The South Texas home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket company is on its way to becoming an official city with a galactic name: Starbase.

A vote on Saturday to formally organise Starbase as a city was being approved by a lopsided margin by a small group of voters who live there and are mostly Musk’s employees at SpaceX.

Starbase is the facility and launch site for the SpaceX rocket program that is under contract with the US Department of Defense and NASA that hopes to send astronauts back to the moon and someday to Mars.

Musk first floated the idea of Starbase in 2021 and approval of the new city was all but certain. Of the 283 eligible voters in the area, most are believed to be Starbase workers.

The billionaire’s popularity has diminished since he became the chain-saw-wielding public face of President Donald Trump’s federal job and spending cuts, and profits at his Tesla car company have plummeted.

SpaceX has generally drawn widespread support from local officials for its jobs and investment but the creation of an official company town has also drawn critics who worry it will expand Musk’s personal control over the area, with potential authority to close a popular beach and state park for launches.

Companion efforts to the city vote include bills in the state Legislature to shift that authority from the county to the new town’s mayor and city council.

All these measures come as SpaceX is asking federal authorities for permission to increase the number of South Texas launches from five to 25 a year.

The city at the southern tip of Texas near the Mexico border is only about four square kilometres, crisscrossed by a few roads and dappled with airstream trailers and modest mid-century homes.

SpaceX officials have said little about exactly why they to want a company town and did not respond to emailed requests for comment.

“We need the ability to grow Starbase as a community,” Starbase General Manager Kathryn Lueders wrote to local officials in 2024, with the request to get the city issue on the ballot.

The letter said the company already manages roads and utilities, as well as “the provisions of schooling and medical care” for those living on the property.

SpaceX officials say granting the city authority to close the beach would streamline launch operations.

SpaceX rocket launches and engine tests, and even just moving certain equipment around the launch base requires the closure of a local highway and access to Boca Chica State Park and Boca Chica Beach.

The South Texas Environmental Justice Network, which has organised protests against the city vote and the beach access issue, plan to hold another protest as the polls close.

Labor’s landslide election victory is still sinking in for the party faithful as Anthony Albanese secures an expanded mandate while the coalition licks its wounds.

Increasing its majority in parliament with a resounding victory, Labor has gained a second term in office with large swings across marginal electorates and in former Liberal heartland seats.

With 71 per cent of the vote counted, Labor has won 85 seats with the coalition going backwards to sit on 37 seats, while 18 seats remain in doubt.

Among the significant wins for Labor was Peter Dutton’s electorate of Dickson, as he became the first opposition leader to lose his seat at an election.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Mr Albanese will go down in history as a Labor hero following the result.

“This was beyond even our most optimistic expectations,” he told ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday.

“It was a history-making night, it was one for the ages.

“This victory does come as well with healthy helpings of humility, because we know that there are a lot of challenges to address in our economy.”

With expanded numbers in the House of Representatives, Dr Chalmers said Labor was able to implement its “ambitious” agenda.

“One of the reasons why we got this big majority last night is because people recognise that if you wanted stability while the global economy was going crazy, then a majority Labor government was the best way to deliver that,” he said.

The coalition crashed to its lowest-ever primary vote and could record a historic low number of seats, resulting in party soul-searching as the Liberals begin the process of electing a new leader.

Liberal Keith Wolahan, who is on track to lose his Victorian seat of Menzies after one term, said the party needed to rebuild.

“It was clear our party has an issue in urban Australia, which is where most people live … so we need to turn our mind to that like we have never done before,” he said.

“We need to really dig deep and think about who we are and who we fight for and who makes up Australia.”

Nationals leader David Littleproud said Labor had run the stronger campaign, which made it hard to prosecute the case for a coalition government.

“They ran a campaign where, effectively, they destroyed the character of Peter Dutton, that he became effectively unelectable, not only his own seat, but across the country,” he told Sky News.

The outgoing Liberal leader said he would take full responsibility for the election loss as the coalition looks to rebuild.

“We didn’t do well enough during this campaign, that much is obvious,” Mr Dutton told party supporters in Brisbane on Saturday.

“There are good members, good candidates, who have lost their seats or their ambition and I’m sorry for that.”

Mr Wolahan said the impact of US President Donald Trump’s policies had also cost the coalition votes.

Labor senator Don Farrell said Mr Albanese had run a flawless election campaign.

“(Voters) saw that the prime minister had a vision for this country, he was looking forward, whereas the Liberals were looking backwards,” he said.

Independents also enjoyed strong results, with “teal” candidates poised to expand their foothold with Nicole Boele ahead in the formerly Liberal-held Sydney seat of Bradfield.

