Latest News Stories
Sorted by number of sources covering the story
Nepal-Tibet floods disaster: missing Australians, death toll, and rescue efforts
A catastrophic flash flood struck Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday at 6.47am, triggered by a glacial collapse that sent ice, mud, and water surging through valleys, devastating settlements and leaving thousands missing. At least 900 people have been confirmed dead, with over 4700 missing across both countries, including 41 to 43 Australians. Rescue efforts remain ongoing, with Nepal mobilizing over 15,000 military and police personnel, while Australia has committed over $8 million in humanitarian aid. Michael Keats, a 41-year-old Australian from the NSW south coast, was confirmed dead, marking the first Australian fatality. Many missing Australians were part of religious pilgrimages or hiking tours, including 11 trekking to Mount Kailash and 14 traveling with the US-based tour company Himalayan Glacier Adventures. Five Australians were in a six-storey hotel when it was hit, while another 10 were en route to the Tibetan border. The disaster has also raised concerns about further flooding, as a crater 5.6 kilometres upstream holds 1.4 million cubic metres of water, posing ongoing risks.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Michael Keats, a 41-year-old Australian from the NSW south coast, was confirmed dead in the Nepal floods
- At least 626 people have been confirmed dead in Nepal, with 2426 unaccounted for
- China reported 7 deaths and 554 missing in the floods
Today
Nepal flash floods devastate schools, kill hundreds, teacher saves 900 children
A deadly flash flood struck Nepal on Wednesday morning, triggered by torrential rains and a glacial collapse, devastating schools and killing hundreds. Rajendra Dawadi, head teacher of Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School in Nuwakot, evacuated about 1,600 students just after 9am on Wednesday after receiving warnings. His quick decision saved lives, as a building 100 metres from the river was engulfed by floodwater. Students like 16-year-old Yunisha survived by just 10 seconds. At least 69 schools were destroyed or damaged, affecting nearly 19,000 children, and schools were shut for three days. In Dhading, children survived because they left their classrooms for lunch or were evacuated by teachers. Mothers returned on Sunday to retrieve belongings from mud-filled schools. The disaster left thousands missing, with varying death tolls reported between 781 and 794 people, and rescue efforts ongoing.
Australian tennis players advance at the 2026 US Open after rain delays and match rallies
Australian tennis players, including Kim Birrell, advanced to the second round of the 2026 US Open after overcoming rain delays and match rallies. Birrell, a 28-year-old, broke her first-round jinx by defeating Petra Marcinko 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, saving a match point in the 12th game of the second set on Sunday night. The match was delayed by a 14-hour rain delay, resuming on Monday (Tuesday AEST). Birrell had previously lost to Marcinko in straight sets at Eastbourne two months ago, though she had beaten her in Texas in February. Another four Australians—Alexei Popyrin, Rinky Hijikata, James Duckworth, and Maya Joint—also advanced. Birrell earned a guaranteed payday of $US190,000 ($265,000) and is set to face Ekaterina Alexandrova next. James Duckworth, turning 35 in January, reached the second round at all four Grand Slams, while Maya Joint, a 20-year-old, rallied after a poor start to 2026. The Guardian notes Birrell’s potential rise to world No 55 and wedding plans, while the ABC highlights tough matches for Popyrin and Hijikata, including against Grigor Dimitrov and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Duane 'Keffe D' Davis convicted for orchestrating Tupac Shakur's 1996 murder
A Las Vegas jury convicted Duane 'Keffe D' Davis, 63, of first-degree murder in the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur, resolving a decades-old cold case. Davis, a former South Side Compton Crips leader, was found guilty after a trial that relied on his 2019 memoir and eight hours of recorded confessions detailing his role in orchestrating the shooting. The attack occurred on September 7, 1996, after Shakur’s entourage beat Davis’s nephew, Orlando 'Baby Lane' Anderson, at the MGM Grand casino. Davis claimed he was in a white Cadillac from which shots were fired, though he did not pull the trigger himself. The prosecution argued his statements were consistent enough to secure a conviction under Nevada law, which allows charging someone for murder even if they did not fire the weapon. Sentencing is set for October 13, 2026, with Davis facing life imprisonment. The case has been criticized for delays, with family members and fans expressing relief but also frustration over the 30-year delay in justice. Davis plans to appeal the verdict.
