Pacific Security & Defence: China test-fired a long-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile from a submarine into the South Pacific, drawing immediate condemnation from Australia, New Zealand and Japan as Canberra and Suva sign the “Ocean of Peace” mutual defence alliance. Foreign Policy & Alliances: Australia and Fiji’s new pact commits both to act if either is attacked, underscoring Canberra’s push to deepen Pacific partnerships amid rising China pressure. Parliament & Governance: The federal government has dropped retrospective provisions in planned foreign resident CGT changes, limiting reforms to events from commencement and adding safeguards against reopening older assessments. Workplace & Industrial Relations: Business groups warn a proposed flexible-work bill is unnecessary because most employers already offer flexibility, while the CPSU is pressing for a cumulative 15% wage rise and a four-day week trial. Media, AI & Copyright: Nine Entertainment and Microsoft signed an Australian-first deal letting Copilot reference Nine journalism for grounded AI search answers, with pathways back to publisher sites. Public Health: H5 avian influenza has reached WA, with a giant petrel case treated as “presumed positive” after sequencing couldn’t confirm the exact strain. Regional Politics: WA’s Secret Harbour by-election is set after Labor minister Paul Papalia quit politics for family health reasons, with One Nation and Liberals eyeing a swing.