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Victorian Labor leadership spill: Jacinta Allan resigns, Ben Carroll becomes premier
Victorian Labor Premier Jacinta Allan resigned on July 28, 2026, after a cross-factional delegation of MPs informed her she had lost majority support in the caucus. Her deputy, Ben Carroll, was elected as the new premier following a chaotic leadership spill. The decision came amid mounting pressure due to poor polling, allegations of corruption in the Big Build infrastructure projects, and rising support for One Nation. Allan’s resignation avoided a protracted leadership contest that could have lasted up to six weeks, which would have been detrimental just four months before the November 28, 2026, state election. Carroll’s first act as premier was to announce a royal commission into the construction sector corruption allegations, a move Allan had resisted. Allan’s tenure as premier was marked by scandals inherited from her predecessor, Daniel Andrews, and her leadership faced significant challenges, including low approval ratings and internal party divisions. Carroll’s election was seen as an opportunity to reset the party’s focus on crime, integrity, and economic issues ahead of the election.
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- Jacinta Allan resigned as Victorian premier on July 28, 2026, after losing majority support in the Labor caucus
- Ben Carroll was elected as the new Victorian Labor leader and premier on July 28, 2026, following Allan’s resignation
- A cross-factional delegation of Labor MPs, including Gabrielle Williams, Anthony Carbines, Lizzie Blandthorn, Colin Brooks, Ingrid Stitt, Luba Grigorovitch, Mat Hilakari, and Ella George, informed Jacinta Allan on July 27, 2026, that she had lost majority support in the caucus
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Massive wildfires in France and Spain force evacuations, threaten cities like Bordeaux and Madrid
Massive wildfires in France and Spain have forced unprecedented evacuations, with over 250,000 people displaced by 2026-07-25. In France, a blaze near Bordeaux burned over 10,000 hectares by 2026-07-24, generating a pyrocumulonimbus cloud and threatening the city. Spain declared its first national emergency over wildfires near Madrid and Avila, with fires merging and burning 50,000 hectares in Avila, the largest on record. Both countries activated the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism, deploying aircraft and firefighting teams from across Europe. The fires were fueled by extreme heat, strong winds, and tinder-dry conditions, with three people dying and hundreds of homes destroyed. Authorities warned of another heatwave complicating efforts to contain the blazes, which have burned far more land than average for this time of year, highlighting the worsening climate crisis.
Melbourne businessman convicted of rape after three-week trial
A Melbourne businessman was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault after a three-week trial in the County Court of Victoria. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday after three days of deliberations, followed a case that hinged on the credibility of the complainant, a 27-year-old former personal assistant. The assault occurred on March 23, 2023, after the pair had been drinking and consuming cocaine. The accused, whose identity is suppressed due to ongoing mental health concerns and safety risks, was immediately taken into custody following the guilty verdicts, with his bail revoked. The complainant testified for over a week, describing how the accused allegedly raped her twice after she resisted his advances, including kissing and sexual assault attempts. She punched him in the face during the assault and later contacted her mother, who called police. The accused’s lawyer, Dermot Dann KC, argued the complainant was an unreliable witness, describing her testimony as a mix of lies and inconsistencies. However, the jury rejected these claims. The trial also saw debates over suppression orders, with the accused’s mental health cited as a reason to prevent his identification. DNA evidence was ruled inadmissible, and the case has sparked discussions about media coverage and suppression orders in rape trials.
Qantas Airbus A350-1000ULR record-breaking test flights and Project Sunrise launch details
Qantas and Airbus have completed record-breaking test flights using the Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, part of Project Sunrise aimed at launching nonstop flights between Sydney and London. The aircraft set a new record for the longest nonstop commercial flight, lasting 24 hours and 24 minutes, covering 23,075 km from Melbourne to Toulouse in July 2026. This surpasses the previous record of 22 hours and 42 minutes set by a Boeing 777-200LR in 2005. Qantas plans to operate daily nonstop flights between Sydney and London from October 2027, reducing the journey time from a five-day Kangaroo Route to 19 to 21 hours. The airline has ordered 12 of these aircraft, each seating 238 passengers and carrying 20,000 litres of extra fuel, with the first delivery scheduled for April 2027. The test flights have drawn significant public interest, with over 3.6 million people tracking the Melbourne-Toulouse flight on Flightradar24. The project has faced delays, with earlier announcements suggesting a launch in the first half of 2027, but Airbus’s delivery timeline pushed the start date to October 2027.
