Australia news LIVE: Thirty-four Australians among hundreds missing after floods hit Nepal, Tibet; National Cabinet agrees only Australian citizens to be allowed guns

Emily KaineUpdated August 27, 2026 — 6:59am,first published 6:45amKey PostsToday’s headlinesBy Emily KaineHello and welcome to our national news live blog for Thursday, August 27. Here’s what you need to know today.Thirty-four Australians are among hundreds missing after deadly flash floods hit Nepal and Tibet. Nepal police said 157 bodies have so far been recovered, while China has reported at least three people killed and 265 missing in Tibet. More than 400 tourists are unaccounted for, from Australia, India, the US, UK and Canada.Only Australian citizens will be allowed to hold firearms licences, under changes agreed to during a meeting of National Cabinet yesterday.Inflation came in stronger than expected in July, figures released yesterday by the ABS showed.And Meta has reached a $24 billion settlement to add child safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms, to end a landmark trial over teen social media addiction and settle claims filed by 47 states in the US.A boy looks at the devastation along the Trishuli River in Nepal’s Nuwakot district.AP Photo/Niranjan ShresthaLatest Posts6.59amDFAT officials still trying to confirm welfare of Australians in Nepal, ChinaBy Emily KaineForeign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has released a statement this morning, following the news of flash floods in Nepal and Tibet.“The loss of life and destruction caused by flash flooding in Nepal and China is devastating,” she wrote in a post on X.Wong said DFAT officials were still trying to confirm the welfare of all Australians in the area.6.45amOne Nation’s Malcolm Roberts defends White Australia party in podcastBy Natassia Chrysanthos and Paul SakkalOne Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has given yet another interpretation of the party’s migration policy in an interview with an influencer associated with white supremacists whose apparent membership of One Nation has prompted the Coalition to weaponise Pauline Hanson’s links to extremists.Roberts also defended the right of the nation’s main neo-Nazi group, White Australia, to exist on free speech grounds. The remarks were made during an interview with Andre Mamet, who uses the online moniker “Ausmaxx”, posted to X on Tuesday.One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts pictured with party colleagues Pauline Hanson, Barnaby Joyce and David Farley.Alex EllinghausenMamet is a right-wing influencer who came to attention when he interviewed Hanson at a conservative conference in London in July – during the same week she met controversial far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The 19-year-old has 14,000 followers on Instagram, and 2300 on X.This masthead subsequently reported that Mamet is closely associated with figures who attended Nazi training camps. He also enjoys sponsorship from a bookstore selling Adolf Hitler texts and was a paid-up member of One Nation.One Nation did not deny Mamet was a member earlier this month. But last week, when questions were raised about Mamet condemning criminal charges against National Socialist Network leaders, One Nation claimed Mamet’s membership had lapsed.Read the full story here.6.26amGrave fears for Aussies missing after Nepal, Tibet flash floodsBy At least 157 people are dead and dozens of Australians are missing after a suspected earthquake triggered massive flash floods that swept through parts of Nepal and China.Follow along with our live coverage for the latest updates.A wall of water destroys a building at Rasuwagadhi port.X/@thenepalitruthToday’s headlinesBy Emily KaineHello and welcome to our national news live blog for Thursday, August 27. Here’s what you need to know today.Thirty-four Australians are among hundreds missing after deadly flash floods hit Nepal and Tibet. Nepal police said 157 bodies have so far been recovered, while China has reported at least three people killed and 265 missing in Tibet. More than 400 tourists are unaccounted for, from Australia, India, the US, UK and Canada.Only Australian citizens will be allowed to hold firearms licences, under changes agreed to during a meeting of National Cabinet yesterday.Inflation came in stronger than expected in July, figures released yesterday by the ABS showed.And Meta has reached a $24 billion settlement to add child safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms, to end a landmark trial over teen social media addiction and settle claims filed by 47 states in the US.A boy looks at the devastation along the Trishuli River in Nepal’s Nuwakot district.AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha1 of 1