But Saturday’s election saw the Greens go backwards, recording a slight fall in primary votes and the likely loss of at least two of its Brisbane seats.

Party leader Adam Bandt also suffered a significant swing against him in his seat of Melbourne, although he was slightly ahead of his Labor challenger in the count.

World leaders congratulated Mr Albanese on his election victory, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio among those sending well-wishes.

with Reuters

Anthony Albanese is savouring the spoils of victory after a landslide win that saw Labor consolidate its power across the country as the coalition counts the cost.

The prime minister has secured a second term in office with Labor increasing its majority in a decisive result.

With 70 per cent of the vote counted, Labor has won 85 seats with the coalition going backwards to sit on 35 seats, while 19 seats remain in doubt.

Labor saw large swings across multiple states, booting the coalition out of all seats in Tasmania and Adelaide, while making significant gains in opposition heartland in Queensland.

Among the significant wins for Labor was Peter Dutton’s electorate of Dickson, as he became the first opposition leader to lose his seat at an election.

Labor national president Wayne Swan said the victory was one of the party’s most resounding.

“This is certainly one for the history books, we haven’t seen anything like this, possibly since 1993, if ever, ” he told ABC Radio on Sunday.

“This is an incredibly substantial achievement for a political leader in the circumstances in which we found ourselves.”

Labor senator Don Farrell said Mr Albanese had run a flawless election campaign.

“(Voters) saw that the prime minister had a vision for this country, he was looking forward, whereas the Liberals were looking backwards,” he told Sky News.

“People have accepted that we need to look forward when we need to look to the future.”

Despite winning back-to-back elections, Mr Albanese said there was no time to waste in achieving a second-term agenda.

“From (Sunday), back at work … we take up this task with new hope, new confidence and new determination,” he told the Labor Party faithful in Sydney on Saturday night.

The coalition will be soul searching following its election defeat, with the party plunging to one of its lowest primary votes in history and also losing its leader.

Nationals leader David Littleproud said Labor had run a stronger campaign, which it made it hard to prosecute the case for a coalition government.

“They ran a campaign where, effectively, they destroyed the character of Peter Dutton, that he became effectively unelectable, not only his own seat, but across the country,” he told Sky News.

The outgoing Liberal leader said he would take full responsibility for the election loss as the coalition looks to rebuild.

“We didn’t do well enough during this campaign, that much is obvious,” Mr Dutton told party supporters in Brisbane on Saturday.

“There are good members, good candidates, who have lost their seats or their ambition and I’m sorry for that.”

Labor senator Murray Watt said the election win went beyond best-case scenarios envisaged by the party.

“You heard a lot of humility from the prime minister last night, and that’s the way we intend to govern over the next three years, but it’s a fantastic win, there’s no doubt about it,” he told Seven’s Sunrise program on Sunday.

Saturday’s election also saw the Greens go backwards, with the party set to lose some of the three seats in Brisbane, while leader Adam Bandt’s electorate in Melbourne was also in jeopardy.

World leaders have congratulated Mr Albanese on his election victory.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would continue to work closely with his Australian counterpart.

“Congratulations to Anthony Albanese on your election win. The UK and Australia are as close as ever, which goes to show that long-distance friendship can be the strongest,” he said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Mr Albanese on his election victory and said the United States looked forward to deepening the bilateral relationship.

with Reuters

What began as a low-key Saturday morning jog around the local park has evolved into a nationwide movement inspiring Australians to lace up and hit the road.

The free, timed 5km parkrun held weekly in well over 500 locations around the country has given rise to a new breed of weekend warrior: the parkrun tourist. 

These dedicated runners travel far and wide to tick off new events, tackle tough courses and earn unofficial titles like “statesperson” – someone who has completed all the courses in their state, of which there are 172 nationwide.

Kate Corner proudly qualifies for this status, having conquered all 54 parkrun locations in South Australia as well as 34 others across the country as part of a 256-event ‘tour’. 

“I’m certainly one of those that has planned more than one family holiday around where we’re going to be on a Saturday morning and this parkrun we will attend,” Ms Corner tells AAP.

Parkrun tourism has spawned online communities, where members share travel advice, course tips and brag about their latest conquests.

Some caravan parks and Airbnbs now advertise their proximity to local parkrun events, tapping into the growing enthusiasm.

Next in Ms Corner’s sights is the coveted “alphabeteer” title – someone who has completed a course at locations starting with each letter of the alphabet, with the exception of X because there isn’t one.

“We’re reasonably fortunate in South Australia in that we cover off most of the alphabet but there’s certainly a few letters that you have to travel interstate for if you want to collect,” she says.

