Bendigo is preparing to say goodbye to a man who spent decades ensuring its Chinese heritage would not be forgotten.   Russell Jack AM, founder of the city’s renowned Golden Dragon Museum, died on August 11. His state funeral will be held on August 29 at Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre, followed by an extraordinary traditional Cantonese mourning ceremony at Bendigo Cemetery.   The farewell will feature a white mourning lion, a powerful symbol of respect, grief and filial devotion. Unlike the colourful dragons and lions associated with Bendigo’s famous Easter celebrations, the white lion is traditionally used to honour respected elders, masters and community leaders at funerals.   The ceremony is particularly significant because a public Cantonese mourning lion ceremony of this kind has reportedly not been seen in Bendigo for more than a century.   For Jack’s family, bringing the tradition back is more than a ceremonial gesture. It reflects the work that defined his life.   Jack was a long-serving leader of the Bendigo Chinese Association and played a central role in establishing the Golden Dragon Museum, which preserves the history and cultural contributions of generations of Chinese Australians who arrived in Victoria during the gold rush era.   He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993 for his contribution to preserving Bendigo’s Chinese heritage and culture.   His daughter Anita Jack said the funeral was an opportunity to reconnect contemporary Bendigo with traditions carried to the Victorian goldfields more than 170 years ago.   The mourning lion will accompany Jack through a series of traditional rites before travelling to the cemetery, where members of the public will be invited to pay their respects.   The family will also follow Cantonese customs by offering mourners a coin and sweet as they leave, symbolically helping them move beyond the sadness of the funeral and return to everyday life.   Jack’s final farewell therefore becomes part of the legacy he spent his life protecting: keeping culture alive by allowing the next generation to see, understand and participate in it.

TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have agreed to pay US$400 million, about A$559 million, to settle a US government lawsuit over alleged violations of children’s online privacy.   The case centres on claims that TikTok collected and retained personal information from children under 13 without obtaining the required permission from their parents. US authorities also alleged that information was collected through accounts intended for younger users.   The settlement is being described as one of the largest recoveries involving the United States’ Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, known as COPPA. The law restricts websites and online services from collecting personal information from children under 13 without parental consent.   However, the settlement comes amid a much broader global debate about how social media platforms protect young users.   European regulators have raised concerns about TikTok’s default account settings and whether they provide enough protection against risks such as cyberbullying and predatory behaviour.   In the United Kingdom, communications regulator Ofcom is investigating TikTok’s age-verification system and whether the platform is doing enough to protect children from harmful content.   Australia has taken an even stronger position. Since December 2025, major social media platforms have been required to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts, with companies potentially facing significant fines if they fail to take reasonable steps to enforce the restrictions.   Other countries, including Canada and Indonesia, are also moving towards tighter controls.   The developments reflect a significant shift in the relationship between governments and Big Tech. Social media companies are increasingly being expected to take responsibility not only for what appears on their platforms, but also for how their products are designed and how young users interact with them.   For TikTok, the US$400 million settlement is therefore more than a financial penalty. It is another warning that governments are becoming increasingly willing to hold technology companies accountable for protecting children’s privacy and safety online.   The message is clear: when it comes to children online, safety is becoming a responsibility that Big Tech can no longer treat as optional.

Buying a home usually involves weeks of inspections, contracts and paperwork. But increasingly, the biggest threat to a buyer’s deposit may arrive quietly in their inbox.   Australian authorities are warning of a growing form of property fraud known as business email compromise (BEC), where criminals impersonate or take control of legitimate business email accounts to redirect property payments. In February 2026, the Australian Federal Police warned that criminals were increasingly impersonating conveyancers to target buyers during settlement.   The scam can be remarkably simple. A buyer receives what appears to be a genuine message from their conveyancer, solicitor or agent. Everything may look familiar — the logo, email conversation and professional language. The only major difference is the bank account.   In one recent case reported by police, a buyer was sent a fraudulent invoice for $338,000 after a conveyancing firm’s email account was compromised.   Artificial intelligence is adding another layer to the problem. Criminals can now produce convincing messages at scale, personalise communications and potentially imitate the voices of people involved in a transaction. PEXA’s latest research found that Australian buyers’ confidence in identifying property scams has fallen from 51 per cent in 2025 to just 41 per cent in 2026.   The safest response is surprisingly low-tech: stop and verify.   Never rely solely on an email to confirm bank details. If payment instructions change, call the conveyancer or solicitor using a trusted number obtained independently. Where possible, confirm account details through a secure platform or in person.   A property purchase may be digital from beginning to end, but when hundreds of thousands of dollars are involved, one old-fashioned phone call could prevent a devastating mistake.

