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The Victorian state government is accused of censorship after the CFA withdrew damaging information from a parliamentary bushfire inquiry. The original 33-page submission revealed nearly 20% of CFA career staff positions were vacant, over half of positions in fire-affected districts were unfilled, and the CFA received only $118 million of the $330 million in additional funding it requested. After government intervention, a corrected 18-page version was submitted, with the government claiming the initial report contained Cabinet-in-Confidence information provided in error.

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The United States Central Command has completed retaliatory strikes against Iran, hitting more than 80 targets including air defence systems and coastal radar sites. The strikes followed Iranian forces targeting three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The military escalation threatens an already-fragile ceasefire, with further talks now on hold as crowds mourn the death of the regime's slain leader.

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A woman in her 70s died in a unit fire in Randwick after being trapped inside with the couple's dog Bobby. Her husband who shared 34 years of marriage with her in the home, has paid tribute to his wife following the tragedy. The fire, believed to have started in the kitchen, is under investigation but not being treated as suspicious.

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Nine people, including several teenagers, have been arrested following a major police raid in Punchbowl, Sydney's West. Officers seized three automatic rifles that may have been modified, loose ammunition, measuring scales, latex gloves, and a small amount of illicit drugs from the property. The group, believed to be part of a youth gang with ages ranging from teenagers to 23 years old, appeared in court facing charges including possession of unregistered firearms and participation in a criminal group.

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A 39-year-old mother of two has been fatally allegedly stabbed in her Vermont home in Melbourne's east. Her 39-year-old husband was arrested at the scene and is currently in hospital under police guard. The couple, understood to be from India, leaves behind a 13-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son, while police forensics investigate the circumstances of the alleged stabbing.

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A major Telstra outage crippled mobile and data services across Australia, affecting payment systems, train networks, and triple zero emergency calls. The telecommunications failure originated from a timing issue in data centres in Sydney and Melbourne, leaving businesses without EFTPOS and commuters stranded. Telstra faces potential fines of up to $30 million while investigations continue into the cause of the widespread network failure.

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The construction industry demands Australia's skilled migration program be overhauled to prioritise tradies amid the housing crisis, as they currently rank alongside animal trainers and dancers. The Fair Work Commission has rejected a 55-year-old council worker's request to work from home four days a week because he found office work tiring, despite already having three days approved. A restaurant's online ordering system sparked controversy by warning customers about calorie intake and potential health concerns when ordering three lamb skewers containing 2,000 calories.

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Donald Trump used the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey to threaten withdrawal of US troops from Europe and criticise the alliance for not supporting the US in its war in Iran. The US president also demanded NATO allow him to take ownership of Greenland, claimed he could broker peace between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, and hinted at dropping sanctions on Turkey to enable F-35 fighter jet purchases. Turkish President Erdoğan gave Trump a ceremonial welcome with a rare tarmac greeting and grand ceremony involving a military jet flyover.

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The United States has launched a new wave of strikes on Iran following attacks on three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported at least six projectiles struck the southern city of Sirik. The escalation has put the fragile ceasefire at risk, with further diplomatic talks now suspended as crowds mourn the death of the regime's former leader.

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South Australian police have reported two boys aged 14 and 17 for fighting in a public place as part of an organised fight club in Adelaide's north that films teenagers brawling and uploads the content to social media. At least 30 people are believed to be involved in the club, which stages pre-planned fights in public parks and sporting fields, with a knife appearing in at least one incident. Police have identified four more individuals and are actively pursuing them, including someone believed to be involved in organising the activities.

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