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NHL Free Agency Kicks Off: Devils Lock In Hischier with New Contract

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NHL Free Agency Kicks Off: Devils Lock In Hischier with New Contract

As the NHL free-agent market opened on Wednesday, teams are shifting their strategies due to a lackluster selection of available players. This trend has driven general managers to emphasize trade opportunities and focus on securing long-term deals with their existing stars.

The New Jersey Devils made headlines by ensuring their captain’s presence in the team’s future. Nico Hischier, the Swiss center indispensable to the Devils’ core, committed to a five-year extension valued at $58.5 million. This new contract will impact their cap hit by $11.7 million annually from 2027 through 2032.

Sunny Mehta, the recently appointed general manager of the Devils, expressed his enthusiasm for retaining Hischier. “When I took this job, I knew that Nico was one of the core pieces I definitely wanted as part of our future,” Mehta commented. “His gameplay, leadership, and selflessness are qualities highly valued by our team. We are all looking forward to him leading this franchise both on and off the ice for many years to come.”

Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens made a big move by re-signing forward Ivan Demidov, who impressed by topping all NHL rookies last season with 62 points, including 19 goals and 43 assists. The young Russian talent inked an eight-year deal worth $73 million.

In contrast, the Los Angeles Kings took advantage of the free-agency pool by recruiting forwards Erik Haula and Mats Zuccarello. A source familiar with the dealings reported that Haula secured a two-year contract valued at $7.2 million. Zuccarello’s signing, confirmed by another informed insider, yields a base salary of $1 million plus additional bonuses.

Chicago is signing veteran defenseman Ian Cole for next season at $4.75 million, according to a third person, also with knowledge of the deal. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contracts had not been announced.

On the trade front, Pittsburgh acquired 24-year-old forward Nick Robertson from Toronto for a 2028 fourth-round draft pick. Robertson has six seasons of NHL experience and had career-highs with 16 goals and 32 points in 78 games last season.

Nashville acquired pending restricted free agent forward Mavrik Bourque from Dallas. The Predators sent a 2027 second- and a 2028 third-round pick to the Stars for Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin.

“Mavrik Bourque is a quality, two-way player who will fit perfectly with what we are trying to build here in Nashville,” general manager Chris MacFarland said. “At just 24 years old, his age and style of play fits in with the type of players we are looking to bring in to help make us better. In addition, Ilya Lyubushkin is a veteran defenseman with significant experience who can log minutes and be a physical presence in our own end.”

Dallas clearing salary cap space could allow the team to sign Jason Robertson, another restricted free agent who’s ticketed for a long-term, lucrative contract. Robertson turns 27 this month and led the Stars in scoring with 96 points on 45 goals and 51 assists last season.

The Florida Panthers have been active this week, trading for goalies Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid and sending A.J. Greer’s rights to Anaheim to bring back rugged defenseman Radko Gudas. He signed six-year deal worth $1.5 million annually for a total of $9 million.

“I have good news: I’m coming back to Florida and I’m bringing my dad with me,” Gudas’ daughter, Tynka, said in a video announcing the move. The 36-year-old Gudas played there for three seasons from 2020-23.

Gudas is the second player who was a captain this past season to join Florida in recent weeks. Brady Tkachuk, Matthew’s brother, was traded to the Panthers last month after wearing the “C” in Ottawa.

In other moves:

— Philadelphia rewarded goaltender Dan Vladar for his breakout season by signing him to a five-year extension worth $27.5 million. The $5.5 million average salary kicks in for the 2027-28 season and through 2031-32.

— The Buffalo Sabres signed newly acquired defenseman Olen Zellweger to a three-year, $9.3 million contract. Zellweger was a pending restricted free agent and acquired in a trade with Anaheim.

— Ottawa re-signed pesky forward Nick Cousins to a two-year contract worth $3.18 million.

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AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this report.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Court Overturns Trump Administration’s Student Loan Rule Adjustment

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Court Overturns Trump Administration’s Student Loan Rule Adjustment

Context: Captured on December 3, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education building stands in Washington (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File). Inset: President Donald Trump departs Marine One as he returns to the White House’s South Lawn on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File).

In a significant legal setback for the Trump administration, two federal judges have declared that efforts to limit the eligibility criteria for a student loan forgiveness initiative are unlawful, based on rulings issued this week.

The “final rule” introduced by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) concerning the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program aims to bar organizations deemed to engage in “illegal” activities from participating in it.

However, U.S. District Judge Myong J. Joun argued in one judgment that making such legal determinations would be “arbitrary” and exceed presidential authority. Moreover, the judge pointed out that historically, the administration has a tendency to base decisions on ideological agreement with an organization’s mission, rather than its legal standing.

Judge Joun, appointed by President Joe Biden, analyzed the program’s background and ongoing legal challenges in a detailed 68-page order released just prior to the rule’s intended implementation. The PSLF program was established by Congress in 2007 to promote public service careers by forgiving the remaining balance of student loans for borrowers who spend a decade working in qualifying roles, accompanied by 120 eligible loan payments.

In October 2025, the DOE announced its rule change, saying narrowing the types of organizations that qualify for the program would “prevent taxpayers from supporting loan forgiveness for borrowers whose organizations are breaking the law.” The administration “amend[ed] the definition of a ‘qualifying employer’ to exclude employers that participate in illegal activities such that they have a substantial illegal purpose.”

