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News from the ABC Australia

Hundreds liberated in Ukraine-Russia prisoner exchange
Posted on Friday March 06, 2026

Ukraine and Russia each free 200 prisoners, the first part of an exchange that will see them swap 500 people each in total, officials say.

Power bills surged during war in 2022. Here's why this time may be different
Posted on Friday March 06, 2026

The last time a global energy crisis sent Australian power bills skyrocketing was when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. What's changed this time?

Rock quarry proposals divide communities as demand for concrete soars
Posted on Friday March 06, 2026

Industry groups say Australia needs to extract 200 million tonnes of rock material every year to support new housing and infrastructure projects, but quarry proposals often face community backlash.

'We hold a lot of power': Records broken as women flock to F1
Posted on Friday March 06, 2026

As more women and girls flock to Formula 1, the sport now faces the challenge to convert that fandom into female participation.

Contraceptive pill to be accessible in Victoria without prescription from July
Posted on Friday March 06, 2026

Women getting the contraceptive pill for the first time will be able to access it from Victorian pharmacies without a prescription from July.

Government keeping report on deradicalisation program under wraps
Posted on Friday March 06, 2026

The WA government will not release an independent report on the effectiveness of its countering violent extremism program, almost two years after police fatally shot one of its radicalised teenage participants. 

Musical memories and magic moments in dementia-friendly choir
Posted on Friday March 06, 2026

Regional WA's only dementia-friendly singing group is helping people living with the degenerative condition to reconnect with their musical memories.

Drowning due to dingo attack cause of death for K'gari backpacker, coroner says
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

A coronial investigation finds 19-year-old Canadian backpacker Piper James was drowned due to a dingo attack on K'gari earlier this year.

Flower shop destroyed in suspicious fires across coastal Queensland town
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Police say the first fire was reported at 3:15am at a popular florist business in Yeppoon, which has been gutted by the blaze.

Gulf Country community in 'crisis' despite millions in funding
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

A wave of youth suicides lays bare a North Queensland community in crisis, with residents saying years of government investment have failed to create jobs, stability or hope.

Remote community families going hungry despite grocery subsidy scheme
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

The head of Australia's biggest independent remote grocery stores network says in 30 years, he's never seen Indigenous communities struggle so much to afford enough food.

Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir listed as a prohibited hate group under new Bondi laws
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir has been listed as a prohibited hate group using new laws passed in response to the Bondi terror attack.

Emergency flood warning issued for Katherine after 100mm of rain hits region
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

An emergency flood warning is in place for the Northern Territory town of Katherine, with the river predicted to potentially reach the major flood level this afternoon.

Magistrate throws out AI seatbelt fine as driver appeals begin clogging courts
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

A Queensland court decision casts fresh doubt on the reliability of controversial AI road-safety cameras after clearing a driver fined when his passenger moved their seatbelt during a trip.

Live: ASX falls sharply as oil spikes nearly 4pc
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

A tumble on Wall Street has sent Australian stocks sharply lower, while oil prices surged nearly 4 per cent as the Middle East war enters its sixth day. Follow the latest updates in our live blog.

Four years and $880m later, what did the Resilient Homes Program achieve?
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Communities say being the "guinea pig" of a flagship disaster recovery program has taken a toll.

India survives Bethell onslaught to book T20 World Cup final spot
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

India has survived a brilliant century from England's Jacob Bethell to record a seven-run win in a thrilling men's T20 World Cup semifinal at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.

Submissions to a NSW hospital inquiry say mould issues go back years
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Families say mould issues at a Newcastle hospital date back more than 10 years.

Live: Minister insists RAAF planes sent to Middle East will focus on repatriations
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has insisted that the Australian military aircraft sent to the Middle East will be focused on repatriating Australians. Follow live.

Bucking, ethics and OnlyFans: Australian rodeo in the social media age
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Australian rodeos are caught in a high-stakes hustle to keep the outback alive in a country that some argue is outgrowing the buck.



News from the BBC World Service

PM stands by decision not to join strikes on Iran and sends more jets to Qatar
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

The PM said the best way forward was a "negotiated settlement with Iran where they give up their nuclear ambitions".

'This is war': BBC speaks to Iranians at border
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Iranians fleeing their country have told the BBC what life under bombardment has been like.

Iran's high-risk war strategy seems to centre on endurance and deterrence
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Tehran's approach appears to rest on a belief it can absorb strikes longer than its adversaries sustain pain and costs, writes BBC Persian's Amir Azimi.

'We have been preparing': Why the boots on the ground in Iran could be Kurdish
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in exile in northern Iraq tell the BBC they have plans to cross the border but deny already doing so.

Labour MP 'voluntarily suspends herself' after husband arrested in China spy probe
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Joani Reid said she had temporarily stood down from the party after her husband was arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

Covid inquiry chair defends £200m cost and four-year process on final day
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Baroness Heather Hallett said completing the hearings in under four years was an achievement but critics have questioned its cost.

Failed asylum seeker families to be offered up to £40k to leave UK
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

The home secretary says the "incentives" will deliver a "significant saving to the taxpayer".

UK firms pull fixed energy deals as Iran war pushes up prices
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Data suggests the number of fixed-term deals has more than halved as prices for wholesale energy surge.

'Who's better, him or Pele?': Trump meets Messi at White House
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Lionel Messi, owner Jorge Mas, and members of the Inter Miami team visited the White House to celebrate last year's Major League Soccer Cup victory.

Britney Spears arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

The singer was arrested by the California Highway Patrol at around 21:30 PT (05:30 GMT) on Wednesday.

Dogs arrive for Crufts 2026 - in pictures
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

The world's most famous dog show gets underway in Birmingham.

Norris, Verstappen, Russell - and will it be any good? Key F1 storylines
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

The new rules, Lando Norris' title defence, the George Russell-Max Verstappen dynamic and Aston Martin's unfolding nightmare set up an intriguing F1 season.

I invested in Brewdog in my husband's memory. He would be turning in his grave
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Early investors in Brewdog are sharing their stories after the company's collapse wiped out their stakes.

'How many more children must die?' - Mum's call for UK-first school bus law
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Stella McGinn's daughter Caitlin-Rose died a year ago after getting hit by a car when exiting a bus.

Social media plays 'huge role' in promoting traditional gender views, say experts
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Women's rights' groups worry about consequences of this shift in attitudes.

Iran school and nearby military base struck multiple times, satellite image reveals
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Iranian authorities say the attack, which took place on Saturday, killed 168 people.

Israeli evacuation order for Beirut's southern suburbs sparks panic
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Huge traffic jams form after the unprecedented warning for people to leave the Hezbollah stronghold, as Israel steps up its strikes across Lebanon.

Israelis back war with Iran despite uncertainty and fatigue
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

Israelis broadly support the US-Israeli military campaign with Iran, even if they are tired of air raid alerts and constant upheaval.

First UK government flight departs Middle East after delay
Posted on Friday March 06, 2026

The plane was due to leave Oman on Wednesday but remained grounded due to problems getting passengers on board.

Starmer tries to reassure as Iran crisis deepens
Posted on Thursday March 05, 2026

The PM acknowledged people are worried about family abroad, the economy, and potential further escalation.



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