NSW Liberal faction's alleged undeclared donations and ICAC inquiry into Reformers group
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating allegations of undeclared political donations and factional influence within the NSW Liberal Party, focusing on the conservative Reformers group. Key figures like Jean-Claude Perrottet, Christian Ellis, and former hotelier Michael O’Hara are central to the inquiry, with claims that donations from sources including Jean Nassif ($2m), Catholic Schools NSW (over $250,000), and O’Hara ($165,000) were used to fund Reformers activities. Federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, though not accused of wrongdoing, has been linked to messages suggesting he was approached for a $10,000 donation in 2021, though his spokesperson denies any involvement. The inquiry, running for eight weeks under Operation Rosny, examines whether these donations breached NSW’s Electoral Funding Act and whether the Reformers operated outside legal political structures. Testimony from Dylan Whitelaw and others has revealed the group’s efforts to recruit conservative members and influence party policy, raising questions about the politicization of organizations like Catholic Schools NSW, which administers nearly $4bn in grants.
Global wealth imbalance risks and potential economic corrections per McKinsey 2026 report
Two identical articles from THEAGE and SMH report on a McKinsey Global Institute analysis from July [DATE UNVERIFIED] warning of a $2.6 quadrillion global wealth bubble built on paper gains rather than real economic growth. The report finds global wealth surged to $1.8 quadrillion in [DATE UNVERIFIED] from $1.7 quadrillion in 2024, but only 20% of household wealth gains came from real capital formation, with the rest driven by asset valuations and inflation. Key risks include US equities trading at 2.4 times net assets, China’s corporate debt at 80% of real assets, and government debt exceeding 100% of GDP in eight major economies. McKinsey outlines three potential outcomes: a productivity-driven reset (unlikely given AI’s current impact), sustained inflation eroding asset values, or a traumatic balance sheet 'reset' akin to the 2000 dot-com crash or 2008 financial crisis. The articles also highlight disparities between the US (needing to consume less and save more) and China (needing to save less and consume more), with AI’s role in productivity gains described as uncertain and potentially exacerbating inequality.
ASIC finds banks paid $55m in compensation for mortgage offset account failures
The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has found that eight major banks paid more than $55 million in compensation over two years to customers affected by failures in mortgage offset accounts. These failures, often caused by human error, led to customers paying more interest than intended, with ASIC identifying that 77 per cent of failures went undetected by banks before the regulator intervened. The review covered reports from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2025, and highlighted systemic issues, including banks struggling to confirm whether customers had requested offset accounts and delays in fixing problems. Both sources agree that the failures were widespread, with ASIC warning that the harm to customers can be hidden, as repayments may remain unchanged while interest costs rise. The Guardian notes that savings in offset accounts have reached nearly $350 billion, while the ABC provides specific examples of customers receiving compensation ranging from $5,000 to over $10,000. The banking industry has acknowledged the errors, with the Australian Banking Association stating that 99% of cases were managed correctly, though ASIC emphasizes the need for better practices to prevent future issues.
Harvey Norman and Latitude Financial fined for misleading ads campaign
Harvey Norman and Latitude Financial were fined a combined $55 million ($35 million and $20 million, respectively) for a misleading advertising campaign that ran from January 2020 to August 2021. The ads promoted a 60-month interest-free payment scheme that required customers to take out a credit card, including hidden fees. The Federal Court ruled in October 2024 that the companies breached consumer law, and the decision was upheld on appeal in September last year. Both companies were ordered to publish corrected advertising for 90 days. The ABC notes additional penalties for Latitude, including $3.96 million for spam violations, while the SMH highlights Gerry Harvey's critical remarks about the legal system as a factor in the higher penalty for Harvey Norman. ASIC described the penalties as a warning to the market about consumer marketing integrity.
Earthquakes in Japan's Kumamoto region cause damage, deaths, and evacuations
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s Kumamoto region at 4:27 p.m. local time, causing severe damage including the collapse of a shopping mall’s second floor and trapping people inside. The quake, which reached level 7 on Japan’s Shindo scale, occurred about 20 kilometres south of Kumamoto, a city with a population of around 700,000. Reports indicate an explosion at the Aeon Mall, with police confirming 'quite a few' presumed deaths. The earthquake triggered power outages affecting 48,000 homes, fires, and infrastructure damage, including a derailed train and damaged stone walls at Kumamoto Castle. Authorities warned of further tremors for about a week and instructed around 300,000 people to evacuate. The event follows devastating earthquakes in Kumamoto in 2016, which killed 273 people and injured over 2,800 others. The quake also prompted evacuations at industrial plants and led to a temporary tsunami warning, later rescinded. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed the government’s emergency response efforts, emphasizing the need for residents to take protective actions.
