Australian news agency with 90 journalists across states
Two men reported a body in a suitcase near Oallen, NSW. Police have confirmed the item is a lifelike doll, not a human remains, after forensic testing. Investigations are ongoing.
Australian authorities have overseen the return of seven women and 12 children linked to Islamic State fighters from the al-Roj camp in northeast Syria. Several women have been charged with slavery or terrorism offences on arrival; others are under investigation. The government maintains it has not provided assistance for these returns and is monitoring ongoing cases.
New Zealand has confirmed its first mainland detection of H5 bird flu after a brown skua found on Petone beach has tested positive. Authorities have said there is no evidence of mass mortality or poultry infection, but surveillance and a targeted vaccination programme for endangered captive birds have been activated as officials monitor wild populations.
Bolivia has moved to stabilize the crisis sparked by weeks of road blockades. A state of emergency allows military support to police, roadways are being cleared, and talks continue with labor unions as protests shift and some blocks lift.
Australian actor Paul Hogan has dismissed Pauline Hanson’s monoculture proposal as out of step with the country’s diverse society. Hanson’s National Press Club address has triggered polling swings, with Labor gaining in Newspoll and Redbridge, while One Nation’s popularity slips. Experts say Hanson’s monoculture concept misreads Japan’s demographics and ignores Australia’s own diversity.
Twenty-five years after Peter Falconio’s murder in the Australian outback, police have released new images and reopened evidence boxes in a bid to locate his remains. Bradley Murdoch, who was convicted of the crime, died last year without naming the burial site. NT police say the investigation remains open.
The Federal Court of Australia has ruled that Rebel Wilson did not defame Charlotte MacInnes in a series of Instagram posts about an on-set incident during The Deb. The judge found MacInnes failed to prove the posts caused serious harm or breached confidence. Wilson thanks the court and looks to move on, while MacInnes must cover costs.
Origin Energy has disclosed a major cyber incident affecting about 0.9–5 million customers; names, addresses and account details may have been viewed. The company warns of an increased risk of scams and urges customers to verify communications through official channels.
A Western Australia District Court jury has found Yung Filly star Andres Barrientos not guilty on three counts of sexual penetration without consent, but has convicted him on two counts of assault causing bodily harm. The jury could not reach verdicts on three rape charges. Barrientos remains on bail as sentencing is scheduled for August 21 after the mixed verdicts in Perth.
Australia faces the H5N1 bird flu strain in wild seabirds, marking its first mass mortality event off South Australia. Victoria and New Zealand are monitoring spread as authorities warn of ongoing wildlife losses and rising mortality in migratory populations.