The rule identified six categories of activities the Trump administration deemed had a “substantial illegal purpose,” including “[a]iding or abetting violations” of federal immigration laws and what it called “child abuse, including the chemical and surgical castration or mutilation of children or the trafficking of children to so-called transgender sanctuary States.”

A group including 22 states sued in Massachusetts, where Joun sits, to stop the rule change. Multiple organizations also filed suit in Washington, D.C., in a case that went before U.S. District Judge Amir H. Ali, another Biden appointee.

The plaintiffs argued that they would suffer business disadvantages because individuals would seek employment elsewhere and the “threat of disqualification” would “itself deter new workers from entering public service.”

Furthermore, the organizations in the Washington, D.C., case argue that the “requirement that the plaintiffs affirmatively certify they have not participated in activities that have a ‘substantial illegal purpose’ clearly imposes a new obligation that goes beyond what the plaintiffs are already doing by following the law.”

The administration has argued “that there exists no threat of enforcement because the Department has not made any indication that any of the Plaintiffs will (or are likely to be) the target of any enforcement activity,” as Joun recounts in the Massachusetts case.

The judge found this rationale unconvincing.

“In the absence of evidence to the contrary, Defendants’ arguments might be persuasive. But the Administration’s history of prosecution tells a different story,” he writes, pointing to an example of the “ire” shown “toward those with immigration policies contrary to those held by the Administration.” The judge added: “Even beyond immigration, the Administration has threatened legal action against generally lawful activity with which it disagrees.”

Joun continues:

The rule thus leaves regulated entities to speculate about the scope of prohibited conduct while vesting the Department with substantial discretion to determine, after the fact, whether an employer has crossed an undefined line. Such indeterminate standards create a substantial risk of arbitrary enforcement. As Plaintiffs note, the Administration has prioritized enforcement in areas such as diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, raising the possibility that otherwise lawful conduct could be treated as evidence of “illegal discrimination” under the Final Rule’s undefined standards. … By failing to articulate objective standards governing what constitutes “substantial illegal activity,” “aiding and abetting,” or a “pattern” of unlawful conduct, the Department has left employers to guess at their obligations while reserving broad discretion to determine eligibility on an ad hoc basis. That lack of ascertainable standards is itself a hallmark of arbitrary and capricious decision-making.

He concludes by saying the rule is “contrary to law and promulgated in excess of statutory authority,” as well as “arbitrary and capricious” and “violates the First Amendment.”

Ali ruled similarly in the Washington, D.C., case, finding that Education Secretary Linda McMahon exceeded her statutory authority.

Max Azria’s Former Los Angeles Mansion Secures Buyer After 11-Year Listing

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Max Azria’s Former Los Angeles Mansion Secures Buyer After 11-Year Listing

In the ever-turning pages of real estate history, a luxurious estate in Holmby Hills, previously owned by the late fashion visionary Max Azria, has yet again attracted a buyer. Gimme Shelter reveals this development as another noteworthy episode for the property that once carried an $88 million price tag.

Designed with grand gatherings in mind, the estate was most recently listed for $43.5 million, marking its presence in the market for over a decade. However, the final price for this opulent abode is still under wraps.

Perched on 2.8 acres at 10250 W. Sunset Blvd., the expansive estate has not yet sealed the deal, leaving room for unexpected changes. Still, brokers confirm that it is no longer available for public viewings.

Notably, Jennifer Lopez reportedly viewed the estate with Ben Affleck, and even revisited post-breakup, as a source disclosed to Gimme Shelter with a hint of admiration and potential intent.

Estate Azria, formerly recognized as Maison du Soleil, is highly sought after for its seclusion. The site boasts a Georgian Colonial main residence, crafted in 1939 by the renowned architect Paul Williams, alongside various guest, work, and leisure structures.

Outside, there’s an infinity pool, a glass-enclosed tennis court with stadium seating, a Japanese garden and teahouse, additional Mediterranean gardens, a Moroccan-inspired bathhouse with an authentic hammam, a formal French courtyard and a working greenhouse.

A long, gated driveway leads to the home, which opens to a grand foyer. Design details include parquet wood floors, white paneling, columns, moldings, large entertaining rooms and French doors that open to outdoor terraces and gardens.

Two years ago, billionaire Ron Burkle made a winning $30 million bid for the property at an auction run by Concierge Auctions. But the deal — whose terms were fought over in court — never closed.

Max and Lubov Azria — the third family to own the property in its 87-year history — bought it for $14.4 million in 2005. They first listed it for $85 million in 2015, then raised the price to $88 million in 2016. Max Azria, the Tunisian-born designer known for democratizing fashion with his brand BCBG Max Azria, died in 2019. By 2023, the estate was asking $55 million before dropping to its lowest ask, $39 million, last year.

Williams, the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects, designed the home for “Amos ‘n’ Andy” star Charles Correll for $70,000 in 1939. At 12,000 square feet, it was his largest creation at the time.

His other clients included Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Frank Sinatra, Tyrone Power and Barbara Stanwyck. He’s also known for his famed revamp of the Beverly Hills Hotel.

