Tax on tourists visiting NZ will almost triple

Local government champions from the Mid West and Gascoyne were honored at the WA Local Government Association Awards, with notable recognitions including Eminent Service Awards for Shire of Mingenew president Gary Cosgrove and Shire of Perenjori chief executive Paul Anderson. The City of Greater Geraldton and Shire of Exmouth also received WALGA RoadWise Recognised Awards for their road safety initiatives, celebrating significant contributions to community wellbeing. Want More Context? 🔎

US President Donald Trump hosted Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House, discussing the imminent finalization of a significant trade agreement aimed at reducing the US's nearly $5 billion trade deficit with the Philippines. Trump emphasized the importance of their military relationship and highlighted the potential for increased trade and business ties during Marcos's visit, which included meetings with US defense and business leaders. Want More Context? 🔎

The US Justice Department has reached out to Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers to discuss her potential cooperation with prosecutors regarding Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking case, amid pressure from President Trump's supporters for more transparency. Maxwell's lawyer confirmed discussions are ongoing, while calls for the release of more evidence continue, despite the DOJ's previous statements downplaying conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein. Want More Context? 🔎

A teenager has died and another is critically injured following a jet ski crash in the Georges River, Sydney, near Tom Ugly’s Bridge. Emergency responders found a 15-year-old unresponsive and unable to be revived, while a 14-year-old suffered severe injuries, including a severed arm, and was placed in an induced coma at Sydney Children’s Hospital; police are investigating the incident. Want More Context? 🔎

Elliot Yeo will miss the entire 2025 season due to ongoing knee/ankle injuries and a second surgery, as confirmed by West Coast's high-performance manager. This setback adds to Yeo's recent struggles, having played only 57 games since 2019, while the team also faces injuries to other key players, leaving them short on experienced talent. Want More Context? 🔎

Fremantle's supporter base continues to expand, achieving a record membership of 62,494 for the fifth consecutive year, following a thrilling one-point victory over Collingwood. Despite ranking 13th in total membership among 18 teams, they attract an average of 44,412 fans at home games, the third-highest in the league, and drew a record crowd of 62,198 at the MCG. Want More Context? 🔎