Good morning, Thomas Morgan and Maddie Nixon here with today's AM newsletter.

A NATO-like defence pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan has landed like a stone thrown into an already swirling Middle East pool, global affairs editor Laura Tingle writes, and the ripples from the deal are spreading.

But first, hospitals and allied health providers are concerned that insurers are asking providers for their patients' full clinical history, in what has been described as "aggressive" audit practices.

Plus, most of us assume the "home ownership rate" refers to the share of Australian adults who own a home. But business reporter Gareth Hutchens asks, what if the real rate of home ownership was much lower?

What's the story? Private health insurers are potentially seeking too much access to patients' confidential medical information through what has been described by the Australian Private Hospitals Association as "aggressive" audit practices.

Permission to access medical records is typically baked into the terms and privacy policy, which essentially grants the insurer permission to collect wide-ranging data on their customers.

One physiotherapist, who did not want to be identified, told ABC News he had been subject to an aggressive audit twice by Bupa. He said that during one audit, Bupa asked for the whole clinical history of his Bupa customers.

The physiotherapist wrote to his patients to seek their permission to release the documents and two-thirds refused. When he told the insurer this, he said he received a letter stating the company wanted those details irrespective of patient consent.

'Islamic NATO'? A new defence pact signed by three major Middle East powers is sending waves through an already stormy region. And more over, as our global affairs editor Laura Tingle writes, it sends an assertive message to the US that the geo-strategic balance in the region is in flux. 

Gambling changes: Labor and the Coalition have held a second round of "constructive" talks on the federal government's proposal to restrict gambling advertising, making a major party deal likely. Negotiations have focused on VIP inducements, protections for self-excluded gamblers and online advertising rules.

Lies and statistics: There's a big problem with the way Australia views the home ownership rate, says one economist, and the true number could change the way we think about the politics of housing. As our business reporter Gareth Hutchens writes, a question in last night's census could be part of the problem.

Good news for mortgage-holders: The RBA's best guess is that it is done hiking rates for the time-being, but Michele Bullock doesn't want you to know that. Publicly at least, she wants to keep the idea of a rate hike on the table, given the litany of global economic risks that could upset inflation forecasts.

Colombia quake: The death toll from Monday's disaster has climbed past 250, officials say, with thousands still missing. Rescue crews are working around the clock to scour collapsed buildings in the hope of finding some of those trapped alive.

Bait and switch: Donald Trump used a catering truck to secretly change planes in Türkiye, in an elaborate ruse designed to avoid a credible Iranian assassination threat. The plan was so secret even journalists and some staff aboard the flight were in the dark about the president's movements.

Sussan Ley: After being axed as Liberal leader, the long-time politician travelled across the US on a Greyhound bus. In her first interview since leaving politics, she told 7.30 what she saw in America was a "deep disconnection" that left her "incredibly proud" of Australia's multicultural project.

The Australian bush is no stranger to fires, and it's well known that many native species rely on them to regenerate and seed. But the relationship between fire and flora can oftentimes be a little more hot and cold than first meets the eye, according to ecologist Mark Brundrett.

Enter a warming climate and more intense bushfires, and now ecologists are beginning to understand that there's a delicate balance needed to keep our native species of wildflower in bloom.

For all the negatives we hear about social media, there are places online where good deeds can be done. Today, Queensland man Robert Smith is sharing the story of his decades-long search for long-lost family members that, at one point, appeared to have ended in naught.

He rolled the dice one last time, turning to a Facebook group full of 50,000 strangers dedicated to reuniting family and friends. Users would help him put the final pieces together, eventually introducing Robert to family members he never even knew he had. 

Thanks for reading. We'll be back tomorrow morning with more.

Thomas, Maddie and the ABC News Digital team.

Hospitals and allied health providers are concerned that insurers are asking providers for their patients' full clinical history. 

Sussan Ley left Australia after being ousted as Coalition leader. Her trip to the US saw her find an enhanced pride in the success of Australian multiculturalism.