It's Friday! Here are this week's big stories and some that you might have missed
The big headlines:
- The US government released over3 million pages of the Epstein files, the first release of documents related to sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell this year. Former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, US president Donald Trump, and tech magnates Elon Musk and Bill Gates are mentioned in the documents. The Democrats have criticised the Department of Justice for withholding around 50 per cent of the files and for its blanket approach to redactions on documents released.
- Russia attacked Ukraine’s capital Kyiv on Tuesday night, leaving more than 1,000 residential buildings without electricity or heating in -20C temperatures. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of breaking a promise made to President Trump to cease attacks for a week because of the cold. Russia deployed 71 ballistic missiles and 450 drones, injuring nine.
- On Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man in history to win all four major tennis championships after defeating Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open men’s singles final. The 22-year-old Spaniard broke an 88-year-old record set by American Don Budge in 1938.
What else happened this week?
Israel closes Rafah crossing just two days after re-opening
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The Rafah crossing connects Gaza and Egypt
Israel has stopped medical patients from passingthrough the Rafah crossing from Gaza to Egypt, amid strikes that have killed at least 21 Palestinians, including six children and seven women.The crossing was set to re-openunder the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Balochistan separatists commit deadly attacks in Pakistan
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India has denied any involvement in the suicide attacks in Pakistan
Separatist militants carried out suicide attacksin the Balochistan province’s capital, Quetta, in which 145 militants, 31 civilians and 17 security personnel were killed. Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi has blamed India for backing the attacks, something Delhi denies.
RBA hikes rates for first time in two years
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Rising inflation is been a key reason why the RBA raised interest rates this week
The Reserve Bank has raised interest rates by 0.25 percentage points to 3.85 per cent. Treasurer Jim Chalmers acknowledged that the rate rise is difficult news for mortgage holders, but he maintains that it comes from private demand and not government spending.
NSW to scrap good character references in sentencing
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NSW will scrap good character references, but other states are yet to follow
This week, the state government will introduce a bill to end the use of good character references in sentencing convicted criminals. The Australian Law Reform Commission has described their use in cases of sexual assault and rape as a "problematic" practice.
Australia is spending more than ever on youth detention
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Increasing amounts are being spent on detaining young people in Australia
The Productivity Commission’s latest Report on Government Services shows youth detention spending has increasedby $400 million in five years. The report also shows over-representation of Indigenous youth and increasing numbers of violent incidents in custody.
Qld misses waste goals by significant margin
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Less than a third of Queensland's municipal solid waste was diverted from landfill in the last year
Queensland diverted just 28.2 per cent of municipal solid waste, which includes household rubbish, from landfill across the 2024-25 financial year. This is far below the 55 per cent target set by the state government in 2019.
Sydney Mardi Gras party cancelled just weeks from parade
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The post-parade Mardi Gras party was a Sydney highlight
The official post-parade celebration has been cancelled by Mardi Gras organisers, who cited significant financial loss and uncertain sponsorships as the reason. Previous performers at the event have included Cher, Kylie Minogue and Dua Lipa.
Thirteen-year-old boy swims four hours to save stranded family
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The Appelbee family were paddle boarding off Geographe Bay in Western Australia
Austin Appelbee swam for four hoursthrough turbulent waters off the WA coast, in order to call for help for his mother and two siblings, whose paddle boards had been dragged out to sea.
Purple GM tomatoes to hit supermarket shelves after regulator approval
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Genetically modified purple tomatoes (not those pictured) will be grown and sold in Australia for the first time.
The genetically modified Purple Bliss tomato will be the first fresh whole food to be grown and sold in Australia after receiving regulator approval. It includes snapdragon flower genes that boost antioxidants, sweeten its flavour and give it its purple colour.
And now for some good news:
Tame Impala takes home a Grammy, as artists call for ICE out
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WA's Kevin Parker took home a Best Dance/Electronic Project Grammy this week
Aussie musician Tame Impala was among the winners at theGrammy Awards this week. Kendrick Lamar became the most awarded rapper in Grammys' history after winning five awards, including record of the year, while Bad Bunny became the first Spanish-language artist to take away album of the year. He was one of several artists to denounce the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the ceremony, along with song of the year winner Billie Eilish