Latest News Stories
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Today
Booing disrupts Anzac Day Welcome to Country speeches across Australia
Anzac Day dawn services across Australia were disrupted in 2026 by booing during Welcome to Country speeches in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Indigenous elders Uncle Ray Minniecon, Uncle Mark Brown, a...
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- Uncle Ray Minniecon (Kabi-Kabi, Gurang-Gurang, South Sea Islander) was booed during the Welcome to Country at Sydney’s Martin Place dawn service on 2026-04-25
- Uncle Mark Brown (Bunurong, Gunditjmara) was booed during the Welcome to Country at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance dawn service on 2026-04-25
- Aunty Di Ryder (Whadjuk, Noongar) was booed during the Welcome to Country at Perth’s Kings Park dawn service on 2026-04-25
Shooting incident at White House Correspondents’ Dinner disrupts Trump’s speech, suspect apprehended
On April 26, 2026, a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel forced the evacuation of U.S. President Donald Trump and other high-profile attendees. A...
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- A shooter was apprehended after attempting to breach security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 26, 2026, at the Washington Hilton hotel.
- Donald Trump and Melania Trump were evacuated from the event unharmed, with Trump later holding a press briefing at the White House.
- The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.
Victoria’s election-year cost-of-living rebates and budget pressures
Victoria’s Allan government announced a 20% rebate on light vehicle registration fees starting June 1, 2026, offering up to $186 back per eligible vehicle, with applications closing July 31. The move,...
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- Victorian motorists can claim a 20% rebate on light vehicle registration fees (up to $186 per vehicle, $372 for two) starting June 1, 2026, for the 2025/26 financial year.
- The rebate applies to personal-use vehicles under 4.5 tonnes (cars, utes) and excludes fleet/commercial vehicles over 4.5 tonnes.
- Applications for the rebate open June 1, 2026, and close July 31, 2026, via the Services Victoria website.
Sydney childcare worker charged with assaulting two young boys at a Panania centre
A 25-year-old male childcare worker was charged with two counts of common assault after allegedly slapping two young boys, aged three and four, at a Panania childcare centre in Sydney on April 24, 202...
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- A 25-year-old male childcare worker was charged with two counts of common assault after allegedly slapping two boys (aged three and four) at a childcare centre in Panania, Sydney.
- The alleged assaults occurred on April 24, 2026, around 1:00 PM at a childcare centre in Panania, Sydney’s southwest.
- Police arrested the suspect on April 25, 2026, at approximately 7:45 AM at an address in Belmore, Sydney.
Assault at Sydney hospital by patient leaves nurse injured; security concerns highlighted
A 51-year-old man allegedly assaulted multiple people, including nurses and police, at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney’s Randwick on April 26, 2026, around 8:30 PM. The incident, described as menta...
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- A 51-year-old man allegedly assaulted nurses, police, and a member of the public at Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick on April 26, 2026, around 8:30 PM.
- The man seriously injured a nurse’s leg during the incident, with the nurse hospitalized for further treatment.
- Police used a Taser to subdue the 51-year-old man after he allegedly assaulted an officer.
George Pittar wins maiden WSL title at Margaret River Pro 2026
George Pittar, a 23-year-old Australian surfer, made history by winning his first World Surf League (WSL) championship tour title at the 2026 Margaret River Pro in Western Australia. Pittar defeated t...
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- George Pittar (23, Australian) won the 2026 Margaret River Pro men's event, his first WSL championship tour title.
- Pittar defeated three-time world champion Gabriel Medina (Brazil) in the final, winning 15.17 to 12.46 with a 9.0 wave score (highest of the men's competition).
- Pittar had previously beaten Brazilian surfers Filipe Toledo, Yago Dora, and Ítalo Ferreira in earlier heats of the same event.
'Made in China' EVs dominate global markets amid data security and espionage concerns
China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry is rapidly expanding globally, with brands like BYD and Xpeng leveraging advanced technologies such as five-minute charging and AI-driven autonomous systems to d...
