ABC News Top Stories

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  Sydney Swans AFLW team feels fallout from men's scandal | ABC News Top Stories 21.08.2026 1min

  The Sydney Swans AFLW Captain says the team is incredibly disappointed by the scandal involving the club. Five men's players were stood down for breaching club standards by drinking and bringing adult entertainers to their Melbourne hotel on Sunday. A Perth man has appeared in court after being charged with threatening to kill Pauline Hanson. 47-year-old Anton Raymond Illich is accused of threatening the life of the One Nation leader by posting on social media that he'd "hunt her down and kill her". And the Federal Greens say reports members of a Christian sect paid far-right figures across the country to heckle candidates, threaten to "significantly undermine" Australia's democracy. The Director of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church told a committee hearing into last year's federal election that the reports are a "complete lie". Press the 'Follow' or '+' button on this show page to add us to your playlist, so you never miss an episode. For more news, politics and current affairs podcasts go to ABC listen.
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  The alleged plot steal Ukraine's defence secrets 21.08.2026 3min

  The Australian Federal Police have charged a dual Russian-Australian citizen with foreign interference, accusing the man of attempting to send secrets to Russia. It's alleged he infiltrated the Ukrainian military with ulterior motives. It's the first time that someone has been charged since Australia introduced tougher foreign interference laws in 2018.
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  Can AI help ease traffic congestion? 21.08.2026 3min

  A Queensland council is hoping a trial of traffic lights equipped with artificial intelligence will help ease congestion. In an Australian first Moreton Bay council north of Brisbane will install the AI powered light at one intersection.
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  What's prompting the gear shift from petrol to electric vehicles? 21.08.2026 3min

  Electric vehicles are no longer a niche choice in Australia. More drivers than ever are swapping petrol for battery power, with recent data showing almost half of all new vehicles sold in the first half of the year were either electric or hybrid. And for the first time, battery-electric vehicles edged ahead of petrol hybrids. So, are we reaching a tipping point?
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  How missing hiker Lily Hooper was mistakenly reported alive 20.08.2026 3min

  NSW Police have apologised "unreservedly" after the family of missing bushwalker Lily Hooper were mistakenly told she had been found alive. The 18 year old's disappearance sparked an eight-day search in the New South Wales Southern Highlands. Hopes were raised for a short time due to a miscommunication, but a body believed to be that of Ms Hooper was located in bushland. 
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  What Harry and Meghan will do back in Britain 20.08.2026 3min

  The British Royals who left their day jobs in the UK and embarked on a new life in the United States are going home. Prince Harry and Meghan are set to arrive within two weeks, as Harry hopes to spend more time with his father, the King. But reconciling a fractured relationship with his brother, William, the heir to the throne, might be a step too far.   
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  Why isn't Israel pursuing criminal charges over the killing of Zomi Frankcom? 20.08.2026 3min

  There's been widespread anger over Israel's decision not to pursue criminal charges against soldiers involved in the deaths of seven humanitarian workers, including Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom. Foreign Minister Penny Wong says she's outraged by the decision and she's expressed Australia's concerns directly with the Israeli ambassador. So who was Zomi Frankcom and how was she killed?
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  Sydney Swans in chaos as investigation continues 20.08.2026 2min

  Five Sydney Swans players remain suspended for the rest of the 2026 AFL season for breaching the club's behavioural standards. Swans Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon are also linked to a police investigation into sexual assault allegations at East Melbourne's Pullman Hotel on Monday morning. The players are yet to be formally interviewed or charged, and it is not suggested that any of them are being accused of sexual assault.
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  What's Roblox and why is the regulator cracking down on it? 20.08.2026 3min

  Australia's eSafety Commissioner will be able to take the gaming platform to court if it finds Roblox is not honouring its commitments to keep Australian children safe. The court-enforceable undertaking is the latest example of eSafety using its enforcement powers against online platforms. 
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  What Sydney Swans players did to deserve a ban 19.08.2026 3min

  Five Sydney Swans players have now been stood down for the rest of the season for breaching behavioural standards over their late night drinking and bringing women back to their hotel. At the same time, an investigation by Victoria police continues into a report of sexual assault at the hotel where the Swans were staying. It is not suggested that any of the banned players are being accused, and the club says none of them have been formally interviewed by police.
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  New details emerge in Hayden Panettiere's shock death 19.08.2026 3min

  There's been intense speculation surrounding the shock death of US actor Hayden Panettiere on Sunday. Her on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were at the South Carolina apartment where she died suddenly aged 36, according to a police report. Who was Hayden Panettiere and what is known about her death?
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  Why is Meta on trial in California? 19.08.2026 3min

  Social media giant Meta is on trial in California in a case that could force the company to make fundamental changes to Instagram and Facebook.
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  Mushroom killer Erin Patterson's appeal explained 18.08.2026 3min

  Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson's appeal against her triple murder conviction will be heard on Wednesday August 19 and Thursday August 20. Patterson is serving life in prison after she killed family members using poisonous death cap mushrooms hidden in a beef wellington lunch. She was sentenced to a non-parole period of 33 years in September last year. Why does she insist there's been a miscarriage of justice? 
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  Are the gambling ad laws reform or capitulation? 18.08.2026 3min

  After weeks of negotiations, the government has struck a deal with the Coalition to pass its long awaited gambling ad laws. The amendments include a centralised system for opting out of online advertising, and some restrictions on inducements. The deal has been criticised by anti-gambling advocates, the crossbench, and some Coalition MPs for falling short of the recommendations of a review which called for a blanket advertising ban. 
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  No arrests after Sydney Swans incident in Melbourne 18.08.2026 3min

  Victoria Police is continuing its investigation into an alleged sexual assault at the hotel the Sydney Swans AFL players stayed in over the weekend. Several of the club's players have been linked to the investigation, but there is still no confirmation they're directly involved.
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  Tupak Shakur murder trial begins in Las Vegas 18.08.2026 3min

  It's been almost 30 years since American rapper, Tupac Shakur was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. After decades of swirling conspiracies a murder trial is now underway.  Opening statements have been delivered with the prosecution arguing the 1996 killing was 'an act of revenge' but the accused is maintaining his innocence.
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  How to tackle Australia's illegal tobacco trade? 18.08.2026 3min

  The illegal tobacco trade in Australia is booming after years of steep increases in the cost of legal cigarettes. Australia's had a tobacco excise since federation, but over the past 15 years it's more than quadrupled, making cigarettes $50 or more a packet. Now there are calls to slash the excise in a bid to stamp out organised crime linked to the illicit tobacco trade.
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  Could superannuation help with cost-of-living pressures? 18.08.2026 3min

  One Nation says Australians should have greater access to their retirement savings while they're still working. And that's reignited debate over whether the current rules are too restrictive or not. So how does super currently work?
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  Sydney Swans involved in 'alleged incident' 17.08.2026 2min

  The Sydney Swans AFL club has confirmed several players were involved in an "alleged incident" in Melbourne. The club issued a statement at the same time that Victoria Police released details of an investigation into a report of a sexual assault at an East Melbourne hotel. Details are thin, but here's what we know. 
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  Trump slams 'hostile' US-South Korea military drills 17.08.2026 3min

  US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, saying the nation had declined to help denuclearise Iran. He also brought up his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. It's another case of Trump taking aim at a strong ally of the United States.