AAP Rolling News Bulletin for May 25 at 1600
Brereton (CANBERRA)
The head of Australia's anti-corruption body has resigned two years before the end of his term amid long-running questions about potential conflicts of interest.
National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton said the ongoing focus on personal matters was drawing attention away from the agency's work.
The former war crimes investigator had faced repeated questions about potential conflicts of interest because of his ties to the military and his service in the army reserves.
"I believe that the commission's success is paramount, and not due to any single person," Mr Brereton said.
"While I will continue to resist any suggestion of impropriety, I have decided that it is time, now that the commission is established and functioning with quality staff and good processes, to step aside and allow a new commissioner to lead it into the next phase of its development into a key and respected component of the integrity architecture of the Commonwealth."
Tax (CANBERRA)
Capital gains tax carve-outs for startups won't be included in legislation set to be introduced to parliament within days.
Instead, the government will continue consultation even as it looks to pass laws through the lower house to enshrine income tax cuts and a standard $1000 deduction, abolish negative gearing for established properties and replace the 50 per cent CGT discount.
The four changes will be included in one bill to be introduced to parliament on Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
A second tranche of legislation will address the details of implementation, he said.
Asked why a potential carve-out for startups would be tacked onto the legislation after it was introduced, rather than included from the outset, Mr Albanese said that was the "normal way" tax reform was usually implemented.
Ebola (DAKAR)
The Congolese government says suspected Ebola cases in the nation have passed 900.
Since the start of the outbreak, 904 suspected cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, of which 101 were confirmed, the Congolese Ministry of Communication said in a post on social media platform X.
The ministry revised the number of suspected deaths to 119, down from 204 a day earlier, with 10 Ebola deaths confirmed in laboratory tests.
The Ebola epidemic remains active in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, the ministry said on Sunday, local time.
In neighbouring Uganda, five confirmed cases were reported in connection with the outbreak in eastern Congo. Uganda does not publish figures for suspected cases.
Federal (CANBERRA)
The teal independents are mulling forming a new political party to present voters with an alternative to the major parties, as polling shows surging support for One Nation.
Independent MP Zali Steggall, who holds former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott's old Sydney seat of Warringah, confirmed the group was discussing how they could be more effective in parliament as Australia entered a time of "political flux".
"I'm always open ... I've made my third term, and after seven years in parliament, I can see how there are many things we could do politics better and differently," she told ABC radio on Monday.
"There's huge frustration and unhappiness with the major parties.
"You see the coalition lurching to the right. The rise of One Nation is really concerning for many in our community."
US Shots (WASHINGTON DC)
A bystander who was struck by gunfire after a man fired on a checkpoint outside the White House and was fatally shot by US Secret Service officers remains in serious but stable condition.
The Secret Service said the bystander, who has not been identified, suffered a gunshot wound described as not life-threatening. It was not clear how he was shot.
Authorities have released few additional details about the shooting that took place early on Saturday evening, local time.
The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department said the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, started shooting toward a White House security checkpoint when Secret Service officers returned fire.
Best, of Dundalk, Maryland, was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
US President Donald Trump was in the White House at the time of the shooting.
Ukraine (STAROBILSK)
Forensic experts have sifted through the ruins of a dormitory largely destroyed in what Russian authorities say was a Ukrainian drone attack in Ukraine's Luhansk region, seized and placed under Russian control in the four-year-old war.
Authorities said search operations concluded late on Saturday and put the death toll in the strike on the teacher training college at 21, many of them young women.
The building's facade was gashed by gaping holes and smashed windows.
Piles of twisted metal and concrete lay outside the building looking onto what was once a courtyard, with wrecked desks and cupboards piled up inside.
A worker in protective gear examined pieces of metal and other debris laid out on a tarpaulin as workers from Russia's Investigative Committee compiled data from the incident on Friday.
Antisemitism (MELBOURNE)
What police and intelligence agencies knew leading up to the Bondi terror attack will be the focus of a second round of public hearings at a wide-ranging inquiry.
After hearing first-person accounts of rising anti-Semitism within the community, a royal commission will on Monday begin looking at potential failures of security agencies to stop the December 14 mass shooting, which left 15 innocent people dead.
The first witness due to give evidence is ASIO director-general Mike Burgess, followed by senior officers from the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police.
Two representatives from Jewish security organisation CSG NSW are also due to appear.
Among the issues under scrutiny will be security arrangements for the Chanukah by the Sea event that was targeted by two gunmen and what was known by counter-terrorism agencies and police about the shooters.
Legal: Freeman (MELBOURNE)
Inquests into the deaths of fugitive Dezi Freeman and the two police officers he shot dead are set to begin.
