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We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
MADRID – In a tragic turn of events, at least 18 migrants have lost their lives attempting to reach Ceuta, a Spanish exclave, as Spain’s military was mobilized in response to a surge of border crossings from Morocco into the small Spanish region.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain, alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, plans to visit Ceuta on Friday morning amid the ongoing crisis.
Rachid Sbihi, who heads a group representing Civil Guard officers, characterized the unfolding events as a “serious humanitarian crisis.”
“Despite the reinforcements that have come in, people continue to enter. These additional forces are concentrated on aiding the injured and handling humanitarian needs,” he noted.
Many migrants, including minors traveling alone, are left without shelter, resorting to sleeping in parks and on sidewalks, or wandering the streets with no direction. “It’s utter chaos,” Sbihi added.
Among the 18 who died, many drowned but some were also killed in the stampede to cross the breakwater fence at Tarajal beach, Sbihi said.
Video footage on Thursday showed crowds of people, mainly Moroccans, walking around the breakwaters at Tarajal beach onto local roads. While most appeared to be young men, there were also families with women and small children.
“Viva España!” some shouted to a freelance photographer working for the AP, who late Thursday into Friday saw people amassed on the Moroccan side of the border trying to cross into Ceuta but also people walking from Ceuta toward Morocco trying to return.
It was not immediately clear what prompted so many migrants to cross to Ceuta.
Moroccan authorities have not publicly commented on the crossings, and Morocco’s Interior Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
Arrivals had been increasing, but reasons are still unclear
The escalation at the frontier between Spain and Morocco comes after a surge in migrants attempting to reach the small exclave, mainly by swimming, on Wednesday.
The chaos had ripple effects in Italy, another key destination for migrants. Premier Giorgia Meloni threatened to suspend Italy’s open-border Schengen agreement with Spain “to defend our borders and ensure the safety of our citizens,” though Italy doesn’t share a border with Spain.
Ceuta authorities had previously linked the surge to a Spanish Supreme Court ruling earlier this month that barred authorities from immediately returning migrants who arrive by sea without due process. The ruling does not apply to migrants who enter Spain by land, including by climbing over the border fence.
But some activists in Morocco expressed doubt that the ruling was behind the surge, arguing most migrants would have been unaware of such legal decisions.
Spain is a main point of arrival into Europe for migrants seeking better economic opportunities or an escape from violence in their home countries.
To reach Ceuta, located on the northern African coast, migrants often swim from the Moroccan town of Fnideq, covering about 3 miles (5 kilometers) to reach Spanish territory. Others attempt the crossing from the nearby town of Belyounech, where the distance is shorter.
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Naishadham reported from Madrid.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
An endearing video has emerged showcasing a father as he patiently sits through a makeup session with his young daughter. The heartwarming clip has brought joy to countless social media users, who celebrate the delightful connection between the two.
In the footage, the little girl can be seen eagerly transforming her dad into her willing “client.” She meticulously applies vibrant eye shadow, lipstick, and blush, as he remains relaxed, embracing the playful makeover.
Later, the amused father shared the charming video online, cheekily captioned with, “Daughters make us go through a lot,” a sentiment that quickly struck a chord with many parents who found the scene both humorous and relatable.
Sweet father-daughter moment wins hearts
Rather than halting his daughter’s creativity, the man appeared to cherish the moment, occasionally smiling as she concentrated on perfecting his look with impressive confidence.
This light-hearted video has rapidly spread across social media platforms, with viewers calling it a sweet illustration of the joys that come from parenting and sharing precious time with children.
Social media users react
The father wrote, “Daughters make us go through a lot.”
His humorous caption sparked a wave of reactions, with many fathers admitting they had experienced similar makeover sessions at the hands of their daughters. Others applauded him for creating happy childhood memories by embracing the playful moment instead of discouraging it.
As the video continues to circulate online, it has become another reminder of the special bond many fathers share with their daughters, with countless viewers saying the clip brightened their day.
Amid controversy, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is championing a new law aimed at enhancing transparency in food delivery services. This initiative is stirring debate as critics warn it could lead to increased food prices due to its demand that delivery platforms cease concealing tipping options for couriers.
