Latest News Stories
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Today
Australian man arrested in Thailand over 17-year-old girl's murder and body in suitcase
An Australian man, Simon Peter Carman, was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on June 27, 2026, after Thai police linked him to the murder of a 17-year-old girl whose body was found stuffed in...
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- Simon Peter Carman, 46 (ABC says 45), was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on June 27, 2026, around 7:00 PM local time (10:00 PM AEST) while attempting to board a flight to Australia.
- The body of a 17-year-old girl, identified as Tunchanok Donhomla (ABC) or from Kalasin province (SMH/TheAge), was found stuffed in a black suitcase near railway tracks in Pattaya on June 27, 2026.
- CCTV footage shows the victim holding hands with a Caucasian man (later identified as Carman) near Jomtien Beach/Pattaya around 3:30 AM on June 26, 2026, and the man later leaving the apartment with a black suitcase.
Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming’s assault allegation against Matthew Guy dismissed by police
Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming accused former party leader Matthew Guy of assaulting her at a Macedonian community event in Sunshine on 23 May 2026, claiming he put her in a violent headlock. Poli...
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- Moira Deeming accused Matthew Guy of assaulting her at a Macedonian community event in Sunshine on 23 May 2026, claiming he put her in a violent headlock.
- Victoria Police concluded their investigation on 25 June 2026, finding 'no offence detected' in Deeming’s allegation.
- CCTV footage from the event shows Guy briefly resting his right hand on Deeming’s shoulder as they leaned in to talk, contradicting her claim of a violent headlock.
Australia strengthens social media ban for under-16s amid global crackdowns
Australia is strengthening its social media ban for under-16s after research showed over 80% of banned teens continued using platforms like TikTok and Instagram three months post-ban. The government w...
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- Australia’s social media ban for under-16s began on December 10, 2025, targeting platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Twitch, Kick, and Reddit.
- More than 4.7 million (or 5 million) accounts identified as belonging to Australians under 16 have been removed, deactivated, or restricted since the ban began.
- A University of Newcastle study of 408 adolescents aged 12–17 found that over 80% (or 85%) of under-16s continued using social media three months after the ban, with limited early impact on reducing usage.
AI-powered drone rescues lost hikers in Kosciuszko National Park
Two hikers in their 20s were rescued within five hours in Kosciuszko National Park after an AI-powered drone with thermal imaging located them about 500 meters off the Dead Horse Gap track. The incide...
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- Two men in their 20s were rescued within five hours after being reported missing on Tuesday, June 25, 2026, at 7pm near the Dead Horse Gap walking track, 35km southwest of Jindabyne, Kosciuszko National Park, NSW.
- The hikers were found about 500 meters (0.5km) off the walking track.
- Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) used an AI-powered drone with thermal imaging to locate the hikers, marking the first time the drone’s AI detection system was used to rescue missing people.
AI misuse in university assessments raises concerns about student learning and academic integrity
Two identical articles from THEAGE and SMH highlight widespread AI misuse among university students, where tools like ChatGPT are used to complete assignments, generate essays, and even summarize enti...
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- The University of Melbourne offers subjects like Biomolecules and Cells and Fundamentals of Chemistry where 40% of students’ grades come from out-of-class assessments (e.g., online worksheets completed at home).
- Students at multiple universities (UTAS, Monash, University of Melbourne, USYD, UNSW, UQ) have admitted using AI tools like ChatGPT to complete assignments, including summarizing entire syllabi for exams or generating video assignments for subjects like Contracts Law.
- Turnitin, the AI detection software used by most universities, requires students caught using AI to submit a voice memo explaining their 'authorial intent' as a penalty.
Traveler complaints about booking issues, airline/car rental problems, and mixed service experiences
Both articles feature a collection of reader letters detailing frustrations with travel booking platforms and service providers. A recurring issue involves Booking.com and Expedia, where customers lik...
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- Heather Barker from Albert Park, Vic, booked a Jet2 flight via Booking.com but was told by the airline the booking was for the next day instead of the correct date, leading to a $3000 rebooking cost.
- Anastasia Dawes from Berowra Heights, NSW, cancelled flights booked through Expedia but is stuck in a refund dispute where Expedia and the airline blame each other.
- Helen Day from Torquay, Vic, was denied a rental car in Manchester due to a small crack in her husband’s driver’s licence, despite the licence being valid and used 12 months prior.
US-Iran ceasefire tensions after drone strike on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz
The US and Iran are locked in a tense standoff after Iran launched a drone strike on the Singapore-flagged cargo ship M/V Ever Lovely in the Strait of Hormuz on June 25, 2026, damaging its bridge but ...