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- China’s annual auto show featured BYD showcasing its five-minute 'flash' charging technology in sub-zero climates (minus 30 degrees)
- Xpeng promoted its in-house 'super brain' AI chip for autonomous driving, claiming it will enable mass-produced flying vehicles by 2027
- Chinese EV exports have boomed by 140% from March 2025 due to the Iran war and fuel price spikes from Strait of Hormuz disruptions
Sydney beaches closed due to whale carcass and shark activity
Multiple beaches in Sydney’s Royal National Park—Garie, Era, Wattamolla, and Burning Palms—have been closed due to a whale carcass washing ashore, which has attracted sharks including great whites and...
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- Beaches Garie, Era, Wattamolla, and Burning Palms in Sydney’s Royal National Park are closed due to shark risk from a whale carcass
- The whale carcass was found on rocks at the southern end of Era Beach
- The whale carcass was spotted by Era Surf Life Saving Club members on April 26, 2026 (Saturday morning)
Angus Taylor aligns with Hanson on immigration, Farrer byelection preferences, and Anzac Day booing
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor aligned with Pauline Hanson’s anti-immigration stance on 2026-04-26, arguing migration numbers are too high and standards too low, while insisting screening should focus...
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- Angus Taylor said 'there is a higher risk that some bad people come from those bad countries' during an ABC interview on 2026-04-26
- Taylor referenced Iran as a 'bad country' and noted Australia's government had banned ~7,000 Iranian visa holders from entering for six months
- Pauline Hanson is scheduled to speak at the 'Rally To End Mass Immigration' outside Parliament House in Canberra on 2026-04-28 (Sunday)
Far-right group members blocked from Anzac Day services after booing incidents
On 2026-04-26, Anzac Day services across Australia were disrupted by booing during Welcome to Country ceremonies, linked to online campaigns by the far-right group Fight for Australia (formerly March ...
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- Police in Perth detained five people linked to March for Australia/Fight for Australia from attending the Anzac Day Dawn Service on 2026-04-26, citing potential disruption based on their group’s prior actions in eastern states.
- Booing during Welcome to Country ceremonies occurred at Anzac Day services in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth on 2026-04-26.
- Fight for Australia (formerly March for Australia) encouraged followers to boo Welcome to Country ceremonies via online campaigns, including sharing a template to request RSL branches cancel them.
Yesterday
US cancels Iran peace talks in Pakistan amid stalled negotiations and regional tensions
US President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled a planned trip by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran on April 25, 2026, citing wasted time and leadership instabi...
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- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan on April 25, 2026, without meeting US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner
- US President Donald Trump cancelled the trip of envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan for Iran talks on April 25, 2026, citing wasted time and leadership confusion in Iran
- Iran’s foreign minister met with Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Pakistan
Trump’s Iran deal strategy and military pressure amid stalled negotiations
Donald Trump’s administration is maintaining a deliberate, high-pressure stance on Iran negotiations, emphasizing economic and military leverage over diplomacy. During an April 25 Oval Office press co...
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- Donald Trump held a 12-minute digression during an Oval Office news conference on April 25, 2026 (Washington time) about healthcare, discussing West Wing repaving and Lincoln Memorial pool renovations.
- Trump stated, ‘Don’t rush me,’ and claimed Iran is under time pressure due to oil export blockades, referencing the NASHA crude carrier being moved toward Kharg Island for storage.
- Iran faces reduced oil production risks if the U.S. blockade isn’t lifted, with TankerTrackers and MarineTraffic confirming the NASHA ship’s movement toward Kharg Island.
Developer Assemble reduces affordable housing commitments in Melbourne projects
Developer Assemble has secured approval to slash affordable housing commitments in two Melbourne projects—Brunswick and Coburg—reducing the total from 373 to 125 units. Originally promised under a 60%...
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- Assemble reduced affordable homes in Brunswick and Coburg from 373 to 125 across both developments
- Brunswick development's affordable homes dropped from 170 to 57
- Coburg development's affordable homes dropped from 203 to 68
Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Madrid Open and French Open due to wrist injury, boosting Jannik Sinner's chances
Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the 2026 Madrid Open and French Open due to a right wrist injury sustained during his first-round match at the Barcelona Open in April 2026. This marks the second consecut...
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- Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the 2026 Madrid Open due to a right wrist injury sustained in his opening round match at the Barcelona Open (April 2026).
