Updated September 2, 2026 — 5:54pm,first published September 2, 2026 — 9:34am5.54pm on Sep 2, 2026Today’s headlinesBy We’re bringing the live blog to a close for the day, thank you for joining us.Here’s a recap of the day’s headlines:A man attacked by a group of teenage boys and pelted with a rock outside a Perth fast food restaurant is recovering at home as police continue to investigate the incident. A boy from Falcon has been charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.About a dozen Australian citizens, including a Perth-born paediatrician nicknamed “Dr Jihad” who became a notorious Islamic State fighter, may be among a group of thousands set to face trial in Iraq for their involvement with the terrorist organisation.WA Police officers have allegedly found a bag of methamphetamine hidden inside a McDonald’s McMuffin during patrols last week.Premier Roger Cook is adamant the state government’s self-imposed shutdown timeline for Collie’s coal industry was still on track, meaning the region was due for a huge economic shakeup in less than four years.Cook also extended his condolences to the family of Perth man Luke Costanzo, who is among dozens of Australians missing in Nepal following the catastrophic floods last week. Thank you for tuning in today. We’ll see you back here tomorrow for more news you need to know.4.25pm on Sep 2, 2026Free entry for dads this Sunday at Perth ZooBy Dads will get free entry to Perth Zoo this Sunday to celebrate Father’s Day. The initiative does not require an advanced booking with the ticket to be waived at entry. Giraffes are among the many attractions at Perth Zoo.City of PerthEnvironment minister Matthew Swinbourn said the freebie aims to encourage families to enjoy a special day together exploring the zoo. “Whether you’re visiting your favourite animals or discovering something new, Perth Zoo has something for everyone,” he said. “Providing free entry is a further opportunity for us to say thanks to all the dads and parents for introducing their children to the world of wildlife and helping to instil a passion for conservation in the next generation.”2.26pm on Sep 2, 2026‘We hope he returns safely’: Premier on WA man missing in NepalBy Sticking with WA Premier Roger Cook’s press conference in Collie today, and he has just been asked about Luke Costanzo, the West Australian man missing in the Nepal floods. WA man Luke Costanzo is missing in Nepal.Here’s what he had to say:It must be an unbelievably hard time for Luke’s family and friends and our hearts go out to them.The situation with these floods is incredibly remote, incredibly difficult to access, and obviously getting answers for people who are currently missing is is a very difficult task. And so, I think everyone in the community’s hearts go out to the family and friends of Luke, and we hope that he’s returned safely.1.55pm on Sep 2, 2026Collie rehabilitation costs will be ‘eye watering’ as Premier reveals workforce transition plan By Hamish HastieTo politics now and Premier Roger Cook is in Collie where he has just laid out the town’s future for after the state’s coal fired-power stations shut down in 2030.Cook was adamant the state government’s self-imposed shutdown timeline was still on track, meaning the region was due for a huge economic shakeup in less than four years.He revealed the Collie Basin Consolidation Taskforce, set up in January this year to assess the future of the region, had delivered its report to government which would accept all recommendations.A key finding was that it would be better for the state if the two coal miners in Collie Premier Coal and embattled Griffin Coal merged, but that would be complex.12.53pm on Sep 2, 2026Boy charged over Mandurah assaultBy Warning: This post contains confronting vision. An update now on the assault vision we published earlier in today’s blog, and WA Police have just confirmed that a boy from Falcon has been charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm. It comes after mobile phone vision captured a 25-year-old man becoming involved in an altercation with a group of teenagers outside Red Rooster in Falcon on Monday afternoon. The teens, who did not know the man, set upon him, with one throwing a rock at his head, knocking him unconscious. The charged boy is due to appear in Mandurah Children’s Court on September 14. 12.10pm on Sep 2, 2026WA’s top cop explains how officers found meth inside a McMuffinBy WA Police officers have allegedly found a bag of methamphetamine hidden inside a McDonald’s McMuffin during patrols last week. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the unusual find occurred after officers stopped a vehicle in Cable Beach and searched it. “During the search they found some fast food, and through good police work and good searching tactics – and I’ve got to say, I don’t think I’ve ever searched a McMuffin in my life – but certainly these police officers did,” he told Radio ABC Perth this morning.“They felt something was not quite right.10.26am on Sep 2, 2026IS-linked Australians, including Perth-born doctor, believed to be facing trial in IraqBy Nick NewlingAbout a dozen Australian citizens, including a Perth-born paediatrician nicknamed “Dr Jihad” who became a notorious Islamic State fighter, may be among a group of thousands set to face trial in Iraq for their involvement with the terrorist organisation.Tareq Kamleh, who was presumed to have been killed in Syria almost a decade ago, is among the cohort linked to the terrorist group who were hoping to return to Australia in July.First reported by the ABC, Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council released a statement this week revealing interrogations of over 5700 individuals linked to Islamic State groups. Referrals to trial are expected imminently.Kamleh is wanted by the AFP under an active warrant for terrorism offences, including joining and recruiting for a banned terrorist organisation.Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s office was contacted for comment. The government has said they would not provide any assistance to the individuals, including the facilitation of their return to Australia.9.34am on Sep 2, 2026Man attacked, knocked unconscious by teens outside Perth fast food chain By Warning: This post contains confronting vision. A man attacked by a group of teenage boys and pelted with a rock outside a Perth fast food restaurant is recovering at home as police continue to investigate the incident.Footage shows a 25-year-old man being approached by a group of teens outside Red Rooster in Falcon about 4.30pm on Monday.The man was knocked unconscious and taunted by the children, before bystanders came to his aide and he was transported to hospital. He left the emergency department before he could be treated.9.34am on Sep 2, 2026Across the nation and around the worldBy 9.34am on Sep 2, 2026Today’s weatherBy 1 of 2