Public research university in Melbourne, founded 1958
Andrew and Tristan Tate have been held in federal detention in Miami after US marshals arrested them on a UK extradition request. Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service has added 38 charges — including rape, trafficking, assault and offences tied to indecent images — that allegedly date from 2010–2017. The brothers deny wrongdoing and are contesting extradition.
A coalition of 25 US states has filed suit in the US Court of International Trade to stop 10–12.5% tariffs that took effect in July on goods from about 60 trading partners. Plaintiffs say the administration has used forced‑labour claims to recreate broad levies courts have already struck down; the White House says the duties are lawful under Section 301.
ASIC confirms banks have mismanaged offset accounts, prompting millions in compensations and exposing risks as millions more are affected. The watchdog warns that linking and monitoring issues persist post-refinancing.
The United States has expanded a 12.5% tariff to 60 trading partners, citing failures to enforce bans on goods made with forced labor. Australia and New Zealand object, while Japan and South Korea seek clarification. The move broadens trade frictions and could lift prices for consumers and disrupt supply chains.
Meteorological agencies and the UN have reported a very strong El Niño that has continued to intensify in August 2026. Forecasts show record-warm Pacific sea-surface temperatures, rising global heat and an elevated risk of droughts, floods and food insecurity that will push tens of millions more people into acute hunger this year and next.
The Guardian and other outlets report increasing concern over Meta’s Ray‑Ban smartglasses. Pubs, theatres and schools ban or restrict wearables to protect privacy as regulators weigh rules. While advocates highlight accessibility benefits, critics warn surreptitious filming and harassment threaten safety in public spaces.
The government has warned of further price pressures this winter as Ofgem prepares to set the October-December price cap amid ongoing global energy volatility. Budgets are shifting as targeted discounts and existing discounts come under review, with think tanks urging faster, more precise support for households.
The UN General Assembly has endorsed a non-binding move to shift from the Mercator projection to the Equal Earth map to better reflect continental sizes. The vote saw 164 members in favour with the United States abstaining or opposing; several countries express concerns about disputed territories and implications for regional shading.
The UN General Assembly has voted 164–1 to encourage use of equal-area map projections, led by Togo and backed by the African Union. The non-binding resolution recommends the Equal Earth projection for schools, governments and tech companies. The United States cast the sole vote against; six states abstained.
AI agents are emerging as a new attack surface in enterprise networks. Industry voices warn that cyber defenses must treat agents as both attackers and targets as they proliferate across tools, cloud services and internal workflows. The trend is accelerating and will reshape how organizations secure digital assets.
Automated vehicles have incorporated features like braking and monitoring, yet critics question whether they enhance safety or erode driver autonomy. Across reports, users describe discomfort with surveillance and the loss of control as robotaxis and autopilot systems become more common.