Australia is heading into spring with fire authorities warning communities across several parts of the country to prepare for an elevated bushfire threat.   The latest national seasonal outlook from the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) identifies heightened fire risk across parts of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.   The warning comes as a strong El Niño takes hold across the Pacific. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology says the climate pattern is firmly established, with the tropical Pacific expected to warm further through spring.   But El Niño is only part of the picture.   In eastern Australia, months of below-average rainfall have left some regions with depleted soil moisture. Meanwhile, parts of central and northern Australia have unusually large amounts of vegetation available to burn after earlier rainfall. Once that vegetation dries, it can provide significant fuel for fast-moving fires.   The Northern Territory faces particular concern, with large areas identified as having elevated fire potential. Parts of NSW and Queensland are also being closely watched, while northeastern Tasmania and sections of Victoria face increased risk following persistent dry conditions.   Authorities stress that an “increased risk” outlook does not mean fires are inevitable. Bushfires can still occur in areas classified as having normal seasonal risk.   The message from emergency officials is therefore simple: prepare before conditions worsen.   Residents in vulnerable areas are being encouraged to understand their local fire danger, clear flammable vegetation around properties, prepare emergency plans and follow official warnings throughout the season.   With spring beginning in September, Australia is being urged not to wait for the first major fire before getting ready.

Community organisations across Queensland will soon have an opportunity to secure government funding for projects designed to strengthen multicultural communities, improve inclusion and create greater opportunities for people from diverse cultural backgrounds.   The Queensland Government’s Strengthening Communities Multicultural Grants program will open its 2026–27 funding round on August 31, with applications closing on October 4. Successful projects are expected to begin from July 1, 2027.   The annual competitive program offers grants of up to $100,000 under two funding streams. The first, Empowering Multicultural Community Projects, supports initiatives that tackle barriers experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Projects can focus on skills development, training, economic participation, community participation, access to services and building stronger connections.   The second stream, Youth and Community Connection Projects, focuses on young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It aims to address isolation and disengagement while helping young people feel supported, valued and connected to their communities.   The program is designed around measurable outcomes. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their projects will create tangible benefits, such as stronger intercultural relationships, improved employment or economic opportunities, new skills and increased confidence among participants.   Eligible applicants include not-for-profit and charitable organisations, incorporated associations, companies limited by guarantee, eligible cooperatives, councils, universities and certain social enterprises. Applicants must have an active Australian Business Number, an Australian bank account and operate in, or actively provide services within, Queensland.   Organisations without their own eligible structure may apply through an approved auspice organisation, which would assume responsibility for the funding agreement and grant administration.   The Queensland Government says funded organisations must also meet reporting requirements, comply with relevant laws and hold public liability insurance of at least $10 million.   Multicultural events are funded separately through the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program, and demonstrate strong community partnerships.

Australia’s growing appetite for weight-loss injections is creating a parallel market, with some consumers turning to overseas clinics, social media sellers and informal suppliers to obtain products outside the country’s prescription system.   GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have become increasingly popular for weight management. Researchers from UNSW estimated that almost 2 per cent of Australians were regularly using GLP-1 medicines by 2025, highlighting the rapid growth in demand.   But authorities are increasingly concerned about what consumers may be buying outside registered pharmacies. An investigation by SBS found weight-loss injections being promoted in Australian community groups, while some products were reportedly sourced from overseas clinics and sold without prescriptions. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has warned that importing and supplying prescription medicines without the required authorisation can be unlawful.   The regulator has also uncovered counterfeit products. Testing of several imported products labelled as containing GLP-1 medicines found they contained none of the claimed GLP-1 ingredients.   The risks extend beyond counterfeit medicines. Unapproved peptides, including experimental compounds marketed for weight loss, are increasingly being promoted online. The TGA says these products have not been assessed for safety, quality or effectiveness and may be incorrectly labelled or manufactured.   Retatrutide is one example. Unlike approved medicines such as Ozempic and Wegovy, it remains an experimental drug and is not approved for sale as a medicine in Australia.   Authorities are now stepping up enforcement, targeting unlawful imports, online advertising and supply of unapproved peptide products.   Health experts say the growing demand for rapid weight loss should not come at the expense of medical supervision. Consumers are being urged to obtain prescription medicines through registered Australian pharmacies and speak with qualified health professionals before starting treatment.

The AFL’s first-ever wildcard weekend is set to deliver two sudden-death clashes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with four Victorian clubs fighting to keep their premiership hopes alive.   The Western Bulldogs will open the weekend against Collingwood on Friday, August 28, at 7:40pm AEST. Melbourne will then face Carlton on Saturday, August 29, at 7:35pm AEST.   The new wildcard format gives teams finishing seventh to 10th a chance to progress into the traditional finals series. Both matches are knockout games, meaning the losing teams will see their seasons end immediately.   Carlton enters the weekend with plenty of momentum after defeating ladder leaders Fremantle in the final round. The Blues have now gone unbeaten in their past five matches and have won 11 of their last 14 games since Josh Fraser took over as coach in May.   Fraser was initially appointed on an interim basis following Michael Voss’s departure but secured the permanent position after guiding the club through a remarkable turnaround.   Carlton’s Brodie Kemp believes the Blues can make an impact despite entering the finals from 10th place.   Melbourne, meanwhile, will be looking to use home-ground advantage to extend its season. The winner of that clash will travel to Geelong in the next stage, while the Bulldogs-Collingwood winner will head to Adelaide.   Team selections could also play a major role. Carlton is hopeful of welcoming back Will Hayward and Nick Haynes, while Melbourne is monitoring injuries to Matt Jefferson and Dan Turner.   The Bulldogs could be without key forward Aaron Naughton, while Collingwood will be missing experienced stars Scott Pendlebury and Brayden Maynard.   With no second chances, the inaugural wildcard weekend promises high-pressure football from the opening bounce.