Australian housing market downturn and oil price surge due to US-Iran tensions
The Australian housing market is experiencing a significant downturn, with home prices falling for a fifth consecutive month in August. Both ABC and SMH report that Sydney and Melbourne are leading the decline, with Sydney prices down 1.4% in August and Melbourne prices down 1.1%. Perth, despite a 0.8% fall in August, remains 15.6% higher than a year ago, indicating regional disparities. The downturn is attributed to multiple factors, including three Reserve Bank interest rate hikes this year, the federal government’s May budget changes, and broader economic uncertainty. Home sales have dropped 15.5% over the past three months compared to a year earlier, and the proportion of suburbs with falling prices has doubled from autumn to winter. Meanwhile, oil prices surged 3% due to US-Iran tensions, adding to inflationary pressures, while the rental market shows signs of easing with a vacancy rate of 1.9%, the highest since January last year. Economists warn of further deterioration if unemployment rises, with forecasts suggesting it could reach 4.7% by June 2028.
Supreme Court ruling on Trump's $558m White House ballroom construction
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to allow construction of Donald Trump's controversial White House ballroom to proceed despite legal challenges from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The project, valued at $558 million by ABC and $400 million by the Guardian, involves demolishing the East Wing and building an 8,400-square-metre structure. Chief Justice John Roberts dissented, calling the project unlawful and a violation of separation of powers, while the majority ruled the Trust lacked standing to sue. The decision overturned a lower court halt issued in April, with construction now expected to continue around the clock, aiming for completion by August 2028 or summer 2028. Both sources agree the Court avoided ruling on the project's legality, instead focusing on procedural grounds. The dispute centers on whether Trump can unilaterally alter federal property without congressional approval, with the Trust arguing the White House is a shared national asset.
Yesterday
Newborn baby found dead in Sydney rubbish bin; police seek mother for medical care
A newborn baby boy was found dead in a rubbish bin in Auburn, Sydney’s southwest, around 11:20am on Monday. Police believe the baby was up to 36 hours old and was discovered by a woman putting rubbish in a bin in the front yard of an Auburn unit complex. The baby was found naked, and a crime scene was established opposite Al-Faisal College on Harrow Road. Police have serious concerns for the mother’s welfare and are urging her to seek urgent medical care at the nearest hospital. Anyone with information or dashcam footage from Harrow Road on Monday morning is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death, with police prioritizing the mother’s welfare over any potential police action.
US strikes Iranian launchers on Larak Island amid Strait of Hormuz tensions
US forces conducted strikes on two Iranian launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz after Revolutionary Guard forces were observed preparing to deploy sea mines. The attacks, confirmed by multiple sources, followed a period of heightened tensions, with Iran’s state media reporting casualties among its fighters and civilians. The US military had recently cleared sea mines from international shipping routes in the strait, while Iran vowed retaliation. The conflict, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February and Iranian counterattacks, has now surpassed the six-month mark, resulting in thousands of deaths, millions displaced, and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global oil transit route accounting for about a fifth of the world’s oil consumption. Eighteen US service members have died in the conflict, and the US has warned of sanctions against countries supporting Iran.
2026 Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Palau amid geopolitical tensions and climate focus
The 55th Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Palau this week is facing significant challenges, including the absence of key leaders like Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, who departed due to a leadership crisis, and others such as Kiribati's President Taneti Maamau, Vanuatu's Prime Minister Jotham Napat, and Samoa's Prime Minister La'auli Leuatea Schmidt. The meeting is dominated by geopolitical tensions, particularly China's missile test in July that flew over Pacific nations and landed near Tuvalu's exclusive economic zone, sparking debates over regional security and potential joint statements. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is attending, emphasizing climate change as a critical issue, with discussions on decarbonization and renewable energy targets, including a plan for the Pacific to achieve 100% renewables by 2035. Taiwan's presence as a development partner, despite not being a dialogue partner, is also a contentious issue, with Palau hosting Taiwan's foreign minister amid Beijing's objections. The meeting follows Australia's recent security agreements with Pacific nations like Tuvalu, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu, aimed at countering Chinese influence. Climate change remains a pressing concern, with Pacific leaders pushing for global action to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and secure funding for adaptation projects.
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launch and mission details
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a $4.3 billion project, successfully launched on August 30, 2026, from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center at 7.26am ET. Named after NASA’s first chief of astronomy, who passed away in 2018, the telescope is designed to study dark energy, dark matter, and exoplanets, with a five-year primary mission extendable to ten years. The Roman telescope, repurposed from a spy satellite donated in 2012, features a 2.4-metre mirror and a 300-megapixel infrared camera, offering a field of view 100 times larger than Hubble’s. Its launch was delayed multiple times due to proposed budget cuts in 2018, 2019, and 2025, but Congress restored funding. The telescope will operate at Lagrange Point 2, about 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, and its first images are expected in early 2027. The mission aims to create a comprehensive 3D map of the universe, covering more than two billion galaxies, and will complement observations from Hubble and James Webb, launched in 1990 and 2021, respectively. The Roman telescope’s wide-angle capabilities will help survey vast regions of the sky, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of dark energy and the universe’s expansion.
