Richest super balances to be taxed at higher rates after Greens agree to back Labor plan
Greens say support for superannuation tax changes is a ‘down payment’ on Labor pursuing genuine reform in 12 May federal budgetFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor’s plan to raise the tax rate on the largest super balances will become law after the Greens agreed to wave it through the Senate, ending a three-year political fight over concessions for wealthier retirees.The Greens treasury spokesperson, Nick McKim, said the decision to support the watered-down package was a green light for Labor to pursue “bold reform” in the upcoming federal... [Continue Reading]
Five confirmed dead after waste avalanche at Indonesia's largest landfill due to heavy rainfall
In a tragic incident at Indonesia’s largest landfill, five people have been confirmed dead following a significant avalanche of waste triggered by heavy rainfall. The collapse occurred at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Treatment Facility in Bekasi, located just outside the capital city of Jakarta. Rescuers were deployed late Sunday and continued their search operations on Monday, highlighting the severe consequences of extreme weather and the challenges posed by unstable waste heaps. According to reports, the fatalities include two garbage truck drivers and two food stall sellers who were near the site at the time of the disaster. Additionally, four individuals... [Continue Reading]
Katherine locals survey flood damage as volunteers rally to help
An "army" of volunteers has hit the streets of Katherine to help residents worst affected by the weekend's flooding, as they survey the damage from near-record river rises. [Continue Reading]
At least 42 people killed in days of floods across Kenya
Authorities say 26 people died in capital Nairobi as floodwaters submerged homes and carried away vehicles. [Continue Reading]
Alleged Bondi terror attack gunman Naveed Akram seeks order suppressing identities of family members
Lawyer for 24-year-old asks for identifying details of mother and siblings to be kept secret for their ‘mental and physical safety’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFamily members of the alleged Bondi attacker have been granted an interim order suppressing their names and home and work addresses to protect their mental and physical safety.The public defender Richard Wilson SC made the application for a permanent suppression order for Naveed Akram’s mother, brother and sister at Downing Centre local court on Monday. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Ex-Liberal MP Rory Amon found not guilty of most charges after being accused of raping 13-year-old boy in Sydney
Amon had testified he held an honest and reasonable belief that the teen was over the age of 16Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA former state Liberal MP may face a second child abuse trial after a jury cleared him of some but not all charges related to a 13-year-old boy.Rory Amon was found not guilty of four counts of child rape, two counts of attempted child rape and two counts of indecent assault of a child on Monday after three days of deliberations. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
‘A saltwater crocodile on the AFL oval’: worst flooding in decades inundates the NT as residents urged to avoid water
Schools and highways close and Territorians living near major rivers leave amid possibly record-breaking rainFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastKatherine’s mayor has warned locals to be wary of flood waters inundating the town after a crocodile was spotted on the local football oval, while residents are being warned to boil their water amid the record-breaking deluge.As rain and storms continued to soak the Top End on Monday, the Bureau of Meteorology issued major flood warnings for thousands of Territorians near the Katherine, Daly and Georgina Rivers and... [Continue Reading]
VPN apps rocket up download charts in Australia as porn websites begin blocking users
Proton VPN moves from 174th to 19th place as NordVPN goes from 189th to 13th, as porn websites in Australia start requiring age verification for usersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVirtual private network apps have skyrocketed up the app charts in Australia after a number of adult sites began blocking Australian users in compliance with new online safety codes in effect from Monday.VPN Super Unlimited Proxy moved from 40th in free iPhone apps in Australia on 2 March to 7th place as of Sunday, according to the... [Continue Reading]
ASX plunges as spike in oil prices over Middle East crisis sparks global inflation fears
Benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closes down by 2.85%, marking the single biggest one-day drop since Donald Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs announcementFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian shares plunged on Monday, wiping about $90bn from the value of the ASX, after a sharp rise in oil prices caused by the Middle East conflict sparked concerns of a breakout in global inflation.The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed down 2.85% to fall below the 8,600 point mark, marking the single biggest one-day drop since the announcement of Donald Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs... [Continue Reading]
