Gun Reform in NSW: NSW will launch a state gun buyback from 2 November, the first in Australia after the Bondi Beach attack, with compensation of $450–$1,000 for most surrendered firearms and up to $10,000 for higher-value items in a second phase from early 2027, costs split between NSW and the Commonwealth. Canberra–India Diplomacy: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked India’s 80th Independence Day with praise for India’s democratic rise and deeper Australia–India ties, while Foreign Minister Penny Wong also sent greetings. AUKUS/Defence Tech Signals: Coverage continues around Australia’s defence and surveillance cooperation, including radar and missile-security moves tied to AUKUS and wider Indo-Pacific monitoring. Digital Rights & Age Checks: Meta says it has removed about 756,000 Australian teen accounts under the under-16 social media ban, pushing for stronger age-checking at the operating-system level. Wildlife Health: Victoria confirmed Australia’s first H5 bird flu case in little penguins, triggering a major vaccination push for colonies including Phillip Island. Energy & Industry: OpenAI has reportedly dropped plans to cool its planned S7 Sydney data centre with recycled wastewater after permit hurdles, shifting to an alternative cooling approach. Sports Governance: The BBL privatisation debate moved forward after a Cricket Australia board meeting, with more states showing openness to private stakes.