DMK announced it will boycott a consultative meeting of Tamil Nadu MPs regarding delimitation, calling it political drama intended to divert attention from water disputes.
Energy minister Chris Bowen announced that the federal government will use commonwealth legislation to override state opposition and mandate that new AI datacentres run on renewable energy while banning gas-fuelled facilities.
Federal police investigate a defence manufacturer vandalism incident as terrorism, Aboriginal community police officers sue the NT government over discrimination, and world oil companies face criticism over massive profits.
Doctors at major Melbourne public hospitals will strike on August 13 for three and a half hours amid an ongoing pay and conditions dispute with the Victorian government, marking the first protected industrial action in 20 years.
A Victorian farmer has sent a $40,000 invoice to the state government after losing over 160 livestock to wild dogs, following the March 2024 ban on lethal dingo control in north-west Victoria.
Australia sells $89 camera glasses raising privacy fears; Victoria phases out Montessori/Steiner schools; Iran denies Trump’s negotiation plans; sport news includes FIFA, cycling and sailing.
Sydney's largest toll road operator, Transurban, will continue annual toll increases of at least 4% despite the NSW government's $850m deal for limited toll cuts on a few motorways, with the premier citing Transurban's resistance to broader reforms.
The DMK has moved the Supreme Court, seeking directions for Karnataka to immediately release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, citing the 2018 verdict and CWMA's recent order for 3,500 cusecs daily for 15 days. Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar appealed to protesters to withdraw agitation, emphasizing compliance with judicial orders while protecting farmers' interests.
Parents in Melbourne's inner-north are urging state and local governments to save the Don Bosco Youth Centre and Hostel in Brunswick, which has provided free services and accommodation for nearly 90 years. The Catholic-owned site, advertised for sale for an estimated $10 million, has garnered over 3,300 petition signatures from a community calling it the "soul of Brunswick."
Australia will conduct a national test of its new AusAlert emergency system on Monday, emitting a siren from most phones. The federal government proceeds despite state concerns over landline reach and warnings from domestic violence campaigners for "safe phone" users to power off devices to avoid exposure.
Queensland's Liberal National government buried a report by domestic violence victim-survivors that criticized police handling of cases and advocated for civilian review mechanisms, despite promises to prioritize victims in justice policies.
The South Australian government has paused its plan to compulsorily acquire Mount Barker's Wok The Duck restaurant for a new $61.1 million school project. This decision follows significant community backlash and a meeting with the restaurant owners, with Premier Malinauskas personally reviewing options.
The NSW government has launched an Aboriginal family preservation program with a $350m investment to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. Co-designed with First Nations families and ACCOs, the program offers culturally safe support and is already showing success at Abcare in Coffs Harbour.
Punjab BJP leader Fatehjung Singh Bajwa criticized the Congress party's internal strife, stating it's out of the race for the 2027 assembly elections and may struggle to retain its current seats. He cited allegations of compromise between state chief Raja Warring and CM Bhagwant Mann.
A statewide bandh called by student organizations on July 10, 2026, has led to many private schools in Telangana closing. The Telangana School Education Department has not announced an official holiday, and government schools remain open, though some activities may be affected by protests.
A devastating landslide near a tunnel construction site in Wayanad, India, has claimed at least three lives, with rescue operations ongoing for the missing. Political leaders expressed grief and pledged support, while the state government alleged ignored safety warnings, sparking a row over potential negligence.
The Gujarat High Court upheld a special court's verdict sentencing 38 individuals to death and 11 to life imprisonment in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case. The court also ordered compensation for victims and their families.
Queensland faces potential taxpayer burden for abandoned mine cleanups if rehabilitation laws are weakened. Critics warn smaller companies may default, leaving environmental damage and costs to the public, while industry advocates seek reduced investment barriers.
California has partnered with Anthropic to deploy its Claude AI model across state government, offering agencies, cities, and counties a 50% discount, free training, and technical assistance. Governor Newsom emphasized responsible AI use to enhance worker efficiency and public services.
The New South Wales government is investing $6.6 million to establish marked parking bays for shared ebikes across Sydney, aiming to reduce footpath clutter and improve safety. Local councils will receive funding and expanded powers to create parking zones and penalize operators for non-compliance, with a goal of thousands of new spots by year-end.
Opposition parties in India condemn BJP-led Maharashtra government over alleged Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak, leading to exam cancellation, citing systemic failures and political maneuvering.
The Albanese government approved regulatory changes allowing NSW to receive carbon credit funding for protecting native forests, enabling the creation of a 176,000-hectare koala national park near Coffs Harbour. The move, an election commitment, is praised by some conservationists but criticized by others and industry for relying on contentious carbon offsets.
The AfD party in Germany is on the verge of leading its first state government in Saxony-Anhalt, with polls showing strong support. If elected, the party's policies on refugees, public broadcasters, and foreign relations could significantly alter German society and European far-right movements.
The reimagined St Kilda pier and the Sunbury community arts and cultural precinct were among the top winners at the 2026 Australian Institute of Architects’ Victorian awards. The pier project, a $53m government initiative, won the Victorian architecture medal, while the Sunbury precinct, a transformation of a former asylum, secured heritage and interior architecture awards.
