![\"Graham](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783310532_311_Graham_Redfearn.png\")
Graham Readfearn<\/p>\nSpace agency says Queensland space balls ‘consistent with debris from foreign rocket body’Graham Readfearn<\/p>\n
The Australian Space Agency says it has identified the \u201clikely source\u201d of the six so-called space balls<\/a> that were found washed up on Queensland beaches in recent days. The agency said in a statement:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe recovered objects appear to be pressure vessels from a space launch vehicle. The Agency has identified the likely source.<\/p>\n The objects\u2019 location and characteristics are consistent with debris from a foreign rocket body that recently re-entered the atmosphere from orbit.<\/p>\n The Agency is continuing to engage with international authorities to formally confirm the launch vehicle and launching state.<\/p>\n The space debris were found on beaches in the Forest Beach suburb, north of Townsville.<\/p>\n Dr Alice Gorman, a space archaeologist at Flinders University, told the Guardian yesterday the objects were likely \u201cspace balls\u201d from the fuel stage of a rocket.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.12 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Australia and Fiji agree to surprise defence alliance<\/p>\n As we reported earlier in the blog, in a surprise move, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Fiji counterpart, Sitiveni Rabuka, elevated Australia\u2019s ties with Fiji to a formal treaty alliance.<\/p>\n After 75 years of Australia only having formal alliances with the United States and New Zealand, the Albanese government has now added two new agreements in less than 12 months, following a deal signed with Papua New Guinea in October.<\/p>\n In Suva on Monday, Albanese and Rabuka signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance, which is open to other Pacific countries to join in the future, paving the way for participation by New Zealand, PNG and Tonga to join.<\/p>\n Albanese said the alliance deal and the newly signed Vuvale Union agreement will transform Australia and Fiji\u2019s relationship and underpin regional prosperity and security.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Off limits to Sydneysiders for more than a century, secretive Spectacle Island is coming up for sale<\/p>\n Spectacle Island sits in Sydney<\/a> Harbour like the setting of an Agatha Christie novel. Abandoned buildings, rotting on the inside, pepper the small landmass. A gun turret sits rusting in the sun. Water snakes make their homes in the overgrown grass. The only humans to walk the old military outpost are a pair of guards who boat in for their shifts, patrolling 24 hours a day.<\/p>\n Spectacle Island. Photograph: Jessica Hromas\/The Guardian<\/p>\n Sydneysiders are not allowed to roam the island, one of 13 that dot the harbour.<\/p>\n Now, the defence department wants to off-load Spectacle Island as part of a program to sell dozens of historic properties<\/a> across the country to raise up to $3bn.<\/p>\n So what\u2019s the future hold for the small but precious bit of land? Read more here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Melbourne teacher receiving end-of-life care after horror head clash during suburban football game<\/p>\n A suburban Melbourne<\/a> footballer is receiving \u201cend-of-life\u201d care in hospital after a horror head clash saw him fall to the ground and hit his head on a covered cricket pitch, his club says.<\/p>\n High school teacher Nathan Fitzgerald, 27, was taken to Royal Melbourne hospital on Saturday after the incident during an Australian rules football<\/a> game in Lalor, in Melbourne\u2019s north.<\/p>\n According to his club\u2019s president, Fitzgerald had been playing for Epping when, during a tackle, he clashed heads with another player before receiving a second blow to the head \u201cwhich could have been from a flailing boot or a knee\u201d.<\/p>\n The club was still coming to terms with the accident, with a statement released a statement on Sunday saying Fitzgerald\u2019s \u201ccondition deteriorated overnight and [he] is now receiving end-of-life care\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.03 EDT<\/p>\n Mexico v England: World Cup 2026 last 16 updates \u2013 live<\/p>\n With just about 10 minutes left, we have all the updates on the ongoing England-Mexico World Cup match (officiated by an Australian ref, so we have some skin in the game!).<\/p>\n Follow along here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.47 EDT<\/p>\n Host behind viral Albanese interview says \u2018what is going on?\u2019<\/p>\n Nikki Osborne, the host and comedian behind the interview where Anthony Albanese said he would \u201cshag, marry, date\u201d Kylie Minogue, has responded to the furore \u2013 and teased that she has interviews with other prominent politicians coming up.<\/p>\n Albanese apologised \u201cunequivocally\u201d for his comments. Osborne, who conducted the interview in character as \u201cBushie\u201d, posted comments to her Instagram page about the situation.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I\u2019m currently at home with gastro. Missed my flight to Sydney. My phone is blowing up with media requests. I\u2019m just trying to keep food down,\u201d she wrote on her Instagram story.<\/p>\n Sharing a Channel 9 post about Albanese\u2019s apology to her story, she wrote: \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n Last night, Osborne wrote \u201cvideo response coming\u201d to the interview.