Queensland residents express disappointment over a proposed Trump tower and questions arise regarding the Royal Pines redevelopment, while internal conflict at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians may be nearing an end, concerns are raised about a social media ban harming disadvantaged teens, racism and inequality remain pressing issues, and celebrity Matt Wright faces a lawsuit related to a helicopter crash.

• CARTOONS: QLD residents rate Trump tower of disappointment — Independent Australia -
• Is the doctors’ war at Royal College finally ending? — Michael West -
• Until we can defend ourselves, we’re not all equal — Independent Australia -

• Condescending and harmful: An update on Australia’s social media ban — Independent Australia -
• Broke Outback Wrangler saddles up to defend lawsuit — Michael West -
• Royal Pines redevelopment raises major questions on the Gold Coast — Independent Australia -

Virgin Australia's profit is impacted by a post-administration tax bill, while Coles faces scrutiny ahead of its half-yearly results and Rebel Sport grapples with discounting and inventory challenges, even as Australian shares hit record highs due to strong earnings and commodity prices.

• Virgin’s profit dented by post-administration tax bill — Michael West -
• Check-out time for Coles on results as focus magnifies — Michael West -
• Aussie shares reset records as earnings boon rolls on — Michael West -

• Discounting, inventory issues weigh on Rebel Sport — Michael West -

Debates about Australia's true economic independence continue, with discussions questioning its status as a client state within a corporate empire and news that DFAT has engaged a high-profile Washington lobbyist to navigate the US administration.

• Australia: Still a client state in a corporate empire — Independent Australia -
• The state of a (not) independent Australia address — Independent Australia -
• DFAT hires $250k Washington lobbyist known as ‘Mr Inside’ — Crikey -

Paramount is intensifying its competition with Netflix in the streaming war, while global shares are softening due to concerns over tech valuations, and data centres are being encouraged to adopt clean energy and invest in workforce training.

• Paramount raises the stakes in battle with Netflix — Michael West -
• World shares ease on concerns about tech valuations — Michael West -
• Data centres urged to BYO clean energy, train workers — Michael West -

Fiji and Tuvalu will host crucial pre-COP31 climate talks, bringing international focus to island nations directly threatened by climate change.

• Threatened island nation to host pre-climate meet talks — Michael West -