Australian News

1. Australia / National Security:

   • A federal inquiry into the Bondi Beach terror attack has been rejected by Prime Minister Albanese, sparking outrage from Jewish groups and victim families demanding answers. Police confirm alleged attackers acted alone without training in the Philippines. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 theguardian.com
   • Sydney and Melbourne will see armed police with long-arm rifles patrolling New Year’s Eve celebrations amid heightened security post-attack. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 sbs.com.au

2. Climate / Environment:

   • Rising sea levels are destroying Kakadu wetlands, forcing remote Indigenous communities to navigate flooded landscapes year-round. Traditional owners warn of worsening impacts. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Tropical Cyclone Hayley downgraded but still bringing destructive winds to WA’s Kimberley, while deadly floods continue in Queensland after a fourth day of torrential rain. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 sbs.com.au
   • Denmark becomes the first country to end traditional letter delivery, shifting entirely to digital mail services. 👉 abc.net.au

3. Health / Safety:

   • A woman survives bites from a 2-meter eastern brown snake in NSW’s Morton National Park after emergency crews rescued her. 👉 abc.net.au
   • AI-powered lifeguard technology now deployed in 120 Australian pools, alerting guards to swimmers in distress via smartwatches. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Iconic Australian cricketer Damien Martyn remains in a critical condition after being hospitalized with meningitis on Boxing Day. 👉 theguardian.com 👉 7news.com.au

4. Economy / Business:

   • ASX ends 2025 with gold and lithium stocks surging, despite market volatility. 👉 abc.net.au
   • New Year’s Day brings stricter rules for Australian-made content and cheaper medications under PBS reforms. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Victorian tradie apprentices speak out about workplace hazing, demanding reforms to protect mental health. 👉 abc.net.au

5. Global / Conflict:

   • Russia deploys nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles in Belarus, escalating tensions in Eastern Europe. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 9news.com.au
   • Saudi Arabia strikes Yemen ports, raising fears of broader Middle East conflict. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia, dies at 80. 👉 sbs.com.au

6. Technology / Innovation:

   • Tokyo introduces "teleporting" work cafes for housebound individuals, using robotics to simulate office environments. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Crowdfunding brewery raises $2.5M in days for gluten-free craft beer, highlighting alternative investment trends. 👉 abc.net.au
   • AI experts warn humans may need to "pull the plug" on advanced AI systems to prevent self-preservation risks. 👉 theguardian.com

7. Social / Culture:

   • Byron Bay’s "koala paparazzi" tourism stresses wildlife, with conservationists calling for stricter visitor controls. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Islamophobic incidents surge in Australia following the Bondi attack, with Muslim women reporting targeted abuse. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Granddaughter of JFK, Tatiana Schlossberg, dies at 35 after rare leukemia diagnosis. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 7news.com.au

8. Crime / Justice:

   • Six men arrested in Sydney after police allege they were "contract killers" with loaded guns in a taxi. 👉 9news.com.au
   • Former teacher’s aide pleads guilty to abusing 12 children, youngest aged 11, with court documents revealing disturbing details. 👉 au.news.yahoo.com
   • $52M heist: Robbers drill through German bank vault to steal cash and jewellery. 👉 abc.net.au

9. Sports:

   • Max Verstappen wins F1 Driver of the Year for fifth consecutive season, ending Oscar Piastri’s top-three hopes. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Protest lodged against Sydney-Hobart yacht race winners over alleged rule breaches. 👉 7news.com.au
   • Australian Open announces Crowded House performance for 2026 event. 👉 9now.nine.com.au

10. Wildlife / Conservation:

    • South Korea bans bear bile farming, ending a brutal industry that kept bears in cages. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Woodside Energy admits to knowingly shedding plastic into oceans from offshore operations. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Outback gardeners battle 30-year fruit fly infestation in Broken Hill. 👉 abc.net.au

11. Politics / Policy:

    • Pauline Hanson travels to US on Gina Rinehart’s private jet for CPAC conference. 👉 theguardian.com
    • NSW Parliament lacks power to force witnesses to testify at inquiries. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Trump warns Iran of potential strike while meeting Netanyahu to discuss Gaza ceasefire. 👉 abc.net.au

12. Travel / Transport:

    • Eurostar cancellations disrupt New Year’s Eve travel across Europe. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Cruise ship Coral Adventurer detained after running aground off Papua New Guinea. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Mechanics shortage forces Australian garages to recruit overseas workers. 👉 abc.net.au

13. Healthcare / Science:

    • MH370 search resumes with new underwater tech after 11-year disappearance. 👉 abc.net.au
    • AI technology helps lifeguards detect drowning swimmers in real-time. 👉 abc.net.au
    • 2025 ranks among the three hottest years on record globally. 👉 9news.com.au

14. Legal / Regulatory:

    • Sportsbet fined $313K for "systemic failure" affecting thousands of customers. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Watchdog deletes critical quotes about Sportsbet after pressure, sparking backlash. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Australia’s social media ban for children takes effect, prompting shift to alternative platforms. 👉 9news.com.au

15. Economic / Labor:

    • ASIC regains enforcement teeth after years of inaction, targeting corporate misconduct. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Small retailers struggle amid Boxing Day sales dominance by big chains. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Precious metals prices collapse amid global economic uncertainty. 👉 abc.net.au

16. Entertainment / Media:

    • DIVA exhibit features costumes from Kylie, Elton John, and Lady Gaga. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Amyl and the Sniffers singer sues US photographer over image exploitation. 👉 theguardian.com
    • Golden Globe nominations announced, with Jacob Elordi and Ariana Grande leading. 👉 7news.com.au

17. Human Interest:

    • Outback community celebrates triple New Year’s Eve across time zones. 👉 abc.net.au
    • 1880s Zanzibar coin discovered on NSW beach by metal detectorist. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Hidden WA collection includes Titanic memorabilia and tribal artifacts. 👉 abc.net.au

18. International:

    • Ukraine denies attacking Putin’s residence, calling claims "lies" to undermine peace talks. 👉 sbs.com.au
    • China stages military drills around Taiwan to deter "external forces." 👉 9news.com.au
    • Trump claims US destroyed "big facility" in Venezuela without evidence. 👉 9news.com.au

19. Regional / Local:

    • Sydney factory destroyed in fire battle involving 60 firefighters. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Perth bushfires disrupt trains as second WA blaze downgraded. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Melbourne gas leak forces evacuation of hundreds of workers. 👉 au.news.yahoo.com

20. Tech / Innovation:

    • AI-powered lifeguard tech deployed in 120 Australian pools for drowning prevention. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Robot tourism cafes in Tokyo allow housebound workers to "teleport" to offices. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Crowdsourced funding brewery raises $2.5M for gluten-free beer in days. 👉 abc.net.au

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