Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah has accepted an invitation to appear at the 2027 Adelaide Writers' Week. The Adelaide Festival confirmed the news as it unveiled its next program. In January, the festival board removed her from the 2026 program, citing her past statements, a decision the Festival Corporation later apologised for. The 2027 festival will run from February 25 to March 14 and includes West End play Oedipus and Bela Bartok's opera Bluebeard's Castle.
The United States has revealed the USS Colorado as the first nuclear submarine to deploy to Australia under the AUKUS pact. The submarine will be based at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia from late 2027, Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a joint statement. It is the first of up to four US submarines, plus one from Britain, expected to rotate through the base. The plan has drawn criticism after the US said it would supply second-hand vessels rather than the new submarines first promised.
The United States has named USS Colorado as the first nuclear submarine to deploy to Australia under the AUKUS agreement. The 10-year-old Virginia-class vessel will be based at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia from late 2027, Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a joint statement. It is the first of up to four American submarines and one British submarine due to rotate through the base. The announcement follows criticism that the US would supply second-hand vessels rather than the brand-new submarine first promised. The statement says the arrangement will comply with relevant non-proliferation treaties.
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Singapore Airlines has increased its direct services to Adelaide to 12 flights a week, adding 1,328 seats. The expanded schedule began on 25 October, making the airline the international carrier with the most weekly year-round flights to Adelaide, according to the South Australian Government. The extra flights will also expand air freight capacity for exporters shipping seafood, meat and other premium produce. Minister for Tourism Chris Picton said the service would give visitors more seats and local businesses greater freight capacity. The actual benefits will depend on demand and how the added capacity is used.
A magnitude-4.9 earthquake struck waters south of Adelaide at about 7:50am, according to Geoscience Australia. The preliminary quake was about 10 kilometres deep and roughly 100 kilometres offshore, between Kangaroo Island and the south-east coast. Residents from Adelaide to Kingston SE and Beachport reported rattling and shaking that lasted several seconds. Geoscience Australia senior seismologist Jonathan Bathgate said aftershocks were possible but the quake was unlikely to trigger a tsunami.
French Ambassador to Australia David Martinon has visited The Briars on the Mornington Peninsula to view its Napoleonic collection. He was joined by Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie, mayor Stephen Batty and deputy mayor Paul Pingiaro. The collection dates to the Balcombe family, who befriended Napoleon during his exile on St Helena in 1815. The homestead is due to reopen later this year after restoration works, with a dedicated exhibition of the collection planned.
Adelaide residents are being urged not to release koi carp or unwanted goldfish into the River Torrens. More than a dozen suspected koi were seen at Hackney last week, with a smaller number upstream at Dernancourt. Green Adelaide suspects members of the public released the fish. Koi are a noxious species in South Australia and cannot be owned without a permit. Dumping koi, goldfish or other non-native fish in South Australian rivers can attract fines of up to $120,000. Green Adelaide says koi compete with native fish for food and disturb river plants.
A three-bedroom property at 20 East Ave, Northfield, failed to sell at auction last week despite earlier valuations above its $900,000 price guide. Selling agent Andrew Simpson of OC Real Estate said few inquiries came in and developers now think the Northfield market has become too hot. He said the number of people attending open homes has dropped sharply and buyers are cautious about whether prices have bottomed. The house was extensively damaged by vandals and squatters, whom police had to evict. The property is now back on the market via private treaty at $900,000.
Analysts and big energy users say loopholes in a proposed federal gas reservation scheme could let Santos escape its obligations. Under the plan, exporters would set aside up to 20 per cent of their production for the domestic market each year. Union leader Paul Farrow warned the draft laws could allow paper supplies and wide ministerial discretion. Santos has been accused of driving up east coast prices by buying large volumes of local gas to export. Industry lobby Australian Energy Producers argued the policy goes too far and could reduce supply.
