The US-Iran deal, scheduled for signing on Sunday, is now in jeopardy after Israel carried out an air strike on Dahieh — a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut. Lebanon says three people were killed, 15 injured. Trump responded by warning all sides not to disrupt the peace process: "This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — Let's not blow it!" Iran's chief negotiator accused the US of failing to uphold commitments, while Israeli officials described the potential deal as "catastrophic." The Strait of Hormuz reopening and nuclear dismantlement both hang in the balance.
In a first-of-its-kind operation, Royal Marine Commandos fast-roped from a helicopter onto the sanctioned oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel, supported by the NCA and RAF. The six-hour operation seized a vessel carrying Russian oil as part of efforts to enforce sanctions on Moscow's shadow fleet — 700+ vessels responsible for 75% of Russia's sanctioned oil exports. PM Starmer said the operation "delivers yet another blow to Russia." The tanker, sailing under a Cameroon flag, was tracked from Russia's Ust-Luga port.
The New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 94–90 in Game 5 to win their first NBA title in 53 years. Celebrations in New York turned violent — a 17-year-old was shot in the foot near Times Square, five school buses were set alight, and 63 people were arrested. Ten police officers were injured. The buses had been used to shuttle World Cup fans. Knicks owner James Dolan had called for restraint before the win.
SpaceX debuted on the stock exchange at a $US1.77 trillion valuation, closing 20% higher on Day 1 at $US2.1 trillion ($3 trillion AUD) — roughly equal to the entire ASX or all Victorian housing. Musk is now the first trillionaire in history. The IPO involved 19 Wall Street banks sharing US$500 million in fees. Despite the staggering valuation, ABC analysis notes the company "is basically a good internet company with an unprofitable rocket business" and loses money. Australian super funds are likely investors.
Lewis Hamilton took his first win for Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix, holding off Mercedes' George Russell and McLaren's Lando Norris. It was the first all-British podium since 1968. Hamilton, 41, had a difficult debut Ferrari season in 2025 without a single podium finish. After the win, he said his "heart was exploding with joy." Championship leader Kimi Antonelli retired from second place with four laps to go, narrowing his lead to 41 points.
The first-ever professional sporting event at the White House — UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn — faces a 70% chance of thunderstorms. 4,300 invite-only guests are expected, with another 85,000 at a nearby fan zone. The event coincides with Trump's 80th birthday and America's 250th anniversary celebrations. The UFC spent ~$60m on the event. A lawsuit was filed to try to halt it, and a Reuters poll found only 16% of Americans thought it appropriate.
Nearly 55% of Swiss voters rejected a proposal to limit population to 10 million by cutting migration. The divisive vote, pushed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, threatened Switzerland's free movement agreement with the EU. The government, businesses, and major parties opposed the cap. Justice Minister Beat Jans called the result "a sign of stability, openness and reliability." The EU Commission president welcomed the outcome.
Japanese firms will spend more than £9bn on UK infrastructure and financial services and up to £9bn on UK offshore wind, creating tens of thousands of jobs, Downing Street announced. PM Starmer met Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi in London. Rolls-Royce will also work with Japan's Atomic Energy Agency on next-generation nuclear technologies. However, it remains unclear how much represents new money vs. previously announced plans.
All four major banks (CBA, ANZ, NAB, Westpac) and HSBC predict the RBA will leave interest rates unchanged at 4.35% when its two-day meeting concludes Tuesday. Westpac's chief economist Luci Ellis expects rates may actually rise in August and September. Other economists foresee a prolonged pause with no rate relief until late 2027. Key factors: the Middle East ceasefire's impact on fuel prices, persistent inflation, and the looming restoration of the full fuel excise at month's end. Brent crude is trading at $87.33/barrel.
Melbourne-based travel agency AVG Travels has been placed into liquidation, owing $4.3 million to nearly 800 creditors with just $83,000 in assets. Customers who lost deposits on international tours are calling for the federal government to reinstate the Travel Compensation Fund, abolished in 2014. A petition with over 1,000 signatures urges stronger safeguards. One family group of 45 people lost $60,000 for a planned China trip. The company's ATIA membership was cancelled in 2022 for failing "financial and ethical standards."
Buyer's agency Dashdot entered voluntary liquidation in May with estimated liabilities of $16.6 million against just $71,000 in realisable assets. It owes $10.6 million in prepaid services or refunds to nearly 700 customers. ABC News obtained emails showing Dashdot was still encouraging prospective customers to proceed with property investment services just days before entering liquidation. One Sydney customer paid $23,100 seven weeks before the company collapsed.
In a stunning World Cup opener, Australia beat Türkiye 1–0 in Vancouver. Coach Tony Popovic made the shock call to bench captain Mat Ryan and vice-captain Jackson Irvine, starting 22-year-old Patrick Beach in goal. Beach made eight saves — several sensational — including one of the tournament's best. Nestory Irankunda scored the winner, muscling into the box and calmly slotting home. The victory evokes memories of Guus Hiddink's 2006 squad selections.
