A 14-point Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran is close to being finalised, Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi told state TV. The deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the US blockade on Iranian shipping, with economic reintegration happening in stages — no money up-front. A 60-day negotiation period will follow on Iran's enriched uranium, which US officials say must be destroyed on-site and removed. Trump said he cancelled "scheduled attacks" against Iran because negotiators had "just made a great settlement." Israel is not involved in the talks. Pakistan's PM confirmed the MOU is agreed and awaits final signatures.
SpaceX listed on the Nasdaq with a $2.2tn valuation, trading opened at $150 vs a $135 offer price. Musk's 42% stake in SpaceX alone is worth ~$767bn, pushing his total net worth to $1.11tn — roughly the economic output of Poland or Switzerland. The IPO raised $75bn. The milestone has reignited debate on wealth inequality; Musk's political influence (including $100m+ in Trump donations and leading Doge) and the Lancet's warning of 14m+ additional deaths from USAID cuts were noted in coverage.
The DOJ approved the $111bn acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery by Paramount Skydance, saying it's "not likely to result in harm to competition" and may "increase competition across the media ecosystem." The merged entity will own CNN, HBO, CBS, Showtime, DC Studios, Nickelodeon and more. But California's AG is still reviewing and could sue to block. Over 1,400 Hollywood actors and filmmakers signed an open letter opposing the merger over job cuts and reduced competition.
King Charles led tributes to the pioneering British artist, calling him "one of life's true originals." Hockney was famous for vibrant LA swimming pool paintings, Yorkshire landscapes, and iPad portraits. Over seven decades, he broke social taboos by celebrating gay domestic life in his work when homosexuality was still a crime. Tate Britain's director called him "an endlessly inventive artist" whose loss to the art world is "immense." Pompidou Centre described him as "unquestionably one of the major figures of contemporary art."
Swift became the youngest woman inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, thanking her family in an emotional 21-minute speech. The ceremony capped a historic year for the pop star.
Swiss voters will head to the polls on a proposal to constitutionally cap the country's population at 10 million, amid rising concerns over immigration, housing shortages and infrastructure strain.
Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the most visibly accomplished member of the royal family, has died after being in a coma since December 2022. She collapsed from a heart condition while training her dogs.
Thousands of students protested in Indonesian cities, warning that wasteful government spending risks driving the country into bankruptcy. Fuel price hikes were a key flashpoint.
Sydney's hospitality sector is facing one of its most brutal winters, with soaring costs, reduced foot traffic and tightened consumer spending combining to put dozens of restaurants at risk. Multiple venues are reportedly struggling to stay afloat, with industry insiders predicting a wave of closures before spring. The SMH calls it a "bloodbath" — relevant for RSN territory as fine dining and wine venues are among those feeling the pressure.
Liberal MPs and senators have been warning young Australians on the 5% deposit scheme they face "negative equity" as Sydney and Melbourne house prices fall. But economists say the price drops are concentrated in the top end of the market — not typical first-home buyer territory. The cheapest quartile of Sydney homes actually rose 0.4% in the three months to May. Experts caution that negative equity is only a problem if forced to sell, and with low unemployment and arrears rates, most buyers will ride it out.
Analysis argues Pauline Hanson's resurgence taps into the same cultural currents driving Trump globally — anti-establishment sentiment that transcends traditional party politics. The piece suggests both major parties are struggling to counter her appeal as she targets Labor-held seats.
A critical analysis of the $368bn AUKUS submarine program, arguing that with such an enormous price tag, the level of government secrecy around costs and timelines is unacceptable. The piece calls for greater transparency as Australia commits to the nuclear-powered submarine pathway.
The Bellingshausen Sea on the western side of the Antarctic peninsula is almost completely ice-free in what should be peak winter. About 650,000 sq km of sea ice (area of France) is missing. An expert called it "depressing" and said "I don't think we will see sea ice there any more." Daytime temperatures on the peninsula hit 15.4°C — more than 20°C above average. The ice loss threatens krill, penguins, and could accelerate glacier melt and global sea level rise.
An examination of how Sydney's ambitious housing targets and planning reforms have been steadily diluted, leaving renters and low-income earners with diminishing options. The piece follows one Sydneysider's struggle to find anything affordable in a market that continues to tighten.
