27 October 2026An earthquake off South Australia, the first AUKUS submarine revealed, and Israel and Brazil vote.
Featured image: Victor Harbor, South Australia. Photo: Jack Alexander jackalexander_, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
In brief
- Magnitude 4.9 earthquake felt across Adelaide
- First AUKUS submarine to deploy to Australia revealed
- Signals Directorate reports 20 per cent rise in cyber incidents
- Security upgrades for politicians’ offices
- Israelis vote in first election since the 7 October attacks
- Lula wins fourth term in Brazil
- Attack on Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia
Top story: A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck in waters off South Australia just before 8am, felt across Adelaide and surrounding regions.
Australia
1. Magnitude 4.9 earthquake felt across Adelaide
Geoscience Australia said the quake struck just before 8am on Tuesday in waters south of Victor Harbor. Residents across the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula and Murraylands reported feeling it, and there were no reports of damage or injury.
2. First AUKUS submarine to deploy to Australia revealed
The first nuclear-powered submarine to deploy to Australia under AUKUS is USS Colorado, a 10-year-old Virginia-class vessel. It will be based at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia from late 2027. Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie raised the lack of a warranty on the used vessels at a Senate estimates hearing.
3. Signals Directorate reports 20 per cent rise in cyber incidents
The Australian Signals Directorate’s annual report said it responded to 1,500 incidents in 2025-26, with medium-sized businesses hit hardest. Director-General Abigail Bradshaw said outdated hardware and software remain a key weakness and that criminals are using AI to scale attacks. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles urged businesses to update and harden their systems.
4. Security upgrades for politicians’ offices
Nine politicians’ offices are being made safer following the alleged attack on an MP last week. Liberal MP Leon Rebello said there is a significant gap in security for less well-known MPs compared with senior parliamentarians.
Around the World
5. Israelis vote in first election since the 7 October attacks
Polls opened for Israel’s first national election since 7 October 2023, widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Opinion polls showed his coalition and the opposition neck and neck, with no clear path to a majority in the 120-seat parliament. Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot is Netanyahu’s main challenger.
6. Lula wins fourth term in Brazil
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won Brazil’s presidential runoff by more than 4.4 million votes. Flavio Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party recognised the result, though he alleged voting irregularities and said he would pursue legal action.
7. Attack on Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia
An unidentified armed group attacked Orthodox Christian churches and homes in Shirka district in Oromia state, south of Addis Ababa. Residents and conflict monitors said at least 40 people died and at least 18 were injured.