In 1978, Oscar-winning writer and novelist Sidney Sheldon — who created “The Patty Duke Show,” “I Dream of Jeannie” and “Hart to Hart” — bought the Sunset estate and reportedly doubled its size before selling it to the Azrias.

The bedrooms are upstairs, overlooking the landscaped grounds. The main suite comes with a marble fireplace, sitting area and walk-in closets.

The estate also features a 6,000-square-foot structure with a home theater, lounge and home office with a gold-leaf ceiling.

The listing brokers are Mauricio Umansky and Farah Levi of The Agency.

Remains of missing mother discovered; suspect with criminal history already incarcerated on separate charge

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Remains of missing mother discovered; suspect with criminal history already incarcerated on separate charge

Savannah Guthrie gives emotional plea for missing mom Nancy

Savannah Guthrie has issued a heartfelt plea for any information relating to the disappearance of her mother, Nancy. The family is desperate for answers, especially after federal authorities revealed a disturbing second ransom note claiming that Nancy had died and was “buried with nature.” In an emotional appeal, Guthrie urges anyone who might know anything to step forward, promising anonymity to those who do.

Meanwhile, a tragic discovery was made in North Carolina, shedding light on another missing persons case. The remains of a young mother were found in a burial at a residence, bringing an ominous end to the search.

Jordan Wishon was initially reported missing by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office last Friday. Just two days after her disappearance, the investigation took a harrowing turn. Detectives shifted focus from a missing person case to a murder investigation after discovering Wishon’s remains during a search warrant execution.

In an update shared via social media, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office detailed the events: “At approximately 5:17 a.m., law enforcement officers carried out a search warrant at a property located on Pebblestone Lane in Rutherfordton. During the search, they uncovered human remains buried on the premises. These remains have been positively identified as those of Jordan Wishon.”

photo shows side by side image of Jordan

The suspect accused in Jordan Wishon’s murder has a criminal history, records reveal. This grim discovery underscores the urgency and complexity often involved in missing person investigations, leaving a community and grieving families seeking justice and closure.

📩 Want me to investigate? kelsie.cairns@fox.com

📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv

🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns

The man accused of killing her has had prior run-ins with the law, reports show. Jaydakis Kashaune Hamilton, 25, of Rutherfordton, North Carolina, is now facing a first degree murder charge.

image shows mugshot for suspect

Jaydakis Hamilton, 25, is facing a first-degree murder charge for killing a woman in North Carolina. (Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office)

Hamilton was already in jail on another unrelated charge.

WLOS reported Hamilton was arrested for an alleged vehicle theft in Polk County, and prior to that the North Carolina State Highway Patrol charged him with reckless driving offenses and resisting arrest.

Hamilton is currently in jail in Polk County awaiting his newest charge.

According to her obituary, Wishon was a 30-year-old mother who had one child and a fiance.

image shows a screenshot of the victim's obituary

The remains of 30-year-old Jordan Wishon were found at a home in North Carolina. A suspect has been charged with her murder. According to a website for her obituary, she is survived by her daughter, fiancé and grandparents. (Harrelson Funeral Home Obituaries)

Casandra Toney, who said she is Wishon’s sister, made a post to Facebook that said, “I’m gonna miss you so much. This is unfair. You did not deserve this, but I can’t promise you we will get justice for you.”

She went on to say, “I hope you know at the end of the day. I do love you and we’ll always love you. You’re my sister you’re my big sister at that.”

The murder investigation is ongoing.

Trump’s Bold Response Amid Growing Criticism Over His Billions

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Trump’s Bold Response Amid Growing Criticism Over His Billions

Donald Trump insists he’s not the only one reaping financial benefits during his second term, following revelations of over $2.2 billion in earnings during the initial year of his return to the presidency.

The billionaire President’s legally required financial disclosures were unveiled on Tuesday, highlighting the dramatic increase in his accumulated wealth.

In 2024, his financial reports indicated that he amassed at least $622 million from various sources.

The disclosures published on Tuesday reveal an extraordinary 250 percent rise in revenue within a year, reaching a minimum of $2.2 billion by 2025.

No other contemporary US president has documented business profits approaching Trump’s multi-billion-dollar figure. In comparison, Barack Obama primarily earned millions during his presidency through book sales.

Pressed on his massive fortune and incredible returns on Wednesday morning, the President noted how his funds are in a ‘blind account.’    

‘I think it’s called the blind account, but they basically they take it, and I purposely, I never speak to any of the people that run the money, but they’re at big institutions and they invest in whatever they invest,’ he told reporters before boarding the new Air Force One jet gifted to him by Qatar. 

Unlike every president since the 1970s to hold individual stocks, Trump has not placed his assets in a blind trust, meaning he can see what he owns even though he cannot direct the trading himself.  

