The Gold Coast City Council is studying the feasibility of reintroducing ocean pools, which were popular decades ago. Advocates cite benefits for swimmers and people with disabilities, while environmental groups urge caution regarding ecosystem impact.
Russia's ambassador to Havana, Viktor Coronelli, pledged continued political and financial support for Cuba, despite facing its own sanctions. Events are planned to celebrate Fidel Castro's 100th birthday and Russia's role as guest of honor at the Havana International Book Fair.
The US is cutting HIV/Aids funding to South Africa, citing the government's alleged failure to protect the white-minority Afrikaner community and false claims of 'white genocide'. South Africa disputes these claims and is working on self-reliance plans.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the EU urgently needs a diplomatic communication channel with Russia to prevent escalation of tensions and avoid incidents. He supports European Council President Antonio Costa's initiative to open such channels, emphasizing the need for communication beyond trade relations.
Mohammad Ibrahim, an Afghan interpreter who worked for Australia, found refuge in Apollo Bay after fleeing the Taliban. A local community group rallied for four years, advocating for his humanitarian visa and providing financial support, demonstrating the power of kindness and community action.
Australia's NDIS faces proposed 50% cuts to social and community participation funding, threatening programs crucial for individuals with Down’s Syndrome, such as Joe Barham, who relies on these for life skills and social interaction.
Belarusian officials, speaking at a CIS meeting, labeled a Ukrainian drone attack on a bus carrying children in Russia's Bryansk Region as a clear terrorist act. They called for international condemnation and punishment for perpetrators, viewing it as an attempt to draw Belarus into the conflict and an attack on the Russia-Belarus Union State.
The US Justice Department has launched a civil rights investigation into Major League Baseball after the league warned three San Francisco Giants players for writing Bible verses on their hats during Pride Night. The investigation will examine if the discipline constitutes religious discrimination.
A Meta Platforms data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana, has significantly boosted local tax revenues, enabling teacher bonuses of up to $50,935. This surge in funding, driven by increased sales tax collections and a direct payment from Meta, contrasts with opposition to data centers elsewhere in the US.
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.
Barack Obama was visibly moved by Michelle Obama's speech at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. She praised his achievements, including healthcare expansion and a Nobel Peace Prize, in a speech interpreted as a jab at Donald Trump. Other former presidents attended, but Trump was not invited.
PSG defender Achraf Hakimi will face trial on a rape charge after his appeal was rejected. Hakimi, who denies wrongdoing, stated he has been waiting for the trial to present his side of the story.
A viral video of a yard cleanup for an elderly Wichita, Kansas woman, Debbie, sparked a $625,000+ GoFundMe campaign, transforming her life amid financial and personal hardships.
Digital asset company AllUnity has launched SEKAU, a Swedish krona-backed stablecoin operating under the EU's MiCA regulation as an e-money token. Supported by Banking Circle and Marginalen Bank, SEKAU aims for institutional settlement and cross-border payments, launching on five blockchain networks.
Victoria's Phillip Island will host the FIM Superbike World Championships for the last time in 2027 before the event moves to The Bend, South Australia, in 2028. This marks the second major international motoring event lost by Victoria to South Australia in six months, following the MotoGP's relocation.
A 33-year-old man, Louis Rapisarda, has been sentenced to 60 hours of community service for threatening worshippers at a Brisbane mosque. He pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace and public nuisance, admitting he falsely claimed to be armed with an AK-47.
Germany's veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has announced his retirement from international football following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 40-year-old cited physical and mental burdens as reasons for his decision, concluding a distinguished career that includes a 2014 World Cup triumph.
The Jewish Council of Australia (JCA) identifies far-right extremism and the conflation of Jewish identity with Israel as primary drivers of antisemitism in Australia. The group's submission to a royal commission highlights the "often overlooked" threat from the far-right and criticizes the tendency to treat Jews collectively as representatives of Israel.
Nikhil Kamath suggests India's next major business opportunity lies not in AI or EVs, but in water measurement, management, and conservation. Rapid growth in water-intensive sectors like agriculture, nuclear energy, pharmaceuticals, and data centers is straining resources, creating a gap for innovative solutions.
The Northern Territory government plans to extend alcohol bans in its 43 town camps, which are home to Aboriginal communities. The current bans expire in January 2027, and the government aims to prevent a return of "rivers of grog" to reduce alcohol-related violence and improve safety. The move is supported by the Aboriginal health sector but comes after a tragedy involving a child.
Planned US-Iran "technical talks" have been postponed, with the White House citing logistical challenges and a Hezbollah-affiliated outlet claiming Tehran suspended its delegation due to Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Switzerland confirmed the postponement but stated preparatory work continues.
Plans for US Vice-President J.D. Vance to travel to Switzerland for talks with Iran have been delayed, the White House announced Thursday. The logistics of the negotiations are complex and unpredictable, with reports suggesting Iran may have suspended its delegation's trip due to Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
A 1-year-old boy, Kohen Wiley, was fatally shot by police in Senatobia, Mississippi, during a response to a shoplifting incident. The shooting has sparked protests and renewed calls for accountability, drawing comparisons to other cases involving Black individuals and law enforcement.
Ten-year-old Florence Nickel, who has an acquired brain injury, has found a passion and a lofty dream in boccia, a growing Paralympic sport. Introduced at her Gold Coast primary school, boccia is proving transformational for students with disabilities, fostering confidence and inclusivity.
