Australia

12:00

Flydubai attack

Australia investigates co-pilot’s links after flydubai hijack attempt

Australian counterterrorism authorities are examining the links of the co-pilot accused of attacking the captain and attempting to take control of a flydubai flight bound for Israel. Authorities in New Zealand have also said they are investigating reports the suspect had spent time in that country.

07:16

Brazil Election

U.S., Australia close diplomatic facilities in Brazil ahead of election

The United States suspended consular services at its embassy and consulates in Brazil on Friday over unspecified security concerns, prompting Australia to close its embassy in Brasília two days before the country's presidential election.

12:19

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI apologises to Australia over government AI website hack

OpenAI has apologised to the Australian government after one of its AI agents gained unauthorised access to several government websites during internal training and evaluation in June.

14:26

AI

OpenAI agent breached Australian Medicare portal after bypassing security blocks

Australia says an OpenAI AI agent gained unauthorised access to a government Medicare statistics portal in June, in what officials say could be an unprecedented case of an AI system breaching a government network.

09:54

Maritime dispute

Cambodia and Thailand begin UN-backed conciliation on maritime dispute

Foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand delivered opening statements on Tuesday at the first meeting of a UN arbitration process to resolve a long-running maritime dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

11:54

Politics

Pacific summit backs concerns over China missile test despite Nauru dissent

Pacific Island leaders expressed concern about China's Pacific missile test at their annual summit, though Nauru formally dissented, in a meeting largely overshadowed by Beijing's objections to Taiwan's presence.

19:55

Pacific funding package

Australia and U.S. announce $580 million Pacific funding package amidst China rivalry

Australia and the United States have announced a combined $580 million funding package for Pacific Island nations as both allies seek to strengthen their influence in a region where China has expanded its presence in recent years.

11:56

Bird flu

Australia reports first H5N1 bird flu case in a seal amidst growing outbreak

Australia has confirmed its first case of H5N1 bird flu in a mammal after the virus was detected in a dead long-nosed fur seal in South Australia, authorities said.

19:20

Australia- Gaza

Australia condemns Israel over closure of Gaza aid worker case

Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.

11:07

Security

Australia’s New South Wales gun buyback to start in November

Australia's New South Wales state will start a gun buyback in November, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday, part of the national response to a shooting spree that killed 15 at a Jewish festival in Sydney, the state capital.

11:37

Social media ban

Meta removes more than 750,000 Australian under-16 accounts

Meta said it had removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16, as the country’s internet regulator weighs enforcement action over its teen social media ban.

11:51

Bird Flu

H5N1 bird flu kills dozens of seabirds as Australia warns of wider wildlife spread

Australia warned on Monday (3 August) of a wider spread of H5N1 bird flu after its first confirmed mass mortality event among seabirds killed about 50 greater crested terns off the coast of South Australia, south of Adelaide.

10:59

Social media regulation

Australia takes Telegram to court over alleged terror content

Australia's internet regulator said on Thursday it had begun legal action against messaging platform Telegram over alleged failings to tackle pro-terror posts.

08:55

Morning Brief

Morning Brief - 30 July 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 30th of July, covering the latest developments.

10:29

Social media ban

Musk’s X says Australia social media crackdown undermines international law

Elon Musk's X accused Australia of trying to give its internet regulator unfair information-gathering powers and undermining U.S. law with plans for tougher enforcement of a teen social media ban.

10:40

Energy security

Australia considers first oil refinery in 60 years amid Middle East crisis

Australia is considering building its first new oil refinery in more than six decades as conflict in the Middle East exposes the country's heavy reliance on imported fuel.

10:20

Artificial Intelligence

Australia to launch Office of AI as it tightens oversight of data centres

Australia will establish an Office of AI to coordinate artificial intelligence standards and oversee major data centres as the government prepares new laws on their energy and water use, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday (15 July).

11:42

Online Safety

Big Tech response to online child sexual abuse 'inadequate', Australia says

Australia's internet safety regulator has accused some of the world's biggest technology companies of failing to do enough to combat child sexual abuse and the growing threat of online sexual extortion.

11:49

Sam Neill

New Zealand 'Jurassic Park' actor Sam Neill dies aged 78 in Sydney

New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known internationally for his role in 'Jurassic Park', died suddenly on Monday aged 78 after recovering from cancer, his family said.

08:21

Bird flu

Australia detects first H5N1 bird flu case in seabird

Australia on Friday confirmed the first case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus in a native seabird, marking a new phase in the disease's spread after it landed on the country's shores last month.

11:49

World News

Australia, India seal uranium export deal during Modi visit

Australia and India have finalised an agreement allowing Australian uranium exports for India's nuclear energy sector, expanding cooperation on clean energy, critical minerals and infrastructure as the two countries strengthen their strategic and economic partnership.

19:49

Missile Test

Australia and Solomon Islands condemn China missile test in Pacific

Australia and the Solomon Islands have pledged to strengthen bilateral ties while condemning China's recent ballistic missile test in the Pacific, warning that the launch risks undermining regional stability.

10:46

Australia and Fiji

Australia and Fiji sign landmark defence pact

Australia and Fiji signed a landmark defence alliance on Monday, committing each country to come to the other's aid if either is attacked. The Ocean of Peace Alliance marks Fiji's first-ever alliance. 

09:34

Explainer

Social media bans grow worldwide as doubts over effectiveness deepen

Governments are tightening restrictions on teenagers’ use of social media amid growing concerns over mental health, online safety and platform design, but questions remain over enforcement and whether bans can meaningfully change behaviour.