Asia
The prime minister will try to seek consensus about datacentres at national cabinet; Washington aims to isolate Tehran from the rest of the world
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Australia news — Martin Farrer
Morning everyone. The thorny issue of datacentres has risen to the centre of politics as the prime minister aims to bring states and territories onside at national cabinet amid jousting over where to build them, who benefits from them, and how much energy they use.
There are fears for Australia’s seal and sea lion population as bird flu spreads, federal police have been reprimanded for their unwarranted and “seemingly unlawful” arrest and search of an Indigenous teenager, and the US has launched an “economic onslaught” on Iran.
Bird ‘carnage’ | Scientists have warned deadly H5 bird flu could cause “carnage” for Australia’s seal and sea lion populations after detection of the virus in long-nosed fur seals in South Australia.
Data point | Anthony Albanese will seek to use tomorrow’s high-stakes talks with premiers to quell growing unhappiness about national controls on datacentre developments.
Police ‘profiling’ | The commonwealth and ACT ombudsman has criticised the Australian federal police for failing to clearly define “racial profiling” after officers in Canberra pulled guns on an Indigenous teenager they mistook for a suspect in an aggravated burglary.
Policy flip-flop | After more confusion over how many migrants a One Nation government would allow, we look at how the party’s policy has flip-flopped over the past year.
Rail switch | The Victorian premier, Ben Carroll, will today announce a tweak to Labor’s transport policy, committing to pushing ahead with the first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop but promising to reduce its total cost by about 6%.
Kremlin threats | Andy Burnham has accused the Kremlin of “outrageous threats” against the UK as Russia warned of an escalation in tensions after the UK’s decision to present Ukraine with newly declassified blueprints to allow Kyiv to improve its production of long-range missiles. It came amid a visit by Burnham to Kyiv renewing much-needed support for Ukraine.
‘Economic onslaught’ | Tehran has vowed to retaliate against any country that cooperates after the US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said the Trump administration was launching an “economic onslaught against Iran’s financial connections” in a bid to bring the country to heel.
ICE shock | Plans to supply ICE officers with special gloves that can deliver electric shocks have alarmed experts and drawn scrutiny amid some high-profile lawsuits over their use in local correctional facilities.
Hot in the ocean | The world’s oceans hit a record temperature on Saturday, according to the latest data , when the average surface temperature reached 21.1C.
Attiah back | The Washington Post has been ordered to rehire the high-profile opinion columnist Karen Attiah, who was fired by the news organisation over comments about Charlie Kirk, the then recently murdered conservative activist.
Are Australia-Israel relations at an all-time low?
As calls grow for accountability, an apology and potential reparations over the death of Zomi Frankcom, Tom McIlroy speaks to Reged Ahmad about a new low in Australia and Israel’s relations.
In echoes of similar campaigns in the US, a French lawyer is taking on companies accused of failing to stop Pfas pollution in “Chemical Valley”, the area south of Lyon that she calls home.
When she told people she worked for an infamous fashion chain, Wendy Syfret was met with scandalised interest . But despite the global reputation, “our little store in Melbourne was one of the most positive workplaces of my life”.
Cycling | A torrential hailstorm in the French Pyrenees forced the abandonment of the third stage of the Vuelta a España, while a leading team manager has criticised cycling’s governing body for a lack of action after the death of Fin Tarling 10 days ago.
Cricket | Brydon Carse has been stood down from England’s squad for the second Test against Pakistan this week as the footage of him in police handcuffs outside a bar in Derby city centre is investigated by the sport’s disciplinary body.
Football | There have been plenty of goals as Fulham took on Chelsea at Craven Cottage.
Melbourne’s eastern suburbs mental services are in crisis after the deaths of 10 young people, the Age says. South Australia’s debt burden will rival that of Victoria’s by 2030, the Advertiser reports. A Wodonga widow has decided to sell her late husband’s massive hoard of beer cans, which the Border Mail says is the envy of collectors.
Business | Woodside, Viva Energy and Coles release financial results.
Economy | RBA releases the minutes of its last monetary policy meeting.
Politics | Anthony Albanese keynote address at the Business Council of Australia annual dinner.
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There are fears for Australia’s seal and sea lion population as bird flu spreads, federal police have been reprimanded for their unwarranted and “seemingly unlawful” arrest and search of an Indigenous teenager, and the US has launched an “economic onslaught” on Iran.
This report is published with credit to theguardian.com. Full available text from the wire is above. Read on theguardian.com →
Source: theguardian.com · Martin Farrer. Published 24 Aug 2026, 08:50 pm.
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