It's Friday! Here are this week's big stories and some that you might have missed
The big headlines
- Israel has bombedSouth Pars, the world’s largest natural gas field, causing international alarm for global energy security. Meanwhile, Iran has turned down a US ceasefire proposal just days after Donald Trump claimedthe two countries had held "strong talks". And Pakistan has offered to mediate peace talks, suggesting vice president JD Vance as the chief negotiator for the US.
- Service stations across Australia have run out of fuel amid shortages caused by the war in the Middle East. Almost 110 outlets in Victoria have run out of at least one grade of petrol, while 47 in Queensland and 105 in New South Wales have no diesel. Police have warned about increases in fuel theft across the country.
- Labor had a landslide victory in the South Australia state election on the weekend, holding 45.7 per cent of the popular vote. One Nation’s 19.5 per cent trounced the Liberal party, who finished with 15.6 per cent. This will be a second term for Premier Peter Malinauskus (above), who was first elected in 2022.
What else happened this week?
Meta, Google liable for social media addiction
Meta and Google have said they will appeal the verdict. (Shutterstock)
A US jury has ordered tech giants Google and Meta to pay US$6 million in damages to a 20-year-old woman who accused the companies of intentionally designing addictive platforms.
Laws allow Victorian principals to ban aggressive parents
Principals, teachers, parents and carers can weigh in on the laws via an online survey. (Shutterstock)
The Victorian government is set to strengthen the School Community Safety Order Scheme by simplifying the amount of paperwork required to ban a parent from school grounds.
New AI program trained by Pokémon Go user data
Questions have been raised about the ethics of using player data. (Shutterstock)
Niantic, the developer of Pokémon Go, has revealed it used a decade of player data to train an AI program capable of accurately pinpointing locations.
Cyclone Narelle reforms off WA coast
The Bureau of Meteorology has not ruled out the cyclone reaching category five strength. (Shutterstock)
Cyclone Narelle, which passed through far north Queensland and the Northern Territory last week, is expected to make landfall on the Gascoyne coast in Western Australia by late Friday evening.
Russian drone strike kills three, damages Ukraine's UNESCO site
Russia launched around 400 drones in a rare daytime attack on Ukraine. (Shutterstock)
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site around the 17th century St Andrew’s Church in western Lviv was damaged by the Russian drone attack.
Industrial action as teachers and ABC staff walk off job
Both groups are protesting low pay and poor working conditions. (Shutterstock)
Teachers around Victoria and Tasmania stayed home on Tuesday, while ABC staff across Australia held a 24-hour strikethat began at 11am on Wednesday.
Deadly drone strike on Sudan hospital
This strike is the latest in the war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. (Shutterstock)
The attack on the El-Daein teaching hospital in East Darfur killed 64 and wounded 80. It was launchedby the Sudanese army and is the twelfth attack on a health care facility in that country this year.
Inquiry reveals wave of climate misinformation in Australia
The inquiry uncovered misinformation about wind farms, whales, batteries and more. (Unsplash)
A senate inquiry has acknowledged there is "no simple fix" for climate misinformation, but has made several recommendations to combat its spread.
And now for some good news
Australia signs free trade deal with EU
The Prime Minister said the deal would boost Australia’s economy by $10 million annually. (Shutterstock)
The trade deal with the European Union will see all tariffs on Australian goods sold in Europe lifted, and it will make European products, like wine, biscuits, chocolates and pasta, cheaper in Australia.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article included the viral story of the dogs escaping captors in China. This story was incorrect and has been removed.