Missing baby boy search after mother and toddler found dead off SA coast
Emergency services are searching for a missing baby boy, described as about two months old or three-month-old, off the coast of South Australia near Port MacDonnell, about 400 kilometres south-east of Adelaide. The search follows the discovery of the bodies of a 36-year-old woman and her toddler, who was 23 months old, found floating in the ocean yesterday after a car with its engine running was reported about 11:15am on Monday. Police have confirmed the vehicle involved is a white Isuzu MU-X with registration S592 BJR and are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. The search was temporarily suspended about 3:30pm on Tuesday due to rough weather but is set to resume tomorrow morning. Authorities have expressed grave concerns for the baby’s safety, though survivability experts suggest it is unlikely the child has survived. The incident remains under investigation, with police exploring multiple scenarios and speaking to the husband of the deceased woman.
Johnson & Johnson settles talc cancer lawsuits for billions
Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $5.5bn (or $7.9 billion in Australian dollars) to settle approximately 76,000 lawsuits alleging its talc products caused ovarian cancer, covering nearly all remaining claims. The settlement requires 95% of claimants to approve it and excludes future lawsuits, with payments expected to total $3bn in 2027 and additional amounts in 2028, potentially reaching $7bn. The company stopped selling talc-based baby powder in 2020 and faced a three-year pause in litigation after its 'Texas two-step' bankruptcy strategy failed, with three dismissed filings. Payments will be completed within 18 months, faster than previous proposals spread over more than a decade. Both sources agree the deal follows a decade-long legal battle with mixed trial outcomes, including a multi-billion-dollar verdict for 22 women, and J&J’s denial of talc causing cancer.
Michelin-starred South Korean restaurant faces legal action for serving ants in dessert
A Michelin-starred restaurant in South Korea’s Gangnam district is facing legal consequences for serving ants in a dessert, despite the insects not being approved for human consumption under local law. Both the Guardian and ABC report that the restaurant, which holds two Michelin stars, served the ant-topped dessert approximately 12,000 to 12,200 times over a period spanning from 2021, with the ABC specifying the timeline as April 2021 to January 2025. The investigation was triggered by social media and blog posts, and the court is set to deliver its verdict on 2 September. The restaurant, Evett, was founded in 2019 by Australian chef Joseph Lidgerwood, who is not a defendant but a shareholder. Prosecutors allege the ants were illegally imported from Thailand and the United States, while the restaurant claims they were imported through official customs procedures. The Guardian notes the prosecution sought a 20m won fine and one year in prison, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison or a 50m won fine, while the ABC focuses on the restaurant’s defence that the ants were an optional garnish in a multi-course menu.
Labor Party debate on telehealth for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) and federal law barriers
The core story revolves around the Australian Labor Party’s shift in policy at its 50th national conference in Adelaide, where delegates committed to removing federal barriers to telehealth for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) consultations. This change directly challenges a 2005 commonwealth criminal law that bans telehealth for 'suicide-related material', including VAD, imposing fines up to $300,000 for breaches. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, while personally unconvinced about telehealth for VAD, acknowledged the party’s platform change and stated cabinet would decide if legislation is drafted. Advocates, including Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young and independent MP Kate Chaney, have announced plans to introduce private member’s bills to address the issue. The debate highlights tragic cases, such as Patrick Hammer and Tom, who died due to travel barriers for VAD consultations, and the broader concern that rural Australians face unequal access to end-of-life care. Support for telehealth exceptions comes from medical associations, legal bodies, and state attorneys general, arguing it is a safe and necessary tool for patients too unwell to travel. Albanese’s hesitation centers on potential misuse and undermining safeguards, though the party’s platform guarantees a conscience vote for MPs. Meanwhile, the ABC notes Albanese’s broader comments on US tariffs, data centre legislation, and local government funding, which were not central to the VAD debate but reflect concurrent policy discussions.
The Castle film adaptation into a stage production announced for 2027 anniversary
The classic Australian comedy *The Castle* is being adapted into a stage production to mark its 30th anniversary in March 2027. The adaptation, written by the original filmmakers—Rob Sitch, Tom Gleisner, Santo Cilauro, and Jane Kennedy—will premiere at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre. Both sources confirm the production will include a quarter of a century’s worth of updates, blending the original story with modern humor. The writers have reportedly wanted to stage the film for the best part of 25 years, and the project is being produced by Working Dog Productions. The Guardian notes the film’s cultural impact, including its study in Australian schools, while the ABC highlights specific creative details like the director and designer.
