That’s all for todayBy Isabel McMillanThanks for reading the national news blog for today, Friday, September 4. This is where we will end the rolling coverage. Here’s a brief look back at some of the day’s biggest stories:Two more Australians in Nepal and Tibet have were found safe, Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed, revising the total number of Australians unaccounted for down to 36. Rescuers in Nepal pulled two workers alive from a tunnel during an ongoing operation at the Trishul 3A tunnel, officials said.A case of H5 bird flu was detected in a bird found at Warriewood on the northern beaches last week, marking the first detection of the deadly strain in Sydney. The greater crested tern was found on Friday, August 28. Testing confirmed it was carrying bird flu.Health Minister Mark Butler admitted the government is not on track to reach its own projections, which estimate Australia needs about 10,600 new aged care beds a year to keep up with current demand. “We’re not anywhere near building that,” he told a press conference earlier today, equating the figure to opening a new facility every three days for the next 20 years.Former Queensland police commissioner Steve Gollschewski died, just months after cancer forced him out of the top job. He was 67. Acting Police Commissioner Brett Pointing paid tribute to his colleague, who died in Brisbane on Friday morning.The royal commission into Victoria’s construction sector announced a chief executive and legal counsel, with more details on hearings and witnesses expected in coming weeks. Commissioner Chris Kourakis announced Emma Catford, a deputy secretary in Victoria’s Department of Justice and Community Safety, had been appointed chief executive for the inquiry.And overseas, French Health Minister Stephanie Rist saidthat there were around 7000 excess deaths recorded during the blistering heatwaves that hit the country this northern summer as of late July, adding that final data would be available in the coming weeks.Thanks again for tuning in. We’ll be back with rolling live news coverage again next week.Latest Posts5.55pm on Sep 4, 2026Bird flu detected in inner MelbourneBy James CostaA case of H5 bird flu has been confirmed in gulls, terns or noddies in Albert Park or Middle Park, the council of Port Phillip says.It follows 149 positive cases in wildlife across Victoria since the virus arrived in Australia in July. Across the country, there have been about 479 positive events, according to the Department of Agriculture.“People love and care deeply about the wildlife that calls Port Phillip home, from our little penguins to the many birds that visit our beaches and foreshore, so it’s understandable there’ll be concern about the spread of bird flu in Victoria and the potential risk to local wildlife,” the council said.The council said it was monitoring the St Kilda penguin colony with the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, and that no signs of infection had been detected.5.10pm on Sep 4, 2026Family faces extra wait for answers over cheerleader’s high-rise deathBy Rex MartinichAn inquest into an NRL cheerleader’s high-rise death has been significantly delayed as a domestic violence expert is sought to examine dozens of statements related to the woman’s partner.Breeana Elaine Stewart Robinson, 21, fell to her death from an 11th-storey Gold Coast balcony on January 29, 2013.Breeana Robinson was a cheerleader with the Gold Coast Titans. The Gold Coast Titans cheerleader was last seen alive by her partner, Jayden Daniel Moorea, who was in the apartment at the time, a coroner has been told.But a 10-day inquest, planned for October, should be delayed until at least 2027, Queensland Deputy State Coroner Donald MacKenzie was told on Friday.The court was waiting on a full transcript from a previous criminal matter linked to Robinson’s death, said counsel assisting, Kim Bryson.Read the full story here. 4.49pm on Sep 4, 2026Thousands dead in France’s blistering summerBy Paris: French Health Minister Stephanie Rist said on Friday that there were around 7000 excess deaths recorded during the blistering heatwaves that hit the country this northern summer as of late July, adding that final data would be available in the coming weeks.The country’s health agency had estimated the excess deaths during the period between June 17 and July 2 at 5764.Reuters4.25pm on Sep 4, 2026Almost 1500 weapons seized under landmark reformsBy Robyn WuthAlmost 1500 weapons have been seized under landmark reforms that have made an impact across the nation.However, Queensland remains Australia’s crime capital for the third straight year despite the success of Jack’s