Michael West

1 week ago | michaelwest.com.au | Michael West

Australian universities have sunk down a prestigious world rankings list, although many have spun their declines as positives. University of Melbourne retained its position as the top-rated Australian institution in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. But it took a six-place slide against overseas educational facilities, slipping from 13th to 19th in the world. University of NSW ranked 20th, down from 19th in the 2025 edition, while Sydney University dropped seven spots to 25th.

1 week ago | antinuclear.net | Michael West |Christina MacPherson

Warmongering Marles commits Australia to US war against China amid Iran mayhem. Let’s never forget the truth, that Iran is compliant with its international nuclear reporting; Israel is not. Israel doesn’t even allow the IAEA to check their nuclear facilities, Iran is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, unlike Israel. It is not the generals emblazoned with their medals who will pay the price if we march off to another worthless American war.

1 week ago | michaelwest.com.au | Michael West

Australia’s jobless rate is tipped to remain low, while those seeking new work are in line for a boost to their pay packets. Labour force figures for May, to be released on Thursday, are tipped to show the unemployment rate hold steady at 4.1 per cent. Economists predict about 20,000 new jobs will be added to the economy for the month, following a bumper increase of 89,000 in April.

1 week ago | michaelwest.com.au | Michael West

As the threat of missiles fly overhead, Australians in Israel are vowing to continue living their lives as normally as possible in an act of defiance. For Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian, life in the days since Israel launched strikes on Iran and triggered waves of missile fire in retaliation has been spent in and out of underground bunkers. With only minutes to shelter as sirens signal the arrival of projectiles, sleep has come in dribs and drabs for her family.

1 week ago | michaelwest.com.au | Michael West

Australia’s chances of tariff exemptions remain uncertain as the prime minister returns from an overseas trip without having spoken to Donald Trump. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s much-anticipated plans to hold his first in-person meeting the US president were thrown into chaos because of escalating tensions in the Middle East. The two were expected to speak on the sidelines of the G7 in Canada during the summit’s final day to discuss trade, tariffs and defence.