It's Friday! Here are this week's big stories and some that you might have missed
The big headlines
- The Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates by 0.25 per cent, the highest they have been in 15 years. The rise will put pressure on homeowners with large mortgages, but will benefits Australians who have high-interest savings accounts.
- A pilot on an Israel-bound plane has been stabbed by his co-pilot in what is being investigated as an attempted terrorist attack. The attacker allegedly tried to crash the plane, with data from flight tracking website Flightrader24 reporting a 17,000 foot drop in less than two minutes. A passenger and crew member on the flight stormed the barricaded cockpit to restrain the attacker and land the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
- The annual MTV Video Music Awards took place on Sunday, with pop veteran Madonna taking home seven trophies. Taylor Swift’s Video of the Year, Best Director and Artist Direction Honors awards brought her total VMA tally to 31, as she overtook Beyonce to become the most successful artist of the awards.
What else happened this week?
New Greens leader announced
The leadership decision was made by an 11-member party on Wednesday / Wikimedia Commons
Senator David Shoebridge is the new leader of the federal Greens party after the resignation of former leader, Larissa Waters. Shoebridge ran with senator Steph Hodgins-May to beat out Sarah-Hanson Young and Mehreen Faruqi, who also put themselves forward for the role.
Five men arrested in UK suspected of terrorist attack
The five men were all British citizens in their 20s / Shutterstock
Five men were arrested in the UK this week after three suspicious vehicles were spotted travelling towards a RAF base. The men were accused of preparing a major terrorist attack, but they were released on bail the following day after police didn't find explosives in their vehicles.
AI-altered images banned in property market
The new laws target a rapid surge in 'housefishing', where the true conditions of a property are digitally altered / Shutterstock
NSW real-estate businesses could face fines of up to $22,000 if they fail to disclose AI-altered property images in advertising The state legislation also mandates a standardised rental application form that prohibits real estate companies from asking for unnecessary personal information.
Bangkok declared disaster zone after intense flooding
Almost $175 million has been allocated to emergency response by Thai government / Wikimedia Commons
Bangkok has been declared a disaster zone by Governor Chadchart Sittipunt after torrential flooding over the weekend. More than 20 fatalities have been confirmed by the Thai government and many parts of the region remain inaccessible.
Swarms of bogong moths reported across NSW
The moths are making their way to alpine areas / Shutterstock
Thousands of bogong moths have been spotted in parts of NSW as they make their way south as part of their annual migration. Residents have been warned not to harm the insects as they are endangered and play a crucial role in local ecosystems.
Report finds Indigenous employees paid 16 per cent less
Researchers estimate a cumulative loss of $170 billion if disparities continue / Shutterstock
A study by Towards Indigenous Pay Parity has found that Indigenous workers earn an average of 84 cents an hour for every dollar earnt by their non-Indigenous equivalents. The pay gap was observed across all eight major occupational groups, ranging from labourers to managers.
Shootings in South Africa leave 28 dead
No arrests have been made yet. / Shutterstock
Gunmen are on the run after two separate shootings in South Africa on the weekend that killed 28 people. A Johannesburg bar and a Cape Town restaurant were the targets of the attacks that saw 28 patrons killed. There is no confirmed motive behind the attacks.
WHO announces male contraceptive developments
The WHO says the male contraceptives could be on shelves as early as 2030 / Shutterstock
The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that several hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives for men are in advanced clinical trials. The most advanced product NES/T is a daily hormonal gel that is applied to the shoulders and upper arms, suppressing sperm production without affecting testosterone levels.
US troops withdraw from Iraq after 23 years
The US has had military presence in Iraq since 2003 / Wikimedia Commons
After over two decades of military presence, the US has pulled the last of its troops out of Iraq. The Iraqi government says the withdrawal indicates the start of reclaiming the country’s sovereignty and self reliance, but security experts have expressed concerns over Iraq's federal forces ability to defend the country against the violent extremist group Isis.
Investigation launched into 2024 Cornell Uni sexual assault
Cornell has rejected claims that it failed to adequately punish its students / Shutterstock
New information has led a US prosecutor to reopen a 2024 alleged sexual assault case where a victim was allegedly gang-raped by a group of Cornell University students. The victim filed a lawsuit on September 16, alleging she was drugged and raped for hours at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.
And now for some good news
Kayakers greeted by dolphins in Sydney harbour
Marine scientists believe the dolphins could be repeat visitors / Shutterstock
A lucky group of kayakers were met by a pod of ten dolphins in Sydney harbour on Monday morning. Marine biologists say the sighting was “rare” and a sign of good local marine environment health.