Australia faces petrol prices rising above two dollars per litre within weeks as the fuel excise cut winds back and global oil supply disruptions intensify. The price increases stem from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, and Houthi threats to Saudi infrastructure in the Red Sea. Flow-on effects are expected to spike costs across groceries, transport and healthcare, with diesel-dependent industries particularly vulnerable.

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Rayanne Elhouli, charged with travelling to a declared conflict zone and joining Islamic State, has been granted bail under strict conditions by a Victorian court. The mother of four allegedly travelled to Syria with her late husband and children in 2014 and is accused of showing extremist material to her young children and attempting to persuade others to travel to Syria. The court found her risk of re-offending to be relatively low, marking the second successful bail application by an accused ISIS bride, with conditions including passport surrender, curfew, and a $50,000 surety.

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Barnaby Joyce's televised ABC interview was interrupted when he yelled at his barking dog, telling it to sit down before clarifying to the interviewer that he was addressing the pet. The incident sparked debate among panel members about whether his aggressive tone towards the animal reflected poorly on his character, or was simply standard behaviour for managing working dogs on rural properties.

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Energy networks in New South Wales have proposed adding approximately $2 per year to all residents' electricity bills to fund the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the state. The proposal before the Australian Energy Market Commission has sparked debate about whether EV owners should bear the full cost through registration charges or road user fees, rather than spreading the expense across all electricity customers. Critics argue this contradicts earlier promises that the transition to renewable energy would reduce costs for consumers.

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Energy Minister Chris Bowen's department has allocated over four million dollars in taxpayer funds for luxury accommodation at three five-star resorts in Fiji, including the Sheraton, Sofitel and Radisson, to host foreign bureaucrats attending a pre-COP climate summit event. As co-president of the Conference of the Parties, Bowen oversees expenditure that will cover costs for some international delegations, though it remains unclear how much will be reimbursed. Critics argue the spending is inappropriate while Australians struggle with rising energy bills, suggesting virtual meetings could replace the in-person pre-conference gathering.

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Australian shopping centres are experiencing their lowest vacancy rates since 2018, with retail rents increasing by 6% despite several major Australian brands like Glue, Betts Footwear, and Barbecues Galore exiting the market. The retail landscape is shifting away from traditional product-focused stores towards experiential retailers, including beauty consultations, hospitality venues, and amusement centres. Shopping centres are transforming into social and lifestyle destinations rather than purely transactional spaces.

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Andy Burnham has been sworn in as the UK's seventh Prime Minister in 10 years, succeeding Keir Starmer after meeting with the King at Buckingham Palace. The former Manchester mayor, known for his down-to-earth northern style and recent by-election victory, has promised to bring the biggest changes to Britain in 40 years. Burnham secured backing from 90 per cent of MPs and faces pressure to deliver policy substance beyond his relatable image, with expectations to eventually seek a general election mandate.

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Holy Family Emerton Junior School in Western Sydney has launched a Snack Pack initiative where students collect and prepare food packages for Vinnies Vans that feed homeless people in Western Sydney. The school principal explains the programme teaches students to appreciate what they have and give back to others through faith in action. Students also showcase their talents including hip-hop dancing routines on the first day of Term 3.

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Tensions escalate in the Middle East as the US launches its ninth consecutive night of missile attacks on Iran, while Tehran retaliates by striking American bases in Jordan and Kuwait. Three US soldiers have been confirmed dead, including 25-year-old Tyler Frihan from Hawaii and 19-year-old Isabella Gonzalez from Texas. President Donald Trump has warned Iran will pay severely for American casualties, while the US Secretary of State criticises Iran for attacking shipping vessels despite promises to keep the Straits of Hormuz open.

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Rocky Glynn, at 10 years and five weeks old, has become the youngest person in the world to land a backflip on a conventional dirt bike off a full-size ramp. The young motocross rider, recognisable by his signature mullet, is heading to Pastranaland in America to ride with Travis Pastrana and the Nitro Circus team. Rocky's achievement required extensive practice and mental preparation, visualising each element of the jump before execution.

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