Good morning. Thomas Morgan here with your AM NewsMail. As we enter day four in the search for the alleged Porepunkah gunman, we have the latest on an overnight raid on a home in the tiny Victorian town. Plus, we look at what is drawing people to extremist and ideological groups such as the sovereign citizen movement.

Also making headlines, exclusive details about ASIO's investigation into Iran, parental concern over NDIS changes, PNG's power grid on life support, and the weekly quiz, of course!

Fertile ground: There has been a sharp rise in support for extremist and fringe groups, particularly since the pandemic. So what is fuelling this rise? The key causes of this growing movement, leading experts tell us, go well beyond just a distrust of police.

Latest developments: The search for alleged gunman Dezi Freeman is continuing into its fourth day in north-east Victoria . He is accused of shooting two police officers dead and injuring a third. Police carried out a late-night operation in Porepunkah yesterday, sources tell the ABC. Our reporter in the town says she saw "quite a heavy police presence", but Victoria Police is yet to officially confirm details.

Follow the latest on our live blog.

How Tehran's plots came undone: Intelligence investigators initially believed the antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne were carried out by an offshore criminal, before a promising lead uncovered Iran's involvement. This morning, we can reveal exclusive details about the months-long ASIO investigation into the plot, and what was (and wasn't) discussed at dinner between a senior cabinet minister and Donald Trump's FBI director.

Analysis with Michelle Grattan: He's the public face of one of Australia's most secretive agencies, so exactly who is Mike Burgess? With a growing profile and bipartisan respect, Australia's top spook is taking ASIO in a very different direction.

Another blow: It just hasn't been Iran's week. After its ambassador to Australia was booted from the country, now our European allies are threatening to restore punishing sanctions on Tehran unless it drops its nuclear ambitions.

Analysis with Stephen Dziedzic: Was it a "happenstance encounter" or a meeting? Whatever it was, Australian MPs have choice words to describe the Pentagon's behaviour towards Defence Minister Richard Marles as he met JD Vance and Pete Hegseth. To pluck out just a few: "weird", "pass-ag", "bizarre", "odd", "snarky" and "contemptuous."

• NDIS changes: Parents and advocates are calling for more details around the government's proposed changes that will see some children diverted from the existing system to the Thriving Kids program. For mother Clare McKay, the biggest worry is a one-size-fits-all system.
• 'Scambling': Indigenous Australians like grandmother Gloria are being lured by gambling scams promising big wins, which refuse to pay out and then embroil users into "micro money laundering". Financial counsellors say these illegal pokie and casino sites are having a "catastrophic" impact on First Nations communities.
• Tons and tons: It's one of the world's most stunning and unique landscapes, but tourist visits to Antarctica are burning a shocking amount of carbon. The growing demand to visit the continent is adding to the list of pressures being placed on its environment and wildlife.

— Papua New Guinea's only electricity company is falling apart, and local residents and business operators like Ian Chow are the ones left in the dark.

After a six-month investigation, our correspondent Marian Faa can exclusively reveal PNG Power is trading while insolvent after racking up more than $1.5 billion in debt. The situation is so bad, generator companies are voluntarily providing electricity to the grid to keep the lights on.

This television crew has made an incredible find off the coast of Western Australia, but what was it? 

Test your knowledge of the week's biggest and quirkiest stories on our Friday quiz. And if at first you don't succeed, the refresh button will let you have another go.

EXTRA: Scientists have uncovered a "jaw-droppingly weird" dinosaur fossil . Think an echidna, but reptilian, four metres long and with spikes the length of a golf club.

And that's it for today. Thanks for reading. We'll be back at the same time on Monday with more. Have a great weekend!

Thomas and the ABC News Digital team.

A leading extremism expert says increasing inequality is leading to the growth of sovereign citizen and other fringe groups spreading across rural and regional Australia.