Adequate shelters with a minimum floor size and at least one fixed wall to protect horses from wind and rain are new enforceable requirements for those keeping racing horses in Tasmania, as the state makes sweeping changes to animal welfare standards.
China conducted a ballistic missile test in the South Pacific nuclear-free zone, coinciding with Fiji joining Australia's treaty allies. The test, using a new JL-3 SLBM, is seen as a provocation and demonstrates China's increasing willingness to use military force for coercion in the Indo-Pacific.
Greensteel Australia plans to build a $500 million, zero-emissions steel mill on the former BHP steelworks site in Newcastle, aiming to produce 600,000 tonnes of steel annually by January 2028. The project aims to reduce reliance on imported steel and stabilize prices for Australian builders.
Health Minister Bridget Archer will serve as acting Tasmanian premier for a week, a move seen as a potential trial for her leadership. This appointment, while brief, signals a strategic succession plan for Premier Jeremy Rockliff, potentially positioning Archer as his preferred successor despite internal party rivalries.
Microsoft is cutting 4,800 jobs globally, impacting its Australian workforce. The layoffs are partly driven by the need to show returns on AI investments and a restructuring of the Xbox division, which will see 3,200 job cuts.
Six-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton is embracing his Australian identity after a successful first Boomers camp and two dominant World Cup qualifier wins. Cotton, who became an Australian citizen in late 2025, scored 21 points against the Philippines and 18 against Guam, feeling more Australian than ever while representing the country.
Isaac Regional Council in North Queensland has withdrawn plans to restrict road trains on five key freight routes following strong opposition from farmers. The proposed changes were criticized for potentially increasing delivery times and costs for grain transport. An independent assessment of intersections is now underway.
