Australia

Australia This Week: Cyclone Threat, Climate Deal and Cybercrime Warnings

From Cyclone Fina threatening the NT coast to COP31 shifting to Turkey, EU trade talks, cost-of-living risks and AFP cybercrime alerts, here’s Australia’s key news this week.

Sultanul Arefin November 21, 2025 3 minutes read

Australia has had a busy news week, with severe weather, climate diplomacy, trade talks and cybercrime all in focus. Authorities in the north are preparing for a rare November cyclone, while Canberra has struck a compromise on a key UN climate summit. At the same time, cost-of-living pressures and new security risks are keeping governments and households alert.

Cyclone Fina: Northern Territory braces for impact

Tropical Cyclone Fina has strengthened to a category two system off the Top End and is expected to make landfall near Cape Don on Saturday. Forecasts suggest it could briefly reach category three, bringing destructive winds, heavy rain, flooding and dangerous storm tides to coastal communities and the Tiwi Islands. Authorities have issued cyclone watches and warned residents to secure homes and finalise emergency plans before conditions worsen.

Climate summit COP31: Turkey to host as Australia leads talks

On the global stage, Canberra has agreed to a compromise over the 2026 UN climate conference, COP31. Turkey will host the summit in the resort city of Antalya, while Australian Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen is set to serve as president of the talks, giving Australia a central role in steering negotiations. Environmental groups say the arrangement is unusual but stress that the real test will be whether it delivers tougher commitments on phasing out fossil fuels and protecting forests.

Trade and economy: EU talks and cost-of-living risks

There is fresh hope for a long-delayed free trade agreement between Australia and the European Union, with the EU’s trade commissioner “optimistic” about a breakthrough as soon as this weekend. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is due to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, with farm exports, market access and digital rules high on the agenda. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank has kept the cash rate on hold at 3.60 per cent, but recent data showing inflation around 3 per cent and weak productivity growth suggest cost-of-living pressures will remain a major political issue.

Cybercrime and security: AFP issues new warnings

Cybercrime has also made headlines this week. The Australian Federal Police has issued an urgent warning to departing international students after crime syndicates were found offering $200–$500 for their bank accounts and identity documents, leaving them exposed to money-laundering charges, visa cancellation and long-term travel bans. In a separate move, Australia joined allies in sanctioning two Russian men and their companies for providing “bulletproof hosting” to cybercriminals, which enabled ransomware attacks, malware campaigns and scams against Australian businesses and critical infrastructure.

Sport and culture: Ashes return and fashion spotlight

In sport, attention is turning to Perth, where the 2025–26 Ashes series between Australia and England begins on Friday at Optus Stadium. Steve Smith will captain Australia in place of injured fast bowler Pat Cummins, while Ben Stokes leads an England side chasing its first Ashes series win in Australia since 2011. On the cultural front, Vogue has confirmed more major names, including Hailey Bieber, for its “Forces of Fashion” event at the Sydney Opera House in February 2026, highlighting Sydney’s growing profile on the global fashion calendar and offering a lighter counterpoint to a week dominated by storms, economic worries and cybercrime alerts.

Image: Bureau of Meteorology