Latest / NewsCard® Australia Daily News / Title: Melbourne Protests During Israeli Visit, Sydney Shootings, OECD Warns on Australian Economy
Transcript
- [warm] This is NewsCard Daily for Friday February 13, 2026 ... the biggest stories from Australia and around the world in just minutes. — — [serious] We begin in Melbourne where protests erupt during the final day of Israeli President Isaac Herzog's state visit. Hundreds chant "from the river to the sea" outside events ... undeterred by Victoria Police's special stop-and-search powers. Herzog addresses the Jewish community amid heavy security ... skipping a synagogue visit hit by firebombing in 2024 due to threats. Premier Jacinta Allan calls it a show of support after the deadly Bondi attack. Protesters argue it reopens Gaza wounds ... while community leaders blast the hate and point fingers at Iran. For Aussie Jews facing rising trauma ... this highlights deepening divides at home. — — [urgent] We move west to Sydney's Guildford where two shootings rock the night ... a 26-year-old gunned in the leg on O'Connor Street ... then bullets spray a house on O'Neill Street just an hour later. Police hunt a dark Toyota Corolla hatchback ... linking it to targeted hits on known low-level crims. A separate Merrylands shooting and car fire add to the frenzy. No arrests yet ... but detectives warn of gang links. Families hunker down ... as western Sydney grapples with this violent spike. — — [serious] In Canberra ... the OECD delivers a stark warning on Australia's economy. Soaring debt ... unchecked spending ... and a housing crisis crushing families. The report slams narrow GST reliance ... urges broadening it and hiking the rate beyond ten percent to fix budgets. Mortgage holders and renters feel the pinch most ... with overcrowding and stress surging. Politicians face heat to act ... or watch living standards slide. For everyday Aussies battling bills ... this global red flag demands real reform. — — [curious] Still in the nation's heart ... GPs ramp up calls to close the Indigenous health gap after the latest federal report. The RACGP praises new investments ... but pushes for tougher measures on chronic disease and access in remote areas. Life expectancy lags ... kids miss milestones. It hits home for rural communities and Closing the Gap targets ... urging Canberra to deliver faster for First Nations families. — — [urgent] Overseas now ... to the Middle East where Israeli President Herzog labels Australia's antisemitism surge "frightening." Speaking down under ... he ties it to Iran-orchestrated attacks ... echoing our government's expulsion of Tehran's ambassador last year. As protests flare here ... it spotlights global tensions rippling to our shores ... affecting diaspora communities and security alerts. — — [serious] And in Europe ... leaders scramble as new trade barriers threaten supply chains ... with Aussie exporters watching wheat and beef deals closely. Tariffs bite amid sluggish growth ... pushing calls for diversified markets in Asia. It matters here ... as farmers and families brace for price hikes at home. — — [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.