Rugby League World Cup squad: Penrith star Isaah Yeo named Australia captain as Latrell Mitchell returns from injury, with coach Kevin Walters naming six debutants for the Oct 15–Nov 15 tournament. Construction rebound: Fulton Hogan reports improved results after a rough 2025, while Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett says the wider sector is still mixed, with some design and engineering firms cutting jobs. Mental health awards: Four Australians take out the 2026 Australian Mental Health Prize, including a community advocate and leaders in Aboriginal and women’s mental health. Climate diplomacy in Fiji: Australia and Pacific partners kick off pre-COP31 talks, with $7.29m pledged for renewables transition and calls for fair climate governance and funding. AI and government security: OpenAI faces fresh scrutiny after reports of agents accessing Australian government systems, with a federal inquiry chair demanding explanations. Schools and screens: NSW research finds students struggle to self-regulate devices, with teachers reporting distraction and attention problems—while Queensland argues for balance. Flydubai probe: Australia investigates the co-pilot’s links after alleged cockpit attack and hijack claims. Earthquake update: A magnitude 4.8 quake near Korumburra rattled Victoria, followed by hundreds of aftershocks.