After Donald Trump's 2025 financial dosclosures were released on Tuesday, showing $2.2 billion in reveneu, the President said he uses a 'blind account' to invest, and that he does not speak to his money managers

After Donald Trump’s 2025 financial dosclosures were released on Tuesday, showing $2.2 billion in reveneu, the President said he uses a ‘blind account’ to invest, and that he does not speak to his money managers 

Roughly $1.4 billion worth of the revenue he reported came from crypto. Above, Trump is shown speaking at the Bitcoin 2024 event while campaigning

Roughly $1.4 billion worth of the revenue he reported came from crypto. Above, Trump is shown speaking at the Bitcoin 2024 event while campaigning

Trump also saw revenue from his massive real estate portfolio. Mar-a-Lago, the President's Florida home and members-only club, brought in $77 million in revenue last year

Trump also saw revenue from his massive real estate portfolio. Mar-a-Lago, the President’s Florida home and members-only club, brought in $77 million in revenue last year

But he claimed he was not the only person cashing out ‘because the stock market’s going up, everybody’s profiting.’ 

The three major stock market indices grew between 13 and 20 percent in 2025, hardly the 250 percent increase the President enjoyed. 

Trump’s revenue streams span several different areas, including crypto, real estate, litigation and more. 

Crypto was by far and away the President’s most lucrative venture – earning him much higher revenues than the real estate empire he is most well known for. 

Trump’s crypto venture, World Liberty Financial (WLF), a business his family members also have stakes in, threw off $799 million in revenue in 2025. 

In 2024, WLF brought in $57 million in revenue. The year-over-year increase represents a dramatic 425 percent growth in revenue. 

While Trump’s personal and family holdings have generated record revenues, the wider crypto market has seen a sharp decline. In October 2025, crypto hit a record of approximately $4.3 trillion across the industry. 

Since then, nearly half of the value has been wiped out and the total crypto market cap now hovers around $2.1 trillion. 

About 70 million Americans hold cryptocurrency investments, according to Security.org. 

Trump shown during the final round of the Cadillac Championship in 2026 at his Doral, Florida, golf club. The club brought in $122 million in revenue in 2025, compared to $110 million the year before

Trump shown during the final round of the Cadillac Championship in 2026 at his Doral, Florida, golf club. The club brought in $122 million in revenue in 2025, compared to $110 million the year before

The President also made tens of millions of dollars through settlements with major broadcasters and social media platforms. Paramount, the owner of CBS News, settled a lawsuit with Trump worth $16 million

The President also made tens of millions of dollars through settlements with major broadcasters and social media platforms. Paramount, the owner of CBS News, settled a lawsuit with Trump worth $16 million

An investment firm linked to the United Arab Emirates government purchased 49 percent of WLF just before Trump’s inauguration in 2025. 

Then there’s the President’s meme coin $TRUMP. 

His revenues from that venture netted him $636 million in 2025, according to the disclosures. 

Released just before his 2025 inauguration, the coin’s price took off for a short time before it plummeted back down. It is currently priced around $1.68 per coin, down 80 percent from its price a year ago. 

In total, Trump’s crypto ventures brought in approximately $1.4 billion in 2025. 

The President also made over $14 million from licensing his name to properties in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. 

Mar-a-Lago, the President’s Florida home and member-only club, brought in $77 million in revenue last year. In 2024, the property brought in $50 million. 

His golf course in nearby Doral, a suburb of Miami, brought in $122 million in 2025 compared to $110 million the year prior. 

Trump also made tens of millions in settlements from litigation. 

ABC News paid the President $16 million, $15 million for his forthcoming presidential library, and $1 million for legal fees. The settlement came after Trump accused the broadcaster of defamation. 

Meta dished out $25 million for a settlement related to banning the President from Facebook following the January 6 Capitol riot. Of that sum, $22 million went to the library and $3 million went towards legal fees. 

Further, X paid $10 million to the President’s library and Paramount, owner of CBS, paid out $16 million, mostly to the library and legal fees, after the President accused the outlet of editing broadcasts to make him look bad. 

‘Neither the President nor his family has ever engaged — or will ever engage — in conflicts of interest,’ White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told the Daily Mail. ‘President Trump proudly made the United States the crypto capital of the world.’ 

Heartbreaking Turn: NFL Star’s Brother Arrested Following Tragic Murder of Their Mother

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Heartbreaking Turn: NFL Star’s Brother Arrested Following Tragic Murder of Their Mother

ATLANTA (AP) — Tragedy struck the family of NFL player Calais Campbell as his brother was charged with murder following the discovery of their 71-year-old mother’s body in an Atlanta residence. The authorities made the grim discovery during a welfare check.

According to arrest warrants, Nateal Campbell was found with her throat slashed, and her son, Ciarre Campbell, was allegedly in possession of a knife at the scene. Police arrived at the home around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, where they discovered Mrs. Campbell unresponsive, as detailed in a police statement.

Ciarre Campbell was subsequently detained and booked into Fulton County Jail. He faced an initial court hearing set for Wednesday morning on charges that include aggravated assault and murder. Online court records did not list any attorney prepared to speak on his behalf regarding these charges.

The Campbell family released a statement requesting privacy as they navigate this period of “overwhelming grief.”

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our matriarch, Mrs. Nateal Campbell,” the family expressed in their statement. “Though we continue to seek answers about her tragic passing, we find solace in the thought that she is now reunited with our father, her cherished Chuck, and embraced by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

A defensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens, Calais Campbell is entering his 19th NFL season after signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract in April.

