It's Friday! Here are this week's big stories and some that you might have missed
The big headlines
- US president Donald Trump has declared an extension of the two-week ceasefire with Iran. The announcement came after Iran refused to open the Strait of Hormuz and seized three ships attempting to cross the strait. The US blockade has remained intact, while the US military fired on and seized an Iranian cargo vessel that attempted to pass through the blockade on Sunday.
- The landmark trial between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Woolworths began in Sydney on Tuesday. The ACCC has accused Woolworths of increasing the price of products before discounting them as part of their "Prices Dropped" campaign so that the product’s discounted price was higher than its original price. Woolworths has claimed the price increases were influenced by suppliers.
- Health minister Mark Butler has announced cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) amid concerns about growing costs, fraud and alleged illegal use by criminal gangs. The Labor government aims to bring the NDIS budget down $15bn by the end of the decade through tightened eligibility rules, including the removal of an estimated 160,000 people from the scheme by 2030. The opposition, the Greens and disability advocates have warned the cuts could leave vulnerable Australians without support.
What else happened this week?
Minns’ anti-protest law ruled unconstitutional
The law was criticised after allegations of police brutality against protesters at Sydney’s town hall in February. (Wikimedia Commons)
The NSW court of appeal has ruled that the anti-protest law introduced by Premier Chris Minns in December was unconstitutional. Minns has defended the law as "rational and proportionate."
Starmer faces calls to resign amid Mandelson scandal
Starmer (right) has blamed foreign ministry officials for withholding information about Mandelson (left) that would have prevented his employment. (Wikimedia Commons)
Lord Peter Mandelson reportedly failed security vetting for his role as UK ambassador to the US, but he was hired by Starmer’s government anyway. Mandelson had close ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Live Nation found to have run an illegal monopoly
The ruling could lead to a forced break-up of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which merged in 2010. (Shutterstock)
A US jury has found that Live Nation Entertainment, the company behind Ticketmaster, ran an illegal monopoly of the ticketing market.
Earthquake in northern Japan raises tsunami concerns
Tsunami warnings were downgraded on Monday evening, but locals have been cautioned about potential aftershocks. (Shutterstock)
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake off Japan’s northern coast triggered widespread evacuation orders for around 170,000 people amid tsunami concerns.
Tim Cook steps down as Apple CEO
Cook succeeded Apple founder Steve Jobs as CEO in 2011. (Wikimedia Commons)
Apple has announced that CEO Tim Cook will step down in September after 15 years in the role. He will be replaced by hardware engineer John Ternus. Cook will stay in the role of chairman.
WaterNSW wetland cuts cause animal deaths
Turtles, waterbirds, frogs and sheep have died following the stoppage of water flow. (Wikimedia Commons)
Researchers were filmed digging up broad-shelled turtles buried in drying mud after WaterNSW ceased water flow to Gwydir wetlands in north-west NSW.
NSW public transport to run on renewable energy
The state government claims the change will reduce annual CO2 emissions by 800,000 tonnes. (Shutterstock)
The NSW state government struck a seven-year $1.9bn deal with Snowy Energy to power electric buses, trains and light rail services with renewable energy from July 2027.
Singer D4vd pleads not guilty to 14-year-old girl's murder
The 21-year-old artist is charged with first degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, and mutilation of human remains. (Wikimedia Commons)
The musician D4vd, real name David Burke, was arrested this week after the body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found in his abandoned Tesla last September.
Carlton player hospitalised after on-field mental health episode
Hollands exhibited erratic behaviour on the field and only registered one statistic all match. (Wikimedia Commons)
The 21-year-old Elijah Hollands was admitted to hospital on Monday night after a mental health episode during Carlton’s game against Collingwood on Thursday.
And now for some good news
More gay, bisexual and trans people can now give blood
Lifeblood expects roughly 20,000 new blood donations per year with the update. (Pexels)
Lifeblood has expanded its eligibility criteria for blood donations to include more gay and bisexual men and transgender people. Restrictions introduced during the HIV pandemic in the 1980s prevented many people from donating blood. However Lifeblood has introduced a gender-neutral eligibility test that asks all people the same questions about recent sexual activity before giving blood, irrespective of sexuality.
