ABC News Top Stories
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At least five dead in US school shooting | ABC News Top Stories
At least five people are dead in a school shooting in the US state of Oregon. The Greens are assuring that an investigation into Senator Jordon Steele-John will be independent. The first coronial hearing into the death of a teenager who died in a tragic cricket accident last year will begin today.For more news at any time you can follow the ABC News Top Stories podcast.
What will Victoria's new auction reserve laws change?
Auctions in Victoria will look different from this weekend.New laws requiring vendors to advertise the reserve price one week in advance of an auction, will be fully in effect. The change will make the buying process more transparent, but some in the real estate industry say the move could leave people selling their homes out of pocket.
What are the allegations against Jordon Steele-John?
"Multiple allegations" of inappropriate behaviour in the presence of women have been made against Greens senator Jordon Steele-John.The WA senator says he "utterly rejects this characterisation" and is prepared to address the allegations.So, what do we know?
Military police probe hidden camera on HMAS Leeuwin in Cairns
Military police are investigating the discovery of a hidden camera inside a female-only cabin on a navy ship.The incident has prompted Senator Jacqui Lambie to raise the alarm in the Senate, and she says it's far from an isolated case.It's also sparked a broader debate about whether the defence force can clean up its own culture, or whether an independent body needs to step in.
Does higher unemployment mean interest rate rises are now over?
The unemployment rate has crept up to its highest level in five years, and it's a result some policymakers have actually been hoping for.So why would anyone want to see more Australians out of work, and what could it mean for your mortgage?
Is the US abandoning Ukraine on the battlefield against Russia?
The relationship between the US and Ukraine appears to be fracturing.Kyiv's accusing Washington of withholding critical intelligence about Russian missile strikes and restricting Starlink services at a moment when Russia's attacks on civilian infrastructure are intensifying.At the same time, Donald Trump has lifted sanctions on Russian diesel and publicly called for Ukraine to re
No restaurant in Australia had a Michelin star. How did SA change that?
South Australia has made culinary history this week, with 11 eateries becoming the first in the nation to receive world-renowned Michelin stars.The red carpet was rolled out for the Michelin Man in Adelaide, dishing out 10 one-star ratings and, and one two star rating.So how did South Australia get all these Michelin stars?
Russell Brand's rape trial begins
The rape trial for British comedian and actor Russell Brand has begun in the UK.Brand has been has charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assaultHe's pleaded not guilty.So what do we know about the case?
Is the high price of fuel here to stay?
Australians are once again getting smashed at the bowser.Petrol's bad enough at about 240 cents a litre across the country.But diesel is much worse, over 280 cents, which is a blow for the likes of farmers and people in construction who need it for their heavy vehicles.These high prices have left many asking: where to from here?
Were Russian propaganda bots taken offline by Ukrainian attacks?
Ukraine has launched attacks on Russian data centres, knocking out services tied to Yandex, Russia's biggest search engine, and causing disruption across dozens of cities.President Zelensky's claimed the strikes took Russian propaganda bots offline.But does the claim stack up, and what does it mean for the long-running debate about Russia's influence online?
Is a shaky start fatal for Trump's new press secretary?
The new White House press secretary Katie Zaharia has made her debut at the podium, and by most accounts it didn't go well.With the midterm elections just weeks away, there's a lot riding on how effectively the Trump administration can get its message out.
How serious is Pope Leo's lung cancer diagnosis?
Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung at a Rome hospital.There are questions now about what this means for the 71-year-old pope's future, and how the Catholic Church handles leadership when a pope is incapacitated.
What's behind the rise in violence against children?
New research has found recorded rates of sexual and family violence-related assault involving Australian children rose over the last decade with the sharpest increase in recent years.The study from the University of Sydney used data from national police-recorded assaults, hospitalisations, and child protection data from three Australian national agency databases.
How hackers are targeting French supermarket fridges
Hundreds of French supermarket refrigerators have been targeted in a cyber attack that's caused fires and food losses.Paris prosecutors are investigating after hackers remotely raised fridge temperatures to as high as 50 degrees Celsius.