This legislative push follows a directive established by Mamdani’s administration, which is seeking to enforce a measure passed last year under his Democratic predecessor, Eric Adams, who did not finalize it with his signature.
Allegations against UberEats and DoorDash by the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) cite these companies for obscuring tipping buttons and setting a default tip at a mere 10 percent.
Mayor Mamdani has asserted that such practices have dramatically reduced the gratuities earned by delivery workers, slashing tips by as much as 79 percent.
Emphasizing the impact of the new policy, he highlighted that within just the first half of this year, the reform has returned $104 million to the pockets of delivery workforce members.
He added: ‘This is only the beginning.’
Many online saw this as not just Mamdani embracing the excesses of the left but abandoning his so-called affordability agenda.
‘Is Zohran Mamdani really bragging about making Uber Eats and DoorDash more expensive for New Yorkers? I guess his “affordability” agenda doesn’t extend to New Yorkers who order in take out,’ wrote one critic.
Socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is making headlines again after promoting a new policy that could see the cost of goods go up as it forces delivery apps to stop ‘hiding’ tip buttons for delivery drivers
UberEats and DoorDash were accused by the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection of using hidden tip buttons and defaulting at 10 percent
Columnist Jonathan Levine added: ‘All the millionaires and billionaires using UberEats and DoorDash now going to pay more! Hurray!’
‘Great idea! Everyone loves being forced by apps to pay higher tips. This will definitely boost Mamdani’s approval ratings,’ added entrepreneur Rajat Suri.
‘Maybe DoorDash and UberEats can insert a “compelled by Mayor Mamdani” tooltip into the tip section to fairly attribute this brainwave.’
One critic slammed Mamdani for bloviating over a law that he had nothing to do with passing.
‘Hey Zohran Mamdani: Nice try! You even take credit for laws you didn’t pass. The NYC Council enacted these delivery-app laws in 2025 before you became mayor. Customers still aren’t required to tip and they can leave $0 if they choose,’ wrote Sam E. Antar.
‘Apparently rewriting history is easier than writing legislation.’
Mamdani did respond to claims he was stealing credit from Adams for the law in a statement to Fox News.
‘A law is only as good as its implementation,’ a spokesperson said.
‘We have been intentional about enforcing the laws on the books so that we are putting money back into the pockets of working New Yorkers.’
The law passed under Democrat predecessor Eric Adams last year, but Mamdani’s team has been responsible for implementing it after Adams neither signed nor vetoed it
Join the discussion
Is it fair for city laws to push higher tips onto delivery customers, or is that punishing convenience?
Technically, the rules were finally put into practice on January 26, weeks after Mamdani took office.
The city argues that the law was necessary after DoorDash and Uber Eats hid tipping menus when the city enacted a minimum wage law for delivery workers.
‘DCWP estimates those changes cost workers an estimated $550 million in tips,’ the city claimed.
Apps can now offer 10 percent, a custom tip or the option to leave none.
The city said that in the four weeks before the law was implemented, delivery workers were earning an average of $1.18 per delivery.
That increased to $2.29 per delivery, nearly double, in the four weeks after the law was implemented.
They also claimed that the new law had ‘no measurable impact’ on the number of orders placed via the apps.
The minimum wage law and the tipping laws have allegedly increased earnings for delivery workers by $2billion in the past three years.
‘We changed the law, enforced it, and it’s working: $104 million has gone back into the pockets of the workers who keep this city fed, rain or shine. New York will not allow billion-dollar tech companies to boost their profits by taking money from working people,’ Mamdani added.
Mamdani’s first year has seen mixed results, as his initial friendship with President Donald Trump has faded amid the mayor’s criticisms of Israel and threats to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A poll released Thursday by CNN showed 30 percent of the country viewing Mamdani favorably, as opposed to 35 percent unfavorable.
While that was an overall negative, it was still a better approval rating than many Democrat and Republican lawmakers, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mike Johnson and Chuck Schumer.
On the left: Alexee Trevizo as seen in her Artesia Police Department mugshot; On the right: Body camera footage captures Trevizo in the hospital postpartum (Law&Crime).
