Capital and largest city of Queensland, Australia, and a hub of sport, innovation, and culture.
France rallies to beat Australia 34-21 in Brisbane, overturning a 21-12 halftime deficit with four second-half tries. Penaud’s injury update and Ntamack’s decisive moments shape the narrative ahead of Nations Championship clashes.
Ofgem has proposed refundable upfront deposits between £237,500 and £712,500 per megawatt for projects seeking grid connections, to stop speculative data‑centre schemes clogging the queue. The regulator has opened a consultation to force applicants to hit hard milestones or lose their place as Britain faces connection requests vastly above peak demand.
Garry Sobers has died aged 89. The West Indies all-rounder redefined cricket with sublime batting, varied bowling and exceptional fielding, leaving a lasting legacy across generations.
Sir Garfield Sobers has died at 89 in Barbados. A legendary West Indies all-rounder, Sobers transformed cricket with his batting, bowling and fielding. Tributes describe him as the greatest all-rounder and a symbol of Caribbean excellence.
Climate models have shown an unusually powerful El Niño forming in the tropical Pacific that has a high chance of peaking this year or into 2027. Forecasts have indicated record ocean temperatures, widespread risks to food and water supplies across Africa and Latin America, and added pressure on prices and supply chains already strained by conflict and heatwaves.
Australian One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has drawn international attention during a European tour, meeting far-right figures and causing domestic debate over immigration and national identity. While Hanson defends her stance, critics urge clearer adherence to Australian values and policy commitments.
Jenitar Na’amoana has given birth to four monozygotic girls at 28 weeks and four days after naturally conceiving; they remain in intensive care. The birth, at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, follows a high-risk pregnancy because the babies shared a single placenta. The family had four older children and the mother is supported by a medical team and a GoFundMe campaign.
Federal SNAP reform has tightened eligibility and shifted costs to states, triggering a sharp drop in participation and putting pressure on food banks. Arizona records the largest decline, with state processes becoming more burdensome and delivery times longer as programs adjust. Projections warn of continued reductions without congressional action.
In Australia, Pauline Hanson has faced swift criticism from domestic-violence experts and advocates after labelling domestic violence a “two-way street.” The comments are being challenged as harmful, with activists highlighting the dangers of victim-blaming and the gendered nature of abuse. The discourse expands across SBS, The Guardian and the BBC as politicians respond.
Multiple sources report on Glasgow 2026’s impact as a bridge to the Commonwealth Games’ future, with emphasis on cost-saving measures, collaboration with hosts, and shifting regional leadership. The Games wrap with questions over global viewership and future hosts.
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.
Northern Ireland and Wales finish Glasgow 2026 with notable success across bowls, cycling and track events. NI claims multiple golds in bowls and boxing, while Wales is led by Emma Finucane’s four golds in cycling and a strong track team performance.
Scotland has delivered a scaled-back, sustainable Commonwealth Games after Victoria withdrew. The city used existing venues, emphasised legacy, and expects continued investment to sustain nationwide sport participation and facilities.
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh have been naturalised in Brisbane after seeking asylum in Australia during Iran’s Women’s Asian Cup protest. Five teammates returned to Iran; the pair remain and are now Australian citizens, training with Brisbane Roar and calling Australia home.
Ben Gurion Airport remains disrupted as staffing shortages and a wildcat strike have delayed check-in, baggage handling, and flights. Officials and unions clash over causes, while authorities pledge increased staffing for the Jewish holidays amid ongoing investigations and political fallout.
A total solar eclipse has crossed Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain while the UK and Ireland have seen a deep partial eclipse — the most extensive across Britain since 1999. Scientists and agencies such as NASA have flown instruments and balloons into the path of totality to study the Sun's corona and to gather data for improving space‑weather forecasts.
A deep partial lunar eclipse has occurred, with about 96% of the Moon in Earth's shadow for observers across much of the Americas. The event followed a recent total solar eclipse and is part of a pair of celestial events that are visible under clear skies. The maximum viewing is around midnight EDT, with visibility shifting by location. NASA notes the Artemis II mission remains a backdrop to ongoing space activity.
Prosecutors have moved to retry the entertainer Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos after a Perth hotel assault in 2024, with a jury previously finding him guilty on two charges and not guilty on others. A retrial date has not yet been set, while sentencing for assault convictions will follow the retrial.
National cabinet is moving to implement nationally consistent standards for datacentres to use 100% renewables with firming, while allowing exemptions if state-owned plants prove cheaper. Projects approved before the rules apply will stay under existing state laws. The move follows surging datacentre demand and aims to curb electricity costs while balancing local impacts.
Australia’s Queensland surrogacy framework is tested by a case where a surrogate pregnancy results in twins with different biological parents. Judges rule these children are not birth siblings under the act, formalising parentage for both couples.
The 30-year-old entertainer, Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, has learned prosecutors will retry him on assault charges related to an incident in a Perth hotel room in September 2024. A jury previously found him guilty on two counts of assault, while several rape charges were not proven or could not reach a majority verdict. A retrial date has not been set.
Rachael Gunn has opened up about the run-up to the 2024 Games as Netflix releases Untold Raygun: Breaking Badly. The documentary revisits her panic in the Olympic Village, her viral routine, and the subsequent scrutiny that led to retirement. It also highlights support from figures like Jimmy Fallon and public commentary at the time.
A rogues’ gallery of action stars delivers a breezy chase comedy set in 1987 Europe. Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh play an unlikely duo on a mission that zips from a snowy forest to Moscow, balancing slick stunts with blunt humor. The film earns beeps of heart and a smile, even as it revels in outright cartoonish spectacle.
The NFL has staged its first regular-season game in Australia, selling out Melbourne’s 100,000-seat MCG and signaling a long-term push into the Asia-Pacific region. The Rams host the 49ers in a high-profile clash that tests logistics, fan demand, and future scheduling.
Two Iranian football players who abandoned their team have discussed their refugee journey on Australia’s 60 Minutes. They say they stood with their people, survived threats, and eventually became Australian citizens after seeking asylum in Australia amid Tehran’s crackdown and international pressure.
The Fitzroy River course has passed an independent technical assessment for Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoe sprint, with World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide endorsing the verdict. The Queensland government welcomes the outcome as Rockhampton prepares for 2032 events, while questions linger about crocodile presence and regional logistics.
The Olympic emblem has been officially launched: a pink cockatoo crest symbolising both the Olympics and Paralympics, with First Nations elements and a Queensland-inspired design. Officials say the emblems celebrate Brisbane’s lifestyle as the games approach, with the mascot to be revealed later.
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed a handful of countries are engaging in continuous dialogue to bid for future Olympic Games. A deadline of October 31 is set for formal interest, with shortlisting and feasibility assessments to follow between 2027 and 2029. Ahmedabad, Munich and Cape Town are among the cities named in emerging bids for 2036 and beyond.