<\/p>\n Osborne also said she has been receiving abuse and negative comments after her interview with Albanese. On a clip of the interview with Albanese two days ago, Osborne wrote: \u201cLove him or hate him, this episode is bloody hilarious and a moment in political history because it was a massive risk for him. I was not censored. They didn\u2019t ask for approval of the edit. They just let me in, do the craziest political interview ever, then leave with comedy gold.\u201d<\/p>\n On another post, she wrote: \u201cWait until you see the next politician Bushie is interviewing!! Gotta keep it balanced right?!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.45 EDT<\/p>\n Continuing on from last post\u2026<\/p>\n The determination recognises the native title holders\u2019 rights to access and live on their lands, conduct cultural activities and protect their sacred sites.<\/p>\n Native title holder and Central Land Council delegate Graham Long:<\/p>\n double quotation markNative title holders have been fighting for recognition of native title on Mount Skinner Station to overcome locked gates and allow access to important places for men\u2019s business and sorry business.<\/p>\n We\u2019re living outside, but our sacred sites [are] inside. We can\u2019t do nothing cultural way.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important for us to go and look around, visit our country and take our kids to learn our culture and our foods \u2014 like go hunting, camping [and] look around water holes.<\/p>\n A supplied image of one of Australia\u2019s most famous contemporary paintings, \u2018Earth\u2019s Creation 1\u2019 by the late Emily Kame Kngwarreye. Photograph: Emily Kame Kngwarreye\/PR IMAGEShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.43 EDT<\/p>\n Native title recognition for birthplace of celebrated painter Emily Kame Kngwarreye Native title rights have been awarded to traditional owners from the birthplace of one of Australia\u2019s most prominent artists, the internationally renowned, late Emily Kame Kngwarreye.<\/p>\n On Tuesday, eight traditional owner groups from the Mount Skinner and Woodgreen stations which sit within Utopia in the Northern Territory, will receive native title consent determination over an area covering more than 4,000 square kilometres.<\/p>\n Visitors admire paintings during the opening of Emily Kame Kngwarreye\u2019s exhibition at the National Art Center in Tokyo in 2008. Photograph: AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n The sacred ancestral homelands, was where Kngwarreye spent all of her life, often painting her paternal grandfather\u2019s country of Alhalker [Ah-LAL-ka\u2013rah] and the associated dreaming story of kame (pencil yam seed) \u2013 after which she was named.<\/p>\n Kngwarreye\u2019s granddaughter Jennifer Purvis says she will carry on her grandmother\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n double quotation markShe and other native title holders plan to celebrate the determination with traditional ceremonies.<\/p>\n It\u2019s right. You can come look, we can dance for our country.<\/p>\n I draw yam seed dreaming. I draw line ones, sometimes dot painting. We will dance too.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.58 EDT<\/p>\n Space agency says Queensland space balls ‘consistent with debris from foreign rocket body’ The Australian Space Agency says it has identified the \u201clikely source\u201d of the six so-called space balls<\/a> that were found washed up on Queensland beaches in recent days. The agency said in a statement:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe recovered objects appear to be pressure vessels from a space launch vehicle. The Agency has identified the likely source.<\/p>\n The objects\u2019 location and characteristics are consistent with debris from a foreign rocket body that recently re-entered the atmosphere from orbit.<\/p>\n The Agency is continuing to engage with international authorities to formally confirm the launch vehicle and launching state.<\/p>\n The space debris were found on beaches in the Forest Beach suburb, north of Townsville.<\/p>\n Dr Alice Gorman, a space archaeologist at Flinders University, told the Guardian yesterday the objects were likely \u201cspace balls\u201d from the fuel stage of a rocket.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.12 EDT<\/p>\n PMs questioned on Fiji sovereignty<\/p>\n Fiji\u2019s prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, is asked how Fiji\u2019s long-term sovereignty will be protected under the alliance.<\/p>\n He says Fiji is a member of the United Nations and if anything threatens that sovereignty then there is the Vuvale partnership.<\/p>\n The Australian PM, Anthony Albanese, says this alliance is about elevating the long history of defence cooperation to the highest possible level of alliance.<\/p>\n He said an attack on Fiji would trigger Australia\u2019s full support for Fiji, under the alliance provisions.<\/p>\n On whether other Pacific nations could join in the future, such as Solomon Islands, Albanese says Australia wants to be the security partner of choice in the Pacific but the alliance with Fiji is on a different level.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.04 EDT<\/p>\n PM says agreements with Fiji mark a \u2018very significant day\u2019<\/p>\n The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says the two treaties \u2013 the Vuvale Union and the Ocean of Peace Alliance \u2013 are \u201cone of the most significant endeavours Australia has ever undertaken in our history with any country\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markThey reflect our proud history of standing shoulder to shoulder to support each other and our region. We can achieve this level of ambition because we are Vuvale, family, with a relationship grounded<\/p>\n in loyalty, in understanding and mutual respect. In a more uncertain world, we know that we\u2019re stronger when we stand together.