Why women are more at risk as dementia cases look to soar
A new international dementia study predicts cases will skyrocket in coming decades, and women will be disproportionately affected. The new study from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing at the University of NSW predicts women and people from low and middle income countries will experience higher rates of the disease.
How our ageng population is straining the health system
There are fresh warnings about the pressure Australia's aging population is putting on our health system, with doctors bracing for a huge spike in older patients in the next few decades. A new report from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine says emergency departments are bracing for a more than 400 per cent increase in patients aged 85 and over by 2050. Doctors say th
Would publicly owned supermarkets make groceries cheaper?
The Australian Greens' official research body is proposing a federal government-owned supermarket chain called Fair Go Grocers, which it claims could cut the average grocery bill by 22%.The plan would involve nationalising hundreds of Coles and Woolworths stores, but critics say the idea isn't workable.
Can Australia stop an execution being livestreamed?
The planned livestream of the US military execution of former army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan is drawing criticism in Australia, with politicians from One Nation to the Greens calling on the federal government to act.There are real questions about whether a ban would even be enforceable, and whether it amounts to censorship.And experts are also warning about the broader effects of
Why are the Houthis and Saudi Arabia attacking each other?
The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran backed Houthis in Yemen is escalatingThe international airport in the Saudi capital Riyadh has been hit by deadly air strikesThe Houthis have claimed responsibility for the attacks -and reported on Sunday that two air strikes also hit Yemen's capital, Sanaa.
Why is 'Manosphere' content rife among teen boys?
Teenage boys who say they don't search for or engage with manosphere content are still being fed misogynistic videos via social media. While the federal government is drafting new laws to "switch off" social media algorithms, experts say it's not as simple as it seems.
Why are data centre developers looking to the bush?
Data centres used to be mainly clustered around Sydney and Melbourne.But the new generation of AI factories are bigger and way more power hungry.So now developers are scouring the bush to look for the perfect spot to build one of these server farms which will handle AI queries and training for the likes of Claude and Chat GTP.
Is Trump siding with Russia over Ukraine on oil?
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy are in an escalating dispute over Russian oil, and it's got Trump saying Ukraine should get a new leader.So why is the US appearing to side with Russia, and what's driving a deal that cuts against its longstanding stance on the war?
Did your favourite coffee quietly swap to a cheaper bean?
The price of coffee beans has surged to record highs, and some major brands have quietly changed what's inside their products without making it obvious on the packaging.Australian food labelling rules don't require companies to identify the type of bean unless they make a specific claim about it, which means a recipe can change without much fanfare.So are coffee drinkers getting
Is Russia telling the truth about the Irkutsk plague lab death?
A 28-year-old woman who worked at a plague research institute in Siberia has died.The World Health Organization has asked Russia for more information about the death.Hear what a former White House pandemic expert says would worry him and what the WHO wants from Russia.
The fallout after data centre company Firmus axes its planned ASX float
Firmus is a data centre operator backed by chip-making giant Nvidia and it has axed its plan to list on the Australian share market.The float had been billed as one of the biggest debuts in the history of the market, and it was a $44 billion float.So what went wrong?
What happens after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's win on raid warrants?
UK police have admitted the warrants used to search Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes in February were unlawful, and the High Court has quashed them.Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on 19 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and has been investigated over his links to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.A solicitor says the setback does not necessarily
Why are children confiding in chatbots instead of people?
New research shows a troubling number of young abuse victims in Australia are staying silent or turning to AI chatbots instead of a trusted adult.Australia's Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett says it's a trend that highlights the limits of what police can do, and calls for a whole-of-community response.So what does the research actually show, and what can caregivers do t
Sam Wood denied bail on DV charges, what did the court hear?
Prominent fitness influencer and reality TV star Sam Wood has been denied bail on domestic violence charges and remanded in custody until 23 November.Queensland police allege Mr Wood assaulted his wife during a family argument in Noosa on Saturday 3 October.So what did the court hear from the prosecution and from Mr Wood's lawyer?
Will the ATO be forced to accept credit cards?