“I’m just missing a ‘U’ now. I keep trying to convince my family we need to travel somewhere that just happens to have one.”

While it may not have a ‘U’, South Australia does boasts some of the country’s toughest courses, she says.

Cleland parkrun in the Adelaide Hills features a brutal out-and-back course with a steep 2.5km climb. Another course is infamous for it’s ominously – an apparently accurately – titled Torture Hill.

“There’s no relief. You just keep going up and up.”

Despite the increasing competitiveness, community spirit remains central.

Ms Corner’s nine-year-old son Lachlan has joined her at every parkrun she’s done – the first four years in a pram, now on foot.

She even helped launch the state’s first junior parkrun to get more kids involved.

The ripple effect is being felt in regional towns too, with parkrun tourists bringing tourism dollars and social connection.

“If the locals know that you’re coming for parkrun, quite often they’ll make recommendations about where to have dinner or even to meet you for dinner,” she says.

Ms Corner feels it on the reverse side too – when people come to Adelaide and participate.

“There’s a sense of pride, to show off your course when visitors come and choose your event,” she says.

Joining the local parkrun is a way to fast track and elevate your travel experience by combining sightseeing with social connection, parkrun’s Asia Pacific spokesman Glen Turner says.

“Rather than just going to the information centre or having a random discussion with somebody, you’ve got a community of people there and you’ve got something in common with them as well,” he tells AAP.

“You can just rock up to any parkrun in the world with your barcode. You know what you’re going to get.”

“And people in those locations love to have parkrun tourists come through that they can show off their part of the country.

“It’s a real shared experience … a great icebreaker.”

It’s also great for local business, he adds.

“They’re going into the town, they’re staying there, they’re to have coffee after parkrun, having lunch, they’re staying a bit longer than they might have … all of that is contributing to the economy,” he says.

“parkrun is a community asset … everybody is always trying to make their parkrun more visible.”

Officials have stopped the clock on 1,220,085 competitors as they crossed the finish line 20,289,373 times since parkrun kicked off in Australia in 2011.

And that’s without counting the latest Saturday run numbers, which are yet to be crunched.

Runs are currently staged in 518 locations across the nation, making for some 169,000 events over the past 14 years.

It’s an achievement that doesn’t happen without help, namely from the more than 180,000 volunteers involved.

Parkrun runners have recorded personal best times 2,875,149 times, with the average time over the five kilometre course, 33 minutes, 24 seconds.

More than 5300 groups participate in the parkrun fun.

Romanians will vote in the first round of a presidential election that could propel hard-right Eurosceptic George Simion to power in a ballot that will test the rise of Donald-Trump-style nationalism in the European Union.

Simion, 38, opposes military aid to neighbouring Ukraine, is critical of the EU leadership and says he is aligned with the US president’s Make America Great Again movement.

Five months after a first attempt to hold the election was cancelled after the first round because of alleged Russian interference in favour of far-right frontrunner Calin Georgescu, since banned from standing again, his heir apparent Simion leads opinion polls, riding a wave of popular anger.

Voting starts at 7am on Sunday and ends at 9pm (4am Monday AEST).

The large contingent of Romanians abroad, where Simion is popular, began voting on Friday, with the early turnout more than twice that of November’s cancelled first round.

Simion is polling at around 30 per cent, a comfortable lead but well short of the 50 per cent he needs to avoid a run-off on May 18.

Political analysts said an ultimate victory for Simion could isolate the country, erode private investment and destabilise NATO’s eastern flank, where Romania’s neighbour Ukraine is fighting a Russian invasion.

Simion’s main rivals are two centrists, former senator Crin Antonescu, 65, backed by the three parties in the current pro-Western government, and Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, 55, running as an independent on an anti-corruption platform.

Both are pro-EU and pro-NATO and back Ukraine. Victor Ponta, a former leftist prime minister who has turned conservative nationalist, is ranked fourth but could prove a dark horse.

Simion is not the only MAGA-style politician seeking election in central Europe. Karol Nawrocki, the presidential candidate backed by Poland’s main nationalist opposition party in a presidential election on May 18, met Trump this week.

If elected, they would expand a cohort of Eurosceptic leaders that already includes the Hungarian and Slovak prime ministers.

“Romania and Poland are two important countries for the United States,” Simion told Reuters on Friday.

“We represent partners and we represent allies, both military and politically, to the current (US) administration. This is why it is important for MAGA presidents to be in charge in Bucharest and Warsaw.”

The Trump administration has accused Romania of suppressing political opposition and lacking democratic values after November’s election was cancelled. A team of US observers were in Bucharest for Sunday’s vote.

