The Wire - 13 August 2026

British politics remain volatile

It has been a turbulent decade in Britain since voting to leave the EU, there has been a leadership revolving door that recently saw the latest casualty when Keir Starmer stepped down only two years after he was elected In a decisive landslide.  Yet things have not gone well for UK Labor with supp…

The Wire Wednesday 12th August, 2026

The Wire, Wednesday, August 12  Stories A) French bushfires near Bordeaux B) UK politics, Andy Burnham takes the help, Count Binface contests Clacton by-election C) Government abolished over 65 private health subsidy D) Nations that change their name

Surviving the Superfires in Southern France

France has been battling some of its worst wildfires in decades in the Gironde region. In response to a request from the French government Australia has sent a fire-fighting contingent to assist the French fight these historic fires.  This has seen French fire-fighters receiving assistance from a …

Nauru becomes Naoero - but what's in a name?

Last month saw the world’s third-smallest country formally change its name from Nauru to Naoero, reflecting the pronunciation and spelling in the Nauruan language. The change comes after similar name changes from Eswatini and Türkiye in recent years. But what are countries saying when they ask to b…

Australians Over 65 To Have Their Higher Private Health Insurance Rebate Cut

Earlier this year, the government announced that it would scrap high private health insurance rebates for people over 65. People opposing this and industry leaders are questioning the fairness of the government’s policy as seniors are beginning to worry about the expenses.  Private Healthcare Austr…

The Wire - 12 August 2026

From Perth to Hobart: students take marine science to sea

University students from across Australia are getting the chance to take their marine science studies out to sea as part of a unique CSIRO training program. The annual CAPSTAN program gives students hands-on experience aboard the research vessel Investigator, Australia’s dedicated ocean research v…

Powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake has struck western Colombia, killing at least 111 people and injuring dozens more. More than 1,500 homes have been affected, with buildings collapsing and parts of major cities left without power, water and communications. The epicentre was in Chocó, one of Col…

The Census includes sexual orientation for the first time

115 years since the initiation of the Census, this year’s national survey is a milestone for trans, gender diverse and non-binary Australians. For the first time, lesbian, gay, queer, trans, gender diverse and non-binary Australians will be seen in the national count.