The Australian Taxation Office reminds taxpayers that tax lodgement can be straightforward, with approximately 100 million pieces of data already pre-populated in MyATO from employers, banks, insurers and government agencies. Australians are expecting an average tax return of $1,200 this year, but the ATO warns against relying on social media or AI chatbot advice for tax matters, and reminds people to declare income from side hustles and online trading. Common mistakes include failing to report profits from buying and selling items online, which can delay refunds.

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The US Treasury Secretary suggests a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached within days, though officials remain cautious about confirming an agreement.

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AFL Max facility in Melbourne hosts students from Gladstone Park Primary School for an active learning programme featuring football skills training and educational camps. The venue offers overnight school camps where students participate in AFL activities while learning through sport. Weather presenter Georgia Coste attempts the venue's 'impossible kick' challenge, a difficult target-hitting exercise that requires specific technique and positioning.

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David Neara performed an extraordinary feat at the Lobethel Hotel in the Adelaide Hills when he caught a loose budgie mid-flight with his bare hands in a single swift motion. The pub-goer, who attributes his perfect reflexes to being "four pints deep," casually continued his day after the catch while shocked onlookers watched in amazement. The viral moment has garnered international attention, with wildlife personality Robert Irwin extending an invitation to visit Australia Zoo.

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Self-represented litigants in Australian courts are increasingly using AI applications like ChatGPT for legal advice and document preparation, leading to a surge in cases over the past year. Legal experts warn that AI-generated submissions often contain fake citations, hallucinated legal principles, and irrelevant content scraped from American courts that don't apply to Australian jurisdiction. While the AI-produced documents appear polished and detailed, they're creating what experts call 'AI slop' that clogs the court system without effectively helping litigants win cases.

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Two men aged 35 and 39 were arrested near the Sydney Cricket Ground after one allegedly carried an imitation firearm in public. Police seized a fake gun, a bulletproof vest featuring an American flag, and a box labelled 'hard drugs'. The 35-year-old has been charged with possessing an unregistered unauthorised pistol in a public place and faces court, while authorities investigate whether the incident was foolish behaviour or part of a wider security testing scheme.

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Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones, 85, faces trial on 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching, with day two proceedings featuring the first details of the alleged crimes.

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A Hollywood actress and her ex-rugby star fiancé have launched a public crowdfunding registry for their wedding, asking people to donate towards expenses including $600 for venue construction, $300 for photography, and $200 for drinks. The move has drawn criticism online, with commentators questioning why wealthy individuals would seek public donations for their wedding when there are many charitable causes in need of support.

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A Toyota Yaris flew through the air and crashed into the side of a Brisbane City Council bus at Rocklea after being forced out of control by a merging sedan. Newly released CCTV footage from inside the bus shows the dramatic moment of impact and the bus driver pulling the Yaris driver from her vehicle. The experienced 66-year-old bus driver, who had his wife on board at the time, has been praised by the Lord Mayor, while a third-party driver was fined for causing the incident.

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Rising rental costs across Australia are prompting young adults to remain living with their parents well into their 20s.

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