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In this Easy English bulletin…
- Iran and Oman discuss safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
- The UN says July the deadliest month in Gaza since the start of the year.
- Australian researchers discover how breast milk helps protect babies.
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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.
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.
U-N 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.
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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Ten thousand people presented to New South Wales emergency departments on Monday - the highest number ever recorded for a winter day in the state's history.
Authorities expect ongoing high rates of influenza, respiratory illness R-S-V and COVID-19 in the community.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park says measures are being put in place to relieve under-pressure hospitals and staff, including directing non-emergency cases away from hospitals.
"We are investing millions into health direct and the services that sit behind 1800 022 222. We want people to use that number and use those services if it's not an emergency. There is no need to go to an emergency department unless it is an emergency. And if it is, or you think it is, that is exactly where we want you to go."
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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.
