LATEST
SailGP – KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix
Podium 1 United States 2 Emirates Great Britain 3 Spain Season 1 Emirates Great Britain – 29 2 Australia (BONDS Flying Roos) – 25 3 United States – 20 4 Spain 5 Italy 6 Denmark 7 Canada 8 Germany…
United Kingdom updates ETA entry rules for dual Australian–British/Irish citizens
Effective 25 February 2026, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Smartraveller) advises that dual Australian–British or Australian–Irish citizens must present a British or Irish passport to board flights under the United Kingdom’s Electronic Travel…
Annual CPI inflation steady at 3.8% in January 2026
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.8% in the 12 months to January 2026, unchanged from the December 2025 reading, with Housing costs up 6.8% and Food and non‑alcoholic beverages up 3.1% as leading contributors to…
Australian Government commits $310 million to AUKUS submarine propulsion systems
The Albanese Government announced a $310 million payment for long-lead items from the United Kingdom to manufacture nuclear propulsion systems for Australia’s first two SSN-AUKUS submarines at Osborne, South Australia.
Commonwealth Bank Cuts 300 Jobs Amid $90m AI Workforce Investment
Commonwealth Bank of Australia has confirmed approximately 300 roles will be made redundant across its Australian operations while committing $90 million over three years to upskill staff and expand artificial intelligence capability. The bank says the job reductions…
Final Medal Tally Confirmed for 2026 Winter Olympics
The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has concluded with Australia finishing 14th on the official medal table securing a record final tally of six medals, including three gold, two silver, and one bronze. This result establishes Australia’s highest-ever…
◆ ASX 200 – Weekly Close
The ASX 200 closed the week up +1.84%, lifting YTD gains since Jan 1 to +4.05%, at 9,081.40 it is currently trading +3.30% above its six-month end of week rolling average.
DFAT updates Smartraveller Middle East travel advice citing unpredictable regional tensions
On 16 February 2026, Smartraveller updated its travel advice for countries in the Middle East, warning Australians that the security situation is unpredictable and that conflicts could lead to airspace closures, flight cancellations, demonstrations, and travel…
ENVIRONMENT
Catastrophic Fire Danger Declared for Parts of South Australia
The Country Fire Service has escalated fire danger ratings to Catastrophic for the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas as a severe heatwave sweeps the state.
Cyclone Warning
Tropical Cyclone Koji has developed into a Category 2 Cyclone and is moving towards the Queensland coast. Warning zone Innisfail to Mackay.
Emergency Warning
Bushfire, Leave Immediately for Cape Otway, Maits Rest.
Victorian Bushfires
State of Disaster declared for bushfire emergencies.
ECONOMY
Annual CPI inflation steady at 3.8% in January 2026
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.8% in the 12 months to January 2026, unchanged from the December 2025 reading, with Housing costs up 6.8% and Food and non‑alcoholic beverages up 3.1% as leading contributors to…
Commonwealth Bank Cuts 300 Jobs Amid $90m AI Workforce Investment
Commonwealth Bank of Australia has confirmed approximately 300 roles will be made redundant across its Australian operations while committing $90 million over three years to upskill staff and expand artificial intelligence capability. The bank says the job reductions…
◆ ASX 200 – Weekly Close
The ASX 200 closed the week up +1.84%, lifting YTD gains since Jan 1 to +4.05%, at 9,081.40 it is currently trading +3.30% above its six-month end of week rolling average.
ABS reports unemployment rate remains at 4.1 per cent in January 2026
The Australian Bureau of Statistics released Labour Force, Australia, January 2026, showing the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.1 per cent with employment rising by 18,000 and full-time employment up by 50,000.
NATIONAL
ADV Reliant Delivers 400,000L of Water to Kiribati
Australian Defence Vessel ADV Reliant has completed a three-day mission delivering 400,000 litres of fresh water and 15 pallets of humanitarian supplies to Banaba Island, Kiribati. The deployment followed an official request for assistance from the President of…
Government Reviews Online Game Ratings After Safety Concerns
Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells has written to the Classification Board and eSafety Commissioner to review whether Roblox’s PG rating remains appropriate following media reports of child grooming concerns. The review request is part of broader federal…
Australia and Indonesia Sign Landmark Security Treaty
The Australian and Indonesian governments signed the Australia–Indonesia Treaty on Common Security on 6 February 2026 in Jakarta, establishing a framework for ongoing bilateral cooperation on defence and regional security matters. The agreement is intended to enhance…
Federal Government Launches “Once-in-a-Generation” Defence Estate Reform
The Federal Government has confirmed the divestment of 64 Defence sites and partial sale of three others, including HMAS Penguin and RAAF Williams, with funds redirected to strengthen northern and western bases in line with shifting strategic priorities.
WORLD
United States completes withdrawal from World Health Organization
The United States has formally ended its 78-year membership in the World Health Organization, concluding its participation in the global health agency.
Major snowstorm forecast to disrupt New York region
A major winter storm is forecast to hit the New York region, prompting travel warnings as heavy snow and strong winds are expected.
Landslide in West Java kills 23 soldiers, dozens missing
A landslide at a military training site in West Java, Indonesia, has killed 23 soldiers and left dozens missing, according to official reports.
New Zealand Landslide
Search and recovery ongoing for 6 missing persons including children at Beachside Holiday Park, Mount Maunganui. 2 fatalities previously confirmed
SPORT
Matt Graham wins Olympic Bronze in Dual Moguls
Australian athlete Matt Graham achieved a 3rd place finish in the men’s dual moguls at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
Australia wins ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix
The Australian SailGP Team, helmed by Tom Slingsby, secured 1st place in the Auckland event to move to the top of the season championship standings.
Jakara Anthony defeats Jaelin Kauf to win Dual Moguls gold in Livigno
Jakara Anthony claimed the gold medal in the women’s dual moguls at Livigno, defeating USA’s Jaelin Kauf in the final.
Josie Baff wins gold in Women’s Snowboard Cross
Australian snowboarder Josie Baff won the gold medal in the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics in Livigno, finishing ahead of Eva Adamczyková (CZE) and Michela Moioli (ITA)