In a pivotal decision, New Mexico’s highest court has barred prosecutors from using statements made by a woman in distress after she allegedly murdered her newborn by discarding the infant in a hospital restroom. The woman, now in the legal spotlight, stands at the heart of a chilling case that has gripped the community.
The New Mexico Supreme Court, in a decisive unanimous ruling, upheld a prior trial court’s decision to exclude evidence deemed to have breached the sacrosanct physician-patient privilege. This judgment underscores the court’s commitment to maintaining confidentiality in sensitive medical interactions.
The controversial case against Alexee Trevizo, now 22, traces back to January when, as a 19-year-old, she faced allegations tied to the tragic birth and the baby’s subsequent death earlier in 2023. Legal proceedings commenced in May, thrusting the young defendant into an intense judicial scrutiny.
After her arrest, Trevizo made a brief court appearance in August 2023. During this session, her legal counsel, Gary C. Mitchell, adeptly secured a critical victory by arguing successfully for the suppression of evidence. This legal maneuver could greatly influence the course of her ongoing trial.
The justices stressed that one mandatory requirement for a waiver of the privilege is “the mental and physical capacity” and that in the case, Trevizo lacked such capacity due to her medical condition.
The court heavily criticized how the doctor handled the situation:
Defendant presented at the emergency room in excruciating pain, was administered numerous medications, including narcotics, at unknown doses, she gave birth, and she suffered ongoing life-threatening blood loss. Despite her unresolved medical crisis, Dr. Vaskas, without authorization, ambushed Defendant, bringing with her two-armed officers who stood in the doorway of her hospital room, and disclosed her personal medical information to all persons in the room without warning.
“Defendant was not given the opportunity to exclude anyone from the room before Dr. Vaskas discussed her condition in the presence of others,” the opinion concludes. “Considering this sudden unauthorized disclosure, coupled with Defendant’s compromised medical condition, under the totality of the circumstances, we cannot conclude that Defendant’s waiver of her physician-patient privilege was voluntary.”
The post Woman accused of killing and dumping newborn in hospital trash was ‘ambushed’ by her doctor and ‘lacked capacity’ to waive confidentiality, state supreme court rules first appeared on Law & Crime.
Investigators in Arizona have encountered an unexpected twist in the case of Nancy Guthrie with a key piece of evidence—hair discovered in her residence—yielding no DNA, according to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos.
“It’s exceedingly rare to extract DNA from hair,” Sheriff Nanos explained to NBC News on Thursday, July 30. “Hair doesn’t carry DNA in the same way that bodily fluids or touch contact does.”
In a discussion with Fox News, Nanos elaborated, “Indeed, there was a hair sample. We were hopeful, thinking, ‘First step, let’s try DNA analysis,’ naturally. But the results showed… no DNA present.”
Despite the setback, the hair sample remains preserved, earmarked for potential future developments in the ongoing investigation.
As the mystery surrounding Today show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, deepens, questions persist. Nancy was declared missing, with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department releasing a missing person alert on February 1, 2026, through X. She was reported as a “vulnerable adult” last seen at her Arizona home located in the Catalina Foothills.
“But does that mean the hair isn’t that of the suspect? We won’t know that till we have the suspect’s hair. You don’t just destroy it,” Nanos told Fox News. “There’s other things that hair may prove valuable for, but right now it was just about, ‘Is there any DNA there?’ And the answer was no. That was just a matter of weeks ago.”
In a brief statement to NBC News, the FBI Phoenix field office said that “all hair had been resolved, and it does not point to a suspect” in Nancy’s disappearance.
The news comes six months after Nancy, 84, was reported missing from her home outside of Tucson, Arizona, on February 1. Police are investigating the case as a suspected kidnapping. No suspect has been identified.
Nancy, the mother of Today show cohost Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on the evening of January 31.
New details from the first alleged ransom note for Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy Guthrie, has been revealed nearly six months after she went missing. Journalist Briana Whitney read from the alleged note during the Wednesday, July 22, episode of the “Crime Junkie” podcast. “Hello, Savannah. We have your mother, Nancy,” it began. “She is safe […]
On Monday, July 27, Savannah, 54, issued a fresh plea for Nancy’s return via social media.
