With no Labor candidate contesting this weekend's Nepean by-election, it should be a cakewalk for the Victorian Liberals. But we are no longer in a normal political world.
The NSW government has spent over $305,500 on legal fees defending controversial protest laws that were ultimately struck down by courts. These laws, enacted after the Bondi terror attack, were found to unconstitutionally burden political communication rights, leading to significant taxpayer expense.
A fire at the Huiteng Shoes factory in eastern China has killed at least 28 people, with many feared trapped. President Xi Jinping called for intensified search and rescue efforts following the blaze.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by over 20,000 people at Melbourne's Docklands Stadium. He spoke about India's booming economy and technological achievements, while Australian PM Anthony Albanese praised the Indian diaspora. The event saw protests from anti-immigration and pro-Khalistan groups.
Fremantle staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a goalless first half and a 25-point deficit to defeat Sydney by 38 points in a top-of-the-table AFL match. The Dockers' blistering second-half performance secured their victory and extended their lead on the ladder.
Former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was buried in Mashhad after six days of funeral events. The funeral offered a glimpse into Iran's desired image, with his sons present but Mojtaba Khamenei absent. Meanwhile, regional tensions escalated with reported strikes, missile interceptions by Jordan, and Iran claiming US intervention in the Strait of Hormuz disrupted shipping.
Explosions reported across the Middle East as Iran's former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is buried in Mashhad. Tensions escalate with US strikes and Iranian responses, including attacks on US bases and a nuclear facility perimeter.
