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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 lives with an acquired brain injury, has found a passion and a lofty dream in boccia, a Paralympic sport. Introduced at her Gold Coast primary school, the sport is fostering inclusivity and transforming students with disabilities, with teachers noting significant positive changes in Florence's attitude and engagement.
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.
The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago officially opened its doors on Thursday, welcoming former presidents, dignitaries, celebrities, and the public. The 19.3-acre campus in Jackson Park aims to be a vibrant hub for community, art, music, and learning, serving as a monument to Barack and Michelle Obama's time in the White House.
The Obama Presidential Center, a decade in the making, has opened in Chicago's South Side. The campus, featuring museum, library, and community amenities, was inaugurated by former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, with former presidents and international dignitaries in attendance.
The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, a decade in the making, has opened its doors. The campus, featuring a museum, reading room, and community amenities, serves as a monument to Barack and Michelle Obama's time in the White House and a celebration of community.
An inquiry into Muckamore Abbey hospital in Northern Ireland revealed widespread abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults, including physical harm, over-medication, and systematic bullying. The report made 106 recommendations to prevent recurrence.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has issued new security guidance for mosques, advising lockdown drills and enhanced police ties due to rising anti-Muslim attacks and vandalism. The framework aims to prepare places of worship for threats like intimidation and targeted hostility.
The Muslim Council of Britain has issued new security guidance for mosques, advising lockdown drills and improved CCTV, due to rising anti-Muslim attacks and vandalism. The framework aims to enhance preparedness and community resilience.
