Thousands of parents have signed a petition demanding a screen ban in primary schools and scaling back of laptop use in high schools, with advocates calling for a return to pen and paper testing for NAPLAN. Whitney Houston has been honoured with her own Barbie doll, sparking debate about whether she should be immortalised given her well-documented history with addiction. A viral video highlights the challenges of getting sleep in economy class on long-haul flights.

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Whitney Houston is being honoured with a Barbie doll on what would have been her 63rd birthday. The doll features her signature purple outfit from the hit music video 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'. Mattel collaborated with Whitney's sister-in-law Pat Houston over 20 years to create the doll, which joins Barbie's Signature Series alongside other music icons including Kylie Minogue, Miley Cyrus and Tina Turner.

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the disgraced former Prince Andrew, reportedly remains included in royal funeral plans known as the Bridge Plans despite being stripped of his titles following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Royal experts believe he may be laid to rest at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, though the palace has refused to comment on the details. Insiders suggest the plans may be revised down to a more modest service, though taxpayers and Epstein's victims have expressed outrage at the prospect of a multi-million pound royal funeral for the former prince.

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Wildfires in British Columbia have forced more than 20,000 residents to evacuate as a state of emergency has been declared. The Canadian government is providing assistance as fast-moving fires destroy homes across the region. Authorities warn conditions are explosive and more communities may face evacuations in coming days.

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Ukrainian drones killed five people and injured two dozen others, including a four-year-old boy, in an overnight attack on western Russia. The attack damaged apartment blocks, private houses and commercial facilities. Russia's Defence Ministry reported shooting down 153 Ukrainian drones over Crimea, the Black Sea, Azov Sea and the European part of the country.

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Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful tropical cyclone to hit China this year, has made landfall on the country's east coast, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people. The storm brings torrential rain and strong winds, triggering warnings of flooding and landslides across the region. After sweeping through Japan and Taiwan, the typhoon has caused Shanghai to cancel approximately 1,500 flights at its two main passenger airports, while ferry routes have been suspended and construction vessels recalled to ports.

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Iran has issued conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, demanding the U.S. lift all sanctions, pay compensation for damages from strikes, and guarantee no further attacks. Meanwhile, Houthi rebels have attacked a Red Sea port in Yemen killing seven people and struck a Saudi Arabian oil facility. A leaked Pentagon memo reveals the U.S. Defence Department is urgently requesting weapons manufacturers increase munitions production within 21 days, indicating preparations for an extended conflict.

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National auction clearance rates have risen above 55 per cent while property prices continue to fall, with markets experiencing a significant correction of around 10 per cent overall. The property market is seeing reduced investor activity following budget changes to negative gearing, creating opportunities for owner-occupiers in a less competitive environment. The RBA interest rate decision is expected to hold steady, with most economists predicting no increase due to inflation being under control and reduced consumer spending.

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A 60-year-old grocery shop owner, Van Viet Truong, was killed in Melbourne's west while attempting to help someone confronted by thieves. A 15-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter and remains in custody, while three other youths charged with assault, including a 12-year-old, have been released on bail. Residents and business owners are rallying to demand tougher youth crime laws and government intervention.

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The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet has developed a specialised eating plan for women experiencing menopause-related weight gain, recommending increased protein intake of 1 to 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight rather than restrictive dieting.

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