Freeman led police on one of the nation's largest manhunts after he killed Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart, who were among a team of officers serving a warrant at his home in the Victorian High Country in August 2025.
The seven-month search for the 56-year-old ended when he died in a hail of police bullets on a remote property in Thologolong, near Walwa on the Victoria-NSW border on March 30.
State Coroner Liberty Sanger will hold directions hearings for the cases of the police officers on Monday morning before turning her attention to Freeman's case in the afternoon.
It is expected the dates and the scope of the inquests will be set and the witnesses to be called to give evidence will be decided.
In finance ...
Fuel (CANBERRA)
Drivers have almost a week's more petrol and diesel in reserve than they did at the start of the Iran war, as the prime minister met with state and territory leaders on the ongoing fuel crisis.
Anthony Albanese met virtually with premiers and chief ministers for national cabinet on Monday, as he confirmed Australia's fuel supply remains secure well into July.
There is 43 days of petrol in national reserves, five days more than the stockpile at the start of the war in late February.
The latest figures also revealed there was 38 days of diesel in reserve, six more than at the start of the war, and 31 days of jet fuel, an increase of two.
"There's a tail wind here as well, but it was a positive meeting and supply is looking secure into July," Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
Markets Aust (SYDNEY)
Australia's share market has begun the week on a positive footing, reacting to reports that the US and Iran are now closer to a deal to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The S&P/ASX200 was up by 38.6 points by midday on Monday, lifting 0.44 per cent to 8,695, as the broader All Ordinaries improved by 38.8 points, or 0.44 per cent, to 8,916.
Hopes of a lasting truce between the US and Iran have been further bolstered by news that a handful of oil and gas tankers have exited the Strait of Hormuz - some after being stranded for nearly three months.
"Over the weekend, President Trump and his administration implied an initial deal with Iran is near, though a number of points are still to be settled, and it is clear the US and Iran have differing views on hard 'red lines'," Westpac economist Ryan Wells said.
In entertainment ...
UK Films (LONDON)
Older women are "overdue for centre stage" on screen, British actor Emma Thompson says, as research suggests more of the top films in recent years featured a lead actor named Chris than a female protagonist over 60.
Oscar-winning actor Thompson, 67, said older women are compelling, relatable and interesting, and should be at the heart of more films.
"Women are half the population and we get older. So, where are the stories about us?" she said.
"The older we get, the more interesting we are.
"I want to see more films centre ageing women; we are compelling, relatable and overdue for centre stage.
"Older women don't need permission to exist on screen. They already exist in the world, cinema just needs to catch up."
Styles (LONDON)
Harry Styles is reportedly planning a "small" winter wedding in the UK with Zoe Kravitz.
As speculation surrounding the couple's engagement and future ceremony intensifies following months of reports about possible celebrations in Europe and New York, Styles, 32, and Kravitz, 37, are said to be considering an intimate ceremony around Christmas.
They were previously linked to plans for a larger wedding in Paris or on the French Riviera.
According to Page Six, the couple are now discussing a smaller event attended only by close friends and family in Britain, although reports have suggested a second ceremony in New York could also take place because of Kravitz's close ties to the city through her father, musician and actor Lenny Kravitz.
In sport ...
Obit Daniher (MELBOURNE)
Neale Daniher, whose courage made him the symbol of the fight against MND, has died aged 65.
His family released a statement saying the former AFL player and coach died on Monday at home.
Daniher was diagnosed in 2013 with motor neurone disease, which is incurable and fatal.
He devoted the rest of his life to raising money for medical research and advocated for other people suffering from MND.
Daniher nicknamed the disease The Beast and was named Australian Of The Year in 2025. The Big Freeze at the annual King's Birthday match between Collingwood and Melbourne has become an important fundraiser for MND research.
"We're heartbroken to share that our much-loved husband, Dad and Poppy, Neale Daniher, passed away at home, surrounded by his family," the Danihers said in their statement.
Spo Enhanced (MELBOURNE)
Australian swimmer James Magnussen has finished last in the 100m freestyle at the inaugural Enhanced Games.
Kristian Gklolomeev won in 46.6 seconds, just outside the world record of 46.4 set by China's Pan Zhanle at the Paris Olympics.
Magnussen was never in contention and clocked 49.44 on Monday (AEST) in Las Vegas, well outside his best time of 47.1 set in 2012.
The 35-year-old, the first athlete to sign for the Enhanced Games, was wearing a one-off gold swim suit.
Magnussen, who won $US50,000 ($A70,000) for his 100m result, will also swim the 50m freestyle.
The financial lure is substantial for the Australian, a two-time Olympian and dual 100m freestyle world champion who retired from swimming in 2018, until the arrival of Enhanced Games.
Ends Bulletin
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