Victorian government plans to use prisoners for road maintenance ahead of November election
The Victorian government is proposing a plan to use minimum-security prisoners for roadside maintenance, including mowing lawns, controlling weeds, and removing graffiti, to free up skilled crews to fix potholes. Labor aims to fix 500,000 potholes by the end of January or over the next year, depending on the source, after increasing the road maintenance budget by $352 million or $354 million. The opposition has criticized the plan, calling it a 'con job' and accusing Labor of neglecting roads for 12 years, while pledging a $5 billion investment to repair roads and patch 1 million potholes if elected in November. The government also plans to bring road maintenance in-house and launch a website for reporting potholes, with Premier Ben Carroll emphasizing transparency and accountability.
Former My Kitchen Rules star sentenced for child cruelty in 2023 case
Claudean Uamaki-Mu, a former contestant on My Kitchen Rules from the 2023 season, pleaded guilty on Monday morning to two counts of cruelty to children under 16. She was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with immediate release on parole. Uamaki-Mu had previously pleaded guilty to six counts of historical common assault and was discharged of more serious charges, including 12 counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault. The court heard she subjected two girls to years of physical abuse, including pushing, swearing, hitting, and striking with a cane, leaving them with severe trauma such as complex post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and alcohol dependency. Chief Judge Brian Devereaux described her actions as appalling and criminal, noting her own history of childhood violence and mental illness. Her partner, Anthony Mu, who appeared with her on the show, was charged earlier this year but found not guilty of assault-related offences. Both sources agree on the core facts of the sentencing and the nature of the abuse, though SMH provides additional details about Mu’s charges and victim statements.
Novak Djokovic's first-round US Open loss and career struggles at age 39
Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest grand slam exit in 20 years at the US Open, losing in the first round to Mariano Navone in a grueling five-set match lasting over four hours. The 39-year-old, who had not lost in the first round of a major since the 2006 Australian Open, struggled with a health condition exacerbated by heat and humidity, vomiting multiple times and battling cramps throughout the match. Navone, a clay-court specialist ranked outside the top 50, capitalized on Djokovic’s physical decline, delivering his best career result. Djokovic’s defeat, his first at the US Open, has raised questions about his future, particularly as he aims to defend his Olympic gold at the Los Angeles 2028 Games after Paris 2024. The match highlighted the toll of his aging body, with Djokovic admitting he despised every moment on court. Both sources agree on the match’s duration, Navone’s upset victory, and Djokovic’s ongoing health struggles, though minor discrepancies exist in timing and prior first-round losses.
Flash flood disaster in Grand Canyon National Park leaves missing, evacuations, and infrastructure damage
A catastrophic flash flood struck the Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, local time, leaving 15 people missing or unaccounted for and prompting evacuations of 62 individuals by Sunday morning. The flood was triggered by 1 to 2.5 centimetres of rain falling within 30 minutes in the steep terrain of Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch, destroying footbridges and drastically altering the landscape. The Guardian reports at least two deaths, while ABC states no confirmed deaths or injuries, creating a contradiction. The flood occurred during the monsoon season from June to September, with climate factors such as drought, wildfire scarring from the Dragon Bravo wildfire, and warming Pacific Ocean temperatures potentially exacerbating the disaster. The Guardian highlights that runoff risks in Bright Angel Creek were significantly increased due to the wildfire, which burned 150,000 acres in July 2025. Infrastructure damage, including a 40% loss to a key water pipeline serving 6 million annual visitors and 1,600 residents, has led to emergency water restrictions. The flood underscores the growing risks of extreme weather events in the region, with scientists noting a 10% increase in storm intensity since 2000.
Iceland holds EU accession referendum amid economic and sovereignty debates
Iceland is holding a referendum on Saturday to decide whether to restart EU accession talks, with both sides nearly evenly split according to polls showing 46 per cent support for ‘yes’ and 46 per cent for ‘no’. The debate centers on economic concerns like inflation, housing costs, and interest rates around 9 per cent, as well as fears over sovereignty, fishing quotas, and farming independence. Farmers like the 29-year-old Davíð Clausen Pétursson warn EU membership could reduce milk prices from 145 ISK to 100 ISK and disrupt progress, while fishermen fear the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy could threaten Iceland’s exclusive 200 nautical miles fishing zone. Supporters argue EU membership could lower interest rates by 3 to 4, maybe 5 per cent and improve security, though critics like former president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (1996–2016) warn it would erode Iceland’s hard-won independence after 100 years. A ‘yes’ vote would only restart negotiations, not guarantee membership, adding to the uncertainty. The outcome hinges on balancing economic opportunities with national identity, as Iceland weighs its future between global integration and self-determination.
