TRANSCRIPT
- International calls for calm as fears are again raised of broader conflict in the Middle East
- Disability advocacy groups criticise the federal government's response to recommendations of a royal commission
- Australia's Jessica Fox collects another gold at the Paris Olympics
Experts are warning the assassination of the political leader of Hamas in Iran has threatened peace and security throughout the Middle East.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed by an air strike in the Iranian capital Tehran.
Iran and the Palestinian group blame Israel for the shock attack.
There was no immediate comment from Israel, which has repeatedly vowed to kill Mr Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders after the group's October 7 attack on southern Israel.
The killing will likely jeopardise delicate peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas and could trigger retaliation against Israel from Iran or its powerful Lebanese ally Hezbollah.
Dr Martin Kear, a lecturer in international relations at the University of Sydney, says the likely Israeli attack in Iran, paired with their attack on Lebanon's capital Beirut just hours earlier, has risked pushing the region into a devastating multi-front war.
"I think it's immensely provocative by Israel to assassinate the political leader of Hamas. If Russia had done this or China had done something similar there would be Security Council meetings, there would be resolutions passed. This is now a grave threat to international peace and security but what we are seeing consistently over the past 10 months is democratic governments refusing to criticise openly another democratic government."
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Defence Minister Richard Marles has issued a warning the situation in the Middle East needs to end after the assassination of the political chief of Hamas.
The latest Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade travel advice urges Australians to reconsider whether they need to stay in Israel and if not, to depart when safe to do so.
Mr Marles says the security situation could deteriorate quickly.
"We definitely want to ensure that we do not see an escalation in what's playing out in the Middle East because the consequences of that would be profound. It would be profound in respect of the loss of innocent lives, and that's why Australia has used its advocacy within the international community to call for a ceasefire and to prevent or to argue against any escalation."
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Disability advocacy groups have labelled the federal government's response to the disability royal commission report 'completely disproportionate'.
The royal commission report called for sweeping changes to a disability sector plagued by abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The Albanese government has revealed it will accept 13 of the 172 recommendations made to the government in full.
It's a response which President of People with Disability Australia, Marayke Jonkers, says falls well short of expectations.
"Us and our members are devastated , disappointed and completely caught-off guard with the response to us sharing our stories over 7,000 submissions; and only 13 recommendations accepted. This completely disproportionate to the scale of neglect and abuse that has been experienced and shared."
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A new syllabus for New South Wales high school students has been revealed, featuring its biggest sex education overhaul in decades.
Under mandatory curriculum changes, for the first time children in years 7-10 in the state will learn how to navigate relations with sexual partners.
Under the previous curriculum, consent was an optional example of a topic teachers could discuss at their discretion.
Education Minister Prue Car says the topic will become an essential component of courses to be taught in all New South Wales classrooms by 2027.
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A program helping First Nations people prepare for careers as firefighters is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The Indigenous Fire and Rescue Employment Strategy is run by TAFE and Fire and Rescue New South Wales.
Over six months, participants earn a Certificate 3 in fitness and gain practical experience in simulated emergencies.
They also gain a better understanding of the recruitment process.
More than 80 Indigenous people, like Jye Doyle, have become firefighters through the program.
"I like to think if you can see it you can be it, so the more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we see within in our ranks, the more the community gets to see those faces and more the community are able to go hey, I'm able to be that person, I'm able to be that job, and maybe it's a career they haven't thought about."
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Nine's newspaper journalists will receive an 11.5 per cent pay increase over three years after accepting a new offer from management.
The deal has been reached after around 500 editorial staff at the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, Brisbane Times and WA Today stopped work for five days.
It's one per cent higher than a deal of 10 per cent over three years which was rejected by journalists last week - that did not compete with inflation figures which was at 3.6 per cent in the March quarter.
The media union has confirmed further industrial action has been put on hold.
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Australian flag-bearer Jessica Fox has defended her crown in the canoe slalom C-1, adding a second C-1 gold to her K-1 in Paris.
The 30-year-old has become the most decorated paddler in Olympic history.
In other results, the Matildas have been beaten 2-1 by the USA and in swimming Mollie O'Callaghan and Shayna Jack have missed out on medals in the women's 100m freestyle.