FILE – Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 23, 2025, in Glendale. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

The 2017 first-team AP All-Pro selection has been voted to the Pro Bowl six times in a career that started as a second-round pick in 2008 with the Arizona Cardinals.

The 39-year-old former Miami Hurricane spent 10 seasons with the Cardinals and also played in Jacksonville, Atlanta, and Miami.

Campbell has 117 career sacks in 278 games, including 259 starts.

City Thrives Amid Housing Slump as Australians See Record Property Gains

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Despite the national housing market exhibiting clear signs of slowing, homeowners across Australia are still benefiting from years of property price increases. Darwin, uniquely, has resisted the wider downturn affecting other capital cities.

For the third consecutive month, house prices declined across the nation, according to the latest PropTrack Home Price Index. In June, Australia’s national home prices saw a 0.3% drop.

The downward trend was primarily driven by capital cities, where prices slipped by 0.4% during the month. In contrast, regional areas have maintained their performance, showing no drop in June.

Nevertheless, the market overall remains 5.8% higher than it was a year ago. Additionally, as investors retreat, first-time homebuyers are making gains, indicating that not everyone is experiencing losses in the current market.

Darwin defies the drops

Sydney and Perth recorded the largest declines last month, with both cities seeing home prices drop by 0.5%. Melbourne and Canberra followed closely with decreases of 0.4% each.

Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart slipped more modestly, down 0.2 per cent in June.

Darwin, meanwhile, climbed 0.2 per cent — and has become the second-best-performing capital over the past year, behind only Perth.

Table showing June 2026 home price changes across capital cities, with Perth down 0.5% monthly but up 17.1% annually.

REA Group senior economist and report author Anne Flaherty said Darwin’s affordability was helping protect it against dips.

“Darwin has been an outperformer over the past 12 months,” Flaherty told SBS News.

“We’re seeing signs that investors are dropping off around other parts of the country, but Darwin may not see the same drop-off, purely because a lot of investors who buy in Darwin are looking to be positively geared — looking for a high rental income relative to a low entry price point.”

The rest of the market is being shaped by two major factors, she said.

“We’ve had three interest rate rises already this year and there is potential for another if inflation stays too high,” she said.

“The other major piece is the federal budget, which has hit buyer confidence. There are increasing nerves.”

The key tax reforms

Under recently-passed reforms, negative gearing will be limited to newly-built residential properties from 1 July 2027, ending the tax concession for investors purchasing established homes.

The government’s bill has also replaced the 50 per cent capital gains tax (CGT) discount for newly purchased investment properties with an inflation-based indexation system, meaning tax would be paid on the real gain rather than a flat 50 per cent discount when assets are sold after at least 12 months.

The package also includes measures to close tax loopholes involving family trusts, including a minimum 30 per cent tax on certain capital gains distributed through trust structures.

Flaherty said those changes will lead to a sharp decline in investor demand during 2026.

While capital city prices have begun to fall, home values in all regional areas have remained at record highs, bar Queensland, with the combined regional median sitting at 9.5 per cent higher compared to a year ago.

Line chart tracking annual home price growth since 2015 across six capitals, with Perth leading at 17.1% in June 2026.

“Looking ahead, affordability is likely to remain a key driver of market performance, with the share of buyers looking to purchase in more affordable areas, such as regional markets, expected to increase,” Flaherty said.

“As yet, the full impact of the Budget on investor demand remains to be seen.”

Owners still cash in on property price growth

While the monthly data suggests house prices are falling, a zoom-out shows that sellers are still seeing record profits.

Cotality’s June Pain and Gain report found that while there was no growth nationally in May, 96 per cent of dwelling resales in the March quarter still recorded a nominal profit — the strongest result since 2005 — with a record median gain of $377k, reflecting value built over years rather than current market momentum.

A graph showing what properties are making a profit.

Flaherty said that picture held even at a five-year view: the median home price in Brisbane is up 85 per cent over that period, Perth is up 96 per cent, and Adelaide is up 81 per cent.

“We talk about home prices dropping, but if we look at how much prices have increased over the past year, in a lot of markets around the country, homeowners are sitting on very significant gains,” she added.

“Even if you are experiencing a decline this month in home value, owners in those cities are seeing very significant gains which really make recent price falls marginal.”

Winners and losers

Owner-occupiers and first-home buyers are the clearest winners of 2026’s housing market so far, with cooling investor demand thinning out competition.

“Buyers need to recognise that their power is growing and that gives them space to negotiate,” Flaherty said.

“Properties aren’t selling as quickly as they have been and there’s a mismatch between what buyers are looking to pay and vendors are looking to accept.”

On the other side, the losers are more likely to be people who need to sell this year after buying relatively recently — particularly in cities like Melbourne, where growth has been soft enough that some sellers may not come out ahead.

Looking ahead, declines in house prices are expected to continue through the second half of 2026, Flaherty said.

“But if we do see interest rates reduced in 2027 and start to see the dust settle post-budget and people feeling a little bit more confident, that could lead to a recovery in prices.”

Still, she said it’s important to keep the bigger picture in mind.

“Australia is still a country where we have an undersupply of housing — we’re not going to be turning that around anytime soon.”

