The antisemitism royal commission wraps up its public hearings; tributes continue for Dolly Parton, as US flags are lowered to half-staff; Alex Twal prepares to return for Lebanon at the Rugby League World Cup.
Listen to Australian and world news and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin,
- The antisemitism royal commission wraps up its public hearings
- Tributes continue for Dolly Parton, as US flags are lowered to half-staff
- Alex Twal prepares to return for Lebanon at the Rugby League World Cup
Public hearings at the royal commission into antisemitism have ended, with the inquiry now turning to its final report.
Commissioner Virginia Bell says the report will be handed down on December 18, four days later than planned, to avoid clashing with the first anniversary of the Bondi massacre.
She has rejected calls for a longer extension, saying closed hearings have examined sensitive evidence linked to the attack without prejudicing ongoing criminal proceedings.
Commissioner Bell says the inquiry now has enough material to reach its conclusions.
“I am satisfied that I am currently in a position to give a full and fair account of the term of reference which asks whether in relation to the Bondi Hanukkah attack our intelligence and our law enforcement agencies operated or performed to maximum effectiveness."
Australia’s inflation rate has eased, but prices are still rising faster than expected.
Annual inflation fell to 3.5 per cent in July, from 3.8 per cent in June, while prices rose one per cent over the month.
Underlying inflation remains elevated, keeping pressure on the Reserve Bank over its next move on interest rates.
KPMG Australia Chief Economist Dr Brendan Rynne says the latest figures could influence how the RBA views its decision to leave rates unchanged last month.
"I think that creates a continued headache for the Reserve Bank and in many ways we wonder whether or not they'll look back at last months meeting and that in fact it was a missed opportunity and they should have in fact increased rates at that last meeting."
A fox is among the latest suspected bird flu cases in South Australia, as the state battles its worst outbreak of the disease.
The fox was found in Adelaide’s west, while a little penguin and a raven are also being tested.
South Australia has recorded 195 confirmed H5 bird flu events and 41 suspected cases, with samples from the latest animals sent for testing.
The cases come as authorities ramp up vaccinations for endangered species, including orange-bellied parrots and regent honeyeaters.
US President Donald Trump has ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff in honour of country music legend Dolly Parton.
The order applies to the White House, public buildings, military facilities and US diplomatic posts around the world until sunset on September the 1st.
Ms Parton's family has revealed the 80-year-old singer died from cancer.
In Nashville, fans have been laying flowers at a mural of Parton, remembering a career that spanned nearly six decades.
Among them was Tennessee native Lauren Goodner, who spent much of her 20s living in New York.
"When I lived New York, Dolly was my connection to home. Right about the time I was in New York too Dolly got her second wave and I was just so proud of claim her. When I would be homesick I would just sing at the top of my lungs in my Tennessee Mountain Home and so she's just been home for me."
Preparations are ramping up for this year’s Rugby League World Cup, which begins in Sydney in October.
The tournament will bring together men’s, women’s and wheelchair teams from across the world, with Australia among the host nations.
Lebanon is also preparing for the competition, with Wests Tigers forward Alex Twal set to return to the Cedars for the first time since the 2017 World Cup.
Twal says representing his heritage again will be a special moment.
"Yeah it's always a special feeling to put these colours back on it's been a while since I last played for Lebanon in the 2017 World Cup but I'm really looking forward to getting into camp with the boys, obviously my priority is just focusing on finishing the season strong with the Tigers but really looking forward to the opportunity to represent my heritage."