Chris Minns’ own security expert warned that tougher police powers after Bondi could ‘increase radicalisation’
Alexandra Caples suggested expanded NSW laws could ‘damage trust between police and communities, undermining broader efforts to counter extremism’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, was warned before passing controversial laws restricting protests that heavy-handed policing might alienate communities and could even “increase the risk of radicalisation”, documents reveal.The Labor leader was also advised further hate speech reforms conceived in the aftermath of the Bondi beach terror attack risked making the problem worse. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Supply lines open after food shortage, amid major Katherine flooding
While Katherine remains under an emergency flood warning, water levels are now receding and food supply lines are opening up. [Continue Reading]
Twelve Apostles visitors to be charged entry fee to see natural wonder
Victorian government says ‘it’s only fair’ Great Ocean Road tourists should pay to see famous limestone stacksFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTourists will soon have to pay an entry fee to see the Twelve Apostles on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, in a move the government says will help protect the site for generations to come.The Victorian environment minister, Steve Dimopoulos, on Monday announced a fee for tourists to visit the $126m Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, which is due to open at the end of 2026. Continue... [Continue Reading]
Australia orders evacuation of officials' families from UAE amid rising regional tensions
In response to escalating regional tensions, the Australian Government has ordered the evacuation of families of its officials stationed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong confirmed this directive on a social media platform, emphasizing the deteriorating security situation in the region, which is impacted by ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Australians are being strongly advised against traveling to the UAE, as cautioned by the updated travel advice shared by the Minister. As part of this directive, the families of approximately 1,000 Australian officials are being relocated amidst heightened concerns for their safety. The Minister's... [Continue Reading]
News live: families of Australian officials told to leave UAE amid ‘deteriorating security situation’; Northern Territory floods could last a week
This blog is now closedASX plunges $90bn amid spike in oil prices over Middle East crisisGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMan charged with murder after alleged stabbing in Sydney’s inner westA man was charged with murder after an alleged stabbing in Sydney’s inner west on Sunday.I think it’s important to work through this calmly, to understand the intelligence and the briefings that the government has to get to this juncture … If you’re going to send Australian personnel to a conflict, that is one of the most important decisions any government would make. And I... [Continue Reading]
Fake plain packaging disguising illegal tobacco
Australian crime syndicates are using fake plain packaging , mass produced overseas , to legitimise illicit tobacco and flood the legal market with knock-offs. [Continue Reading]
Woolworths trumpeted eight consecutive quarters of price declines. Here’s why that claim doesn’t pass the pub test
To truly pay less than two years ago, a family might need to make dinner from washed potatoes, cheese slices, white sugar and long grain riceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIt sounds like great news for households.Average grocery prices have recorded “eight consecutive quarters of year-on-year price declines”, Woolworths declared at its half-year financial results. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
NSW Health continues to use machine known to produce inaccurate results to test child blood lead levels
LeadCare II offers point-of-care testing but the equipment has had recalls globally due to the potential for inaccurately low readingsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastElla’s* 16-month-old daughter returned a blood lead level of 3.5 micrograms of lead per decilitre (3.5μg/dL) when she was tested last week.That’s under the five micrograms the Australian guidelines consider the investigation threshold – the level at which a child’s blood test result should trigger a health response – but Ella is not reassured. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Outsourced call centre sweeps Centrelink customer privacy breaches ‘under the rug’, staff allege
Workers accuse government-contracted Telco Services Australia of fabricating performance statistics, denying adequate breaks and penalising staff for taking leaveFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA major outsourced call centre operator has been accused of pressuring managers to fabricate performance statistics and sweep serious privacy breaches involving Centrelink customers “under the rug”.The allegations, which the company strongly denies, form part of a series of claims by current and former call centre workers who say their employer, the Perth-based Telco Services Australia (TSA), penalises staff for taking sick leave, and... [Continue Reading]