Owners Tristan Rosier and Bec Fanning (also behind Jane) are halfway through a full-scale renovation of the Surry Hills favourite. The new Arthur commits to exclusively Australian ingredients — proteins, olive oil, flour, salt, and wine all local. The menu features yuzu-dressed prawns with swordfish belly, slow-braised kangaroo tail with warrigal greens, and wattleseed custard tart. The popular Australiano Hour returns with $10 snacks and cocktails. Green and terracotta interiors with ceramic sconces by local artist Alessandro di Sarno.
Mexico City native and executive chef Pablo Galindo brings authentic Mexican taqueria culture to Potts Point. Grain-fed rib eye and Wagyu Scotch fillet tacos with tableside spicy salsas (serrano green, arbol red, habanero orange) and the non-negotiable costra — molten Oaxacan cheddar on flour tortillas. Sommeliers Javi Coindreau and Liber Osorio curate a wine list focused on smaller producers, sustainable vineyards, and easy-drinking bottles — including a wine they made together in Adelaide. Dessert: vanilla soft serve with churros in dulce de leche.
From the team behind Table Manners, Fishnets brings precise omakase-grade sushi to Bronte's coastline. Head chef Kim blends two Japanese rice varieties (Niigata + Aomori) for perfect texture, with nigiri featuring akami, otoro, cuttlefish, mackerel, and bonito. The menu dances between Japan, Australia and Europe — tomatoes pickled with yuzu juice over tofu-mascarpone-creme fraiche, pippies in beurre blanc with yuzu kosho, and a 500g yellowfin tuna katsu. The Blainey North-designed dining room features Japanese folklore murals by Nix Francia.
The team behind Bat & Ball (the Votano, McBride and Godbolt trio) have taken over the 150-year-old Newtown boozer, one of the area's oldest independently operated pubs. A "soft-touch" renovation over 2.5 months preserves the heritage while upgrading flooring, bar top, furniture and beer garden. The famous lion on the roof stays. The menu echoes Bat & Ball's winning formula — Monday burgers, $19 Tuesday lasagnes, $20 Wednesday parmies, buck-a-shuck Saturday oysters — with a bigger kitchen for a larger offering. Affordable community pub with an elevated touch.
Munich-raised Roni Hanna brings authentic German döner kebab culture to Sydney's west. The truck serves chicken and veggie kebabs on fluffy Turkish-Iraqi pita with the classic Berlin/Munich sauce trinity: yoghurt-garlic, spicy, and cocktail sauce. The veggie avalanche includes fried eggplant, zucchini, carrots, lettuce, red cabbage, feta, and chilli flakes. Already selling out daily with queues. A genuine Berlin döner experience in Bonnyrigg.
Creative Australia's National Arts Participation Survey — conducted roughly every three years since 2009 — reports 74% of Australians (15.4 million people) attended at least one live arts event or festival in the past year, the highest level recorded. However, 60% cited cost as the biggest barrier, and more than half missed out on events they wanted to attend due to cost. 98% of Australians engage with the arts in some form. Key findings: arts education in school strongly correlates with lifelong participation; 82% want AI use in creative works disclosed; attendance at classical music rose from 7% (2022) to 10% (2025); and one in three Australians attended Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts events. The survey of 9,065 Australians also explored AI's role in creativity for the first time.
Creative Australia announced recipients of the 2026 First Nations Arts and Culture Awards, presented annually on 27 May marking the 1967 Referendum anniversary. The awards recognise First Nations artists, cultural leaders, arts workers, and creative businesses across Australia. Executive Director Franchesca Cubillo highlighted "excellence across generations and disciplines, from lifetime achievement and cultural leadership through to emerging voices." A new permanent award category was established: the Rhoda Roberts AO Trailblazer Award, honouring visionary First Nations cultural leadership. The 2026 First Nations Arts Fellowship recipients — Daen John-Sansbury-Smith and Maurial Spearim — were also announced alongside the awards.
Ukrainian-Australian artist Stanislava Pinchuk has been awarded the prestigious Mordant Family and Creative Australia Affiliated Fellowship at the American Academy in Rome. Pinchuk's practice explores data-mapping, information-mining, conflict topographies, and the legacies of literature and politics of translation. The Fellowship provides established Australian visual artists dedicated time and space at one of the world's most significant creative communities. Past recipients include Khaled Sabsabi, Reko Rennie, and Sally Smart. The fellowship has supported Australian artists since 2016 through a co-investment partnership between the Mordant Family and Creative Australia.
Creative Australia has released the guidelines and key dates for the Four Year Investment for Organisations program, a multi-year funding stream for arts and cultural organisations. The program provides operational stability for organisations through predictable, multi-year funding cycles. Application dates and eligibility criteria are now available on the Creative Australia website. This is a significant funding pathway for mid-to-large arts organisations.