Taylor Avoids Backing ASIO Amid Questions on ISIS-Linked Families
Opposition leader Angus Taylor warned the Australian government to block the return of families linked to former ISIS fighters, after four women and nine children were moved from a Syrian refugee camp toward Australia. He criticized the lack of comprehensive exclusion orders, noting only one temporary order has been issued. The government reiterated its stance of not repatriating the cohort, citing ongoing security assessments. Taylor repeatedly avoided confirming his trust in ASIO, shifting focus to broader governmental responsibility.
Norway Follows Australia with Under-16s Social Media Ban Legislation
Norway will table a bill by year‑end that bans anyone under 16 from using social‑media platforms, echoing Australia’s pioneering December restriction. The proposal places the onus on technology firms to verify users’ ages, though it does not name specific apps....
Five per Cent Home Deposit Scheme Fuelling Price Hike, Report Suggests
The Australian government’s First Home Guarantee, expanded in October 2025 to allow 5% deposits with a loan guarantee, has accelerated price growth for homes under the scheme’s price caps. Cotality data shows eligible properties rose 6.7% in the first six...
Australia Ready for AUKUS Subs as China Threat Looms, US Commander Says
U.S. Indo‑Pacific commander Admiral Samuel Paparo told Congress that the United States is short on amphibious ships, surface destroyers and attack submarines, urging a rapid boost in naval production to counter China’s growing aggression. He praised the upgraded HMAS Stirling base...
Iran's Meme Factory Is Using 'the Weapons of Their Enemy' To Embarrass Trump
Iranian media outfit Explosive Media is deploying AI‑generated, Lego‑style videos to mock President Donald Trump and frame Iran as the underdog in the ongoing conflict. The short, English‑language clips—dubbed "slopaganda"—are shared widely on TikTok, Instagram and X, amassing millions of...
Vanuatu Takes Swipe at Australia Amid Reports of China Security Deal
Vanuatu’s prime minister Jotham Napat publicly rejected claims that a forthcoming Namele Agreement with China is a security pact, labeling the reports “grossly misguided.” The denial comes as Australia worries the draft could contain security clauses that would jeopardize the...
Boyd Says Other AFL Players Are Struggling 'Under the Surface' After Hollands Episode
Tom Boyd, a former number‑one AFL draft pick who retired at 23 due to his own mental‑health struggles, says Elijah Hollands' recent hospitalisation highlights a widespread, hidden crisis among players. He argues the conversation should focus on systemic mental‑health support...
States and Territories Left in the Dark on NDIS Savings
Australia’s federal government is set to unveil a new package of NDIS reforms aimed at slowing the scheme’s cost growth from about 9.5% to 5‑6% per year, a move projected to save roughly $4 billion AUD ($2.6 bn USD) annually over the...
Government Pours $30m Into Counter-Drone Technology in Wake of Iran War
The Australian government has allocated about $30 million AUD (≈$20 million USD) to two domestic firms—Sypaq and AIM Defence—to fast‑track counter‑drone solutions. Sypaq will develop the Corvo Strike armed drone that can hunt larger UAVs, while AIM Defence will advance the Fractl high‑power...
China Suddenly Grants New Beef Licences to Australia
China’s customs authority approved eight new Australian beef facilities – six cold‑storage centres and two abattoirs, including Thomas Foods International’s Murray Bridge plant – and upgraded licences for 13 existing exporters to ship chilled beef. The changes effectively add 15...
Producer on Rebel Wilson Film Branded 'Indian Ghislaine Maxwell', Court Hears
Australian actress Rebel Wilson is accused of commissioning a crisis‑communications firm to launch a website that labeled producer Amanda Ghost as the “Indian Ghislaine Maxwell.” The site, along with an Instagram post, formed the basis of a defamation lawsuit filed...
Woolworths's 'Prices Dropped' Promotion Broke Guidelines, Court Hears
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has taken Woolworths to federal court, alleging the supermarket breached its own "Prices Dropped" guardrails on 266 products. The watchdog says Woolworths temporarily raised prices—e.g., an Oreo Family Pack jumped to A$5 (≈US$3.30)...
'We Are Not Leaving': What Israel's Occupation Could Mean for Lebanon's Future
Israel’s military has formalized a 560‑sq‑km buffer zone – dubbed the “Yellow Line” – deep into southern Lebanon, covering about 5.5% of the country’s territory. The IDF has already razed homes in 39 villages, describing them as terrorist outposts, while...
Live: US Says It's 'on the Brink' Of Deal with Iran, but Uncertainty over Peace Talks Remains
The White House announced it is "on the brink" of a deal with Iran as a US negotiating team prepares to travel to Pakistan for a potential summit, despite Tehran’s hesitation. The two‑week US‑Iran cease‑fire expires Wednesday night with President...
Donald Trump Might Have Annoyed the only Ally Who Can Help Clear Sea Mines
The Strait of Hormuz remains shrouded in uncertainty as Iran repeatedly closes the waterway amid a broader US‑Iran standoff. President Donald Trump claimed the United States had removed or was removing all sea mines, a statement unverified by allies and...