Australia’s western frontier, vast resources, and regional backbone
Isle of Man researchers have formed the Manx Shark Foundation to study basking sharks and other large marine species. Initial sightings are rising, prompting focused monitoring and citizen science to uncover patterns in movements, prey availability, and broader ecosystem health.
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.
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.
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.
Alison Zuend and Jo Treweek have completed a charity horseback journey across Britain, raising more than £20,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK. The pair, who began in May, faced cold Scottish weather and heat waves in England while navigated rivers, bridges and busy roads with a support trailer, documenting the effort on social media. They say the journey has been exhausting but uplifting, and they thank the generosity of strangers who helped push their fundraising past the target.
A District Court of Western Australia has convicted Christopher Saunders, 76, on 13 of 19 charges of sexual abuse dating from 2008 to 2019 in the Broome Diocese. He led the diocese from 1996 to 2021 and resigned after an earlier police inquiry. The verdict follows a lengthy trial in which four charges were dropped and six were acquitted; sentencing is set for September 21.
Dolphins off Australia’s east coast are using empty shells to trap prey, a behavior called shelling. The approach has been observed in Hervey Bay and Queensland’s Great Sandy Marine Park, with footage suggesting maternal transmission. Researchers say this adds to evidence of tool use in dolphins and may illuminate how humans evolved tool use.
The federal government and New South Wales have formalised a two-phase gun buyback following the Bondi attack, with costs shared between the Commonwealth and the state. NSW has tightened ownership limits and reclassified weapons, while other states weigh participation amid political resistance. The plan includes compensation for surrendered firearms and support for dealers and businesses.
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.
Diver incidents and open-water attacks have left several injured or seriously harmed. A Florida bull-shock rescue, an otter attack in Nevada, and a Sydney shark attack have spurred medical responses, fundraising and public safety warnings as authorities investigate.
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.
A synthesis of recent sleep studies shows wearables may misjudge sleep quality, narcolepsy treatment advances gain regulatory traction, and weekend catch-up sleep ties to lower hypertension risk, prompting a nuanced view of how to monitor and improve sleep.
Scientists have identified a 222‑metre‑wide, up to 43‑metre‑deep crater on the Moon formed in spring 2024 and first spotted in LRO images in 2025. The impact churned material across more than 100 km, produced a roughly 7‑km cold spot and has provided rare data scientists say will inform risk assessments for planned lunar bases.
A man in his 50s has been bitten by a shark while surfing about 40 metres offshore at Glenfield Beach, north of Geraldton, at about 9:45am on Monday. He has been taken to Geraldton Health Campus with serious leg injuries. Authorities have closed the beach and recovered a damaged surfboard for species testing.
Publishers highlight growing interest in preloved items, with advice from fashion insiders and readers sharing their favorite finds. The trend underscores sustainability and the evolving fashion economy as more people buy secondhand rather than new.
A 76-year-old former bishop in Broome, Western Australia, has been sentenced for 13 of 19 charges of sexual abuse against Indigenous men and youths. The church and Vatican investigations overlapped with police action, highlighting tension between canonical processes and criminal justice. The bouquet of reports notes the impact on victims and the church’s accountability.