Marie-Louise Eta (34) will be the first woman to coach a men's team in a competitive fixture in Europe's top five leagues (Bundesliga, Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1).
- Eta will coach Union Berlin in their Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg on April 13 (Guardian) or April 18 (ABC) — note: Guardian specifies 2026-04-13, ABC says 'Saturday' (likely same date).
- Union Berlin are 11th in the Bundesliga with 7 points clear of the relegation playoff spot, having won just 2 of their last 14 games.
World Cup 2026 transit price hikes and disputes over fan transportation costs in New Jersey
New Jersey officials have confirmed steep price hikes for World Cup 2026 transit to MetLife Stadium, with round-trip train fares set at $150 (or $209 as initially reported by ABC, later corrected) fro...
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- NJ Transit will charge $150 (ABC says $209, but Guardian confirms $150 as the flat fare) for a round-trip train ticket from Manhattan's Penn Station to MetLife Stadium for World Cup matches. Both sources agree the fare is a significant increase from the regular $12.90 (Guardian) or $18 (ABC) fare.
- MetLife Stadium will host eight World Cup matches, including the tournament final on July 20 (AEST), with group stage matches beginning June 13.
- NJ Transit anticipates transporting about 40,000 fans per match to MetLife Stadium, with most relying on mass transit due to limited on-site parking.
Yesterday
Uncounted ballots in SA’s Narungga seat threaten One Nation’s razor-thin victory
Multiple news outlets report that the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) discovered 81 uncounted ballots for the seat of Narungga, a Yorke Peninsula district won by One Nation’s Chantelle ...
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- 81 unopened ballots were discovered for the seat of Narungga, including 77 absent ordinary ballot papers and 4 declaration ballot papers from Stuart district
- One Nation’s Chantelle Thomas won Narungga by a margin of 58 votes (0.1%) after the initial recount on April 1–2, 2026
- A further recount was ordered for April 17, 2026, to determine if the result would have changed if the 81 ballots were included
Daniel Kinahan, alleged Irish mob boss, arrested in UAE for extradition to Ireland
Daniel Kinahan, the alleged leader of the Irish Kinahan organised crime group, was arrested in Dubai on 15 April 2026 following an extradition warrant issued by Irish courts for serious organised crim...
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- Daniel Kinahan, alleged leader of the Kinahan organised crime group, was arrested in Dubai on 15 April 2026
- The arrest followed an Irish court-issued extradition warrant for alleged serious organised crime offences
- The arrest was made under the bilateral extradition agreement between Ireland and the UAE, signed in 2025
NSW court strikes down protest law, complicating Minns' 'globalise the intifada' ban plans
The NSW Court of Appeal struck down a controversial anti-protest law on April 17, 2026, ruling that protecting 'social cohesion' from inflammatory speech is not a valid constitutional purpose. The law...
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- NSW Court of Appeal struck down an anti-protest law on April 17, 2026, ruling it unconstitutionally burdened freedom of political communication
- The law was introduced after the Bondi Beach terror attack and gave police power to restrict marches, including the anti-Herzog rally in February 2026
- The Court of Appeal ruled that protecting 'social cohesion' from 'upsetting, inflammatory, and divisive' speech is not a legitimate constitutional purpose