<\/p>\n He says the Ocean of Peace Alliance is Fiji\u2019s first, and Australia\u2019s fourth, and we are both stronger because of it.<\/p>\n He says it introduces a mutual defence obligation. The Vuvale Union is a comprehensive treaty that will allow the two nations to work together to combat transnational crime, address health issues like HIV, and address the impact of climate change.<\/p>\n Albanese says he is \u201chumbled\u201d by being appointed an honorary companion of the order of Fiji, and he accepts on behalf of Australia, too.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Fiji welcomes new treaty with Australia<\/p>\n The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is holding a press conference with his Fijian counterpart, Sitiveni Rabuka in Suva following the signing of a new treaty today.<\/p>\n Rabuka speaks first, and saiys the treaty is a \u201cdefining moment\u201d in the Fiji-Australia relationship:<\/p>\n double quotation markThese landmark agreements mark a very significant elevation of our bilateral relationship into a new era of strategic partnership. These instruments formalise a comprehensive and enduring framework, anchored on three central pillars. Deeper security cooperation, enhanced economic enter and resilience, and strengthen people to people connection.<\/p>\n He says Australia has committed to over $180m in new investments since 2023, and now Australia\u2019s development assistance to the Pacific is over $2.2bn.<\/p>\n Rabuka says that it provided renewed emphasis on cooperation in areas including circular labour mobility, transport and logistics, energy transition, digital transformation, cyber security and the protection of critical infrastructure.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Victim of Coogee shark attack buoyed by supportive messages during \u2018challenging days\u2019<\/p>\n Leah Stewart, the victim of a shark attack at Sydney\u2019s Coogee beach, has had some \u201cchallenging days\u201d but is finding \u201creal strength\u201d from the community\u2019s kindness and support, her brother has written on a fundraising page.<\/p>\n Joshua Stewart said Leah has had difficulty sleeping since the incident and has been reading supportive messages during the late hours. He writes:<\/p>\n double quotation markLeah has had some challenging days but has found real strength from your kindness and support, and wanted to pass on a huge thank you to everyone who has shared her story, sent her uplifting messages and supported her.<\/p>\n Since the incident Leah has had difficulty sleeping, and on those nights she\u2019s been reading back through your messages, not only from her family and community in Australia and her wh\u0101nau in New Zealand, but also from people all across the world. They\u2019ve given her real comfort and strength.<\/p>\n Leah is beyond overwhelmed at the amazing support she has received and that her story has resonated with so many people. Thank you!<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.39 EDT<\/p>\n Queensland premier says new youth crime laws may also apply to adults<\/p>\n Queensland\u2019s premier, David Crisafulli, has revealed the state\u2019s new mooted youth crime laws may also apply to adults.<\/p>\n The government has admitted its youth crime crackdown \u2013 badged as \u201cadult crime, adult time\u201d \u2013 treats children more harshly than some adults, discriminating on the basis of age and overriding their rights.<\/p>\n Crisafulli announced on Sunday that the government will pass new bail laws by the end of the year, requiring some children who breach bail to serve a mandatory jail sentence. The length of the sentence has yet to be determined, he said.<\/p>\n The premier was asked this morning if the new bail laws would also apply to adults.<\/p>\n \u201cWho it applies to, and those length of periods, all of that will be part of the consultation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n double quotation markMy laser-like focus is to make sure that that generation of untouchables who have just come through the system and continue to offend, that we target them, so that the answer is yes.<\/p>\n Queensland\u2019s jail system is currently at 135.5% built capacity.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.26 EDT<\/p>\n Australia and Fiji sign new defence alliance<\/p>\n Australia and Fiji have sealed a new defence alliance, marking a major diplomatic win for Anthony Albanese against China for influence in the Pacific, AAP reports.<\/p>\n The prime minister inked Fiji as Australia\u2019s fourth regional ally in a signing ceremony with his counterpart, Sitiveni Rabuka, at State House in Suva on Monday.<\/p>\n The Ocean of Peace Alliance and Vuvale Union agreement join the list of deals finalised by the Albanese government with Pacific nations.<\/p>\n Australia has mutual defence pacts with the US, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, called the PukPuk treaty, coming into effect on Wednesday.<\/p>\n The visit to the Pacific comes before Albanese\u2019s meeting with his PNG counterpart, James Marape, the same day the PukPuk comes into effect.<\/p>\n In an attempt to bolster Australia\u2019s key relationships in the region, Albanese will also host the leaders of PNG and Tonga in Brisbane at the final State of Origin game on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese and Fiji\u2019s prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, sign a treaty and an alliance. