TRANSCRIPT
- An evacuation flight for Australians fleeing Lebanon lands in Cyprus
- Former South Australian Liberal leader David Speirs quitting politics
- The Penrith Panthers quietly confident of a fourth consecutive NRL premiership
A charter plane carrying Australians out of Lebanon has landed in Cyprus, part of the large scale operation to evacuate citizens out of the country.
The civilians of all ages have been escorted to waiting coaches next to the terminal as they await later connecting flights back home to Australia.
One of the evacuees, sixteen-year-old Leah Lucas, has said the experience of fleeing Lebanon has not been an easy one.
"While we were sitting in the airplane just before take-off there was a lot of bombing, like around 500 meters next to the airport, and as we were about to take off we heard a lot of bombing. So it was so scary, you know there was a lot of kids frightened. But thank God like we know we're out of that place now."
**
Several parts of Beirut and a refugee camp have been struck by Israeli air strikes as its bombardment of Lebanon continues.
Israeli's military hit Beirut's southern suburbs with a dozen airstrikes and the Beddawi camp for Palestinian refugees deep in the north for the first time, in what it says is a targeted campaign against both Hezbollah and Hamas fighters.
The fighting is the worst since Israel and Hezbollah fought a brief war in 2006.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Ziad Makary says it's hoped a peace deal can be reached soon.
"As you know, the assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah destroyed everything that was being prepared in New York (in terms of ceasefire agreement). So now we are in a new situation, a dramatic situation, and despite everything, we are still asking for a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution.”
**
The search is underway for victims of what is feared to be the deadliest floods to hit Bosnia in years.
Sixteen people have already been confirmed dead, after surging waters triggered landslides that collapsed roads and hills, covering villages in mud and cutting off entire areas.
Rescuers are scouring the rubble to find those still unaccounted for.
In the town of Jablanica, construction machines are working to remove piles of rocks and debris covering the central town.
**
Former South Australian Liberal leader David Speirs has announced he is quitting politics after being charged with drug offences.
Mr Speirs has posted a video on his personal Facebook page confirming his arrest.
He says he will step down as the Member for Black, in Adelaide's south, when state parliament resumes on the 15th of October.
"I could defend myself while also working as an MP. But I don't believe that I can adequately and effectively serve my local community whilst also dealing with this matter."
**
Researchers have released a comprehensive study into the long-term effects of daylight savings on sleep, as it comes into effect in southeastern Australia.
The effect of daylight saving on health has long been the subject of speculation, amid concerns over loss of sleep when the clocks move forward an hour, as well as the increased risk of strokes and heart attacks.
But the study from sleep experts at Flinders University in Adelaide has debunked those concerns, finding there's no significant evidence it results in a loss of sleep.
Researcher Reece Kemp says people living in daylight saving states get comparable sleep to those who don't.
**
To sport, Penrith have been handed a major boost ahead of their NRL grand final meeting with Melbourne later today, with utility forward Scott Sorensen passed fit to play.
Penrith are on the verge of claiming four straight titles in the grand final matchup.
Coach Ivan Cleary says they are cautiously optimistic about their chances in this game.
"Feel very grateful to be here once again, just to walk into the stadium and get that feeling again. It's fantastic. Experience definitely helps. It is a different week and there's so many things outside of, I guess, our control and it's a different experience. So experience does. Having been there and done that does help."
