Saga.zine

28/08/2026

Australia is officially the third-richest country in the world in 2026.

Australians are now typically wealthier than Americans, Brits and the Swiss by median wealth.

New research from UBS's Global Wealth Report 2026 puts Australia 3rd globally for median wealth per adult (US$210,783) — ahead of the US, UK and Switzerland — and 5th for average wealth (US$616,306).

Household wealth here grew 22.3% over the past year, the second-fastest pace of any region on the planet. Australia also added more than 25,000 new millionaires in 2025 alone - more than one every 20 minutes.

What is your view?

Read the full breakdown: https://sagatimes.com.au/post/ustralia-third-richest-country-median-wealth-ubs-2026/

Australia is now the world's third-richest nation by median wealth, according to UBS's 2026 Global Wealth Report, with household wealth up 22% in a year.

28/08/2026

Messages of support have poured in for the fifteen Australians named as missing after devastating floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border this week.

They include a Sydney family of four travelling together on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, and two young brothers who play for the West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Cricket Club. The Australian government has confirmed 39 Australians are missing, and has committed $5 million in aid to the affected region.

Families seeking information can contact DFAT’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135, or +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas.

Fifteen Indian Australians, are among the 39 Australians missing after catastrophic floods hit the Nepal-Tibet border. Here's what we know.

27/08/2026

At least 34 Australians are missing after catastrophic floods swept through the Nepal-Tibet border region, with the death toll now above 160.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says DFAT is working urgently to confirm the whereabouts of Australians who were part of separate pilgrimage and trekking groups in the area.

If you have concerns about family or friends who may be in the affected region, DFAT's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre can be reached on 1300 555 135 (or +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas).

Full story — link in comments 🔗

27/08/2026

Chris Minns hasn't embarked on an official overseas trip since becoming Premier in 2023. When he finally does, it's India first.

He's taking Treasurer Daniel Mookhey to Delhi and Mumbai from August 31, with a side trip to Bengaluru and a stop in Nepal on the way back.

$6.87 billion in trade, 28,000+ students, and an Indian community- that, he says, is a big part of what makes multicultural NSW work.

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will travel to India and Nepal from August 31, in Minns' first overseas trip since becoming Premier.

24/08/2026

What does "Indigenous cinema" even mean in India? Curator Meenakshi Shedde admits — nobody fully agrees.

At IFFM in Melbourne this week, she sat down with Naga filmmaker Theja Rio, whose debut feature is heading to the Toronto Film Festival, to talk about reclaiming Indigenous narratives, the weight of colonial history in Nagaland, and why even filmmakers from inside a community are still "reimagining" as much as remembering.

At IFFM Melbourne 2026, Naga filmmaker Theja Rio and curator Meenakshi Shedde unpack what it means to tell Indigenous Indian stories from the inside

14/08/2026

Big news for anyone flying between Melbourne and India: Air India is expanding the Delhi–Melbourne route in two stages — daily flights from 1 September, then a jump to 11 flights a week by 28 October, with First Class suites and flat-bed Business seats now standard on the route.

It's a solid turnaround after the airline had trimmed the route back to four flights a week earlier this year due to rising fuel costs.

For Australia's Indian community, this comes right as Diwali travel season ramps up. For other travellers, it means more connections to Europe via Delhi.

Have you flown Air India's new 777 out of Melbourne yet? How was the experience — worth the switch from Singapore Airlines or Qantas? Let us know below. 👇

Air India to fly Melbourne route daily from September, will add four more weekly services by late October

13/08/2026

The MCG is asking Victorians to help decide its future. Early plans floated a possible $2 billion makeover, including knocking down and rebuilding the Shane Warne Stand, plus a boutique hotel and skyline bars.

Nothing's locked in yet, but you've got until Sunday 13 September to have your say on what Melbourne's beloved MCG should look like for the next generation.

What do you think about plans for the "G"?

Melbourne’s Iconic MCG Wants Your Opinion About Its Future - And You've Got A Month To Give It

13/08/2026

Barnaby Joyce has distanced One Nation from a candidate's anti-gay remarks by calling his own party "one of the gayest in Australia."

Parminder Singh, who ran third on One Nation's WA Legislative Council ticket in 2025, said gay people have a "mental illness" and that same-sex marriage shouldn't have been legalised in an interview that's since gone viral.

One Nation has quietly removed Singh's profile from its website. Joyce said he doesn't have the power to disendorse him.

Should One Nation be doing more?

Barnaby Joyce says One Nation is "one of the gayest parties in Australia" after distancing the party from WA candidate Parminder Singh's homophobic remarks.

12/08/2026

Australia’s Uber, DoorDash Drivers Win Minimum $31.30 An Hour in World-First Ruling, Amazon's Delay Bid Rejected

Uber and DoorDash delivery drivers in Australia just scored what the union is calling a "historic" win. The Fair Work Commission has ruled that delivery drivers must be paid a minimum of $31.30 - $32 an hour depending on their vehicle and be insured for on-the-job injuries, effective August 17, 2026.

The Fair Work Commission also knocked back a request from Amazon to delay the full rollout.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine called it a "world-leading set of standards" that will give food, drink and grocery delivery drivers rights and protections for the first time.

It's not a straight hourly wage like other employees. Riders are still paid per delivery. We break down what it actually means for drivers. Read the full breakdown.

Tell us how this change affects you.

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) ruled that Uber and DoorDash delivery drivers across Australia must be paid a minimum rate of $31.30 and be insured for on-the-job injuries, effective August 17, 2026.

11/08/2026

Sydney’s ‘Birdman’ Laid To Rest, Eight Months After Death In Hyde Park

Eight months after "the birdman" of Hyde Park was found dead, his family in Nepal have been able to say their final goodbye.

Bikram Lama, 32, was a former international student who ended up sleeping rough in Sydney's CBD after his visa expired. His body wasn't discovered for a week, and it took a community crowdfunding campaign to bring him home.

Sydney MP Alex Greenwich has called for a coronial inquest, saying Bikram's death exposes "a glaring gap" in how Australia supports non-residents experiencing homelessness.

Bikram Lama, the Nepalese student who died sleeping rough in Sydney's CBD, was laid to rest by family in Nepal last week - eight months after his body was found in Hyde Park.