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.14 EDT<\/p>\n Aged care firm accused in class action of charging residents for high tea<\/p>\n Residents at one of Australia\u2019s largest aged care providers have launched a class action lawsuit alleging fees for services such as high teas and exercise classes were illegally charged to clients who cannot use them due to immobility and other issues.<\/p>\n The suit, filed in the federal court, alleges residents of more than 50 Arcare aged care facilities across four states were charged a daily \u201cadditional services fee\u201d by Arcare embedded within a \u201csignature package\u201d between July 2020 and July 2026. This includes fees paid by residents who are immobile, unable to swallow, or cognitively impaired.<\/p>\n Photograph: Daniel Pockett\/AAP<\/p>\n The statement of claim alleges that Arcare, a for-profit provider, charged these fees for services, such as meals, that it is already legally obliged to provide, but also for additional services residents could not use.<\/p>\n Arcare has yet to file its response to the court. An Arcare spokesperson said as the matter was currently before the court, \u201cit would not be appropriate to comment on the allegations or the legal proceedings\u201d.<\/p>\n Read more here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a>\u2018Zionist\u2019 claims now more likely to be removed, Meta tells antisemitism inquiry Meta has cracked down on the use of the word \u201cZionists\u201d, a representative told the royal commission into antisemitism this morning.<\/p>\n Meta\u2019s platforms include Facebook, Instagram and Threads.<\/p>\n Its global director of core policy, Benjamin Good, told the commission that people were using \u201cZionist\u201d<\/a> as a proxy for Jewish people to spread conspiracy theories about them having control over the media, the government and so on. He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe dictionary definition [of Zionists] is these are adherents of a political movement, so that wouldn\u2019t traditionally be a protected characteristic.<\/p>\n However, we did a lot of work engaging with groups with expertise in counter-terrorism and cultures around the world, and antisemitism in Jewish issues, and found that many people were using the word Zionist as a coded term in content, in order to evade our enforcement against claims that Jewish people have undue control.<\/p>\n So instead of saying \u2018Jewish people do\u2019, they would say \u2018Zionists do\u2019. And again, based on all that work, we determine that that was the intent and therefore have prohibited claims such as \u2018Zionists control the media\u2019.<\/p>\n Good has also been quizzed on Meta\u2019s 2025 moderation changes, which take a light hand when it comes to factchecking and content removal.<\/p>\n Good said too much content that did not violate their community standards was being removed and that there was a risk of silencing people who are speaking out against hate.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.37 EDT<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese is in Fiji this morning and just downed a bowl of kava<\/p>\n We\u2019ll let you know if we get a report on how the PM is feeling afterwards. Things haven\u2019t always gone well <\/a>for visiting Australian dignitaries, including Michael McCormack, who drank an entire shell of a much stronger kava drink traditional in Micronesia, which didn\u2019t sit well with him.<\/p>\n We can\u2019t tell from the photos how much he had but guests at a kava ceremony are generally invited to drink the entirety of what is offered to them<\/a>, in one gulp, if possible<\/p>\n Albanese and Fiji\u2019s Sitiveni Rabuka are poured kava during a welcome ceremony in Suva. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/EPAKava, anyone? Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/EPAAlbanese, Penny Wong and others. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/EPAAlbanese and Rabuka watch dancers at a welcome ceremony. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.20 EDT<\/p>\n Trump lobbied Fifa to get Balogun\u2019s suspension overturned<\/p>\n A bit of World Cup news\u2026 Trump lobbied Fifa to lift Folarin Balogun\u2019s suspension for the upcoming game against Belgium. Our reporters have more:<\/p>\n double quotation markDonald Trump lobbied Fifa to lift the US striker Folarin Balogun\u2019s one-game ban for a red card received in the team\u2019s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, preceding Sunday\u2019s stunning announcement that he would be available for the cohosts\u2019 last-16 clash against Belgium in Seattle on Monday night.<\/p>\n Sources have told the Guardian that Trump made three calls to Fifa, starting from Wednesday, to ensure that the change was made.<\/p>\n You can read more here:<\/p>\n![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783310533_604_Tom_McIlroy.png\")
Tom McIlroy<\/p>\n![\"Nathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/529.jpg\")
Nathan Fitzgerald. Photograph: Epping Football Netball Club\/Vic AFL<\/p>\n![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783310534_369_Josh_Butler.png\")
Josh Butler<\/p>\n![\"Douglas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Douglas_Smith.png\")
Douglas Smith<\/p>\nDouglas Smith<\/p>\nGraham Readfearn<\/p>\n![\"Leah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/540.jpg\")
Leah Stewart with her daughter. Photograph: GofundmeShare<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Andrew](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783310536_635_Andrew_Messenger.png\")
Andrew Messenger<\/p>\n![\"Melissa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Melissa_Davey2.png\")
Melissa Davey<\/p>\n![\"Tory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Tory_Shepherd.png\")
Tory Shepherd<\/p>\n