Australia’s battle against bird flu is intensifying, with more than 24,000 calls made to the national bird flu hotline since the latest outbreak began.   More than 200 cases of H5N1 bird flu have been reported across six states since June, prompting authorities to strengthen surveillance and biosecurity measures nationwide. The outbreak has also affected wildlife. A little penguin on Victoria’s Phillip Island was among the animals killed by the virus, while authorities have begun a vaccination program aimed at protecting vulnerable species, including little penguins and animals kept in captivity.   Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the high number of reports demonstrated the important role Australians are playing in helping authorities monitor and respond to biosecurity threats. Australia’s response relies heavily on public reporting, alongside efforts by biosecurity officers working at airports, borders and mail centres.   The scale of the country’s wider biosecurity operation has also been highlighted during National Biosecurity Week. Between January and July, authorities recorded more than 195,000 biosecurity interceptions at Australian airports, with another 53,000 detections at mail centres.   More than 70,000 of the airport detections involved X-ray screening or detector dog teams. Authorities said these operations prevented more than 23,000 items from entering the country.   Among the intercepted goods were seeds hidden inside pill capsules and chewing-gum containers. In another case, a traveller was allegedly found carrying more than 11kg of meat and fresh produce.   Officials also reported a case involving succulent plants that were allegedly falsely declared as “desktop decorations”.   The government says Australia’s biosecurity system has received more than $2 billion in additional funding since 2022, supporting efforts to prevent serious agricultural and environmental threats from entering the country.   Authorities continue to urge Australians to report suspected bird flu cases and follow biosecurity requirements as the nationwide response continues.

A powerful weather system is set to bring widespread rain and storms to parts of southern Australia this week, with some already saturated catchments facing renewed flooding risks.   The weather pattern is expected to intensify from Monday, with South Australia among the first areas to experience heavier falls. Forecasters say parts of the Eyre and Yorke peninsulas, along with the Adelaide Hills, could record between 30 and 50 millimetres of rain in some locations.   While the rainfall will provide valuable moisture for some agricultural areas, conditions are becoming a concern for communities where soils and waterways are already saturated.   The focus will shift east on Tuesday, with north-east Victoria and southern New South Wales expected to receive some of the heaviest falls. Rain totals of 40 to 60 millimetres, or potentially more, are possible across areas that have already experienced significant rainfall. Meteorologists warn that the additional water could trigger further flooding, particularly in catchments that have had little opportunity to dry out.   Rain is also expected across parts of the Murray-Darling Basin and southern South Australia, although totals in these regions are likely to be lower.   Further east, showers and thunderstorms are forecast to continue across eastern New South Wales and southern Queensland as the weather system moves offshore. Western Australia will experience a different pattern, with frost possible across southern areas before showers develop along parts of the coast.   The unsettled conditions are expected to continue through the latter part of the week. Another low-pressure system developing in the west could bring additional rain to Western Australia’s south coast, while a weaker cold front may affect Tasmania and southern Victoria later in the week.   Authorities are urging residents in areas prone to flooding to monitor official weather warnings and remain alert as conditions change.   The latest system comes as Australia heads towards the more active storm season, highlighting the need for communities to prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions.

Victoria Police has launched a major operation targeting alleged criminal activity in the state’s construction industry, with the CFMEU’s Melbourne headquarters among several properties searched.   Police carried out warrants at six locations as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and undisclosed financial dealings within the construction sector.   The operation involved specialist investigators from Victoria Police, including organised crime and cybercrime teams.   Authorities seized a range of material during the searches, including electronic devices, vehicles and documents, as investigators work to determine whether criminal activity has taken place.   Five men were arrested during the operation. Two have been charged with separate offences involving drugs and firearm storage, while three others were released as police continue their investigation.   Police have stressed that the broader investigation remains ongoing and is focused on allegations of corruption and other serious criminal conduct connected to the construction industry.   The raid comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of Victoria’s building and construction sector. Concerns over alleged corruption, criminal influence and misconduct have prompted the state government to establish a royal commission into the industry.   The commission is expected to examine a wide range of issues, including the involvement of unions, construction businesses, labour hire companies and government bodies responsible for major infrastructure projects.   Authorities say the parallel investigations are intended to uncover how criminal networks may have operated within the sector and whether existing safeguards were sufficient.   Police have urged anyone with information about suspected criminal activity in the construction industry to come forward. The latest raids are likely to add further pressure on an industry already facing significant public and political scrutiny, as authorities move to strengthen oversight and tackle alleged corruption.   The investigation remains active, and no conclusions have been reached about any individuals or organisations involved.