Australia Post's declining letter mail volumes and rising parcel revenues amid cost pressures
Australia Post is facing a sharp decline in letter mail volumes, with deliveries dropping nearly 15% to 1.42 billion letters in the year to June 30, while its parcel business continues to boom, hitting a record $8.01 billion in revenue. The company has adjusted operations by reducing letter delivery frequency to every second day, increasing stamp prices to $1.70, and cutting costs through measures like property divestments, which contributed $140 million in returns. Despite these efforts, margins remain tight due to competition from global platforms like Amazon and new low-cost entrants. Australia Post’s pre-tax profit rose to $31.8 million, but the company is investing heavily in its network, including building 14 new parcel facilities and accelerating fleet electrification to address volatile fuel costs. The long-term outlook for letter mail remains uncertain, with potential future reductions to three-day or weekly deliveries, though no immediate plans to end letter services exist.
Queensland introduces strict e-bike and e-scooter licensing and age rules starting August 31, 2026
Queensland has implemented strict new laws for e-bike and e-scooter riders, effective August 31, requiring riders to be at least 16 years old and hold a driver’s license or medical exemption. The rules ban devices faster than 25 km/h and limit speeds to 12 km/h on footpaths, with police seizing illegal devices and fining parents since July. A 13-year-old boy died in a Bundaberg e-scooter crash, prompting calls for stricter child safety measures. Shared schemes like Lime have until March next year to verify rider compliance, while medical exemptions are allowed until November 29. The laws mark Queensland as a global leader in e-vehicle regulation, though concerns remain about enforcement for tourists and those with disabilities.
NSW ICAC investigates Charles Perrottet, Jean Nassif, and alleged corruption involving Liberal Party donations
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating allegations that Charles Perrottet, brother of former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet, used his Liberal Party connections to advance the interests of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif. Central to the inquiry is whether Charles Perrottet and others, including lobbyists Christian Ellis and Jeremy Greenwood, received $2 million in prohibited political donations from Nassif’s company, Toplace, to secure political outcomes such as the removal of the NSW building commissioner David Chandler and the unseating of Liberal councillors opposing Nassif’s developments. Charles Perrottet has admitted to lying to ICAC about the purpose of a $148,000 cheque and fabricating claims about his involvement in lobbying efforts, including contacting a non-existent 'PDU contact' to help Nassif’s projects. He also acknowledged routing payments for his advice through his wife Anita’s consulting firm, Macquarie Consulting, to avoid tax disclosure, though no documents were produced to substantiate the work. Anita Perrottet testified she was paid $660,999 for 'marketing advice' and 'project consulting fees,' but could not recall details of the work or produce evidence beyond invoices. The inquiry has also uncovered text messages and emails suggesting Charles Perrottet played a key role in securing Dominic Perrottet’s premiership in October 2021 and coordinating efforts to remove political adversaries like David Elliott. Jean Nassif, who fled to Lebanon in 2022, is expected to appear by video link to deny wrongdoing. The investigation highlights concerns about hidden payments, political influence, and the blurred line between 'advice' and 'work' in NSW Liberal Party circles.
Low-level jet flyby over stadium before South Africa vs. New Zealand rugby match sparks safety debate
A dramatic low-level flyby by two passenger jets over Cape Town Stadium before a rugby union Test between South Africa and New Zealand drew global attention and sparked safety debates. The jets flew as low as 12 to 14 metres (41 to 46 feet) above the stadium roof, with an estimated crowd of 56,000 watching. The stunt, conducted by Airlink at 150 knots, was praised for its precision but criticized by aviation experts for its risks. South Africa won the match 33-26, marking their first victory over New Zealand in 2026, with the next test scheduled for Saturday in Johannesburg at the 87,000-seat Soccer City. The flyby was compared to a similar event during the 1995 World Cup final, highlighting its place in South African rugby tradition.
AFL’s inaugural wildcard finals round analysis and debate
The AFL’s inaugural wildcard finals round generated significant debate, with both articles highlighting its commercial success through record attendance and TV ratings. Over 170,000 fans attended the two games, and 7.4 million viewers tuned in across the weekend, making it the most-watched of the season. The wildcard round featured close, high-pressure matches between Collingwood and Carlton, with both teams finishing outside the traditional top eight but delivering dramatic football. While TheWest cautions that the weekend’s success doesn’t validate the system long-term, noting potential fatigue and structural issues, TheAge argues the wildcard is a permanent fixture due to its business appeal and theatrical value. Both sources agree the round filled a previously empty bye weekend, but TheAge emphasizes the AFL’s pragmatic approach over sporting integrity, while TheWest questions whether the wildcard’s benefits outweigh its complications for the broader finals series. The debate also touches on broader AFL expansion, with Tasmania’s impending entry and potential for a 20th team raising further questions about finals structure.