Victorian athlete Jemma Stapleton, a finalist in the 2025 Stawell Gift, died while on holiday overseas with her family. A GoFundMe page set up by her brother said she "tragically lost her life in an accident." The fundraiser has already exceeded its $100,000 goal. Tributes flooded in from athletics organisations and sporting clubs.
Former PM Tony Abbott's return to the public eye is generating significant political fallout, with ABC News reporting the ripples are being felt across the Liberal Party and federal politics.
A major feature on the crisis gripping Sydney's dining scene. Soaring costs, reduced consumer spending and a sharp drop in foot traffic are creating what industry insiders call a "bloodbath" — with multiple venues expected to close before spring. The article is essential reading for anyone in RSN territory: fine dining, wine-focused venues and premium hospitality are not immune, and sommelier movements may accelerate as venues restructure or close.
Broadsheet's latest Neighbourhood Favourite listings feature Bronte Road Fish (Bronte), El Primo Sanchez (Mexican, Surry Hills), Heaps Normal Health Club (Newtown), Good Ways Deli Redfern, and Attenzione Food & Wine. Worth noting for RSN territory — new openings signal where sommeliers and hospitality talent are moving.
Creative Australia's latest National Arts Participation Survey found 74% of Australians (15.4m people) attended at least one live arts event in the past year — the highest since the survey began in 2009. 98% engage with the arts in some form. However, 60% cited cost as the biggest barrier to attendance, and more than half missed events they wanted to see due to expense. For the first time, the survey examined the link between arts education and lifelong participation — finding that those taught an artform at school are significantly more likely to engage as adults. Arts access for children emerged as the top priority for public arts investment. The survey also found 2 in 5 Australians use AI tools for creative work, and 82% support mandatory disclosure of AI use in creative works. Attendance at First Nations arts events rose to one in three Australians.
Creative Australia announced the recipients of the 2026 First Nations Arts and Culture Awards, presented on 27 May. Major awards included: Dr Bronwyn Bancroft and Stephen Pigram (Red Ochre — Lifetime Artistic Excellence); Djambawa Marawili AM and Hetti Kemarre Perkins (Red Ochre — Cultural Advocacy); Hayley Millar Baker (Youth Award); John Harvey (Established Artist of the Year); Balya Productions (Business Innovation Award). First Nations Arts Fellowships were awarded to Daen John-Sansbury-Smith and Maurial Spearim. A new permanent award category was established: the Rhoda Roberts Trailblazer Award, honouring her legacy as a visionary First Nations cultural leader.
Ukrainian-Australian artist Stanislava Pinchuk has been awarded the 2026 Mordant Family and Creative Australia Affiliated Fellowship at the American Academy in Rome. Pinchuk's practice explores data-mapping, information-mining and conflict topographies. The Fellowship, supported through co-investment between the Mordant Family and Creative Australia since 2016, offers established Australian visual artists time and space to develop new work within one of the world's most significant creative communities. Previous recipients include Khaled Sabsabi, Reko Rennie, and Sally Smart.
Music Australia's The Bass Line report found Australia's music industry generated $10.76bn in revenue in 2024-25, contributing $4.28bn in direct GVA. While revenues grew 5.2%, export growth (1.9%) and artist income (0.9%) were much slower. The companion report More Than Notes on a Page revealed music education generates $1.79bn in revenue and contributes more to GVA than live performance. Music Australia Director Millie Millgate said two years of data is now revealing patterns about how value moves through the industry, providing "evidence-based signals to inform long-term local content considerations."
A new 10-part video series aimed at supporting financial literacy and capability for arts and cultural sector boards has been released by Creative Australia. The series is designed to help arts organisations strengthen governance and financial management.
Creative Australia has released updated guidelines and key dates for the Four Year Investment for Organisations program, which provides multi-year funding to Australian arts organisations. Applications are now open for the next funding cycle.
While a UK story, Hockney's death resonates deeply in Australian arts. He was a major figure whose influence spanned generations globally. His work was exhibited extensively in Australia and he maintained connections with the Australian art world through his career. King Charles said Hockney "was one of life's true originals."