Government unveils capital gains tax carve-outs | Midday News Bulletin 18 June 2026

Fuel price cuts extended in Australia; Australians mark the winter solstice around the country; and in football, Germany advance to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 2014.

US envoys in Switzerland for Iran talks as the Lebanon ceasefire faces another test; farmers groups on alert amid concerns of the impact of H5 bird flu on local species; and in football, the Netherlands beat Sweden to top Group F in the World Cup.

Australia activates its bird-flu response following H5 strain detection on mainland; Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire paves way for renewed US-Iran talks; and the Socceroos face a must-win clash against Paraguay to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

The H5N1 bird flu strain detected in Australia for the first time; a train driver killed in a commuter service crash near London; the Socceroos turn their attention to their final World Cup group match after losing to the US.

Authorities investigate a suspected bird flu case in Western Australia; a ceasefire agreed to in Lebanon as talks in Switzerland are put on pause; and ithe Socceroos face the US in their World Cup campaign.

A Perth paediatrician faces dozens of child sex charges; Britain’s Prime Minister under pressure after a key Labour by-election win; And in sport, the Socceroos prepare to face the United States.

Debate continues over capital gains tax changes; The US Vice-president warns Israeli critics not to attack the US-Iran peace deal; And in football, anticipation ahead of the Socceroos World Cup game against the USA.

In this bulletin, the US lifts its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, Australia announces a $100 million package to boost Ukraine's defence. And in football, the Socceroos on to the knockout stages of the World Cup if they win on Saturday.

The New South Wales Coroner says racism played a role in investigation into death of an Indigenous teenager four decades ago.... net overseas migration at its lowest point in three years ... and, at the World Cup...the Socceroos hoping the United States' biggest star IS fit to go against them on Saturday

The government announces capital gains tax changes for small business... a Vodafone outage affects millions of Australians... and, at the World Cup, England and Ghana kick off their campaigns with wins