The Australian Taxation Office has announced it will stop accepting credit cards as payments from 1 December, in response to the Reserve Bank's reforms to ban surcharge fees on card payments.The ATO says absorbing the surcharge would effectively transfer the cost to all taxpayers, but the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants the decision reversed.So what does the cha
Rents are flatlining, but it's not great news
There's some new data out that could sound like good news for renters: it shows that rents are flat lining in most capital cities.In fact, for the first time in two years, the price of rent in Sydney has even dropped!But rents aren't going up anymore because tenants are at breaking point after years of increases.
How consequential is the High Court ruling on Australian coal mining?
The High Court has found planning authorities must factor in the emissions from fossil fuels burned overseas when approving projects, such as mines. The judgement centres on a New South Wales mine expansion. While environmental groups are hailing the case as a win, law experts are sceptical it will set a broader legal precedent across the country.
Genetic testing legal protections begin. What's changing?
Life insurance companies are now legally banned from using genetic test results to deny people cover or charge them more.It ends a long and anxious wait for some Australians, who've been delaying the tests out of fear for their insurance.
The mystery illness at a Russian plague laboratory explained
A mystery illness linked to a plague laboratory in Russia is being watched around the world, after a 28-year-old woman died on October 2.Russian authorities say they have traced her contacts and the situation is stable.So what do we know and is there any reason to be alarmed about pneumonic plague?
Christa Pike is speaking, can she be put to death again?
Lawyers for US death row inmate Christa Pike say she is awake and speaking six days after Tennessee's attempt to execute her by lethal injection failed.Tennessee's governor has halted executions for the rest of the year and ordered a review, and the state's prison chief is resigning.A legal expert says Pike may satisfy the legal test for cruel and unusual punishment, and her atto
What the Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery merger means for Hollywood
Paramount Pictures has bought Warner Bros Discovery in a mega-merger that has created Skydance, one of the biggest media empires in the world.Skydance will control HBO, DC Comics, New Line Cinema, CBS, CNN and Channel 10 in Australia, and will be led by David Ellison, son of tech billionaire and Trump ally Larry Ellison.Entertainment journalist Kim Masters says large layoffs are
Why are French high school students protesting?
Tens of thousands of high school students have been protesting across France against under staffing and dilapidated classrooms.The demonstrations have turned violent at times , with police firing tear gas and protesters lighting fires in the streets and hurling projectiles.So what's happening in France?
What Israelis say three years after October 7
Three years on from Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Israelis are pausing to remember the day that changed their country and set off a chain of events that has reshaped the region.About 1,200 people were killed and hundreds were taken hostage, and the war in Gaza that followed continues, with more than 74,000 Palestinians killed according to local health authorities.W
What's with all the moths in Australia's south-east?
After a devastating population crash around 2017, the endangered Bogong moth appears to be making a remarkable comeback.Researchers have a few theories about what's behind the explosion in numbers this year, from good rainfall to unusual wind patterns.The moths are a crucial part of the alpine ecosystem, but there's still a lot scientists don't fully understand about them and the
What the Coalition's immigration plan means for students and bridging visas
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has announced the Coalition's migration policy, which he says is the biggest cut to immigration in the history of the country.Under the plan, net overseas migration would fall to 100,000 a year for the first two years, rising to 160,000 by year four, compared with Labor's target of 225,000 a year by mid-2028.How does it compare to One Nation's plan
How Jeffrey Archer went from young MP to bankrupt to bestselling novelist
British author and former MP Jeffrey Archer has died at home aged 86, on the eve of the release of his final novel, Adam and Eve.He became an MP at 29, was bankrupted, turned to writing novels, and was jailed for perjury in 2001 over his 1987 libel case against the Daily Star.So how will Jeffrey Archer be remembered?
Why Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is taking police to court
The former Prince Andrew has launched legal action against police in the UK who arrested him earlier this year.Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has filed a claim with the High Court in London against Thames Valley Police over search warrants in February.The younger brother of King Charles is already at the centre of one of Britain's biggest royal scandals, but this legal battle is not
Cockpit doors keep threats out, but what if the threat is within?
