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Foreign Minister Penny Wong told the Garma Festival that historic First Nations connections to the Pacific offer Australia a strategic advantage, as the Prime Minister's absence and calls for a truth-telling process marked the gathering.
As the Commonwealth Games enter day eight, Australia's cyclists look to build on their opening velodrome success, Jess Hull starts her mile campaign, and the Diamonds face Jamaica for a spot in the netball gold medal clash. The men's pairs bowls team faces a must-win situation after a narrow defeat.
Australia's Diamonds are defending their Commonwealth Games netball gold in Glasgow, but fans at home have been unable to watch the matches live on linear television, with Seven Network showing them only on its streaming platform 7Plus. Meanwhile, contract negotiations between Netball Australia and the players' association remain unresolved, with the current collective player agreement expiring in September.
On day six of the Commonwealth Games, Australia's netball team, the Diamonds, took on South Africa in their toughest group match, while Lakeisha Patterson aimed for a third Commonwealth title in the women's 100m S9 freestyle. The day also featured the final swimming events and the start of weightlifting competitions.
The Brisbane Broncos face a must-win clash against the Penrith Panthers, who lead the NRL ladder, as the defending premiers look to break an eight-game losing streak. The Broncos' finals hopes hinge on winning all remaining games, a task complicated by their poor points differential, while key players return from Origin duty for both sides.
A national mobile network outage at Telstra disrupted train services, payment systems and some emergency calls after a software defect in time-keeping servers. Telstra apologised and said services were restored, while the prime minister called the incident deeply concerning and the communications regulator opened an investigation.
The State of Origin series concludes with Queensland hosting New South Wales at Brisbane's Lang Park in a winner-takes-all Game III. The Maroons levelled the series with a Game II win in Melbourne, while the Blues have won only three of their 13 deciders at the venue. Coverage includes broadcast details, kick-off times across regions, and a recap of the opening matches.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued an unequivocal apology for comments he made about pop star Kylie Minogue during a lighthearted podcast interview. The remarks, made while playing a 'shag, marry or date' game, drew criticism from MPs who called them inappropriate and disrespectful to women.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologized after he said on a comedy podcast he would 'shag' singer Kylie Minogue, prompting criticism from female lawmakers and opposition figures. The incident has sparked debate about politicians engaging with new media outlets.
Australia and Fiji have signed a major defense alliance, the Ocean of Peace Alliance, committing to mutual defense obligations. The pact, signed by Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Sitiveni Rabuka in Suva, marks Fiji's first alliance and Australia's fourth formal ally. The move is seen as part of Australia's broader strategy to counter China's influence in the Pacific, which has intensified following China's recent test of a nuclear-capable missile in the region.
New South Wales can win the State of Origin shield with a victory in Game II at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday night. After a record comeback in Game I, the Blues are one win away from the title, while Queensland must triumph to force a decider in Brisbane.
Solomon Islands' new prime minister Matthew Wale has agreed to start negotiations on a comprehensive treaty with Australia during his visit to Canberra, while confirming his government will review the contentious security pact with China. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed openness to elevating the bilateral relationship as Wale reiterates a policy of 'friends to all, enemies to none.'
Israel has opened a new embassy in Fiji's capital, Suva, 30 years after the previous one was closed, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar attending the ceremony. The move is part of a broader diplomatic strategy to deepen ties with Pacific nations that have consistently supported Israel, and includes new cooperation agreements on national security and diplomatic training. Israel also announced plans to open a representative office in Papua New Guinea.
The 2026 men's State of Origin series begins Wednesday night in Sydney, with Queensland defending the shield won in 2025. Kick-off is set for 8:05pm AEST at Stadium Australia, with the match broadcast on Channel Nine and 9Now. New South Wales has made a late halves change after Mitchell Moses was ruled out.
As the Women's State of Origin series kicks off, NSW players say the timing is 'not ideal' after a six-month competitive lay-off. The Blues have prepared with internal trials, while key players return from childbirth and injury, shaping the series opener in Newcastle.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele announced that Pacific leaders had invoked the Biketawa Declaration in response to looming fuel shortages, citing the Middle East crisis. However, confusion persists over whether the declaration was properly endorsed, as some leaders were reportedly not consulted. Fuel prices have risen, and some Pacific nations have already taken emergency measures.
Melbourne Storm forward Tui Kamikamica has been discharged from Royal Melbourne Hospital after suffering a suspected stroke on Monday. He will begin inpatient rehabilitation and is expected to return to the club following his recovery period.