Late Night Host Takes Sharp Jab at Fox’s Jesse Watters Over Affair Scandal

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Late Night Host Takes Sharp Jab at Fox’s Jesse Watters Over Affair Scandal

John Oliver, host of Last Week Tonight, took direct aim at Fox News anchor Jesse Watters by referencing Watters’ past infidelity scandal during a recent episode.

On Sunday’s installment of the HBO show, the 49-year-old Oliver mentioned Watters’ 2019 split from his first wife Noelle Inguagiato.

Oliver was critiquing Donald Trump’s controversial Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, especially the former president’s allegations last week that half a dozen anti-Trump individuals had damaged it with a blade.

Jesse Watters’ segment on Primetime last Thursday aimed to expose these supposed vandals. The show aired footage of a man and woman with their hands in the reflecting pool, reportedly filmed “a couple of days ago,” as per Watters.

“What are they doing with their hands in the pool? Are they cutting the lining? Are they peeling the paint? We don’t know if they’re committing a crime. They’ll probably tell you they dropped their wedding ring,” commented the 47-year-old Watters while the clip aired.

Oliver swiftly reminded viewers how Watters was caught cheating with a 25-year-old Fox News associate producer a full year before his divorce with Inguagiato was finalized.

‘Maybe those people at the reflecting pool dropped their wedding ring after leaving their wife for a 25-year-old coworker. Jesse would know what that is like!’ Oliver quipped.

‘It’s actually one of the many fun facts you can learn about on his Wikipedia page.’

John Oliver, 49, brought up Watters' 2019 divorce to his first wife during Sunday's episode of his HBO show

John Oliver, 49, brought up Watters’ 2019 divorce to his first wife during Sunday’s episode of his HBO show

Watters was caught cheating with a then-25-year-old Fox News associate producer, Emma DiGiovine, a year before his divorce was finalized

Watters was caught cheating with a then-25-year-old Fox News associate producer, Emma DiGiovine, a year before his divorce was finalized

The much-younger former Watters’ World staffer, Emma DiGiovine, wed the anchor in December 2019. The two now share two children. 

Oliver highlighted another factoid on Watters’ Wikipedia page on Sunday as well – how ‘in November 2024, Watters stated that he had not been invited to his mother’s home for Thanksgiving,’ the host read as the article appeared on-screen.

‘And I do not blame his mom for that. She’s a child psychologist, and she tried her best,’ he added of Watters’ mom, Anne Purvis.

‘Sometimes you just get one that sucks!’ Oliver said.

‘But it does now make much more sense that Jesse will willingly humiliate himself by pursuing the approval of a withholding parental figure that will simply never come,’ he continued.

‘Is that the best you’ve got? That is pathetic!’, he said, before laughing off the Fox host’s attempt at ‘evidence’.

The president first made the claims of vandalism to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday.

The affair ended Watters' marriage to his wife of ten years, Noelle Inguagiato

The affair ended Watters’ marriage to his wife of ten years, Noelle Inguagiato

Oliver went to Wikipedia for more negative factoids about the longtime Fox host

Oliver went to Wikipedia for more negative factoids about the longtime Fox host

‘They had pictures and everything else. They went to the bottom, and it’s not a paint job, it’s very expensive, it’s not rubber – but it’s like rubber – and they went down with probably a box cutter or a very sharp razor of some kind or knife, and they cut,’ ge said at the time. 

The administration’s more than $14 million renovation of the Reflecting Pool has been met with criticism after it failed to account for algae blooms that have turned much of the pool green. 

A top official at the National Park Service, Deputy Director Frank Lands, filed a court document late Wednesday in response to a lawsuit filed by a nonprofit designed to halt the construction.

A statement within pointed to damage to the pool, including a ‘350-foot gash’ cut into a liner along its bottom with what officials described as ‘a sharp knife or razor and destruction of delaminating surface material.’

The statement was the first from an administration official to offer specifics on when and how the Reflecting Pool may have been damaged. The agency reported the incident where the damage was sustained on June 9 – well before Watters’ segment.

Trump previously promised to improve the more than 100-year-old Reflecting Pool in time for the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations.

The desired hue of the water is ‘American flag blue.’ 

Trump said officials will release images and concrete ‘proof’ to support his vandalism claim in coming weeks.

A Thursday segment that aired on Watters' Fox News show sought to find proof of claims of vandalism to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, after the president made them on Wednesday

A Thursday segment that aired on Watters’ Fox News show sought to find proof of claims of vandalism to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, after the president made them on Wednesday

Oliver, on Sunday, dismissed such evidence as ‘just laughably weak.’

‘Experts have noted it would be very challenging to cut that liner, and it was far more likely that the repairs were done “just too hastily,”‘ he said toward the show’s start.  

‘Trump’s renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool continues to be an absolute trainwreck,’ he said.

Trump, in the past, has slammed Oliver’s show as ‘boring’ and ‘a waste of time.’

The British-born host revealed he is set to appear in a week of episodes on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives and on General Hospital on Sunday as well, weeks after making a plea to showrunners.

‘To all the soap operas out there, let me say this: I am officially offering myself to you. Write me a role, and I’ll be on your set so fast, it’ll make your head spin,’ he said on June 7.

The General Hospital episodes will air July 2 to 4. The Days of Our Lives installments air on August 11, 12 and 14.

