The federal government has launched an investigation into a major overnight Telstra outage that left thousands of mobile customers unable to make calls or access data, while dismissing speculation of foreign interference. Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed services have largely returned to normal, with only a small number of devices still experiencing issues.
Telstra Blames Time-Keeping Server Issue
Telstra, which powers approximately 25 million mobile services nationwide, attributed the disruption to a problem with a time-keeping server. The outage affected customers across the country, sparking concerns about network reliability.
Speaking at a press conference in Canberra, Wells stated that an investigation has been launched to determine the root cause. She emphasized that there is no evidence of foreign interference, countering earlier speculation.
Other Top News
In other news, an ICE agent fatally shot a motorist during a traffic stop in Houston, and an Arizona toddler declared dead after near-drowning was alive for hours in a cold room, according to records. In sports, Novak Djokovic defeated Auger-Aliassime in a Wimbledon epic to set up a semi-final against Jannik Sinner.
World Cup 2026 Update
Argentina secured a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals with a 3-2 win over Egypt, staging a strong comeback with three goals in the last 20 minutes. Switzerland also advanced, knocking out Colombia in a penalty shootout, marking their first quarter-final appearance since 1954. Manager Murat Yakin described the match as a dream.
Wildfires Ravage Europe
Scientists have called for better land management alongside reductions in greenhouse gases as record wildfires burn in Europe. As of July 1, wildfires had scorched 28,000 hectares in France and 50,000 hectares in Spain, more than double the average for that time of year, with more land charred in the following week.
San Francisco Housing Market Boom
In San Francisco, the AI boom has driven buyers to spend unprecedented amounts on homes, with over 140 homes selling for at least $1 million above asking price in the first half of 2026. Mike Simonsen, Compass's chief economist, described the trend as absolutely bananas.
AI Skincare Advice Under Scrutiny
As people increasingly turn to AI chatbots for skincare advice, experts warn that recommendations can be unreliable, given there are over 3,000 dermatological conditions. The flaky advice highlights the need for caution when using AI for health guidance.
