Thai police say a 14-year-old boy has killed at least seven people; Racism inquiry reveals almost 60 per cent of First Nations people experience racism at work; And in sport, FIFA's embattled Infantino gets some support.
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TRANSCRIPT:
- Thai police say a 14-year-old boy has killed at least seven people
- Racism inquiry reveals almost 60 per cent of First Nations people experience racism at work
- FIFA's embattled Infantino gets some support
A warning: This story contains a reference to suicide.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has condemned a shooting at a high school outside Bangkok that left at least seven people dead.
Police say a 14-year-old boy first shot and killed his grandparents before going to the school, where he killed five teachers and then took his own life.
Mr Charnvirakul, speaking after visiting the school, says the death toll could have been even higher.
"It is a sad thing, the events that took place. But we can count ourselves lucky that everything ended, because he had over 30 bullets still on him. If he did not end his own life, he could have done more harm to others.”
Readers seeking support can call Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 and Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
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The national parliamentary inquiry into racism, hatred and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has completed its final day of public hearings.
The three-month long inquiry has explored the multi-layered harm racism continues to cause for First Nations People.
On Friday, the inquiry heard almost sixty per cent of First Nations people experience racism at work, and only forty per cent consider workplaces culturally safe.
Australian Council of Trade Unions Indigenous Officer Lara Watson has told the committee many workplaces have no safe reporting systems in place to call out racism.
"We don't have safe reporting mechanisms in place within workplaces and people are really fearful. So there isn't that safety for workers to be able to call it out or safely report, or to feel safe to do that reporting, and that needs to change."
The committee's report, including recommendations for change, is due in parliament by the end of the year.
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The personal stories of racism experienced by First Nations communities detailed at the inquiry have sparked a call for it to be elevated to a national royal commission.
Independent Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe has been travelling the country as a member of the committee conducting the inquiry into racism, hatred and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Speaking with SBS News, Senator Thorpe says the testimony that's been given deserves to be elevated to the highest level.
"Racism kills. Racism makes people sick. Racism is like a cancer, and if you subscribe to that, then you've got a problem, and you need to have a look at that problem in in detail, and I think a royal commission will certainly expose that."
The government has not directly addressed the call for a separate royal commission.
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A warning: This story contains references to domestic violence.
The Greens are urging the government to commit more than $4 billion dollars toward social housing for women escaping domestic and family violence.
The call comes as federal, state and territory ministers responsible for women's safety met on Friday to discuss national progress on gender equality, and ending gender-based violence.
Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek says the Council discussed economic equality and opportunities to improve women’s experiences in male-dominated industries.
Greens Senator Larissa Waters says housing is a key issue that was not on the meeting agenda.
"We know that 12,000 women and children are facing the choice between violence and homelessness, and it is long past time that the government took this issue seriously. We hear other politicians saying, "Why didn't she just leave?" When the truth is, there's nowhere for these women and families to go."
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. The Men’s Referral Service, operated by No to Violence, can be contacted on 1300 766 491.
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A US official says Iran and Oman are making progress towards an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz, with a deal expected soon.
The two countries have been negotiating an arrangement aimed at restoring commercial shipping through the strategic waterway, disrupted during the five-month US-Iran conflict.
The US official says once a deal is announced allowing commercial vessels to pass without obstruction, Washington will lift its blockade of Iranian ports.
Washington says any easing of its measures will depend on Iran implementing its commitments under the proposed agreement.
But Iran is also considering legislation that would ban U-S and Israeli vessels from using the strait, along with ships carrying cargo linked to Israel.
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To sport, and in football, Mexico and Argentina's football associations have backed FIFA President Gianni Infantino, following his earlier controversial plans to sell-off stakes in competitions to private investors.
The support comes despite opposition from European football's governing body, UEFA, Asia's football confederation and CONCACAF, which represents football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, South America's CONMEBOL says any move to remove Infantino must be decided by all 211 FIFA members.
FIFA had earlier apologised, stressing that mistakes related to process and communication rather than breaches of governance rules.
The dispute has sparked debate on Infantino's bid for re-election next March.
