It's Friday! Here are this week's big stories and some that you might have missed
The big headlines:
- The war in the Middle East continues, with Iran confirming Ali Larijani, its national security council chief, was killed by an Israeli airstrike. US President Donald Trump has struck out at Nato and allies Japan, Australia and South Korea for refusing to deploy ships to the Strait of Hormuz. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed an air base used by Australian soldiers in the Middle East was struck by Iran, but nobody was injured.
- The Reserve Bank of Australia has lifted interest rates for the second time in two months. The new cash rate is up 0.25 percentage points to 4.1 per cent. The rate hike was widely anticipated, with oil and gas markets heavily impacted by the war in the Middle East.
- Aussies Rose Byrne and Jacob Elordi missed out at the 2026 Oscars, while Jessie Buckley took home the Best Actress award for Hamnet, Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for Sinners, and One Battle After Another was named Best Picture. Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win the Best Cinematography Oscar for her work on Sinners.
What else happened this week?
Matildas through to Women’s Asian Cup final
Goals from Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr (pictured) helped the Matildas to victory.
Shutterstock
After a 2-1 win against China, the Matildas will face Japan on Saturday in a rematch of the 2018 Asian Cup final, which Japan won.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle headed for north Queensland coast
Wind gusts from Cyclone Narelle are expected to reach up to 200km/hr.
Shuttertock
The cyclone is expected to reach category 4 classification before making landfall on Friday.
Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of bombing Kabul rehab hospital
Pakistan has denied claims that it intentionally targeted the Kabul hospital.
Wikimedia Commons
The Afghan government said 400 people were killed and 250 injured in the airstrike. Pakistan is set to pause attacks for five days for Eid.
Study finds medicinal cannabis doesn't treat mental health issues
The study also found evidence that medicinal cannabis could help treat cannabis addiction.
Shutterstock
Researchers found that medicinal cannabis is no more effective than placebos in treating psychotic disorders, anxiety, PTSD, anorexia or opioid use disorder.
Government can halt visas for people from countries at war
There has been widespread opposition to the new laws which are seen as racist.
Unsplash
A new law passed by the federal government means that citizens from a country at war can be blocked from entering the country for up to six months.
Cuba ends 29-hour blackout as US oil blockade continues
Trump has restricted oil imports into Cuba and threatened countries who sell oil to Cuba with tariffs.
Shutterstock
More than 10 million Cubans were without power after the national electric grid collapsed. Donald Trump has said he believes he’ll have "the honour of taking Cuba".
SA algal bloom may be worse than previously thought
Pathologists located brevetoxins in dead sea life washed up on the South Australian coast.
Shutterstock
An ABC Four Corners investigation found that the South Australian state government had located harmful brevetoxins in the algae but didn’t inform the public.
New NSW laws targeting LGBTQIA+ hate crimes
The new laws are a response to increased targeted violence against LGBTQIA+ people.
Unsplash
Offenders could face up to seven years in prison for threatening or inciting violence based on somebody’s sexuality or gender identity.
KFC agrees to pay over $28 million in employee class action
KFC employees are entitled to a paid 10-minute break for every shift of four hours or more.
Shutterstock
Current and former employees of the fast food chain claimed they were refused legally entitled paid breaks.
And now for some good news
Alex Johnston breaks NRL try scoring record
Despite the threat of fines, fans stormed the pitch in celebration of Alex Johnston's historic record.
Wikimedia Commons
The South Sydney Rabbitohs winger has officially broken the NRL try-scoring record with a double against arch-rivals the Sydney Roosters last Friday night. Johnston scored his 213th career try early in the second half, breaking Ken Irvine’s record from 1973. Fans flooded the field to celebrate, including prime minister and noted South Sydney fan Anthony Albanese. Despite Johnston’s accomplishment, the Roosters claimed the win 26-18.