Top Must-See Events for America 250 Celebrations in NYC

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Top Must-See Events for America 250 Celebrations in NYC

As the United States gears up to celebrate its momentous 250th anniversary, there’s a palpable buzz in the air. This upcoming weekend promises to be a spectacular reminder of why we take pride in being part of this grand nation.

While the traditional citywide viewings of Macy’s 4th of July fireworks offer a free, fun, and family-friendly way to enjoy the festivities, many of New York City’s top hotels, restaurants, and nightlife venues are elevating the celebration. They’re rolling out the red carpet with premium ticketed experiences that keep the spirit alive well into the night—and sometimes beyond!

Whether you’re inclined to indulge in a posh $125 dinner with skyline views, sip poolside cocktails by the East River, or experience the ultimate in luxury with a private VIP table priced at $10,000, there’s something for everyone. The New York Post has curated an exciting list of the top 4th of July events in the city—perfect for those who want to celebrate America’s big milestone in grand style.

Fortunately, for those who have not yet made plans, there are still tickets available. With events ranging from laid-back gatherings to extraordinary soirées, this year offers an array of options to revel in the stars and stripes.

The good news is that tickets are still available.

Sky-high celebrations at The Edge x Marquee Skydeck

New Yorkers looking to trade packed waterfront crowds for a bird’s-eye view can celebrate the Fourth 1,100 feet in the air at the Edge (30 Hudson Yards), the Western Hemisphere’s highest outdoor sky deck.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the ticketed event includes fireworks viewing, endless cocktails, bumping music and VIP experiences.

Ticket holders will also have access to the Edge’s seven new immersive indoor installations inspired by New York City’s electric energy, complementing the deck’s outdoor viewing areas that offer sweeping 360-degree skyline views and a thrilling glass floor, overlooking the entire city.  

Come for the fireworks, stay for the party as the celebration continues well into the night with access to the Marquee Skydeck afterparty, featuring DJs and good vibes until 3 a.m.

General admission tickets start at $230, while VIP tickets begin at $305. Marquee Skydeck afterparty tickets range from $85 to $105, excluding drinks.

Details and ticket info can be found here.

Celebrate big at the Westlight club at The William Vale Hotel

At the bougie William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg (111 N 12th St.), the iconic rooftop club Westlight is going all out for America 250 with producer and DJ Murda Beatz headlining a massive Independence Day bash.

Guests can take in sweeping Manhattan skyline views and catch glimpses of the firework show, all while vibing to live music, munching on elevated street food, sipping on premium cocktails, and enjoying VIP perks, including private viewing terraces, backstage access, and cabanas.

General admission tickets are available for around $108, while a 22nd-floor VIP experience with a three-hour open bar and unlimited food starts at $375 per person. Reserved VIP tables range from $2,000 to $3,000, and private rooftop cabanas for groups start at $5,000 and top out at $10,000.

Tickets can be bought here.

Unparalleled views from Harriet’s Rooftop at The 1 Hotel Brooklyn

Harriet’s Rooftop at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is offering one of the city’s closest vantage points to the fireworks show over the East River.

The 21-plus bash offers guests five hours of picking-style food, a premium open bar, live DJ sets from Zoe Vi and Malik Lindo, and unparalleled views of the display launched from the Brooklyn Bridge and barges along the river from 5 p.m. onward.

General admission is priced at $661, and those with even deeper pockets looking to splurge more can reserve indoor lounge tables starting at $3,000, rooftop tables for $5,000, or private poolside packages at $8,000.

Ticket purchases can be made here.

The Rockaway Hotel‘s rooftop soiree

Beat the heat wave and celebrate America’s independence with the cool ocean breeze at The Rockaway Hotel’s (108-10 Rockaway Beach Dr, Rockaway Park) “America 250” party atop the boutique resort’s 6,000-square-foot rooftop overlooking not only the Manhattan skyline, but also Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Beginning at 6 p.m., ticketgoers can enjoy chic sips and an all-American food spread including classic BBQ, New York deli-style offerings and an oyster bar.

Tickets are $150 for guests 21+, $60 for guests under 21, and $750 for private group experiences for up to five on the bayside terrace.

Purchase tickets here.

Grand Banks

If the rooftop scene isn’t your vibe, celebrate aboard one of New York’s most unique waterfront venues, the Grand Banks (Pier 25 Hudson River) — an oyster bar housed on the historic 1942 schooner “Sherman Zwicker,” that is offering front-row views of the fireworks from the Hudson alongside oysters, seafood and cocktails.

Reservations start at $500 for a single seat at the cocktail or oyster bar, $1,000 for a table for two, $3,000 for a table of six and $10,000 for the Captain’s Table, which accommodates up to 16 guests.

Reserve your spot here.

A four-course meal with panoramic views at Peak with Priceless Restaurant & Bar

Those looking to celebrate America 250 with a lavish dinner can head to Peak with Priceless Restaurant & Bar, the 101st-floor eatery atop Hudson Yards, managed by The Tao Group Hospitality.

The venue is a sprawling 10,000-square-foot space that stands over 1,200 feet in the air, giving guests an incredibly memorable Fourth of July experience that features panoramic views of the city and a four-course prix fixe menu.