Six confirmed dead as tornadoes strike Michigan and Oklahoma amid severe storms across the United States
At least six fatalities have been confirmed following a series of tornadoes that hit Michigan and Oklahoma, part of a broader wave of severe storms sweeping across the United States. Emergency responders are continuing to assess the aftermath of the storms, with multiple injuries also reported. In Michigan, four individuals were killed, including a 12-year-old boy, in the disaster, which struck the region on Friday. The Branch County sheriff's department confirmed that three people lost their lives near Union City, while a number of others experienced injuries; at least 12 have been reported injured as of the latest updates. The... [Continue Reading]
Northern Territory Faces Flood Emergency as Rain Forecasts Continue
The Northern Territory is grappling with a significant flood emergency, which continues to escalate as more rain is expected in the days to come. The Chief Minister, Lia Finocchiaro, has reported that a large-scale emergency response is underway across the "Top End" to support affected communities. The Northern Territory Emergency Operations Centre is operational 24 hours a day with a dedicated team of 40 staff members coordinating efforts across various government agencies. Katherine, a city in the Northern Territory, has been particularly hard hit, facing its worst flooding in nearly three decades. Reports indicate that significant rainfall has exacerbated the... [Continue Reading]
Everything you need to know about the NT's flood emergency
Wondering if schools in the Top End will be open tomorrow? Not sure what the situation is with flood evacuation centres? Looking for the latest information on natural disaster relief payments? We've answered all your NT flood-related questions here. [Continue Reading]
‘There are crocs absolutely everywhere’: NT residents warned to stay out of flood waters as hundreds evacuated
Entire Daly River town evacuated as Bureau of Meteorology warns river levels expected to rise in coming weekFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFlood-affected residents in the Northern Territory have been warned not to swim in crocodile-filled waters, as tropical lows continue to bring major flood warnings and heavy rains to the Top End and Queensland.Hundreds of people were evacuated over the weekend, with the entire town of Nauiyu/Daly River in the NT evacuated as of Sunday afternoon, the NT chief minister, Lia Finocchiaro, said. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Katherine experiences worst flooding in 28 years as residents wake to survey damage
Katherine experiences its worst flooding in 28 years, with several Territorians rescued by helicopter this weekend after they were stranded in a nearby remote community. [Continue Reading]
Brisbane cops heavy rain as tropical low continues south
A tropical low crossed the coast near Innisfail on Friday afternoon, bringing heavy rain and flooding to large swathes of Queensland. [Continue Reading]
Tornadoes cause at least eight fatalities in Oklahoma and Michigan as rescue operations continue across the central United States
In a devastating turn of events, tornadoes have wreaked havoc across the central United States, particularly affecting the states of Oklahoma and Michigan. As the storms continued to unfold, authorities reported a death toll of at least eight, with four fatalities confirmed in each state. Rescue operations are still ongoing, and the final numbers may increase as search teams assess damage and locate missing individuals. The National Weather Service has indicated that the tornadoes, which began their destructive path on Friday, left a significant trail of destruction including downed power lines and demolished properties. Footage broadcasted by local media showcased... [Continue Reading]
Clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces in Nabi Chit, Lebanon result in at least 16 deaths and multiple injuries
In a significant escalation of hostilities, intense clashes erupted between Hezbollah and Israeli forces in the town of Nabi Chit, Lebanon, leading to at least 16 fatalities and numerous injuries. The confrontation took place during a raid conducted by Israeli troops in the predominantly Shiite region on Friday night. The violence has drawn international attention, highlighting the volatile relationship between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and the Israeli military, amid increasing tensions across the Middle East. The Israeli incursion into Nabi Chit marks a worrying development. Both Hezbollah and Israeli forces engaged in heavy exchanges of fire, resulting in extensive material damage and... [Continue Reading]
Heavy rains and flooding kills at least 23 in Nairobi
Flights in and out of Nairobi Airport have been disrupted while some roads in the capital are submerged. [Continue Reading]
8 dead in Kenya floods, with motorists stranded, flights disrupted
At least 23 people were killed in flash flooding overnight in the capital Nairobi, police said Saturday, amid search and rescue operations and widespread devastation. Torrential rains lashed the city late on Friday, turning major streets into rivers and flooding thousands of homes and businesses. Rescue teams were still pulling out bodies and rescuing trapped residents on Saturday, while reporters saw heavily damaged roads and infrastructure from the city’s vast slums to upmarket areas like... [Continue Reading]