“I’m coming on today with a very specific message,” Savannah said in an Instagram video. “It has been months since our mom was taken from us. Our family is in agony. We are in a nightmare that will not end. Nothing about our situation has changed. We have done our part, but we will never stop looking for her. We will always ache for her. Feel that hole in our hearts.”
She continued, “The world can be a cruel and unforgiving place, and I know that you have tried to do things the right way. So I’m asking you, begging you, to do the right thing now. Make the right choice. Help us find her. Tell us where to look for her. I truly believe it is never too late to do the right thing. Help us bring this situation to an end. For all of us — no matter where we’ve been and what we’ve done — I believe there is always, always a way home. Please make the right choice.”
Warning: Spoilers ahead for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”
Rumors have swirled for a while, but it’s now confirmed: Sadie Sink joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Jean Grey in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” Her rendition of this original X-Men superstar is both intriguing and familiar. Long-time Marvel watchers might recognize elements of Jean’s storyline, echoing past MCU arcs.
Jean Grey’s journey in the “Brand New Day” storyline echoes that of the Scarlet Witch, played by Elizabeth Olsen, during the “WandaVision” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” phases. Aside from the shared trope of fiery redheads, these characters are complex anti-heroes driven by profound loss—Jean is shattered by Sara Grey’s disappearance while Wanda grieves over Vision. Both wield mind control abilities, orchestrating others like marionettes, while grappling with isolation in their unique narratives.
The third act of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” reveals Jean’s ability to create vast energy fields, trapping and enthralling those within, much like Wanda’s actions in “WandaVision.” Nevertheless, neither acts as a straightforward villain. Though their powers are misused with alarming frequency, the narrative ultimately affords them empathy and understanding.
Jean has narrative similarities with Wanda, but is her own character
Marvel Studios
Despite overlaps in their stories, notable distinctions exist between the paths of Wanda and Jean as they navigate their dicey MCU roles. Unlike Jean, Wanda’s trajectory as a villain is driven largely by external influences—her grief consumes her in “WandaVision,” and the Darkhold’s corruption in “Multiverse of Madness” manipulates her actions. This leaves her largely detached and unapologetically harsh, yet the devastating realization of her descent strikes her at the saga’s end, leading to solemn self-reflection.
Meanwhile, Jean is a more grounded figure who keeps her faculties for much of the movie, only lashing out near the end after finding out what happened to her sister Sara. Her apparent villainy is quite justified and directed entirely toward the Department of Damage Control. She only starts to torment Spider-Man after he insists on messing with her plans, and even then, a part of it seems to stem from genuine fascination toward a fellow “freak” instead of genuine antagonism. She only gets truly hostile after Spider-Man contributes to her getting caught by Damage Control, but the two mend fences after various misunderstandings are corrected and Spidey saves Jean’s life.
As such, it can be argued that while Wanda and Jean would certainly find plenty of things to talk about should they ever meet over a cup of coffee, seeing them in the same room together would also quickly reveal that the two are hardly narrative clones. Jean’s MCU introduction simply happens to use similar tropes as Wanda’s apparent MCU exit.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is now playing in theaters.
Patrick Clancy had to face a moment that shattered his world indefinitely.
During the murder trial of his former wife, Lindsay Clancy, Patrick walked out of the courtroom. Jurors were absorbed in the distressing 911 recording that captured the moment Patrick stumbled upon the tragic deaths of their children at Lindsay’s hands.
“No, no, no,” he cried out, his voice an echo of torment and disbelief, during the call played back in court on July 29, as detailed by the New York Times. He could be heard repeating, “My God.”
“Sir? Hello? Hello?” came the concerned voice of the 911 dispatcher. “What’s happening in the basement, sir?”
His screams filled more than 30 seconds of the call, noted the publication, before Patrick somberly responded, “She killed the kids.”
Lindsay is accused of strangling her children in the basement of the Duxbury, MA home in January 2023 before jumping from a second-story window.
During the nearly seven-minute 911 recording, Patrick was heard talking to a crying Lindsay, who is now paralyzed from the waist down.
“Look at me, look at me,” he was heard saying, according to the New York Times. “Lin, look at me, open your eyes.”
As the gut-wrenching call played, Lindsay—who has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder—placed her face in her hands.
