It's Friday! Here are this week's big stories and some that you might have missed
The big headlines:
- Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by detectives on Thursday at his Norfolk home, where authorities carried out searches. Thames Valley Police confirmed they had arrested a man in his sixties on "suspicion of misconduct in public office" and that the man had now been released under investigation. After his brother's arrest, King Charles released a statement saying the "law must take its course".
- Incoming Liberal leader Angus Taylor has named his new shadow ministry, promoting conservatives like Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, while demoting supporters of former leader Sussan Ley to the backbench. Taylor also reinstated the Nationals members suspended for crossing the floor in January.
- The ACCC has accused Coles of misleading customers with "illusory" discounts in a landmark court case. The consumer watchdog alleges Coles increased the prices of several products and then lowered them to prices equal to or higher than the original cost as part of their "Down Down" sales. A similar case against Woolworths will take place in April.
What else happened this week?
Man accused of Invasion Day terror act named
Police allege the man threw a 'fragment bomb' filled with ball bearings and screws into the crowd of Invasion Day protestors [not pictured].
Wikimedia Commons
The man who threw a homemade explosive device into a crowd at a recent Invasion Day protest in Perth has been named as 32-year-old Liam Alexander Hall. He is the first person in Western Australia’s history to be charged with a terrorism offence.
Real wages go backwards as health insurance premiums reach record highs
The federal government approved a 4.41 per cent average increase in private health insurance premiums from April.
Pexels
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows wages grew 0.4 per cent more slowly than inflation in 2025. Meanwhile, private health insurance premiums are set to rise at their fastest rate in a decade.
Government will not assist women and children linked to Islamic State
The group began a journey back to Australia through Damascus (pictured), but were turned back by Syrian authorities.
Wikimedia Commons
The federal government has said there are no plans to repatriate the 34 Australian women and children linked to Islamic State fighters who are being held at al-Roj camp in north-east Syria. Earlier this week, the group started their journey back to Australia, but were forced to turn back by Syrian authorities. Human Rights Watch has described "inhuman, degrading and life-threatening conditions in the detention camp".
Federal government pledges more support for Stolen Generation survivors
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd delivered a formal apology to the Stolen Generation on behalf of the government in February 2008.
Wikimedia Commons
Over the next four years, survivors of the Stolen Generation can access $87 million worth of support services, including family tracing, reunification efforts and health services.
Kremlin denies accusations it poisoned opposition leader
The toxin epibatidine used to poison Navalny causes muscle paralysis and eventual asphyxiation.
Wikimedia Commons
Five European countries have accused Russia of using epibatidine, a toxin found in South American poison dart frogs, to kill Alexei Navalny while he was detained in Russia in 2024. The Kremlin has rejected the claims.
Anti-slavery commissioner raises forced labour concerns
Concerns have been raised about the use of forced labour in Kmart and Ansell's supply chains
Shutterstock
The anti-slavery commissioner Chris Evans has called for tougher laws to ensure that companies take the use of slavery in their supply chains seriously, pointing to concerns of forced labour by Australian companies Ansell and Kmart.
Mandatory health-star ratings?
The assistant health minister says health star ratings 'ensure all shoppers can quickly and easily compare the different options on supermarket shelves'.
Shutterstock
Assistant health minister Rebecca White has called for health star ratings to become mandatory in order "to enhance consumer choice." Just 39 per cent of products currently have health star ratings, which rate food based on several health factors.
Sydney among cities rallying in support of Iranian protestors
Demonstrations took place in Sydney, Los Angeles, Washington, Toronto, Tel Aviv, Lisbon and London.
Unsplash
Marches were held around the world on the weekend in solidarity with anti-government protestors in Iran, who have faced a violent crackdown that saw over seven thousand people killed.
Most successful Winter Olympics ever
So far Australia has claimed three gold, two silver and one bronze medals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games
Shutterstock
Australia has registered its highest ever medal tally at a Winter Olympic Games, including gold medals for mogul skiers Jakara Anthony and Cooper Woods, and snowboarder Josie Baff.
And now for some good news
Happy Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year festivities began on February 17 and will continue for around two weeks.
Shutterstock
Lunar New Year celebrations began around the world this week. It's the Year of the Fire Horse, which last took place in 1966. It symbolises vitality, passion and courage, but also high tempers, restlessness and impulsivity.