A flydubai pilot has been accused of attacking his colleague in the cockpit in an alleged attempt to seize control of the plane and crash it.With reports the alleged attacker had been grounded at another airline over security concerns, should there be more information sharing between airlines? The cockpit doors, strengthened after September 11, also complicate matters, as they ca
Could Democrats take control of US Congress next month?
Midterm elections in the Untied States are just weeks away, and Republicans are facing real pressure to hold onto their narrow majorities in both houses of Congress.Polls suggest Donald Trump's economic policies have hit voters hard, and Democrats are eyeing seats across the country, including in states they haven't won in decades.With redrawn voting maps, a fresh wave of progres
What we know about the flydubai pilot and his Australian links
A clearer picture is emerging about the attempted FlyDubai plane hijacking and the man allegedly behind it.And while Omani national, 29 year old Hammam al-Hammami's exact motive for attacking his co-pilot with an axe and trying to crash the plane is unclea, authorities and experts believe he harboured extremist views.
How Newcastle united amid elation and heartbreak
On the eve of the decider, a crash involving fans transformed the mood from excitement to heartbreak, leaving a Newcastle's community struggling to balance its grand final hopes with concern for those injured.
Which insect wins your vote for Australian Insect of the Year?
Two butterflies, two beetles, a glow-worm and a fly with eyes on stalks are the finalists for the 2026 ABC Australian Insect of the Year.Poll coordinator Gavin McGrath says the vote is about drawing attention to insects and conservation, and entomologist Ken Walker says only 30 per cent of Australia's insects have been named.So which insect will win the national vote, which runs
Why death row inmate Christa Pike didn't die after two shots of a lethal drug
Tennessee officials were unable to put murderer Christa Pike to death after two doses of pentobarbital, and her lawyers say she is in a critical condition.Pike was 18 when she tortured and killed schoolmate Colleen Slemmer in 1995, and her clemency plea citing childhood trauma was rejected.But why was Christa Pike still breathing after being given the supposedly lethal injections
Former minister revealed as co-founder of offshore casino
A German activist has released documents from inside a Caribbean gambling regulator.The leak revealed De-Anne Kelly's past involvement with LuckyBet casino.Ms Kelly had argued in support of the Interactive Gambling Act decades before LuckyBet was warned about allegedly contravening it.
What we know about the flydubai attempted hijacking
We're getting a clearer picture about the terrifying incident that happened mid-air during a flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv.
What’s to gain from getting it right with data centres?
Data centres are popping up everywhere as Australia rides the AI boom. But they are causing controversy here and around the world, so experts say it is crucial Australia’s leaders negotiate hard with tech giants so Australia can benefit in the long run.
Why businesses are angry over the ATO ban on credit card payments
The small business sector has slammed the ATO for giving only two months' notice of the change which they say could leave some owners struggling to pay their tax bills.
How did US inmate Christa Pike survive two 'lethal' injections?
Christa Pike, who has spent more than three decades on death row in Tennessee, survived two doses of what was supposed to be a lethal injection and was taken to hospital.A court-ordered pause was lifted by the US Supreme Court before the attempt, and the state's governor has halted executions for the rest of the year and ordered a review.So how can an attempted execution go so wr
Is it time for an e-bike crackdown?
The New South Wales government has crushed its first batch of illegal e-bikes into scrap metal under tough new confiscation laws.The 23 high-powered e-bikes were seized by police on Sydney's northern beaches, as more children are being injured on e-bikes and scooters.Laws vary widely across the country, so should e-bike rules be the same everywhere?
How much further could house prices fall?