Law, which allows police to search using handheld metal detectors or wands in any public space without a warrant.The Queensland government has revealed the reform’s impact, along with crime figures after the first full year of implementing its controversial “adult crime, adult time” laws.Officers have scanned 198,469 people across the state under the Jack’s Law legislation.3.45pm on Sep 4, 2026IBAC veteran among top lawyers tapped for construction inquiryBy Kieran RooneyThe royal commission into Victoria’s construction sector has announced a chief executive and legal counsel, with more details on hearings and witnesses expected in coming weeks.On Friday, Commissioner Chris Kourakis announced Emma Catford, a deputy secretary in Victoria’s Department of Justice and Community Safety, had been appointed chief executive for the inquiry.Two senior Victorian lawyers, Chris Young KC and Christopher Carr SC, have also been named to assist the commission.Young has appeared in cases involving building and construction projects while Carr chairs the Victorian Criminal Bar Association.3.20pm on Sep 4, 2026Albanese shares update on phone call with Nepal’s Prime MinisterBy Michelle GriffinPrime Minister Anthony Albanese has just posted an update on X about his phone call with Nepal’s Prime Minister Balen Shah:Today I spoke with Prime Minister Shah of Nepal to extend Australia’s deepest condolences following the catastrophic floods and tsunami like devastation.Australia stands by Nepal and is providing help where it’s needed most through humanitarian supplies, equipment and specialised capabilities.The loss of life and destruction is devastating, and we will keep doing everything we can to find the Australians still unaccounted for.Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those Australians who are still missing.”Earlier today, DFAT revealed that two more Australians had been found alive in Nepal and did not need consular assistance.3.10pm on Sep 4, 2026Norway seizes Russian ship, drawing Putin’s ireBy Norway seized a Russian vessel in the remote Arctic yesterday at the request of Ukraine, drawing condemnation from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who compared it to “state terrorism”.The vessel, Professor Molchanov, is used for commercial expedition cruises, including to Svalbard in the High Arctic archipelago, more than 800 kilometres north of the Norwegian mainland.A Norwegian court ordered it to be taken as part of efforts by Ukraine’s state energy company to recover $US4.22 billion ($5.8 billion) in damages stemming from Russia’s 2014 illegal annexation of Crimea and its seizure of Ukrainian energy assets.Putin, speaking in Vladivostok, criticised the move and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s warning to foreign airlines to avoid Russia because of Ukrainian long-range drone attacks.2.48pm on Sep 4, 2026Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis seeks new judge for driving breachBy Abe MaddisonFormer Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has faced court after pleading guilty to driving while suspended, appearing before the same judge who warned him he would be jailed if he breached the ban.Lawyers for Dennis, 36, told the Adelaide District Court on Friday that they intended to lodge an application seeking the recusal of Judge Ian Press from hearing the case.Rohan Dennis outside Adelaide Magistrates Court in March 2024.AAPDennis was given a suspended 17-month jail term and banned from driving for five years in 2025 after pleading guilty to a charge of committing an aggravated act likely to cause harm, over the events leading up to the death of his Olympian wife Melissa Hoskins.Hoskins, 32, was struck by her husband’s vehicle near their home at Medindie, in Adelaide’s inner north, on December 30, 2023.2.26pm on Sep 4, 2026Former Queensland police commissioner dies months after retirementBy Cameron AtfieldFormer Queensland police commissioner Steve Gollschewski has died, just months after cancer forced him out of the top job.He was 67.Acting Police Commissioner Brett Pointing paid tribute to his colleague, who died in Brisbane on Friday morning.Steve Gollschewski pictured while he was serving as the Queensland police commissioner.“Throughout his distinguished career, Steve was a remarkable strategist and contemporary leader, disciplined in his thinking, measured in his decisions and guided by deeply held personal values,” he said.“Steve was admired by many for his judgment, foresight and deep understanding of policing, and his impact will continue to be felt across Queensland, nationally and internationally for many years to come.”Read the full story here. 1 of 4