Earlier in the trial, Patrick told the courtroom that when he returned from running errands the house was unusually quiet. He entered his bedroom, where he found the window open.
“I saw blood everywhere,” he testified. “It looked like, sprayed, almost like with a hose.”
Patrick said he found Lindsay in the backyard, where she told him she had attempted suicide before directing him inside to the bodies of their children.
While Lindsay has admitted to killing her children—Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and 8-month-old Callan—the prosecution and defense disagree on whether she should be held criminally responsible for their deaths.
The state has argued that Lindsay killed her children in “deliberate, premeditated and extreme atrocity and cruelty” fashion.
Meanwhile, Lindsay’s defense team claims she was experiencing postpartum psychosis when she killed her children.
“This is a woman who was suffering from psychosis at the time that she went down to that basement,” defense attorney Kevin Reddington told jurors on July 27. “She had no motive. She loved her children. She intended to kill herself. She didn’t fake that.”
Patrick has testified that Lindsay’s mental health had severely declined in the months before the killings and that she had “intrusive thoughts” about harming their children.
A newly surfaced video captures what could be the critical moments when a North Carolina woman, missing since July, potentially entered the water close by her holiday resort in Grenada.
Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell, age 43, was last observed strolling along Grand Anse Beach on July 22. The licensed physical therapist from Cary, NC, embarked on a three-week vacation with a companion but mysteriously disappeared following an afternoon swim, law enforcement officials report.
A surveillance video that Liz’s family uploaded to YouTube reveals an individual resembling Waddell walking by a pool, clutching a towel. Shortly thereafter, this person is seen nearing the water’s edge and appears to dive in for a swim.
The mystery of Liz Waddell’s vanishing act continues in Grenada.(Flavio Vallenari/Getty Images; Courtesy of Liz Waddell’s family)
Reportedly sourced from surveillance footage of an Airbnb property, the video could represent the final documented sight of Waddell alive.
In a statement, Liz’s husband, Cailen Waddell, said in part:
Liz Waddell of North Carolina vanished in Grenada.(Royal Grenada Police Force)
“Despite our exhaustive efforts, we have not been successful. After careful and thoughtful consultation with family, local authorities, the U.S. Embassy, and others here in Grenada, I join authorities in believing there was no foul play.”
He has been on the ground searching with authorities since he arrived in the island country on Friday, two days after his wife went missing.
In a news conference on Wednesday, Randy Connaught, the commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force, said they have not reached any conclusions about Waddell’s disappearance.
Liz Waddell disappeared in Grenada after appearing to go into the water.(Jan Wehnert/Getty Images)
Police have used dive teams, drones and dogs to try and locate any trace of Waddell.
The investigation remains active, with detectives continuing to pursue multiple lines of inquiry while urging anyone with information to come forward, police said.
A mysterious figure has been celebrated as a hero after rousing a slumbering Las Vegas family from the grips of peril. This unknown savior alerted them to an early morning house fire, allowing them to escape unscathed, and then vanished before anyone could capture his identity.
Grateful for their lives, the family is now on a quest to find this man. They recount how he knocked fervently at their door, shouted “Fire!” and even took up a garden hose to combat the blaze, then quietly took his leave. The family believes he is responsible for not only saving them but potentially their neighbors as well.
The blaze erupted just before dawn, around 5 a.m., on July 5, engulfing their home situated in the Las Vegas Valley.
Home security footage, which was later shared with Fox News Digital, vividly captures the inferno consuming the backyard as the flames continued to spread.
Danna Shabtai, the homeowner, recounted to Fox News Digital how she had retired for the night after urging neighborhood children not to ignite fireworks near her property on the evening of July 4.
Hours later, at 4:51 a.m., she woke to someone frantically ringing the doorbell and pounding on the front door.
“My dog started barking, so I woke up and I stumbled to the door,” Shabtai said. “I opened the door and the gentleman was yelling, ‘Fire! Fire!’”
“He pointed toward the back of the house, and I turned around and I could see the French doors to the backyard. I just saw orange — like a wall of orange.”
After realizing the fire was far more serious than she initially thought, Shabtai said her sister grabbed the family’s garden hose and rushed outside to fight the flames while she scooped up her 14-month-old son and ran next door to wake her neighbors.
