June 11, 2025 - Buzzline Press Release

Grey metal standing ashtray crammed with cigarette butts in the corner of a concrete stairwell beside a slatted railing.

Burning a Hole in the Wallet: Aussie Cigarette Tax Hits Tipping Point, Fuels Black Market Boom

Omar Al-Fahad / June 11, 2025

Tobacco excise has pushed the average pack to about $40 and fuelled a booming black market, with economists split on whether to freeze the tax.

Pedestrian bridge lit in blue across a dark river at night, its spiky mast-and-cable structure reflected in the water beside a riverside path.

Brisbane, Australia

Brisbane Festival 2025: A Dazzling Display of Art, Culture, and Community

Omar Al-Fahad / June 11, 2025

Brisbane Festival 2025 runs from 5 to 27 September, with Craig & Karl’s inflatable installations taking over three city bridges.

Ornate wrought-iron gates between stone pillars inscribed to the memory of William Gilbert Grace, with a floodlight tower and grandstand behind.

Cricket, Australia, Sports

Cricket in the Cold: Aussies Chase Glory at Lord’s While Footy Fans Shiver

Omar Al-Fahad / June 11, 2025

Australia meet South Africa at Lord’s in the World Test Championship final, with Josh Hazlewood preferred to Scott Boland and Cameron Green batting at three.

Bronze-clad oval stadium under a blue sky streaked with wispy cloud, with a curved footbridge structure and an empty plaza in front.

Australia, Sports

Socceroos Soar to 2026: From Shaky Start to Smooth Sailing

Omar Al-Fahad / June 11, 2025

The Socceroos qualified for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, capped by a late penalty save from Mat Ryan.

Aerial photograph of a red-seated football stadium on the bank of a wide river, surrounded by terraced houses, with a cricket ground in the distance.

Football, Sports

England’s Shocker at the City Ground: Senegal’s Historic 3-1 Victory

Omar Al-Fahad / June 11, 2025

England lost 3-1 to Senegal at the City Ground, their first defeat by an African nation, with Cheikh Sabaly sealing the win in stoppage time.

Exterior of the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre, a blue and white angular building with its name on the facade above a colourful red and blue mural hoarding.

Sports, Australia

Sienna Toohey: From Water Polo Wannabe to Breaststroke Boss

Omar Al-Fahad / June 11, 2025

Sixteen-year-old Sienna Toohey won the 100m breaststroke at the Australian trials in a personal-best 1:06.55 to qualify for the world championships in Singapore.