Australian house prices fell for a sixth straight month in September, and experts say the property market could experience falls of up to 15 per cent in the coming months off the back of higher interest rates and cuts to housing tax breaks.Cotality's Home Value Index fell 1.1 per cent in September taking cumulative declines to 5.2 per cent below March's peak.Editor's note: An ear
What we know about the mid-air incident on a flight to Israel
Investigations are continuing after a pilot on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv stabbed his co-pilot.The attacker allegedly tried to crash the aircraft before passengers and crew stormed the cockpit and intervened.Two off-duty pilots then stepped in and brought the plane in for an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Why an NRL Grand Final means so much for Newcastle
The NRL season is nearing its conclusion.The Sydney Roosters and the Newcastle Knights will battle it out in Sunday for a shot at glory.And while grand final appearances have been fairly common in recent years for the Roosters, it's been a long time between drinks for the Knights: a quarter of a century.
What new inflation data means for the next RBA rate decision
Inflation rose to 4 per cent in the year to August, slightly lower than many expected, and market odds of another rate rise in November have fallen to 20 per cent.Housing costs are up 5.7 per cent and transport is up 5.6 per cent over the year, while trimmed mean inflation, the measure the Reserve Bank watches most closely, is steady at 3.6 per cent.ANZ says a November hike is mo
Trump's pact with 'super intelligence' leaders to self-police AI
The leaders of some of the world's most powerful AI companies have signed a voluntary agreement to 'self-police' their technology, following mounting warnings about its risks.US President Donald Trump hosted the accord's signing at the White House, declaring it 'morally binding' rather than a matter for government regulation.OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, Google, xAI and Nvidia have co
How Manchester City was found guilty of football's 'biggest scandal'
Manchester City has been found guilty of arranging 'sham' sponsorship contracts as part of financial breaches worth about $1.7 billion, in what's been described as the biggest scandal in Premier League history. An independent commission found the club guilty of more than 100 breaches of the league's financial rules, spanning a nine-year period from 2009.It's not yet clear what pe
Was Netanyahu warned about the October 7 attack?
It was the worst ever breakdown of Israel's national security, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack, killing more than 1,200 people, and taking over 200 hostage.Now, with only weeks to go until elections in Israel, and as the anniversary of the October 7 attacks looms, pressure is mounting on the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what he knew and when in t
Could the RBA's rate hikes tip Australia into recession?
The Reserve Bank has raised the cash rate to a 15-year high of 4.6 per cent, a move economists widely expected given persistent inflation and rising Middle East oil prices.Governor Michele Bullock says the rise had to happen to bring inflation down, and conceded a recession was possible if inflation expectations get away from the bank.Economist Cherelle Murphy from EY Oceania say
Should OpenAI have to report an AI hack the moment it happens?
The federal government is exploring whether to force tech companies to immediately report it when an artificial intelligence agent breaches a website, after OpenAI took months to reveal one of its agents had accessed a Medicare data portal.An OpenAI agent got into public and private files containing information about government health programs in June, but the company didn't tell
What do we know about the RAF Fairford incident in the UK?
The arrest and subsequent release of five men in the UK over a suspected terror plot on an air force base has led to plenty of speculation... and confusion.They were detained after three vans were found close to the air base - which has been used by the US air force to attack Iran.But questions remain over the men and what information intelligence authorities relied on.
Why the RBA is expected to raise interest rates
The Reserve Bank is widely tipped to raise the cash rate this afternoon to its highest level in almost 15 years.Economists say inflation remains stubbornly high, and with the continuation of elevated energy prices due to the war in the Middle East as well as A-I-related infrastructure demand, the central bank has little choice but to move.
Why credit card rewards schemes are being slashed
Banks are cutting credit card rewards points, increasing fees and trimming travel insurance perks ahead of a ban on card surcharges.The Commonwealth Bank has wound up its Qantas Frequent Flyer partnership in favour of a new in-house program called Yello.So will Australians put up with smaller rewards, or start shopping around?
Would you buy a COVID shot for $150?
From Thursday, most Australians will have to pay for their COVID-19 vaccine, with one community pharmacist estimating it could cost people up to $150.Free vaccines will still be available to anyone 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over, and people with immunocompromised conditions.So will Australians still bother getting the jab once it is no
The fallout after OpenAI agents bypass security around the world
OpenAI says it has notified dozens of organisations worldwide after autonomous AI agents bypassed security controls, days after revealing one of its agents had breached an Australian government Medicare data portal.The company has paused training and testing of some of its systems as it reviews their behaviour, while the Australian government says the incident strengthens the cas
Card surcharges are gone, but will consumers actually save money?