“I started banging on their windows and their door trying to make noise, like, ‘Wake up! Wake up!’” Shabtai said.
She said two women joined her in pounding on the neighbors’ door until everyone inside made it out safely.
Meanwhile, the stranger grabbed a hose from the neighboring home and tried to keep the flames from spreading.
“He went to those neighbors’ house and grabbed their hose from the front yard, and he was trying to put out their fire,” Shabtai said. “So not only did he wake us up, he was trying to put out the fire with my sister.”
Shabtai believes the man’s actions prevented an even greater tragedy.
“If he wasn’t driving by at that time, I don’t know. It would have been a lot worse before we would have even noticed or woken up that there was a fire,” she said.
The family has since taken to social media in hopes of identifying the mystery man so they can thank him in person.
“You’re an angel. You saved our lives, and I’m really thankful for everything that you did,” Shabtai previously told Fox 5 Las Vegas. “You didn’t have to stop. You could have driven by and said, probably someone already called it in. But no, you took the time, and you woke us up, and you’re a hero.”
Speaking directly to the mystery man, Shabtai thanked him for stopping when others may have driven by.
“You saved probably two households and a bunch of pets because it would have been way too far gone before we would have realized,” she said. “You saved our lives. You’re a hero.”
Shabtai said she believes the fire began after children across the street continued setting off fireworks despite being asked to stop.
She said she heard debris landing on a neighbor’s gazebo and believes she saw a glowing ember drift over a roof toward the neighboring property before everyone went to bed.
She believes the ember may have smoldered for hours before igniting the fire, though officials have not determined an official cause.
In a Facebook post after the fire, Shabtai credited the unidentified passerby with saving multiple families and expressed frustration over what she believes caused the blaze.
“This is why you leave fireworks to the professionals,” she wrote. “This guy who just happened to drive by saved our lives and our neighbors’ lives. Next year I’ll be standing outside with my garden hose and hosing down any feral kids lighting up fireworks in my neighborhood.”
She later shared a video of the aftermath, writing that while her family was fortunate to remain in its home, others were not.
“Aftermath of fire. Neighbors are displaced now because of fireworks. Luckily we don’t have to leave,” she wrote.
Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) undertakes a monumental task, conducting a comprehensive count of every person and household across the nation in what is formally known as the Census of Population and Housing.
This ambitious endeavor encapsulates Australians of every age and background, bridging both bustling city landscapes and the vast rural expanses. Significantly, it extends to include holidaymakers as well as students and temporary visa holders. Often likened to taking a family photo of the country, the Census provides an unparalleled snapshot of the nation in its entirety.
This iteration of the Census is scheduled for Tuesday, 11 August. It marks a critical calendar date where every response contributes to a profound understanding of Australia’s demographic dynamics.
As Census night approaches, you might have questions. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your household is accounted for.
How do you complete the Census?
Starting in late July, households across the country will begin receiving detailed instructions on participating in the Census. Australians have the opportunity to fill out the form as soon as they receive these instructions, as long as they are certain of their whereabouts on the night of the Census.
Most people will receive a letter with instructions to complete the Census online. However, Australians can also request a paper form if they prefer.
Generally, one person per household will complete the Census, but separate forms can be requested for privacy reasons.
What is Census data used for?
Census data is used to inform decisions about language services, settlement support, transport, schools, health care, infrastructure and business. It also helps plan local services for individuals, families and communities.
SBS broadcasts and publishes across more than 60 languages, using data from the Census to ensure its audio, digital, and television offerings reflect the country’s evolving demographics.
The data is often used by researchers to study a range of topics, including population demographics, economic trends and social issues.
Do temporary visitor holders need to complete the Census?
International visitors, migrants, refugees and people on temporary visas (including international students and tourists) must also complete the Census.
People staying in hotels, motels, or bed and breakfasts can access paper Census forms from accommodation staff. Those staying in short-term rental accommodation (like an Airbnb or Stayz) can complete the Census online with internet access.
The Census is strictly confidential. Personal information such as names and addresses cannot be accessed by police, immigration agents or any government departments.
How can international visitors and students complete Census?
For international visitors and students staying in hotels, motels or student accommodation, instructions on how to complete the Census will be provided by accommodation staff.
