Double-elimination, reseeding and 20 teams: MLS plans potential overhaul of playoffs
Format would resemble that of Australian rules footballLeague will ditch conferences for five-division setupMajor League Soccer is planning a significant overhaul of its playoff format, multiple leagu
Sport
theguardian.com
20.08.2026
Australian court told why mushroom killer Erin Patterson should stay in prison forever
Prosecutors say their no-parole demand is harsh but is called for by nature of crime
World
independent.co.uk
20.08.2026
Drug-dealing, makeshift weapons and a ‘culture of fear’ at Villawood detention centre, report warns
Prolonged detention of children, insufficient staffing and hazardous damage to buildings are among the ombudsman’s concerns l, free app or da
World
theguardian.com
20.08.2026
Australia races to shield little penguins from H5N1 bird flu
Australian wildlife workers have launched an unprecedented effort to vaccinate wild populations of little penguins against the highly contagious H5N1 avian influenza.
Science
phys.org
20.08.2026
Mushroom triple murderer 'must never be released'
An Australian woman who murdered three of her estranged husband's relatives with poisonous mushrooms should never be released from prison, a prosecutor told an appeals court.
World
news.sky.com
20.08.2026
More than 1,000 birds found dead in three mass mortality events amid ‘significant’ H5 escalation in Australia
South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas says there have still been no detections in poultry or livestock and no mass deaths involving mammals
World
theguardian.com
20.08.2026
‘There was grift, there was thuggery’: Victorian premier says ‘nothing is off limits’ at construction royal commission
Ben Carroll releases terms of reference for inquiry that will include examining allegations of CFMEU corruption on state government building sites
World
theguardian.com
20.08.2026
Australia ‘outraged’ as Israel clears soldiers over killing of aid worker in Gaza
Australian foreign minister says Israel’s decision ‘falls far short of the accountability we expect’
World
independent.co.uk
20.08.2026
Missing teen hiker Lily Hooper found dead after disappearing in NSW national park a week ago
Premier Chris Minns tells parliament ‘this is obviously devastating’ after earlier announcing 18-year-old had been ‘found alive’ with half a bottle of water
World
theguardian.com
20.08.2026
Missing teen hiker found dead in Australian bush after eight-day search
Lily Hooper was reported missing on 12 August after failing to return from a hike in a Sydney national park.
World
bbc.co.uk
20.08.2026
Impassioned Jacqui Lambie reveals health struggle as she condemns Labor’s ‘callous disregard for veterans’
Independent senator urges prime minister to reconsider, arguing $5,000 cap for allied health services did not go far enough l, free app or da
World
theguardian.com
20.08.2026
Three boys charged over alleged rape of teenage girl in Sydney home
The 17-year-olds were charged over an alleged attack in Sydney’s south-west on Saturday l, free app or daily news podcastThree teenage boys h
World
theguardian.com
20.08.2026
Australia 'outraged' after Israeli decision not to prosecute over killing of aid worker in Gaza
Foreign minister says she will summon Israeli ambassador over 'insulting' Zomi Frankcom decision.
World
bbc.co.uk
20.08.2026
Twisted Teens Sign to Sub Pop
Plus, a pair of new U.S. shows and an Australian tour
Culture
pitchfork.com
19.08.2026
Australian politics live: Penny Wong says government ‘outraged’ and will call in Israel ambassador over IDF decision not to investigate Frankcom killing
Foreign affairs minister says timing of decision was ‘especially insulting’. Follow today’s news live i here with you for the final si
World
theguardian.com
19.08.2026
When home is no longer safe for older women
Climate change is making Australia's housing crisis more dangerous for older women. Extreme heat, floods, fires and storms are turning insecure housing into a safety issue, not just an affordability i
Science
phys.org
19.08.2026
A fifth of older Australians who contested AI-determined home support funding got more after human review
Exclusive: Greens say department of health’s integrated assessment tool is ‘under-assessing’ far more people who may not know how to contest
World
theguardian.com
19.08.2026
In Big Walk, players just walk and talk – and find joy along the way: ‘Some stories we’ve heard are punch-in-the-gut beautiful’
After their hit Untitled Goose Game, Australian studio House House is back with a new game where your only goal is to go exploring with friends – so we took them on a big walk inside Big WalkWhen I ar
Tech
theguardian.com
19.08.2026
Here’s How to Watch the 2026 Little League World Series Live Online
The 2026 Little League World Series features 20 of the best youth baseball teams from around the world, including United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Australia and others. The tournamen
Culture
variety.com
19.08.2026
Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios suspended after positive cocaine test
Australia's Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from professional tennis after testing positive for cocaine during a tournament in Mallorca.
World
cbsnews.com
19.08.2026