- Alcaraz also withdrew from the 2026 French Open (Roland Garros) and Rome Masters due to the same wrist injury, citing test results that advised caution.
- Alcaraz wore a cast on his right wrist during the Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid on April 22, 2026.
University of Melbourne uses six-year-old COVID-era lectures amid financial struggles and student complaints
The University of Melbourne is facing criticism for using six-year-old recorded lectures from the COVID era in its bachelor of biomedicine program, despite charging domestic students nearly $13,600 an...
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- The University of Melbourne is using six-year-old recorded lectures from the COVID era in its bachelor of biomedicine program alongside in-person teaching.
- Tuition fees for the bachelor of biomedicine course were nearly $13,600 for domestic students and over $56,000 for international students in 2025.
- Acting dean Mike McGuckin of the faculty of medicine, dentistry and health sciences stated that in-person teaching is prioritized and the university is phasing out the COVID-era material.
Russian drone/missile strikes on Ukraine kill seven, injure dozens; Zelenskyy visits Azerbaijan for alliances
Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine on April 25–26, 2026, killed at least seven people and injured dozens, with the worst damage in Dnipro where an apartment building collapsed and four bodie...
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- Seven people were killed in Russian drone/missile strikes on Ukraine on April 25–26, 2026, including five in Dnipro and two in Chernihiv region
- Russia launched 619 drones and 47 missiles overnight on April 25–26, 2026, with Ukraine downing 580 drones and 30 missiles
- An apartment building in Dnipro collapsed after being struck, with four bodies recovered from the rubble; a second strike later killed one more person
AFL sacks appeals boss after homophobia ruling backlash
The AFL dismissed appeals board chair Will Houghton KC on April 25, 2026, after his panel reduced St Kilda player Lance Collard’s homophobic slur suspension from seven to two weeks (or nine to four we...
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- Will Houghton KC was dismissed as AFL appeals board chair effective immediately on April 25, 2026
- The AFL rejected the appeals board’s statement that 'it is commonplace that players can employ language from time to time which is racist, sexist or homophobic whilst on the field'
- St Kilda player Lance Collard was initially suspended for seven weeks for using homophobic language in a VFL match, later reduced to two weeks by the appeals board
Traveler complaints about airline refunds, cancellations, and agent fees
Both articles highlight traveler frustrations with airline refund policies, agent fees, and unexpected costs during disruptions. Yvonne Trevaskis from Tasmania faced a $1312 fee from her travel agent ...
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- Yvonne Trevaskis from Battery Point, Tasmania, booked an Emirates business class flight through a travel agent and faced a $1312 cancellation fee (15% of the cost) plus Emirates’ $600 fee. Emirates later offered a full refund due to cancellations, but the travel agent still deducted the $1312 fee.
- Steve Griffin from West Coburg, Victoria, booked a Qantas flight (operated by Emirates via Dubai) to Rome and was told by Qantas it would operate as scheduled despite DFAT warnings.
- Qantas offered Steve Griffin and his wife an alternative flight via Perth for over $6600 extra, increasing their total economy ticket cost to over $11,000.
Australia’s proposed reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax to address intergenerational inequity
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is preparing to introduce major reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax in the 2026 federal budget, aiming to address long-standing intergeneratio...
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- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is planning reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax as part of the 2026 federal budget, focusing on intergenerational equity.
- The reforms are expected to be announced after a cabinet decision in late April 2026, with existing investments protected under 'grandfathering'.
- Economist Ken Henry has warned that current policies risk leaving future generations worse off, describing it as a breach of the 'unwritten social compact'.
Justin Hemmes' struggles expanding Merivale empire into Melbourne's hospitality market
Justin Hemmes, the billionaire behind Sydney’s Merivale empire, has faced significant challenges expanding into Melbourne’s hospitality scene despite spending over $110 million on properties. His firs...
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- Justin Hemmes is the head of the $3 billion Merivale empire, which started in fashion (House of Merivale) and expanded into hospitality and property.
- Merivale has over 80 venues across Sydney.
- Hemmes bought Tomasetti House on Flinders Lane in Melbourne for about $40 million in 2021.