Death of Bill Oddie, member of The Goodies, at age 85
Bill Oddie, a British actor, comedian, and broadcaster best known as a member of the 1970s comedy trio The Goodies, died at aged 85. The Goodies, which ran from 1970 and 1982 with 76 episodes, was a surreal comedy series blending slapstick, satire, and music. Oddie, alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden, created iconic characters and songs, including 'The Funky Gibbon', which reached number four in 1975. Brooke-Taylor died in April 2020 at aged 79, leaving Garden as the only surviving member of the trio. Beyond comedy, Oddie was a prominent wildlife presenter and conservationist, known for his work on BBC series like Springwatch. His death was confirmed by his agent, David Foster, who described him as a multi-talented entertainer and conservationist. Oddie struggled with bipolar disorder and depression, which influenced his career and personal life. The Goodies achieved significant popularity, including 12 million viewers at its mid-70s peak, but faced challenges with BBC executives classifying it as a children's show, despite its complex themes and adult appeal.
ACTU leaders Sally McManus and Michele O’Neil resign after eight years
Sally McManus and Michele O’Neil, the first all-female leadership team in the ACTU’s 99-year history, are resigning after eight years together. McManus will leave next month (end of August) and O’Neil before the end of the year, with the ACTU’s next leadership team to be decided at next year’s Congress, marking the ACTU’s 100th Anniversary. Both leaders have been praised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for their advocacy, with union membership growing and over 47 new workplace rights secured. The ABC notes McManus has been secretary since 2017 and O’Neil president since 2018, while the Guardian highlights the ACTU’s shift in focus to targeting Pauline Hanson’s One Nation as the biggest political threat. The Guardian also reports on unrelated hearings about underpaid call center workers and a leadership challenge for Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.
Singer D4vd accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez and mutilating her body
Singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, is facing trial for the alleged murder and mutilation of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in April 2025. Prosecutors claim Burke stabbed Hernandez to death at his Los Angeles residence to prevent her from exposing their sexual relationship, which began when he was 18 and she was 13. Text messages and forensic evidence, including bloodstains in Burke’s Tesla and garage, support the prosecution’s case. Hernandez’s dismembered body was found in Burke’s car in September 2025, five months after her death, and her autopsy revealed two stab wounds. Burke, now 21, has pleaded not guilty and argues the evidence is insufficient, highlighting Hernandez’s threats against him. A preliminary hearing in July 2025 established probable cause for trial, with testimony including graphic details of the crime and Burke’s financial motivations, as he earned over $7.2m from 2022 to 2025. Both sides presented text messages showing Hernandez’s threats to expose their relationship, while defense attorneys questioned the forensic evidence and Burke’s alleged intent.
Mayo ends 75-year Gaelic football title drought by beating Kerry in 2023 All-Ireland final
Mayo ended a 75-year Gaelic football title drought by defeating Kerry in the All-Ireland final, breaking a long-standing 'curse' tied to the 1951 winning team. The victory came after 11 consecutive final losses since 1989, with the last surviving member of the 1951 team, Paddy Prendergast, dying in 2021 at aged 95. The final was played at Croke Park before an estimated 80,000-plus crowd, with Mayo winning 1-20 to 1-17. The win was celebrated globally, including by figures like Joe Biden, who referenced it during a 2023 visit, and the Gallagher brothers. The victory marked the end of a legendary drought, with Mayo’s young players, including an 18-year-old AFL-bound talent, leading the charge.
Carly Simon announces Parkinson's diagnosis and new album release
Carly Simon, an 83-year-old musician, announced her diagnosis with Parkinson's disease in July [DATE UNVERIFIED]. She revealed that her health struggles began after hip and knee replacement surgeries due to arthritis and included treatment for basal cell carcinoma on her face. Despite her condition, Simon is releasing a new album, *Comes in Waves*, on 14 August, marking her first original album since 2008. She described Parkinson's as unpredictable, affecting her mobility and energy but not defining her life. Both sources highlight her career spanning decades, including her iconic 1972 hit *You're So Vain*, and emphasize how music has helped her cope. The Guardian adds that over 10 million people worldwide live with Parkinson's, with 90,000 new diagnoses annually in the US, while the ABC notes her diagnosis was made after extensive evaluation without specifying the clinic.