Bushfire & heat risk: Greater Sydney is under a total fire ban after unseasonably hot, dry and windy spring weather pushed temperatures to around 33C, with strong gusts raising “extreme” fire danger. Local safety & weather impacts: Two children were rushed to hospital in Geelong after a strong gust lifted a jumping castle into the air, with emergency crews treating upper-body injuries. Nepal flood response: Australia has sent drone operators and disaster specialists to help search for people still missing after Nepal’s August glacier-triggered floods, with dozens of Australians among the unaccounted for. Disaster data access: An Australian medical student whose boyfriend is missing in the Nepal floods says tech firms should share more location and communications data to speed up rescue efforts. Trade & business ties: Australia and New Zealand ministers say more can be done on Canada trade, while Queensland Premier David Crisafulli pitches the state’s critical minerals directly to US Vice President JD Vance. Politics & community: One Nation’s rise is being linked to “Howard battlers” and “Tony’s tradies” voters, as major parties scramble ahead of key state contests. Health & research: Australian researchers are developing brain-penetrating cancer drugs designed to get past the blood-brain barrier. Economy & markets: ASX 200 ended a volatile week down nearly 1% amid rate-hike fears and Middle East-driven oil and bond jitters. Sports: The Sydney Swans dismissed trade speculation around suspended star Nick Blakey amid ongoing uncertainty around the club’s suspended players.