56-year-old Dezi Freeman remains on the run after fatally shooting two police officers who were serving a sex crimes warrant at his property in Porepunkah. Freeman has taken his wife and two children with him as hostage.

Porepunkah

Police in Victoria are conducting an extensive search for 56-year-old Desi Freeman, who is accused of fatally shooting two police officers at a remote property near Porepunkah. The officers were executing a search warrant related to sexual offences and child abuse investigations when the incident occurred. Freeman's family, initially reported as hostages, have been confirmed safe after presenting themselves to police.

Authorities have established a no-fly zone and advised residents to stay indoors while the armed suspect remains at large in the Mount Buffalo bushland. Freeman, described as an experienced bushman with extremist views, is believed to be armed with multiple firearms. The local community remains in lockdown as the search continues.

Manhunt continues for Porepunkah cop shooter

Helicopters and heavily armoured police scour the thick bushland at Mount Buffalo hoping to capture the man accused of killing two of their own. All of our specialist resources are there, the hunt will continue until we find him. 56-year-old Desi Freeman remains on the run after allegedly shooting dead two police officers yesterday morning at a remote property in Pawpunka, about 300km north-east of Melbourne. They'd been there executing a search warrant related to the sexual offences and child abuse investigations team. While it was initially reported Freeman had taken his family hostage, it's now been confirmed they're safe. His wife and children presented to a police station last night. They are, as you can imagine, really traumatised by this. The two slain officers have now been identified as 59-year-old Detective Leading Senior Constable Neil Thompson, days away from his retirement, and Senior Constable Vadim Dvart. The 35-year-old was fluent in four languages and on a temporary work assignment when he was killed. The third officer, who was shot in the thigh and airlifted to Alfred Hospital, remains there today, recovering from surgery. Our officers come to work every day to keep their community safe. We always live with the knowledge that the worst could happen. Tonight, we're learning more about this suspect. Freeman has a long-held hatred for authority. A conspiracy theorist and self-proclaimed sovereign citizen, he once tried to prosecute then-Victorian Premier Dan Andrews for treason. His hatred for police also documented in court records, referring to officers as Nazis and terrorist thugs. Extremist views that seem to have sparked a call to arms online, with one poster claiming a convoy of sovereign citizens is on its way to Porpanka to support him. This man, who didn't want to be identified, told 10 News he's known Freeman for almost a decade. He's messaged the fugitive, offering to accompany him if he surrenders. You need to surrender properly to the authority. I think that is the best way to do as a citizen of this country, Australia. The men used to hunt together, and so this man also has a warning for police. He used to be a bushman hunter, and he loves hunting. So just advice to the troopers of the Victorian police, that they should be careful. Freeman fled into thick bushland shortly after the shooting. Police fear he's armed with multiple firearms because they were missing from the property when searched. We believe he has long arms, powerful firearms, multiple firearms. They've established a no-fly zone and urged residents to stay home due to an active armed offender in the area. They have confirmed his friend's account. Freeman is an experienced bushman. They concede he could camp out for weeks. Even though we have experts in the area, he will know that area better than us. New South Wales police say they have nothing to suggest he's crossed the border. That bloke could be anywhere in the bush. It puts you a bit on the edge, I suppose, doesn't it? I think this could go on for days. It could come, and there could be only two ways it ends. The tiny town of Porpunka has a population of less than 1,500. Locals forced into lockdown as the manhunt stretches into its second night. Paris Martin, 10 News.

SpaceX on Tuesday launched its Super Heavy-Starship, the most powerful rocket in the world, for a test flight after three other flights failed earlier this year. NASA hired SpaceX to build a lunar lander version of Starship to carry astronauts to the moon.

Starbase

SpaceX launches Super Heavy-Starship in test flight

President Donald Trump said he would seek the death penalty for murders in Washington, as part of a crackdown on what he calls out-of-control crime in the US capital.

Washington

Trump endorses death penalty return in Washington D.C.

As the Israeli military gives an initial assessment of deadly strikes on a Gaza hospital, hundreds of thousands of protesters urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire with Hamas in exchange for a hostage deal.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

Protesters urge Netanyahu to reach hostage deal

Cracker Barrel says it will go back to its old logo after facing intense backlash and seeing its company value to sink by nearly $100 million after switching to a new design last week. In a statement, Cracker Barrel thanked their guests for sharing their voices.

Cracker Barrel scrapping new logo, returning to old one after backlash

The small West Tennessee town of Mason, just 2 square miles in size, is home to about 1,000 people. But its residents are now divided by what a new immigration detention facility will mean for the area.

Mason

Small Tennessee town divided over new ICE detention facility

A standoff is brewing between President Trump and economist Lisa Cook. Mr. Trump tried to fire her, claiming "there is sufficient cause" to believe that Cook made false statements on one or more mortgage agreements.

Trump clashes with Fed board member Lisa Cook, pushing to oust her

Protesters demanding an end to the Gaza war and the return of hostages to their homes took to the streets in Israel on Tuesday ahead of a security cabinet meeting scheduled for the evening.

