World Cup shock for Australia: The Socceroos kicked off FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 2-0 win over Türkiye in Vancouver, with Nestory Irankunda scoring Australia’s youngest-ever World Cup goal and Connor Metcalfe sealing it as Patrick Beach made eight saves for a clean sheet. Local football buzz: Melbourne’s Federation Square packed out as fans celebrated the upset, while Popovic defended his bold selection calls as “no surprise” inside the squad. Cricket finale in Bangladesh: Bangladesh won the toss and batted first in the 3rd ODI aiming for a historic 3-0 sweep after Mehidy Hasan Miraz was ruled out with a head injury. Indigenous-led renewables: Rapid Camps won a contract to deliver a 204-person workforce camp for the Jinbi Solar Project near Karratha, backing a Pilbara project led by Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation. Research and policy: Australia’s association to Horizon Europe’s Pillar II was finalised, and a new study found earlier egg introduction at around six months is linked to lower egg allergy rates in Australian infants. Environment watch: Scientists warn a powerful “super El Niño” could bring major weather disruption and pressure global food supplies. Shark safety update: A woman was critically injured in a shark attack off Coogee Beach, with authorities temporarily lifting the ban on shark-spotting drones after the incident.