Politics / Federal Leadership Change:
- Angus Taylor defeated Sussan Ley 34–17 to become the new Liberal Party leader, ending her nine-month tenure as Australia’s first female Liberal leader. Ley has announced her resignation from parliament, citing a desire to reconnect with her aviation passion. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 theguardian.com 👉 sbs.com.au 👉 7news.com.au
Winter Olympics / Australian Success:
- Cooper Woods secured Australia’s first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics in the men’s moguls event, stunning the competition with a dramatic victory. The 25-year-old’s triumph marked a historic moment for Australian winter sports. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 sbs.com.au 👉 7news.com.au
Politics / Controversial Police Actions:
- NSW police faced criticism after officers disrupted Muslim worshippers praying at a Sydney protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit, despite prior permission granted. Police Commissioner apologized but defended the actions as necessary. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 theguardian.com 👉 sbs.com.au
US Politics / Climate Regulation:
- Former US President Donald Trump revoked a landmark climate regulation that underpinned vehicle emission standards, a move critics argue favors fossil fuel interests. The repeal aligns with Trump’s broader environmental deregulation agenda. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 theguardian.com
Global Politics / North Korea:
- South Korea’s intelligence agency reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to name his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, as his successor, marking a potential generational shift in the country’s leadership. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 9news.com.au
Crime / Stalking Incident:
- A man was charged with stalking Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his visit to Sydney, raising concerns about security protocols for high-profile international visitors. 👉 abc.net.au
Terrorism / Legal Challenges:
- The Christchurch terrorist continues to challenge New Zealand’s legal system with unprecedented maneuvers, prolonging his trial and testing the limits of courtroom procedures. 👉 abc.net.au
US Politics / Epstein Files:
- An Epstein survivor criticized the handling of the Epstein files, calling their release retraumatizing and highlighting the ongoing struggles for victims seeking justice. 👉 abc.net.au
Crime / Scams:
- Hundreds of Australians were warned after their personal details were found in a scam compound in Cambodia, highlighting the growing threat of international cyber fraud. 👉 abc.net.au
LGBTQIA+ / Inclusion in Sport:
- Openly gay men remain rare in elite sports, leaving women like WNBL star Anneli Maley to lead queer inclusion efforts in Australian sports. 👉 abc.net.au
Stolen Generations / Apology:
- Survivors of Australia’s Stolen Generations gathered for a historic apology, with many sharing stories of loss and resilience. 👉 abc.net.au
Environment / Flooding:
- Severe flooding in South East Queensland and Northern NSW prompted emergency warnings, with residents urged to brace for heavy rainfall and potential power outages. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 9news.com.au
Health / Aged Care Crisis:
- Over 3,100 aged care patients remain stranded in hospitals due to funding shortages, with families expressing frustration over prolonged waits for solutions. 👉 abc.net.au
Economy / ASX Performance:
- The ASX experienced volatility amid fears over AI, leading to a downturn in markets following a tech-driven rally. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 7news.com.au
US Politics / Immigration:
- Trump’s border tsar announced the end of a controversial immigration crackdown in Minnesota, signaling a shift in enforcement policies. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 sbs.com.au
Crime / Missing Persons:
- The search for Julian Ingram, a missing man in Lake Cargelligo, entered its fourth week, with authorities expressing grief and exhaustion amid ongoing investigations. 👉 abc.net.au
Global Conflict / Gaza:
- A Gaza man identified bones he believed belonged to his unborn daughter, killed in a strike, underscoring the devastating human toll of the ongoing conflict. 👉 abc.net.au
Infrastructure / Bridge Issues:
- A major structural flaw was discovered in a $786 million bridge days before its scheduled opening, raising concerns about construction quality and safety. 👉 abc.net.au
Technology / AI Scams:
- AI-driven romance scams are surging ahead of Valentine’s Day, with criminals using personal data to create convincing fake profiles. 👉 au.news.yahoo.com
Entertainment / Celebrity Death:
- James Van Der Beek, star of Dawson’s Creek, died at age 48, prompting tributes from fans and co-stars who praised his kindness and humor. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 7news.com.au
Sports / Olympic Drama:
- Canadian snowboarder Cam Bolton faced emotional backlash after a near-miss in the Winter Olympics, highlighting the pressures of elite competition. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 7news.com.au
Environment / Climate Change:
- A 566-year-old Coolabah tree in NSW wetlands provides valuable climate history, emphasizing the need for conservation amid environmental challenges. 👉 abc.net.au
Economy / Interest Rates:
- The Reserve Bank raised interest rates by 0.25%, citing persistent inflation, while economists warn further increases may be needed. 👉 abc.net.au
Global Politics / Iran:
- Iran drew a hard line on its ballistic missile program, refusing negotiations on the issue amid escalating tensions with the US. 👉 abc.net.au
Sports / Formula 1:
- Max Verstappen criticized the 2026 Formula 1 cars, calling them "not so fun" due to increased energy management demands, signaling potential rule changes. 👉 abc.net.au
Crime / Violent Protests:
- A 76-year-old man was violently arrested during a protest in Sydney, with footage showing officers using excessive force, sparking public outrage. 👉 abc.net.au
Global Politics / Canada Shooting:
- A mass shooting at a high school in Canada left eight dead, with the suspect found deceased, prompting national mourning and calls for stricter gun laws. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 sbs.com.au
Sports / Olympic Controversy:
- Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified for wearing a helmet with images of war victims, highlighting tensions over political statements in sports. 👉 abc.net.au
Business / Retail Collapse:
- Iconic Australian retailer Barbecues Galore entered receivership after failing to secure a buyer, leaving customers concerned about future orders. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 9news.com.au
Global Politics / Trump & Epstein:
- Trump’s attorney general refused to face Epstein victims during congressional hearings, drawing criticism for handling the scandal. 👉 abc.net.au
Crime / Powerball Jackpot:
- An Australian won an $80 million Powerball jackpot, revealing an emotional phone call where both parties cried upon learning of the win. 👉 au.news.yahoo.com 👉 7news.com.au
Global Politics / China & Australia:
- Chinese warships reportedly sailed within 10km of Australian waters, raising tensions between the two nations. 👉 9news.com.au
Economy / Cost of Living:
- Young women are increasingly sacrificing basic needs like meals and medical care to cope with rising living costs, according to a Deakin University study. 👉 abc.net.au
Entertainment / Britney Spears:
- Britney Spears reportedly sold her music catalog for $281 million, marking a significant financial move in her career. 👉 abc.net.au
Sports / Olympic Heartbreak:
- Australian skier Jakara Anthony’s emotional response to missing out on a medal enhanced her legacy as a resilient athlete. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 7news.com.au
Global Politics / Iran Threat:
- Trump threatened Iran with a repeat of "Operation Midnight Hammer," signaling potential military escalation in regional tensions. 👉 9news.com.au
Sports / NRL Preview:
- The 2026 NRL season preview highlighted key stats and trends, with teams preparing for a competitive year. 👉 abc.net.au
Crime / Stabbing Incident:
- Three people were stabbed in a disturbance outside a Brisbane club, including a woman critically injured. 👉 abc.net.au
Global Politics / Epstein Files:
- Norway’s former prime minister was accused of aggravated corruption ties with Jeffrey Epstein, adding to the scandal’s international reach. 👉 abc.net.au
Sports / Formula 1 Controversy:
- Ange Postecoglou resurfaced amid managerial sackings at his former clubs, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, drawing attention to his career trajectory. 👉 7news.com.au