It's Friday! Here are this week's big stories and some that you might have missed
The big headlines
- The US has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz after negotiations with Iran in Pakistan broke down. US president Donald Trump has said that US-Iranian peace talks could soon resume in Islamabad. Israel and Lebanon have agreed to peace talks following discussions in Washington DC mediated by US secretary of state Marco Rubio. These peace talks have been strongly opposed by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
- Donald Trump called Pope Leo XIV "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy" after the pope criticised the US war on Iran. Trump also posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as a robed, Jesus-like figure appearing to heal a sick man to his Truth Social account, which prompted backlash from his Christian followers. The post has since been deleted, while Pope Leo continues to call for peace, saying he has "no fear" of the Trump administration.
- Federal opposition leader Angus Taylor has outlined his party’s migration policy, which calls for visa applicants to be tested on their alignment with Australian values and a "joint agency taskforce" to deport unlawful overstayers. Taylor also claimed that Australia’s immigration system is being "exploited by people using the pretext of needing protection" and called for a "safe country list" that would allow for the refusal of people from "safe countries" making "frivolous" protection claims.
What else happened this week?
Geelong oil refinery catches fire
The refinery produces 50 per cent of Victoria's and 10 per cent of Australia's fuel. (Shutterstock)
A large fire broke out at an oil refinery in Geelong early Thursday morning, with 50 firefighters called in to suppress the blaze. The refinery is one of two Australian facilities capable of refining oil domestically. The fire was extinguished, but the damage is still being assessed.
Viktor Orbán concedes Hungarian election
Orbán, a close ally of Donald Trump, spent the last 16 years in power in Hungary. (Wikimedia Commons)
Far-right Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán was defeated in that country's election by centre-right candidate Péter Magyar.
Harry and Meghan visiting Australia
The couple has been criticised for charging up to $3,000 for tickets to their events. (Shutterstock)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spent four days touring Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne in their first visit to Australia since 2018.
Government appoints first woman as Chief of Army
Coyle most previously served as Chief of Joint Capabilities. (Shutterstock)
Lieutenant General Susan Coyle will become the first woman to lead the Australian Army, pending approval from Governor-General Sam Mostyn.
Qantas and Virgin cut flights and raise prices amid fuel crisis
Qantas estimates an $800m increase in fuel spending due to the war in the Middle East. (Shutterstock)
Virgin has announced it will reduce flights by 1 per cent, while Qantas has paused four regional domestic routes and removed one indefinitely.
INXS misses out as Rock and Roll Hall of Famers announced
Nominees who missed out included INXS (above), Mariah Carey, Shakira and Lauryn Hill. (Wikimedia Commons)
Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, Queen Latifah, Oasis, Sade, Joy Division/New Order, Wu-Tang Clan and the late Luther Vandross will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Emperor penguin and Antarctic fur seal declared endangered
The global Antarctic fur seal population has halved to just over 944,000. (Pexels)
The steep population decrease in emperor penguins and Antarctic fur seals has been attributed to climate change and a highly contagious strain of bird flu.
Gout Gout breaks own 200m record
The 18-year-old sprinter’s time would have earned him a bronze medal in the 200m race at the 2024 Olympics. (Shutterstock)
Gout Gout broke his own national 200m record with a time of 19.67 seconds at the athletics championships final in Sydney on Sunday. He’s the first Australian to break 20 seconds over 200m.
NSW pharmacists to prescribe contraceptive pill
Patients with a history of blood clotting must still see a GP for a prescription. (Unsplash)
The NSW state government will permit pharmacists to prescribe contraceptive pills to first-time patients over the age of 18.
And now for some good news
First female manager of a top-tier European men's team appointed
Union Berlin have won just two games since Christmas and sit eleventh on the table. (Wikimedia Commons)
German soccer club Union Berlin have appointed Marie-Louise Eta as interim manager for the remainder of the Bundesliga season, making her the first female to coach a men’s team in Europe’s top five leagues. She replaces head coach Steffan Baumgart, who was sacked after a 3-1 loss to last-placed Heidenheim on Saturday. Eta will become manager of Union Berlin’s women’s team once the season ends in July.