Card surcharges are banned from Thursday, in one of the biggest shake-ups to Australia's payment system in years.The change is expected to save consumers around 1.6 billion dollars annually, but businesses and banks are already responding in ways that could affect what you pay and how.What does the ban actually cover, and what could it mean for prices, credit card rewards, and th
Why Trump rejected Iran's deal to re-open Strait of Hormuz
Iran says diplomacy is the only way forward with the United States after US President Donald Trump rejected its latest deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Drivers wince as diesel threatens to hit $4 a litre
Drivers, farmers and the transport industry can't help but notice the price of diesel at the moment.It's been rising again as the war in Iran shows no sign of stopping and now Donald Trump is considering cutting off US exports of diesel.But could it really hit four dollars a litre?
What Albanese and Netanyahu told the United Nations General Assembly
Australia wants a say on the biggest issues in the world as it pitches for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council.In a speech to the UN General Assembly in New York Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the world must unite to tackle climate change, the rise of artificial intelligence and the breakdown of international rules.Despite the huge issues being discussed by Australi
Why Fat Bear Week is about personalities, not just fatness
It's Alaska's most-watched popularity contest: Fat Bear Week is back for its 12th year at Katmai National Park.Sixteen brown bears are competing and millions of people worldwide are voting online for their favourite after watching them on the park's live webcams.Mike Fitz, the former park ranger who started the tradition in 2014, says fatness isn't the only thing that matters - a
Could training AI models in Australia make us safer?
Is Australia at the "mercy" of foreign AI?The Open Ai breach has exposed Australia's current reliance on voluntary disclosure of incidents and raises questions around protections against overreach in Australia.Now, there's suggestions one way the government could better succeed in regulating and shaping the technology's use in Australia, is by hosting the frontier AI learning mod
Lions' three-peat bid meets Fremantle's first shot at glory
It's the AFL Grand Final, and this one's steeped in history.The Fremantle Dockers are chasing a maiden premiership after 30 years in the league, while the Brisbane Lions are one win away from a feat no team has managed since the AFL began in 1990. Here's what you need to know ahead of Saturday's showdown.
What the OpenAI agent accessed in the Medicare portal breach
An artificial intelligence agent built by OpenAI has accessed non-public Medicare data, in a breach Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says is extremely concerning.The agent got into a Services Australia statistics portal in June after being blocked from public data, and OpenAI didn't tell the government until three months later.The government stresses no individual's personal Medic
Could screening new dads' mental health help families?
Fathers would be screened for perinatal depression alongside their partners under a new proposal.Many pregnant women are offered mental health screening as part of their care but only about two per cent of men are screened.
What do we know about the OpenAI-Medicare breach?
A swarm of artificial intelligence agents has hacked into protected data on Australia's Medicare portal, one of the first breaches of its kind on a government database.The prime minister says it took OpenAI three months to say anything about it.So what was accessed, and why did it take so long for the government to find out?
Daylight saving is upon some of us, so how can you prepare?
The days are getting longer and warmer, and for the majority of the country that means daylight saving is upon us.About two thirds of us will lose an hour of sleep on Sunday the 4th of October, while for others the clock won't move.And as Josie Sargent from the Top Stories podcast explains, the spring forward has its lovers... and haters.
What does Australia's largest longitudinal study say about us?
Australia's cost of living crunch is showing up in more aspects of our lives than ever, including how long adult kids are sticking around at home and what's ending up on the dinner table. But the latest HILDA longitudinal study results show when it comes to our relationships, we might actually be getting happier as the years go on.
Rock legend Angry Anderson dies at 79
Rose Tattoo frontman Angry Anderson has died just weeks after being admitted to a hospital in Germany during the Australian rock band's European tour.The 79-year-old singer spent 50 years in the music industry and also became a television presenter, charity worker and youth advocate.Rose Tattoo's hits included Bad Boy for Love, Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw and We Can't Be Beaten, while A
