It's Friday! Here are this week's big stories and some that you might have missed
The big headlines
- Treasurer Jim Chalmers unveiled the federal budget on Tuesday. The government aims to address intergenerational inequity by abolishing negative gearing for new investors and replacing the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount. The changes are estimated to help 75,000 Australian first home buyers enter the property market.
- One Nation candidate David Farley has won the New South Wales seat of Farrer, marking the party’s first ever lower house seat in federal parliament. The Coalition held the seat for 80 years until former opposition leader Sussan Ley’s resignation last February, which triggered the by-election.
- Donald Trump has declared that the US-Iran ceasefire is "on life support" after rejecting Iran’s latest counteroffer for peace, which he called "totally unacceptable". Iran said it had called for an end to the blockade of its ports and to war "across the region"’, as well as war reparations and an end to sanctions. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran was prepared "for any eventuality".
What else happened this week?
Starmer under pressure to resign
Pressure on Starmer mounted with revelations about Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. (Wikimedia Commons)
UK prime minister Keir Starmer is under pressure to step down with four Labour frontbenchers resigning in protest this week.
Thirteen dead in Israeli strikes on Lebanon
The ceasefire has failed to stop fighting between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah. (Wikimedia Commons)
Two paramedics were among thirteen people killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese state media.
Body of triple murderer found
Ingram’s decomposed remains were found by a ute 100km north-west of Lake Cargelligo. (Wikimedia Commons)
Police have found the body of Julian Ingram, who was on the run after shooting and murdering three people in Lake Cargelligo, including his pregnant ex-partner, in late January.
Mining company ordered to pay record native title compensation
The Yindjibarndi traditional owners first filed the native title claim in 2003. (Wikimedia Commons)
Fortescue has been ordered to pay $150m to Yindjibarndi traditional owners over cultural damages caused by the Solomon Hub iron ore mine. It’s the largest compensation payout in native title history.
Low-income children not meeting learning standards
The report analysed data from a 2022 survey of over 700,000 students globally. (Pexels)
A UNICEF report has found a gap in learning standards between Australian children of higher and lower socioeconomic background.
Instagram removes end-to-end encryption
Meta cited low usage as justification for removing encryption. (Shutterstock)
End-to-end encryption, which prevented anybody but the sender and recipient from reading a message, is no longer available on Instagram.
Polycystic ovary syndrome renamed
The "very inaccurate" previous name placed disproportionate focus on cysts and the ovaries. (Shutterstock)
Polycystic ovary syndrome has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome to "improve the management and health" of the 170 million women affected by the disorder.
Canvas pays hackers not to release stolen data
Last week’s Canvas hacking disrupted exams at universities and colleges globally. (Shutterstock)
The company behind Canvas, the educational software that was hacked last week, has paid the hackers to delete students' stolen data.
Details of NT child protection review outlined
The review will look into the child protection system. (Shutterstock)
The Northern Territory state government has appointed retired NSW police commissioner Karen Webb and public servant Greg Shanahan to lead a new child protection review. The review was announced after the alleged murder of Kumanjayi Little Baby in Alice Springs.
And now for some good news
Free haircuts for central Queensland hospice residents
The volunteers are looking to bring some comfort to the terminally ill. (Pexels)
Hairdressers are among those volunteering at hospices for the terminally ill in central Queensland, giving haircuts for free to those facing the end of their lives.
