Queensland unlawfully detained children in adult watch house without private toilet access, tribunal finds 13. July 2026 (11:00) State ordered to apologise after ruling finds it breached law when detaining teenagers in a Cairns watch houseGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Queensland government broke the law and violated the human rights of three children by detaining them in an adult-only watch house without private toilet access or clean clothes, according to a tribunal judgment.The case was brought by three teenagers separately detained in the Cairns watch house between June 2021 and 2022. They were then aged between 13 and 17. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We should be dead’: Perth’s Indigenous community felt ignored after alleged Invasion Day bombing attempt, inquiry told 13. July 2026 (09:53) Police were told of unspecified threats before the 26 January rally but did not meet with organisers until after, parliamentary inquiry into racism toldFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIndigenous community members who witnessed the alleged attempted terror attack at the Invasion Day rally in Perth have told a federal inquiry into racism and hate directed at First Nations people that they felt dismissed and ignored by authorities.Western Australia police declared the incident was being investigated as a terror attack nine days after an alleged homemade bomb, filled with ball bearings, screws and other projectiles, was thrown into the crowd of 2,000 people at Forrest Place on 26 January. Perth man Liam Alexander Hall has been charged with terrorism offences and is in custody, and his lawyers have indicated he intends to plead not guilty by way of insanity. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More than 16,000 refugees unable to reunite with families in UK, says Refugee Council 13. July 2026 (08:00) Suspension of family reunion route has left many stuck in conflict zones or using people smugglers to reach safetyMore than 16,000 refugees have been unable to reunite with families in the UK, leaving them either stuck in conflict zones or resorting to using people-smugglers to reach safety, according to the Refugee Council.The government suspended the refugee family reunion route last September. It allowed a person granted refugee status to apply to bring immediate family members such as a spouse and their children under 18 to reunite with them in the UK. The indication was that the suspension would last until the spring of this year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Struggling pub landlords given a lifeline by England’s World Cup heroes 13. July 2026 (07:00) One manager expects takings to treble during England’s semi-final with Argentina on Wednesday; while national sales are up 10%The beleaguered pub sector is getting a boost from England’s World Cup run, with some landlords reporting roaring sales as anticipation builds for a bumper night on Wednesday for the semi-final clash with Argentina.Lisa Mayall, the manager of the British Oak in Kingswinford near Dudley in the West Midlands, was jubilant after England’s 2-1 win against Norway on Saturday night and brisk takings at the pub’s till. She expects hundreds more customers for the team’s next game at 8pm BST. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UNSW academic subjected to Nazi salutes in class, antisemitism commission hears 13. July 2026 (06:59) Royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion hears lived experiences of Jewish students and academicsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn academic at UNSW was subjected to Nazi salutes by students in his business class, the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion has heard.The fourth block of hearings, taking place in Melbourne this week, is examining the lived experiences of Jewish students and academics, including the response of universities to combat hate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Is the most popular song played on Australian radio stations the product of generative AI? 13. July 2026 (06:03) Josh Fawaz’s song, a cover of Like a Prayer, has raised questions about how generative AI is being used in music and whether it should be declaredAn Australian producer has gone from little-known artist to viral sensation in a matter of months, with his hit song catapulting on to global charts and receiving thousands of radio spins.There’s just one problem: music experts and other musicians are questioning whether he produced it. They claim Josh Fawaz’s most popular song, a cover of Madonna’s Like a Prayer which reached the No 1 spot on the National Radio Airplay chart, could have been made using AI. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Britons give classic round tomato the red card as coloured and vine varieties score 13. July 2026 (06:01) Premium cherry-on-the-vine are poised to take top spot in Britain’s £1bn-a-year tomato marketFor a long time the classic round, red tomato has dominated British salads and sandwiches, but its supremacy is coming under threat as sales of rainbow colours and the upmarket rival “cherry on the vine” take off.“Non-red tomatoes” sales are up 21% this year, a growth rate that far exceeds the overall market, according to Paul Faulkner, of Evesham Vale Growers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mastermind of €88m Louvre heist thought they ‘could have taken more’ 13. July 2026 (06:00) Alleged thieves in October 2025 robbery damaged a gem-encrusted crown worn in the 19th century by Empress EugénieTwo men suspected of making off with €88m (£75m) worth of crown jewels from the Louvre museum in Paris last October have reportedly told investigators that the alleged mastermind behind the heist was disappointed by the haul and thought “they could have taken more”.The French newspaper Le Monde cited transcripts of the alleged thieves’ questioning last month by two investigating judges in charge of the inquiry, offering detailed insights into the burglary that made global headlines and led the museum’s director to resign. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Swedish MEP files police complaint accusing Danish colleague of racist hate speech 13. July 2026 (06:00) Abir Al-Sahlani targeted on social media after condemning anti-immigration chants in European parliamentA Swedish MEP has filed a police complaint accusing a fellow MEP of racist hate speech after she was targeted on social media over her condemnation of far-right, anti-immigration chants in the European parliament.The complaint, which was filed last week with police in Sweden, relates to the aftermath last month of the decision by some rightwing MEPs to erupt in chants of “send them back” following a vote aimed at increasing deportations across the EU. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jana Armstrong’s former partner appears in court charged with murder after body found near Toowoomba 13. July 2026 (05:26) Dharminder Singh ‘asserts his innocence’, lawyer tells reporters, amid outpouring of grief for young mother in Queensland cityFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe former partner of a woman whose body was found near Toowoomba at the weekend has appeared in court for the first time after being charged with her murder.Dharminder Singh covered his face and appeared to sob as he appeared in Toowoomba magistrates court via video link, charged with the murder of 30-year-old Jana Armstrong. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
