Iran and Oman discuss safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz; The death toll from Venezuela’s earthquakes rises above six thousand; Matt King is named New South Wales Blues coach.
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TRANSCRIPT
Iran says it is working with Oman on a temporary route to restore safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The move follows prolonged disruption in the strategic waterway, raising concerns about the flow of oil and gas through the region.
Tehran says the immediate priority is navigation, while its wider dispute with the United States remains unresolved.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says the situation in the strait is tied to Washington’s actions.
“There will be no substantial change in the situation in the Strait of Hormuz as long as the United States continues its malicious actions and all the crimes it has committed during this period. Therefor the focus of negotiations with Oman will focus on navigation through the Strait, while the relevant issues between Iran and the U.S. should be discussed in a later stage to see how the situation will develop."
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The United Nations says July was the deadliest month in Gaza since the start of the year, as Israel intensifies its military campaign across the territory.
UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq says dozens of people, including children and other civilians, were killed in airstrikes and shelling over the weekend.
The bombardment comes days after the U-S and Hamas reached a deal for the militant group to disarm, a potential step toward ending the war in Gaza.
Israel says its strikes targeted militants.
Farhan Haq says a medical storage facility near Al-Aqsa Hospital was also targeted, where supplies provided by the World Health Organization were destroyed.
“More than 150 fatalities, including dozens of civilians, were documented in July – the highest reported monthly death toll since the beginning of the year... Most strikes are being reported in Western Gaza where virtually all 2.1 million people are concentrated. OSHA stresses that under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected and should not be targeted. Healthcare facilities must never be attacked or militarised.”
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The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June has risen to more than six thousand.
Authorities say nearly 61-thousand people were treated in hospital, while about 14-hundred people are still missing.
The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes hit within seconds of each other, destroying about 190 buildings and leaving thousands of homes unsafe.
Almost 24-thousand people are still living in temporary shelters, as rescue teams continue searching through the rubble.
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A pro-Palestinian protest held shortly after the October 7 Hamas attacks and a separate neo-Nazi rally in Sydney are under scrutiny at the anti-semitism Royal Commission.
The Royal Commission is examining how police respond to antisemitic conduct at protests.
The hearing is focusing on a rally in October 2023 outside the Sydney Opera House, and a 2025 gathering by a neo-Nazi group at New South Wales Parliament House.
Commissioner Virginia Bell says peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right, but the inquiry will consider whether policing responses can be improved.
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Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has condemned a controversial ABC comedy segment targeting mining billionaire Gina Rinehart.
The segment, broadcast on Race Around the World, included graphic references to violence against Ms Rinehart.
The ABC has referred the matter to its Ombudsman following public and political criticism.
Mr Marles says Australians need to lower the temperature of public debate.
“I definitely agree with the Prime Minister in terms of lowering the temperature. And I want to be clear, I've not seen the video and I don't intend to watch it, but as it's been described to me, it's completely unacceptable. And I do think we need to think about lowering the temperature."
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Australian researchers have discovered how breast milk helps protect babies from serious respiratory infections.
Scientists at Brisbane’s QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute found a protein in breast milk helps strengthen a baby’s immune system and protect the lungs.
They also found an existing diabetes drug may be able to copy the same effect.
The discovery could eventually help improve baby formula.
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In sport ...
Matt King has been named the new head coach of the New South Wales Blues State of Origin team.
The former Blues player permanently replaces Laurie Daley, who stepped down after guiding New South Wales to this year’s series victory over Queensland.
King played nine Origin matches for the Blues and has been part of the state’s coaching staff over the past three series.
He has described the Blues as the “love of his life”.
