Australia's PM Promises to Protect Artists from AI; Council Bans Lime Bikes

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a big promise this week to protect writers, artists, and musicians from artificial intelligence. He said that if AI companies use creative work without permission or payment, that counts as "theft." His comments came during a major speech about AI and how Australia plans to deal with it. Music industry group ARIA and other creative groups praised the announcement.

Albanese said he wants "the strongest possible protection" for Australian creatives. He warned that big tech companies like OpenAI and Anthropic should not be allowed to freely use Australian data to train their AI models. However, many people are still waiting to find out exactly how the government will update its copyright laws to make this happen.

The government also announced new rules for large data centres — the massive buildings that store and process digital information. These centres use huge amounts of electricity and water, which worries many communities. Under the new rules, data centres cannot be built where housing is needed, and they must not cause electricity prices to rise for everyday Australians.

In Melbourne, the City of Yarra council voted to end its deal with electric bike company Lime. The council covers part of inner north-east Melbourne and had been running the e-bike trial for nearly six years. Deputy mayor Sharon Harrison said, "We must prioritise the needs of pedestrians on our footpaths, we have legal obligations, and that's the bottom line." Lime will have 30 days to stop its operations once official notice is given.

Australia's aged care system is also under investigation. The country's aged care regulator is looking into dozens of complaints that providers charged older residents for services they could not use or even understand. A class action lawsuit against one large company also claims it charged extra fees for basic services it was legally required to provide at no extra cost.

At the 2026 World Cup, Spain beat France 0–2 to reach Sunday's final. Tomorrow, England will face Argentina in an early 5am AEST kickoff. Sports writer Barney Ronay says the match will be a key moment for Argentina's Lionel Messi, who could reach a third final or be knocked out of the competition.

In Sydney, a new arts venue called Divine Playhouse has sparked a debate about free expression. The queer-friendly pop-up is supported by the New South Wales government and the City of Sydney, but it received a breach notice after complaints that Christian beliefs were being "insulted and mocked." Supporters say that people who grew up in religious communities have every right to question and reinterpret religious symbols as part of their own story.