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- Donald Trump accused Iran of a 'foolish violation' of the ceasefire after a drone strike on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on June 25, 2026.
- The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a cargo ship was hit on the starboard side by an unknown projectile 14 km off Oman’s coast on June 25, causing damage to the bridge but no casualties.
- The US shot down three Iranian drones aimed at the cargo ship, while one drone damaged the ship’s upper deck.
Venezuela's deadly twin earthquakes cause massive destruction, casualties, and rescue efforts
Two devastating earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela on June 25, 2026, near the capital Caracas, causing widespread building collapses and triggering a massive rescue effort. The quake...
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- Two powerful earthquakes, magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela within 39 seconds of each other on June 25, 2026, around 6:04 PM local time, with epicenters near Morón, west of Caracas.
- The earthquakes caused widespread building collapses, particularly in Caracas (Altamira, Los Palos Grandes, Chacao) and La Guaira, including the Simón Bolívar International Airport, which was severely damaged and closed.
- Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and reported at least 164 deaths (later rising to 235) and over 971 injuries, with thousands feared missing or trapped.
Polygamous sect leader Samuel Bateman convicted of child abuse after girls found in trailer
Samuel Bateman, a self-proclaimed prophet and leader of a polygamous sect, was convicted on June 27, 2026, on three counts of child abuse in Arizona after three girls aged 11 to 14 were found in an un...
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- Samuel Bateman was convicted on June 27, 2026, on three counts of child abuse in Arizona state court
- Three girls aged 11 to 14 were found in an unventilated trailer Bateman was hauling through Flagstaff, Arizona, in 2022
- Bateman is already serving a 50-year federal prison sentence for orchestrating sex involving children, including coercing girls as young as nine
Cristian Volpato's debut and impact for Australia in World Cup warm-up games
Cristian Volpato made his Australia debut in a World Cup warm-up game against the USA on June 20, 2026, in Seattle, playing 29 minutes and contributing key passes despite limited prior experience. The...
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- Cristian Volpato made his Australia debut in a World Cup warm-up game against the USA in Seattle on 2026-06-20
- Volpato played 29 minutes in the USA game, more dribbles than any teammate, and contributed to two key passes (one to Nestory Irankunda, one to Connor Metcalfe)
- Volpato switched his international allegiance from Italy to Australia at the last minute, joining the Socceroos' pre-World Cup camp shortly before the squad was announced
Egypt vs Iran World Cup 'Pride Match' controversy over LGBTQ+ celebrations in Seattle
The Egypt vs Iran World Cup match in Seattle on June 26, 2026, became a focal point for controversy after the city’s organizing committee designated it a 'Pride Match' to coincide with annual LGBTQ+ c...
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- Fifa confirmed rainbow flags will be allowed inside stadiums at the World Cup 2026, provided they comply with the stadium code of conduct.
- Iran and Egypt both lodged complaints to Fifa about LGBTQ+ events around the Egypt vs Iran match, requesting their cancellation.
- The match between Egypt and Iran is scheduled for June 26, 2026, in Seattle, coinciding with the city’s annual Pride weekend.
Australia's Socceroos face injuries ahead of World Cup knockout stage against Paraguay
Australia's Socceroos are navigating a challenging World Cup group stage after key players Jacob Italiano and Matthew Leckie were ruled out due to injuries ahead of their crucial match against Paragua...
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- Jacob Italiano was ruled out of Australia's Paraguay World Cup game due to a groin injury suffered during training.
- Matthew Leckie (also spelled Mat Leckie) was ruled out of the Paraguay game after suffering a leg injury in the loss to the USA.
- Australia's World Cup squad now has 24 players after Leckie and Italiano departed for rehabilitation.
France beats Norway 4-1 in World Cup group match; Dembélé scores hat-trick
France secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Norway in their World Cup group match, with Ousmane Dembélé delivering a hat-trick in the first 32 minutes to seal the win. The game took place in Boston o...
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- Ousmane Dembélé scored a hat-trick in France’s 4-1 win over Norway in the World Cup group stage.
- The match took place in Boston, USA, on June 26, 2026, with France topping Group I.
- Norway rested Erling Haaland and made 10 changes to the starting lineup, including 9 other players.
Ireland defeats India in historic T20 cricket match, first win over world champions
Ireland achieved a historic first win over India in a T20 match at Stormont, Belfast, on June 27, 2026, defeating the reigning world champions by 34 runs. The match saw Ireland recover from 51 for fou...