Nairobi flash floods kill more than 20 people and cause widespread airport disruption
Overnight flash floods in Kenya's capital have killed at least 23 people and caused diversions at the country's main airport - the biggest in East Africa. [Continue Reading]
Tornado in Union Lake, Michigan, kills three and injures 12 amid severe storm outbreak
In a devastating turn of events, a tornado believed to have struck the Union Lake area in Michigan recently resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left 12 more injured. This occurrence is part of a broader outbreak of severe storms that swept across southern Michigan, causing significant destruction and triggering tornado warnings throughout the region. Footage captured by onlookers reveals the catastrophic nature of the tornado as it tore through Union City, annihilating homes and uprooting trees. Another tornado struck the city of Three Rivers, where debris was seen swirling violently across a parking lot, highlighting the chaotic... [Continue Reading]
Southern Peru flooded after torrential rain
Southern Peru flooded after torrential rain [Continue Reading]
Evacuations Underway for Two Northern Territory Aboriginal Communities Amid Severe Flooding
Authorities in Australia's Northern Territory have initiated evacuations for two remote Aboriginal communities, Palumpa (Nganmarriyanga) and Daly River (Nauiyu), as severe flooding continues to threaten the region. This unprecedented flood emergency has prompted around 600 residents to be airlifted to safety in Darwin, where they will remain until conditions improve and floodwaters recede. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has reported that a monsoon trough and a tropical low system are expected to bring continuous wet weather throughout the weekend. The situation is critical in Palumpa, where approximately 400 individuals are being relocated, alongside 200 evacuees from Daly River. Emergency services... [Continue Reading]
Floodwaters rise in Katherine, Northern Territory, prompting emergency responses and evacuations amid concerns of a record wet season
As floodwaters rise in Katherine, Northern Territory, significant inundation has been reported across the town, leading to emergency responses and evacuations. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has indicated that northern Australia could be experiencing one of its wettest seasons on record, raising concerns among local residents and officials regarding the ongoing situation. Floodwaters have overtaken parts of Katherine Terrace, threatening infrastructure along the Stuart Highway, which is critical for transport through the region. The Katherine River has surpassed the major flood level, with latest measurements reporting that water levels at Katherine Bridge have reached over 18.5 metres. Residents woke to... [Continue Reading]
Tropical low 29U brings heavy rainfall and increased flood risks to Queensland communities
A tropical low, identified as 29U, has moved inland across Queensland, intensifying rainfall and increasing flood risks for several communities. The system's movement follows significant rainfall that began affecting coastal areas in far-north Queensland on Thursday evening. Reports indicate that the severe weather has resulted in boats being ripped from their moorings in Daintree, a township affected by the adverse conditions. As of Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology reported that the tropical low is moving south-west of Georgetown, with predictions of moderate to heavy rainfall extending from Richmond to Julia Creek. Residents in these areas are advised to remain vigilant... [Continue Reading]
Flood emergency warning issued for Katherine and Beswick as Katherine River rises to 13 metres, major flood level expected
A flood emergency warning is currently active for the Northern Territory town of Katherine, located approximately 300 km south of Darwin. The situation has escalated as the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) confirms the Katherine River has risen to 13 metres and is projected to reach the "major flood" level later today. The flood warning applies not only to Katherine but also to the nearby community of Beswick, where residents have been advised to seek high ground and remain indoors until further notice. Recent reports indicate that 97.8 millimetres of rain has fallen in the region since 9 AM yesterday. This... [Continue Reading]
Bill and Hillary Clinton testify to House Oversight Committee about connections to Jeffrey Epstein
Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, provided testimonies behind closed doors to the US House Oversight Committee regarding their connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. These testimonies were recorded and later released to the public, totaling over four hours each. The testimonies are part of a wider investigation into Epstein's ties with prominent individuals and the circumstances surrounding his financial dealings. The release of these depositions comes on the heels of an increasing scrutiny of Epstein's connections, especially following the disclosure of select "Epstein files," which included documentation and photographs... [Continue Reading]