Early seating from 5 to 6:30 p.m. is priced at $125 per person and prime fireworks-time seating from 7:30 to 9 p.m. is priced at $425 per person.

Reservations can be made on OpenTable.

An exclusive rooftop party at the PUBLIC Hotel

One of downtown’s hottest rooftops is keeping its Fourth of July party exclusive.

Ian Schrager’s PUBLIC Hotel (215 Chrystie St.) is limiting access to hotel guests and to reserved tables on its 17th-floor, outdoor, landscaped terrace, offering showstopping 360° views of the fireworks.

Guests can enjoy DJ sets by Gabriel Liberty and Prince Terrence while sipping the hotel’s signature cocktail of the night.

The celebration also features a barbecue-inspired menu with smoked brisket sliders, tuna cones, street corn bowls, and other summer classics.

Table reservations are required, with pricing available upon request.

Taylor Swift Kept Wedding Location Secret from Guests Until Days Before Ceremony, Insider Reveals

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Taylor Swift Kept Wedding Location Secret from Guests Until Days Before Ceremony, Insider Reveals

NEW YORK — Even close attendees were left in the dark about the wedding venue for Taylor Swift and her Super Bowl-winning partner Travis Kelce until last Sunday, according to an insider privy to the details. Meanwhile, New York City officials are getting ready for a series of nuptial celebrations at Madison Square Garden this week.

While specifics about the upcoming ceremony are shrouded in mystery, News Media revealed on Tuesday that the NYPD is preparing for an event starting Thursday and continuing into the early hours of Saturday. This occasion is expected to involve street closures, a high-profile guest list, and much more, according to another well-placed source.

Informed city officials anticipate that Swift and Kelce will indeed tie the knot at the Garden. However, with the singer’s considerable resources and love for hidden clues, some speculate the high-profile ceremony at the home of the NBA champion Knicks might be a well-orchestrated distraction.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift smiling in a compilation photo

Speculation about the romance between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift has reached a crescendo. (Getty Images)

“We’ll have to wait to see if Taylor really shows up here, or if this is all just smoke and mirrors,” commented Paul Mauro, a former NYPD inspector experienced with securing events at Madison Square Garden. “Taylor can afford to rent out the Garden, only to opt for a different, secret venue entirely.”

The arena, which sits atop the Pennsylvania Station commuter railroad hub, is surrounded by subway lines, New Jersey Transit, Long Island Rail Road and Amtrak service, making it one of the busiest transit hubs in the country. It already routinely hosts a large police and National Guard presence.

“You’ll see all the resources,” Mauro said. “You’ll see the horses. You’ll see the ESU guys, that’s SWAT, with the uniforms and the long guns. You’re going to see all of that. But there will also be a lot of stuff you don’t see…You’re going to have a lot of intelligence assets that are deployed, things that are a little bit more clandestine. Together with the feds, there are likely going to be a lot of federal agencies represented because, as I said, you are going to be coming into the Fourth of July. Irrespective of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, this was going to be a hotbed of activity.”

taylor swift travis kelce madison square garden

Trucks are used to block the view of the loading dock at Madison Square Garden in New York City, U.S., July 1, 2026. (REUTERS/Adam Gray)

Penn Station is also the city’s gateway to World Cup games hosted nearby in New Jersey. Commuters and tourists come and go at all hours. And less than 10 blocks away, on Saturday, July 4, Times Square will host a celebration for the nation’s 250th birthday.

“You’ve got a lot going on under the ground here,” Mauro said. “They have to consider all that as well. You’ve got to keep the trains moving. A big heavy lift for New York City. I have no doubt that they’ll come through.”

The NYPD has been doing it for decades, after all. Mauro pointed to President John F. Kennedy’s famous birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden — where Marilyn Monroe serenaded the president with her iconic rendition of “Happy Birthday” — as well as Mick Jagger’s birthday celebration at the end of a Rolling Stones tour — and President Donald Trump held a campaign rally inside during the 2024 campaign.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce get cozy

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, right, appears with singer Taylor Swift after the Chiefs’ victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game in Kansas City, Mo., on Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Derrick Parker, a former member of the NYPD’s hip-hop intelligence unit who was tasked with monitoring the comings and goings of high-profile visitors in the 1990s and 2000s, told News Media that the police department is preparing what is expected to be a “crazy weekend” between the World Cup, Independence Day and now, Swift and Kelce’s marriage.

“A lot of it is gonna go into planning,” he said. “Who’s attending [the wedding]? Who’s got problems with each other? That’s always a big concern. Are people gonna come to oppose it? She had stalkers too. I’m sure there are people they’re gonna be watching.”

Police preparations are expected to include shutting down 31st Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, on the south side of the Garden, protecting the entrance to a parking garage where as many as 500 cars are expected to bring VIP guests to and from the wedding Friday.

“One of the things you’ve got to consider when you’re doing this level of security is who’s picking up the tab,” Mauro said. “The private security that goes on here, including what they call off-duty employment — those are cops who are allowed to work security on their own time, but they’re allowed to wear the uniform…That gets paid by the Garden. But, of course, all the other NYPD assets that are deployed here, including some that are deployed now on 31st Street, those are paid by taxpayers. There’s nothing unusual about that.”
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