Defence & Trade: Queensland’s defence push is drawing US and UK venture capital interest after Premier David Crisafulli’s high-level US meeting with JD Vance, with investors scouting the state’s critical-minerals and defence supply potential. Flood Resilience: Bundaberg levee talks are “very positive” after a roundtable involving insurers, councils and state/federal reps, with insurers signalling risk-reduction premium benefits from the start of construction. Aviation Safety: Two people died after a light plane crash south of Brisbane, sparking a grass fire; the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has investigators on the wreckage. Health & Cities: UNSW hosted a summit on making cities healthier, with speakers linking housing affordability, green space and active transport to public health outcomes. Indigenous Engagement in Development: A “designing with country” push argues investors and developers must engage early with First Nations communities, aligning housing, education and jobs with Country stewardship. Energy & Resources: Tamboran has delivered first gas from the Beetaloo Basin into the Northern Territory network, starting commissioning toward contracted volumes by early 2027. Environment: Australia marks a grim 90-year thylacine milestone, with warnings that more than 2,000 species and ecosystems remain at risk without stronger action. Business & Insurance: Allianz extends its strata insurance distribution tie-up with Strata Community Insurance to at least 2036, backing long-term product and service investment. Markets: ASX coverage highlights the Aussie dollar’s impact on earnings, while Sunrise Energy Metals jumped on US-backed scandium progress in NSW.