Paper forms should be available at locations including bed and breakfasts, cruise ships, commercial vessels and snowfield accommodation.
International visitors staying in holiday rental properties (such as Airbnb or Stayz) can complete the Census online with free internet access.
People staying in remote locations or free camping sites can visit Accredited Visitor Information Centres to access Census forms. The completed survey can be mailed via the provided Reply Paid envelope.
All details, including personal information collected during the Census, are strictly confidential and protected by law. The Census must be completed in English.
What help is available to complete the Census?
Online information about the Census is also available in 26 different languages via the ABS website. However, the questionnaire must be completed in English.
People who speak a language other than English can contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) which provides access to interpreters who speak more than 150 languages.
People staying in remote and regional Australia, including fly-in fly-out workers, are expected to complete the Census.
Around 30,000 ABS field staff have been employed to ensure all Australians, including people experiencing homelessness or in hospital, can access the form. In 2021, field staff travelled more than 10 million kilometres across Australia.
Field staff will also gather Census information from people in police custody on 11 August.
The ABS confirmed to SBS News that they receive administrative data for people in detention centres and correctional facilities within Australia, which provides necessary Census details.
What if you’re travelling on Census night?
If a person is travelling within Australia on 11 August, they are still expected to complete the Census.
This includes anyone travelling overnight on a long-distance train, bus, or aircraft (including red-eye flights between Perth and the east coast), and on long-haul transport vehicles that are parked or in motion.
People must include information about where they are staying or whether they are in transit.
If an Australian is overseas on 11 August, they do not need to complete the Census.
If someone is completing the Census form at their usual address, the person travelling needs to be marked as ‘away’ but usually living at the dwelling.
Can you be fined for not completing the Census?
The Census is compulsory under the 1905 Census and Statistics Act.
If a person does not complete the Census when directed, they will receive a formal written direction to do so. If they refuse, they can be prosecuted and fined up to $364 a day.
What happens if you provide false information?
The Census asks up to 66 questions, including an individual’s gender identity, ancestry and religious affiliation.
When asked about religion during the first-ever Census in 1911, 32 people identified as “Wowser” and 21 as “Angelic”. In the 2011 Census, more than 64,000 people in Australia marked their religion as “Jedi”.
Why is everyone counted in the Census?
The ABS maintains “every response matters” during the Census and helps determine the distribution of public funds. Providing false or misleading statements or information is considered an offence and can result in a fine of up to $3,640.
Liz Allen, a demographer at the Australian National University’s Centre for Social Policy Research, said the Census is deliberately designed to provide a broad snapshot of the nation.
“It gives us an important reference point of who’s in the country at that particular time,” she told SBS News.
The Census is compulsory for all Australians, international visitors, temporary residents, migrants and refugees in the country. However, Australians who are overseas on 11 August do not complete the Census.
Generally, one person completes the form on behalf of their household.
Allen said that allows the ABS to collect information on “who might be staying over at a friend’s house or gran’s house” on Census night.
“So it’s not just a Census of people. It’s a Census of Population and Housing. It gives us essential information on … how and where we live and then housing stock in the country.”
The Census is usually completed online; however, individual and paper forms can be requested if preferred.
How to identify Census-related scams
As Census night fast approaches, Australians are being warned to look out for potential scams and report any inaccurate or suspicious information.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Scamwatch told SBS News it had recently received reports of Census-related scams involving unknown parties “impersonating” the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
“Scammers often take advantage of major events and trusted government services to make their contact seem legitimate,” a Scamwatch spokesperson said.
“Australians should take a moment to stop and check before acting.”
While the ABS said it’s currently unaware of any scams related to the upcoming Census, the national statistics agency has said cold calls, fake text messages, and phishing emails are among the tactics scammers have used in the past.
The ABS is also reminding Australians that it will never ask for information such as:
Bank details or credit card information
Money or donations
Passwords
Identity documents or a tax file number.
It’s also stressed that people will never be offered prizes or incentives for completing the Census, which is compulsory for everyone in Australia on Tuesday 11 August.
It will also never contact people via social media or ask for personal information without their consent. However, some Australians may also receive online communications if they register for updates through myGov.