Warren Buffett has shocked an arena full of his shareholders by announcing that he wants to retire at the end of the year.

Buffett, 94, said on Saturday he will recommend to Berkshire Hathaway’s board that Greg Abel should become CEO at the end of the year. 

“I think the time has arrived where Greg should become the Chief Executive Officer of the company at year end,” Buffett said.

Abel has been Buffett’s designated successor for years and he already manages all of Berkshire’s non-insurance businesses. 

But it was always assumed that he wouldn’t take over until after Buffett’s death. 

Previously the 94-year-old investor has always said he had no plans to retire.

Buffett announced the news at the end of a five-hour question and answer period and didn’t take any questions about it. 

He said the only board members who knew this was coming were his two children, Howard and Susie Buffett. 

Abel, who was sitting next to Buffett on stage, had no warning.

Many investors have said they believe Abel will do a good job running Berkshire, but it remains to be seen how good he will be at investing Berkshire’s cash. 

Buffett also endorsed him on Saturday by pledging to keep his fortune invested in the company.

“I have no intention — zero — of selling one share of Berkshire Hathaway. I will give it away eventually,” Buffett said. 

“The decision to keep every share is an economic decision because I think the prospects of Berkshire will be better under Greg’s management than mine.”

Thousands of investors in the Omaha arena gave Buffett a prolonged standing ovation after his announcement in recognition of his 60 years leading the company.

Buffett earlier warned that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs were harmful.

Buffett said Trump’s trade policies have raised the risk of global instability by angering the rest of the world. 

“We should be looking to trade with the rest of the world. We should do what we do best and they should do what they do best,” he said.

With an expanded majority and an increased mandate, Anthony Albanese has pledged to hit the ground running in his second term after a decisive election win.

Labor stormed home to victory in a landslide, winning a swathe of seats across multiple states and unseating Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in his own electorate in the process.

Expanding on its majority in the House of Representatives, Labor claimed 87 seats, while the coalition picked up 40 as its primary vote plunged to almost historic lows.

Despite winning back-to-back elections, Mr Albanese said there was no time to waste in achieving a second-term agenda.

“From (Sunday), back at work … we take up this task with new hope, new confidence and new determination,” he told the Labor Party faithful in Sydney on Saturday.

“Together, we are turning the corner, and together, we will make our way forward, with no one held back and no one left behind.”

Labor recorded large swings across Queensland, Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania, making significant gains in former coalition heartland.

Among the biggest victories was Labor’s Ali France defeating Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in his Brisbane-based electorate of Dickson.

Ms France won the seat after three attempts, with Mr Dutton being the first opposition leader to lose his electorate at a federal election.

The outgoing Liberal leader said he would take full responsibility for the election loss as the coalition looks to rebuild.

“We didn’t do well enough during this campaign, that much is obvious,” he told party supporters in Brisbane.

“There are good members, good candidates, who have lost their seats or their ambition and I’m sorry for that.

“We have an amazing party and we’ll rebuild.”

Behind in the polls towards the end of 2024, Labor had defied the odds to expand its reach in parliament, conducting a campaign on the cost of living and expanding access to Medicare.

The prime minister has become the first leader to win back-to-back elections since John Howard in 2004.

Mr Albanese promised he would work hard for all Australians.

“We do not need to beg or borrow or copy from anywhere else, we do not seek our inspiration overseas. We find it right here, in our values and in our people,” he said.

“We renew the great responsibility and the opportunity of government and with pride and purpose, optimism and determination, with faith in the fair go and faith in each other.”

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Mr Albanese on his election victory and said the United States looked forward to deepening the bilateral relationship.

“The United States looks forward to deepening its relationship with Australia to advance our common interests and promote freedom and stability in the Indo-Pacific and globally,” Mr Rubio said in a statement.

with Reuters

Anthony Albanese has claimed an emphatic election win, as Labor is set to govern for a second term with a bigger majority.

Declaring victory at Labor headquarters in Sydney, the prime minister said serving as prime minister was the greatest honour of his life.

“It is with a deep sense of humility and a profound sense of responsibility that the first thing that I do tonight is to say ‘thank you’ to the people of Australia for the chance to continue to serve the best nation on Earth,” he told supporters.

“Today, the Australian people have voted for Australian values: for fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all.

“Australians have voted for a future that holds true to these values, a future built on everything that brings us together.”

Large swings to the government across several states and many electorates in Liberal heartland will mean Labor governs in its own right with expanded numbers in parliament.

With almost 40 per cent of the vote counted, Labor is set to win 87 seats, an increase from the 78 it achieved going into the election.

