Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update.
An Australian army soldier has been fatally injured in a vehicle rollover during a training exercise in north Queensland.
Two other ADF members were injured in the single-vehicle incident on Wednesday night on Defence land about 45km from Townsville’s city centre. Richard Marles and Sussan Ley offered their condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the soldier who died.
Top news
NSW anti-protest law ruled unconstitutional after Palestine Action Group court challenge
Hamas says all reachable hostage bodies recovered amid Israel threat to resume Gaza fighting
JD Vance brushes off racist texts by adults in Republican group chat as ‘what kids do’
Tawny frogmouth named 2025 Australian bird of the year winner
In pictures
Weevils (above), spores, slime mould and cells are in extreme closeup for the 51st anniversary of the Nikon Small World competition. For more than five decades, the award has brought scientific wonders under the microscope, with scientists, artists and enthusiasts from 77 countries contributing 1,925 photo entries this year alone. Judges arrived at this stunning top 20.
What they said …
***
“It’s no longer a dog whistle. It’s now a set of bagpipes that you can hear from the other side of the hill.” – Tony Burke
The home affairs minister took aim at the “fact-free way” Australia’s immigration policy is debated during an address to the National Press Club.
Full Story
Can a fragile ceasefire hold in Gaza?
The Gaza ceasefire has only just begun, but fractures are already appearing. Middle East writer William Christou speaks to Reged Ahmad from Jerusalem on the mammoth task of rebuilding and if this truce can be turned into a long-lasting peace.
Before bed read
When first-time dog owner Debbie Elkind began scrolling PetRescue, she “wasn’t looking for a long dog”. Then she met the “ridiculous, beautiful” McKenzie, and fell in love.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: PHI . You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
Sign up
If you would like to receive this Afternoon Update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or start your day with a curated breakdown of the key stories you need to know with our Morning Mail newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland.
