Karl Stefanovic leaves Nine; Venezuela toll rises after twin earthquakes; ship hit by projectile in Hormuz

Hello, welcome to the live broadcast of our national news. Thursday, June 25th. I Clare Sibthorpe and I will keep you updated with today’s news.

Here are the main headlines of the day.

Karl Stefanovic to leave Nine ‘immediately’: Less than three days later Today Host Karl Stefanovic released his now-deleted podcast with far-right British activist Tommy Robinson. Nine has confirmed she will not be returning to TV. In an email to staff on Friday, company CEO Matt Stanton said “the time is right for Karl to leave this business.” Today Stefanovic’s co-host, Sarah Abo, fought back tears and told viewers the show had received mixed reactions to the scandal and that they all wished they could “say goodbye to our friend Karl in a different way.”

Carbon credits give states an outlet for logging: Forests will be protected under a groundbreaking new financing plan under which states will earn carbon credits to finance the creation of new national parks and provide a path to end native forest logging on public lands. Approval of the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) method of native forest management will be announced on Friday, paving the way for the NSW government to fulfill its election promise to create the Great Koala National Park before the state goes to the polls in March 2027.

International aid heads to Venezuela after deadly earthquake: Governments and humanitarian organizations around the world began sending money, rescue teams and other forms of aid to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes killed at least 188 people and injured more than 1,500 on Wednesday; It is estimated that losses could reach thousands of people. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes, which occurred approximately 160 kilometers west of the capital Caracas, damaged at least 250 buildings and caused approximately 200 people to remain under the rubble, according to the latest data.

Hundreds of extra dollars a year for child care: Parents will pay more for childcare after the government raised pay caps under a $3.6 billion deal to continue supporting workers’ wages. The government averted a national strike, pay cuts and wage increases for workers by expanding workers’ wage funding in a move widely welcomed by the industry. But parents are still facing rising costs after removing the maximum amount centers can increase fees.