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News from the ABC Australia

'Haven't had a day off all year': PM defends broken festival promise
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

A year ago the Anthony Albanese vowed to attend the Garma Festival every year for as long as he remained prime minister. Now he says he needs a break.

Drug traffickers jailed over failed plot to smuggle cocaine from PNG by plane
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Two masterminds behind a 2020 plot to bring $80 million worth of cocaine into Australia were sentenced in Victoria’s County Court, five years after a failed drug trafficking flight.

Family of Australian missing in US says somebody 'does know something'
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Australian police say they're ready to help US authorities, as a weeks-long search for Melbourne woman Sally Grace Contarino continues in Las Vegas.

Activists fear China's ethnic unity law could silence critics in Australia
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Thirty-nine community groups in Australia and around the world issue a statement rejecting and strongly condemning China's ethnic unity law.

Researchers say pet cats wrongly blamed for injuring native wildlife
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

University of Queensland researchers say the threat posed by pet cats to Australian wildlife could be overstated, but other experts disagree.

Hundreds face homelessness as accommodation centre set to close
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Hundreds of residents fear they could be left homeless after the Northern Territory government announced it will shut a Darwin short-stay accommodation centre in less than 90 days.  

SA victims of alleged childcare centre abuser identified, AFP says
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

"A couple" of alleged victims from South Australia have been identified as part of an investigation into a Sydney childcare worker accused of abusing more than 130 children, federal police say.

Driver charged over fiery multi-truck crash near Goulburn
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

A 28-year-old semi-trailer driver is charged with negligent driving over an explosive collision that saw six trucks destroyed in a fire at a rest stop near Goulburn.

Police appeal for information about deaths of two central Queensland women
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Homicide detectives are assisting investigations into two unrelated suspicious deaths of women in Rockhampton and Blackwater.

Tamworth music festival manager quits after sexual touching admission
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Joel Ulbricht admitted he had sexually touched someone without consent in January this year.

Starmer says political journey 'over' as he faces last question session
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Outgoing UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation last month, has taken part in his last weekly grilling from MPs in parliament.

Second case of deadly bird flu detected in NSW
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

A second petrel found on the NSW Mid North Coast has tested positive for bird flu. 

ACT minister responds to claim that hospital turned NSW patient away
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith says a misunderstanding led a NSW patient to believe they had been denied healthcare in Canberra because they lived over the border.

Albanese makes AI plan, Hanson and Rinehart enjoy Sicily
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

It might not have been a sitting week but it has been a busy few days in politics with the prime minister's AI announcement, a raft of politicians inking book deals and a spotting of Pauline Hanson and Gina Rinehart in Sicily. 

Group including sawmillers calls for end to Tasmania's old-growth logging
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

A coalition of conservationists, artists and forest industry figures wants an end to old-growth logging in Tasmania but major environmental groups have distanced themselves from the "shared vision statement", saying it does not go far enough.

Ex-prisoners say Australia should do more for citizens detained overseas
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Australians who have endured prolonged detention overseas call on the government to adopt a more strategic approach to cases involving citizens, especially those held by countries that practice "hostage diplomacy".

19-year coal mine extension would save 1,500 jobs, hearing told
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

A proposed extension to a major NSW coal mine has been slammed by climate activists, despite strong support from the local community.

Death-defying Argentina living every World Cup game as if it's the last
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Argentina has been the daredevils of this World Cup, and after another incredible comeback to defeat England in the semifinals, its heady mix of emotion and skill, might just deliver back-to-back titles.

Sam Neill's cause of death revealed by agent
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

New Zealand actor Sam Neill died from pneumonia, his long-time agent Philip Grenz has confirmed.

Hegseth unveils plan to screen troops for low testosterone
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Under the policy US troops will be offered the chance to undergo testosterone replacement therapy.



News from the BBC World Service

Argentina shatter England's World Cup dreams in semi-final
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Argentina shatter England's World Cup dreams, scoring two late goals to come from behind and knock out Thomas Tuchel's side, in a dramatic semi-final in Atlanta.

Argentina face action after waving Falklands banner
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Argentina face the prospect of disciplinary action from Fifa after their players celebrate the World Cup semi-final win against England with a banner in support of their country's claims to the Falkland Islands.

Government brings British Steel under public ownership
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

The Scunthorpe steelworks has been officially nationalised under new government powers passed this week.

Starmer on final trip to Ukraine as PM pledges UK's 'cast-iron' support
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

The prime minister will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv later on Thursday.

Singer Jesy Nelson calls plan to test newborns for deadly muscle condition a 'victory'
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

All newborn babies are set to have a heel prick test for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in England.

Weekend cooldown to mark end of heatwave for some
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Temperatures are set to fall by several degrees in some areas, including parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England.

Can Andy Burnham solve the UK's housing crisis?
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

BBC Verify has looked at the scale of the housing challenge facing Burnham when he becomes PM.

Actor Sam Neill died from pneumonia, agent confirms
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Neill died in Sydney on Monday, with his family saying his death was 'sudden and unexpected'.

New monkey species with orange lips found 'hiding' in DR Congo forest
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Scientists describe "amazing feeling" to look into the face of an animal that so few people knew existed.

US launches fresh strikes on Iran as Trump warns Tehran it 'better behave'
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

US President Donald Trump says he is yet to decide whether or not he will "finish off" Iran.

US military to start screening for testosterone deficiency, Hegseth says
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Hegseth says he is authorising hormone screening to ensure US troops "operate at your absolute best".

'Passive' and 'crumbled' - did Tuchel's defensive tactics cost England?
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

England went 1-0 up against Argentina before slumping to a heartbreaking semi-final defeat. Did boss Thomas Tuchel's "negative" tactics cost them a place in the World Cup final?

William tells England to 'hold their heads high' after loss
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

The Prince of Wales says England has "inspired us all" as he offers his commiserations over the loss to Argentina.

Why England's loss to Argentina felt like most painful in 60 years of hurt
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

England's years of hurt will now stretch beyond 60, but the late collapse to a World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina may be the most painful wound of all.

'That's why he's the king' - Messi sets up third World Cup final
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

BBC Sport looks at Lionel Messi's masterclass on the right wing to knock England out of the World Cup.

Watch: England fans in New York City lament loss to Argentina
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

North America correspondent Nada Tawik reports from a packed pub in the Big Apple.

The 'heartbreaking' OCD that can make you doubt your relationship
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

Relationship OCD is gaining awareness, but limited data means little in known about how common the condition is.

A Cold War bunker gets a luxury makeover as 'doomsday' condos
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

A former Canadian government nuclear bomb shelter in rural Nova Scotia may soon be home to the country’s first large-scale luxury survival shelter.

Celebrity influencers paid up to £1m to advertise deodorant on Instagram
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

The chief executive of Wild reveals what happens behind the scenes of social media posts.

Families of 43 victims await verdict in Genoa bridge disaster
Posted on Thursday July 16, 2026

A large section of the giant Morandi motorway bridge crumbled and collapsed on to the railway tracks below.



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