Latest / NewsCard® Australia Daily News / Australia cost-of-living warning, Tibet earthquake, oil prices climb
Transcript
- [warm] This is NewsCard Daily for Monday October 26, 2026 ... the biggest stories from Australia and around the world in just minutes. — — [serious] We begin in Canberra where pressure is building on the federal government over the cost of living and the economy. Treasurer Jim Chalmers warns growth is weakening, while unemployment is rising. Inflation remains above the Reserve Bank’s target ... raising the prospect of another interest-rate increase next month. For households already facing higher mortgages and bills, the warning means more financial strain could be ahead. — — [serious] Also in Canberra, the Coalition moves to strengthen protections for cash payments. The opposition says Australians should be able to keep using notes and coins, as more businesses shift towards digital payments. The debate goes beyond convenience ... it is about access for older Australians, people in regional areas, and anyone unable to rely on cards or the internet. — — [curious] In New South Wales, surgeons perform Australia’s first remote robotic operation. The technology allows a specialist to control surgical equipment from a distance, potentially bringing expert care to patients far from major hospitals. Doctors say the breakthrough could transform regional healthcare ... although safety, training and reliable connectivity remain critical. — — [hopeful] And in the fight against motor neurone disease, researchers receive a record thirty-million-dollar funding boost. The investment supports work into treatments and, ultimately, a cure for the debilitating illness. It also carries the legacy of Neale Daniher, whose public campaign has helped turn MND research into a national priority. — — [urgent] Overseas, a powerful earthquake strikes Tibet. The magnitude-seven tremor leaves at least sixteen people dead, with hundreds of homes collapsed. Rescue teams are working through difficult terrain, as authorities assess damage and search for survivors. The disaster is a reminder of the risks facing communities in remote, high-altitude regions. — — [serious] In Europe and across global markets, energy costs remain under pressure as disruption to shipping lanes pushes oil prices higher. Brent crude is trading near one-hundred-and-ten US dollars a barrel ... raising fears of renewed inflation. For Australia, more expensive fuel can flow through to transport, groceries and household budgets, while the Reserve Bank watches closely. — — [warm] That's NewsCard Daily. For more top stories and quick summaries that keep you informed in minutes, download NewsCard ... available in the App Store.