Social Media Overhaul: Australia’s Albanese government has unveiled draft “digital duty of care” laws that let users opt out of algorithmic feeds and choose to see posts only from friends and creators, with protections for under-18s and potential $100m fines for breaches. Big Bash Shake-up: Cricket Australia has approved partial privatisation of the BBL, allowing states to sell up to 49% stakes to private investors, with major clubs set for structural and branding changes. AI & Data Centres (WA): WA Premier Roger Cook says AI data-centre developers are pitching sites in the Mid West and North West, citing land and power, while warning about social licence hurdles. Rare Earths Race: A new push for critical minerals is moving deeper offshore, with the global fight for rare earth extraction technology increasingly shaping supply chains. Fire Season Watch: Australian firefighters are bracing for higher wildfire risk as El Niño and a hotter, drier outlook follow Europe’s extreme summer. Border Crackdown: Australian Border Force raids seized 1.7m illegal cigarettes and thousands of vapes across WA and the NT, with shop closures sought. Sport & Culture: US Open: Coco Gauff reaches the quarter-finals; Cricket: Mark Chapman shifts to a casual deal to play BBL; plus Australia’s algorithm opt-out debate is already sparking a “global reckoning” for big tech.