Capital of Western Australia; globally isolated major city
England has tightened its grip in a weather-impacted Test against New Zealand, but rain threatens a decisive finish. New Zealand is 55 for five chasing 199, with Phillips and Conway offering brief resistance in a day interrupted by showers.
A nine-year-old Australian girl, Hania Ahmed, has been killed and her father and brother injured after Pakistani police opened fire on a rental car, mistaking it for robbers in Chakwal, Punjab. Authorities say officers intervened during a robbery, and an officer has been arrested. Australia demands a transparent investigation.
Qantas has unveiled modified A350-1000ULR jets for ultra-long direct routes from Sydney to London and New York, aiming to cut travel time to about 19–21 hours and boost premium cabins. Tickets will go on sale in February with flights starting in October 2027. The planes feature extra fuel tanks and a four-cabin layout to improve passenger comfort on journeys up to 22 hours.
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.
Since late June, civil aviation has faced several safety scares: a JetBlue A321 has reported a collision with a drone near JFK and landed safely; a United and a helicopter pilot have reported near-misses with unmanned aircraft near Newark and Manhattan; Delta 1076 reported a firework strike during descent into Chicago Midway; and LOT Polish Airlines flight 155 emitted a false hijack transponder code and was escorted to Burgas before authorities blamed a transponder error.
The National Park Service is removing mountain goats from the Tetons after a three-year effort to protect native bighorn sheep. Park officials say nonnative goats pose disease risks and compete for habitat, prompting ongoing removal by specialized contractors as rangers engage the public in reporting sightings.
Scottish supporters have carried their World Cup run into Miami, turning Ocean Drive and local bars into a showcase of kilts, bagpipes and Saltire flags as Brazil loom in the next game. The crowd's energy has warmed locals and surprised officials alike.
Australian Simon Peter Carman is charged with the murder of 17-year-old Thai girl Tunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya. She was found in a suitcase near railway tracks after an alleged dispute over payment for services. Authorities say Carman denies the charges and claims self-defence; Thai police are investigating possible links to two other suitcase deaths in the region.
Ireland has beaten Australia before and aims to start the Nations Championship strongly with matches against Japan and New Zealand on the horizon. Joe Schmidt bows out to Les Kiss with Australia eyeing a home World Cup in 2027 as Andy Farrell seeks a return victory in Sydney.
Australian and Indian leaders have confirmed the Melbourne Renegades versus Perth Scorchers game in Chennai on December 12, marking the first Big Bash League match to be played outside Australia. The event is part of a broader Australia-India festival, with broadcast plans in place and discussions of expanding the league’s footprint.
England faces India in a decisive bilateral ODI as they attempt to rebound from a World Cup semi-final loss. The series emphasizes England’s unknowns in the 50-over format while India’s veteran lineup tests England’s bowling and middle-order resilience.
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.
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.
Richardson has switched allegiance from Australia to Britain and is now racing for Team England in Glasgow 2026. Injury has sidelined him, replacement Harry Radford steps in as the sprint program kicks off; Hoffman remains a rival as England and Australia clash on the velodrome track.
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.
Cliff Lyons Dobbie, a restricted patient, has been traced after escaping a Perth city centre area. He is linked to a 1990 Glasgow rape and remains under police investigation. NHS Tayside confirms cooperation with Police Scotland and urges the public not to approach him.
A total solar eclipse has crossed parts of Spain, Iceland and Greenland while the UK and Ireland have seen a deep partial eclipse — the most extensive visible from the UK since 1999. Scientists have used airborne and balloon experiments to study the Sun's corona and the event has drawn large crowds despite patchy clouds and local viewing limits.
Australia is rolling out an initial vaccination program targeting captive birds at risk from H5N1 bird flu. Vaccines are not a silver bullet; the virus continues to spread among wild and domestic birds. Authorities say vaccination will help protect vulnerable species while surveillance and biosecurity remain essential.
Strathmore Hotels is placed under joint administration as eight hotels, including Perth’s Salutation Hotel, trade while options for the business are reviewed. The move follows sustained creditor pressure and a winding up petition in July; 410 staff are being retained as the portfolio continues operating.
England has built a 195-run lead at Headingley as Jordan Cox leads a productive day with 73, Brook and Lawrence adding half-centuries, while Usman claims wickets for Pakistan. Sam Curran faces a groin injury and will miss the third Test.
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.
Community councils voice alarm over a wave of renewables projects while UK and Scottish ministers wrestle with a national plan. Critics warn the rapid pace risks soaring bills and industrial displacement, even as energy storage and grid upgrades take on renewed urgency.
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.
The by-election in Perth has tightened as One Nation candidate Luke Herdegen leads with about 57% of counted votes, while the Labour candidate trails at 43%. The result, seen as a gauge of party strength, is being watched closely across Australia.