Israeli protesters demand hostage deal as cabinet set to meet

Australia accused Iran on Tuesday (August 26) of executing two antisemitic arson attacks in the cities of Sydney and Melbourne and gave Tehran's ambassador seven days to leave the country, its first such expulsion since World War Two.

Council of the City of Sydney

Australia expels Iranian envoy over antisemitic attacks

President Donald Trump announced the removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, the only Black woman to serve on the board. Critics call it an attack on the Fed's independence, while Cook says no legal cause exists for her firing.

Trump says he fired Lisa Cook from Federal Reserve board

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating new National Guard units, including a rapid-response force to handle what the administration calls civil disturbances.

White House authorizes creation of rapid-response National Guard units

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI sued Apple and ChatGPT maker OpenAI in U.S. federal court in Texas, accusing them of illegally conspiring to thwart competition for artificial intelligence.

Texas

Rise of AI

Elon Musk's xAI sues Apple, OpenAI over competition claims

Strikes on the Nasser hospital in Gaza that left at least 20 people dead, including rescuers, journalists and health-care workers are being met with global outrage. The Israeli military is investigating what Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netnayahu called a ‘tragic mishap.’

Israeli PM calls deadly strikes on Gaza hospital a ‘tragic mishap’

Kilmar Abrego Garcia is back in ICE custody and is facing deportation to Uganda, the Department of Homeland Security says, after he was released from criminal custody last week.

Baltimore

Abrego Garcia in ICE custody, court blocks immediate deportation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he will meet with the U.S. and other countries this week to discuss a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at reaching a ceasefire.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskiy say he will meet with U.S., others on potential Putin talks

U.S. President Donald Trump says Chicago could be the next city to see National Guard deployment, sparking strong opposition from Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, who argue crime is already falling and federal intervention is unnecessary.

Chicago

Trump threatens to send National Guard troops to Chicago

Four journalists working with Reuters, Al Jazeera and others were killed in explosions at a Gaza hospital. Gaza officials blame Israeli drone strikes, though CBS News has not independently verified the claims.

Jerusalem

Four journalists reported dead after Gaza hospital blasts

U.S. National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington D.C. as part of what President Donald Trump said was his crackdown on crime began carrying weapons on Sunday night, two officials said.

National Guard patrolling Washington DC begin carrying weapons

In a visit to Kyiv, Prime Minister Mark Carney affirmed Canada’s support for Ukraine and committed to sending soldiers if a ceasefire with Russia is reached.

Carney in Kyiv pledges support, possibly troops for Ukraine

The Pickett Fire is growing in California's Napa County, prompting new evacuations as it threatens homes and wineries. The flames, fueled by scorching temperatures and dry conditions, are being battled by hundreds of first responders.

Napa Valley

Evacuations ordered in California as heatwave fuels wildfire

Democrats are pushing back against President Trump's plan to send the National Guard to more cities, including Chicago, New York and Baltimore, as troops continue to patrol Washington, D.C. State and local leaders say they have crime under control.

Democrats slam Trump's plans to send National Guard to more cities

Beef prices are at record highs with the average price of a pound of ground beef topping $6. Lisa Rozner reports on what's causing prices to soar.

Why U.S beef prices are soaring

A defiant Ukraine marked its independence from the former Soviet Union Sunday amid more fighting with Russia. Chris Livesay reports on how world leaders joined in, voicing their support.

Ukraine marks its Independence Day as war with Russia continues

The boats are produced by unknown Turkish companies and are then sent disassembled in multiple shipments to avoid suspicion in what authorities say is for the sole purpose of trafficking migrants across the English Channel.

Sofia

Inflatable boats used for migrant trafficking seized

Less than 24 hours after he was released from jail, Kilmar Ábrego García was told that U.S. immigration officials plan to deport him to Uganda. The Salvadoran national, who has been living illegally in the U.S. since about 2011, was wrongly deported to his home country earlier this year.

Maryland

Kilmar Abrego Garcia told he may be sent to Uganda

Erik and Lyle Menendez remain behind bars, their hopes for release dashed by two separate parole boards more than three decades after murdering their parents. Elise Preston reports.

Los Angeles

Erik and Lyle Menendez denied parole

Tourism in Las Vegas is slumping this summer, costing the city billions. That could signal trouble ahead for the U.S. economy. Andres Gutierrez has new details.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas tourism slumps this summer, signaling trouble for U.S. economy

Texas Republicans took a victory lap after an early morning vote Saturday that sought to give their party an edge during the 2026 midterms. Democrats in Texas plan to challenge the legality of the new congressional map, saying it dilutes the power of minorities.

Austin

Texas Republicans take victory lap after redistricting vote

Israel has called the United Nations' declaration of famine in parts of Gaza an "outright lie," but multiple U.N. bodies, more than 100 humanitarian groups, and several of Israel's own allies have warned for months that the war is causing starvation among civilians.

Israel denies U.N.'s declaration of famine in parts of Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump says he will impose sanctions on Russia if it fails to reach a peace deal in Ukraine within two weeks. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia’s ongoing attacks on his country show that President Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace.

Breakdown