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- Ireland defeated India by 34 runs in a T20 match at Stormont, Belfast, marking Ireland's first-ever win over India in men's international cricket.
- India was all out for 148 with seven balls remaining, chasing a target of 183.
- Ireland posted 182 for nine after recovering from 51 for four.
Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon singles after 4-year retirement, facing Maya Joint in opener
Serena Williams made her long-awaited return to Wimbledon singles after a four-year retirement, facing 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint in her first-round match on June 29, 2026. Williams, a 23-time ...
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- Serena Williams will face Australia’s Maya Joint in the first round of Wimbledon singles on June 29, 2026, marking her singles comeback after retiring in 2022.
- Serena Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion and a seven-time Wimbledon singles champion.
- Maya Joint, a 20-year-old Australian, was born in Michigan and has a 3-15 record this year, including a 13-14 losing streak in her last 14 matches.
Karl Stefanovic's shift from mainstream media to far-right-leaning podcast
Karl Stefanovic, a former Nine Entertainment breakfast TV presenter and Australia’s highest-paid TV personality, has pivoted to a far-right-leaning podcast, *The Karl Stefanovic Show*, launched in Jan...
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- Karl Stefanovic's podcast, *The Karl Stefanovic Show*, launched in January 2026 and has released 67 episodes by June 2026, increasing from 2 to 5 episodes per week.
- Stefanovic was paid about $2 million per year (and up to $2.8 million at his peak) by Nine Entertainment as a breakfast TV presenter, helping him amass a net worth valued at over $20 million.
- The podcast is produced by 123 Podcast Pty Ltd, registered in February 2026, with Stefanovic holding 45% of shares, Keshnee Kemp 45%, and Anthony Bell 10%.
Pauline Hanson’s early life and first marriage revealed by ex-husband Walter Zagorski
Two identical articles from THEAGE and SMH reveal insights into Pauline Hanson’s early life through her first husband, Walter Zagorski, a postwar Polish immigrant now living in Brisbane’s Wynnum subur...
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- Walter Zagorski, Hanson’s first husband, lives in Wynnum, a Brisbane bayside suburb, and rarely speaks to the media
- Hanson married Zagorski in 1970 when she was 16 years old, and they had two sons: Tony (born June 1971) and Steven
- The couple met while working at Drug Houses of Australia in Brisbane in 1970, with Zagorski driving her home from work
Yesterday
Jordan Bos's standout performance helps Australia advance to World Cup knockout stage
Jordan Bos delivered a career-defining performance for Australia in their 0-0 draw with Paraguay on June 26, 2026, helping the Socceroos advance to the World Cup knockout stage. Playing out of positio...
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- Jordan Bos played at right-back instead of his usual left-back position in Australia's 0-0 draw with Paraguay on 2026-06-26
- Bos created the most scoring chances and took the most shots (3) in the match against Paraguay
- Bos completed the most dribbles in the match against Paraguay, with 4 successful dribbles
Zohran Mamdani-backed candidates win New York Democratic primaries, reshaping party dynamics
Zohran Mamdani’s endorsed candidates swept three New York Democratic primaries on June 24, 2026, defeating establishment-backed incumbents in NY-10, NY-13, and NY-7. Darializa Avila Chevalier, a first...
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- Zohran Mamdani-backed candidates Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Claire Valdez won Democratic primaries in NY-10, NY-13, and NY-7 respectively on June 24, 2026.
- Darializa Avila Chevalier, a political newcomer and PhD student, defeated five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat (chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus) in NY-13.
- Claire Valdez defeated Brooklyn borough president Antonio Reynoso (endorsed by Nydia Velázquez) in NY-7.
Fortescue Metals Group faces class action over sexual harassment allegations at remote mines
Multiple news sources report that Fortescue Metals Group is facing a class action lawsuit filed on June 25, 2026, in the Federal Court of Victoria, alleging systemic sexual harassment, violence, and r...
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- A class action lawsuit was filed against Fortescue Metals Group in the Federal Court of Victoria on 2026-06-25, alleging systemic sexual harassment, violence, and retaliation against female workers from 2006 to 2025.
- The lawsuit includes allegations of rape, sexual assault, stalking, and micro-aggressions at Fortescue’s remote Pilbara mining sites, including incidents like a woman being pulled into a dark alley and another finding a male stranger in her accommodation.
- Fortescue’s on-site laundries have been reported as sites of rife theft of female underwear, with women warned against using them.