With the election win, Mr Albanese is the first prime minister since John Howard to win back-to-back elections.

Among the gains for Labor was Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s seat of Dickson in Queensland.

It’s the first time an opposition leader has lost their seat in a federal election, with Mr Dutton losing to Labor’s Ali France.

Conceding defeat, Mr Dutton said the election was not the result the coalition was after and accepted full responsibility for the party’s loss.

“We didn’t do well enough during this campaign, that much is obvious tonight,” he told party supporters in Brisbane.

“I’ve always wanted in public life for the best for our country and the best for every Australian.

“It’s an historic occasion for the Labor Party, and we recognise that.”

Mr Dutton also apologised to other coalition members who lost their seat on election night.

“There are good members, good candidates, who have lost their seats or their ambition, and I’m sorry for that,” he said.

“We have an amazing party and we’ll rebuild.”

With the election loss, the coalition is on track to one of its lowest ever primary votes since the party was formed in the 1940s.

Labor has picked up marginal seats such as Leichhardt in Queensland, Bass in Tasmania and Sturt in Western Australia.

But it could lose the formerly safe seat of Bean in the ACT to an independent, with the result still being too close to call.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said voters had comprehensively rejected the policies of the coalition under Mr Dutton’s leadership.

“The nuclear stuff was bad for Peter Dutton. He made an egregious error on the Sunday night of the final week, saying he would be comfortable having a nuclear reactor in his suburb,” he told ABC.

Coalition campaign spokesman James Paterson admitted anger from voters against US President Donald Trump had been a drag on support for right-wing parties.

Labor will boost its numbers in the next parliament with a stronger majority in a second term, as the coalition look set to crash to one of the party’s worst results in its history.

Swings to the Albanese government across several states and many electorates deep in Liberal heartland will see Labor govern in its own right.

Among the gains was Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s seat of Dickson in Queensland.

It’s the first time an opposition leader has lost their seat in a federal election.

Conceding defeat, Mr Dutton said the election was not the result the coalition was after and accepted full responsibility for the party’s loss.

“We didn’t do well enough during this campaign, that much is obvious tonight,” he told party supporters in Brisbane.

“I’ve always wanted in public life for the best for our country and the best for every Australian.

“It’s an historic occasion for the Labor Party, and we recognise that.”

Mr Dutton has called Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the election loss to congratulate him.

With the election win, Mr Albanese is the first prime minister since John Howard to win back-to-back elections.

Large swings came to the government in formerly Liberal safe seats in Queensland, while upticks in support came in NSW, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said voters had comprehensively rejected the policies of the coalition under Mr Dutton’s leadership.

“The nuclear stuff was bad for Peter Dutton. He made an egregious error on the Sunday night of the final week, saying he would be comfortable having a nuclear reactor in his suburb,” he told ABC.

Coalition campaign spokesman James Paterson admitted anger from voters against US President Donald Trump had been a drag on support for right-wing parties.

“One fact I think we can all acknowledge and recognise is the Donald Trump factor. It was devastating in Canada for the Conservatives where the Canadian Conservative leader lost 20 points over the course of a few months,” he told ABC, referring to the country’s recent election.

“That has been a factor here.”

Dr Chalmers said the prime minister was set to enter the pantheon of Labor heroes with the election win.

Anthony Albanese has won a second term as prime minister, with Labor claiming victory in the federal election.

While it is unclear whether Labor will be able to govern in its own right or be forced to seek a minority arrangement with the crossbench, the centre-left party is the only one able to form a government.

With Saturday’s victory, Mr Albanese is the first prime minister to win two elections in a row since John Howard in 2004.

Trailing in the polls going into the start of year, Labor regained ground on the coalition throughout 2025 following global uncertainty triggered by US President Donald Trump and his tariffs on trading partners.

Campaigning on reducing living costs, Mr Albanese made health a focal point during the election, frequently brandishing his Medicare card and pledging to expand access to bulk billing and urgent cares clinics.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was considered the frontrunner going into the election, but a lack of detail surrounding key policy costings and a voter association with the policies of Mr Trump caused his his poll numbers to plummet.

Mr Dutton urged voters throughout the election to ask themselves if they were better off now compared to three years ago, but the public has opted for a second term of the status quo.

The election was dominated by issues on the cost of living, following several interest rate rises and high inflation, with the prime minister also going on the attack of Mr Dutton’s record as health minister during the previous coalition government.

Despite being ahead throughout the campaign, Mr Albanese still sought to play the underdog card, with Labor still scarred by its 2019 election loss which polls predicted it would win easily.

But with Saturday’s win, Labor has exorcised its demons of the electoral past and will look to implement its second-term agenda.