The AFL has released its 2027 Gather Round fixtures, with Adelaide and South Australia hosting a weekend of football. The Crows are expected to open proceedings on Friday night and Port Adelaide to close on Sunday afternoon. Some supporters had feared the draw would include weak matches, but the writer argues the league has delivered strong contests. Highlights include Adelaide against Brisbane, Collingwood against Sydney, Carlton against Melbourne, and Port Adelaide against the Western Bulldogs, featuring Zak Butters' return. Only two games were judged less appealing.
Five emerging innovators have been selected for the evokeAG 2027 Groundbreakers Program. Their projects target rural workforce shortages, high chemical spray costs and livestock disease. Bovision is developing computer vision technology to monitor cattle health in feedlots, while WeedSelector uses cameras to spot spray target weeds. Agriculture Jobs Auswide connects job seekers with primary producers. Over four months, the group will receive leadership development and networking before presenting at the national evokeAG event in Adelaide.
Farmers and residents in the Adelaide Hills are fiercely opposing a proposed multibillion-dollar data centre at Tungkillo, east of Adelaide. Developer Quantum DC plans a 1200-megawatt facility across a 220-hectare site, with infrastructure on about 120 hectares and the rest kept for grazing. Locals fear harm to livestock, pollinators and the natural environment. They object to the proposed 15-day public submission period under the state's Essential Infrastructure assessment process and have started a petition. Quantum DC says environmental and heritage studies are underway to minimise impacts.
Adelaide businessman Rob Cammarano says organised crime figures are trying to force him out of Career Boss, a labour-hire firm recruiting workers for the $15.4 billion Torrens to Darlington project. He says his home was shot at and his businesses were targeted in arson attacks. Police taskforce Operation Endurance is investigating, with detectives believing those responsible took direction from senior underworld figures. The allegations were referred to the project team, which found no evidence of criminal involvement. The state's anti-corruption commission will evaluate the Infrastructure and Transport Department.
Cadel Evans says it would be possible for a Grand Tour cycling stage to start in Australia, though the distance is a major hurdle. Tour Down Under race director Stuart O'Grady has been trying to attract Tadej Pogačar to Adelaide for several years. Pogačar's manager recently visited and spoke well of the race. If Pogačar returned, he would likely also race at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in Geelong. Evans also praised Pogačar's record of success.
Convicted paedophile Allan Hopkins, 47, has been arrested and extradited to South Australia. He was arrested in New South Wales in May 2024 after a police appeal for information. Hopkins is wanted in South Australia over alleged serious sexual offending against a child under 18. Police also said he was wanted for alleged offending in Victoria and Queensland. He is due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
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Convicted paedophile Allan Hopkins, 47, has been arrested and extradited to South Australia. He was arrested in New South Wales in May 2024 after a police appeal for information. Hopkins is wanted in South Australia over alleged serious sexual offending against a child under 18. Police also said he was wanted for alleged offending in Victoria and Queensland. He is due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The Sydney Sixers have launched their season at North Sydney Olympic Pool, marking the club's 15th anniversary. The side will play four home games at North Sydney Oval over the summer. The Summer Session and Community Round returns after last year's record crowd of 5,023 fans, with live entertainment and double-header matches. Captain Ash Gardner said the team hopes to turn North Sydney Oval into a fortress after struggling there for some time. The club is also visiting local schools, with a clinic planned at Neutral Bay Public School.
Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson has revealed that a handwritten note from Channel 7 commentator Hamish McLachlan moved him to tears after his brother's death earlier this year. Speaking on the Dyl and Friends podcast, Dawson paid tribute to his wife Milly and to his club for their support. Jaryd Dawson was found dead in Robe in South Australia's south east in April. Dawson said teammates drove almost four hours to be with him, and that former Geelong captain Joel Selwood and former teammate Sam Jacobs had also helped him through the loss.
Former Tour de France champion Cadel Evans says it would be possible for a Grand Tour stage to start in Australia, though he would not want to tell the riders. He said the idea has been discussed before, and that some Grand Tours are considering stages in America. Evans also said Tadej Pogacar may return to race in Australia, with Tour Down Under race director Stuart O'Grady having sought to bring him to Adelaide for several years. Evans praised Pogacar as the greatest of all time in his sport.
