Police close in on those behind an alleged terrorist attack in Melbourne; Oil prices fall as hopes grow of a deal over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz; and in cycling, Tadej Pogačar confirms he will compete in the Vuelta a España for the first time in seven years.
TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin,
- Police close in on those behind an alleged terrorist attack in Melbourne
- Oil prices fall as hopes grow of a deal over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz
- And in cycling, Tadej Pogačar confirms he will compete in the Vuelta a España for the first time in seven years
Australian Federal Police say they are closing in on those responsible for an arson attack on a Melbourne defence manufacturer that's being investigated as an “act of terrorism”.
Victoria’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team has released images of masked figures who carried out the attack on Lovitt Technologies last year, setting three cars and vandalising the property.
Lovitt makes parts for F-35 fighter jets, including those operated by Israel.
The JCTT says it is investigating whether the perpetrators were 'far-left extremists, motivated by anarchist and revolutionary ideologies'.
AFP Detective Superintendent Anthony Hall urges anyone who may have information to come forward immediately.
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Oil prices have fallen to a three-week low as hopes grow of an agreement to increase shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude dropped almost five per cent to below 80 US dollars a barrel, while US oil prices fell by more than five per cent.
Senior US officials say progress has been made in talks involving Iran and Oman over allowing more vessels to move safely through the key waterway.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says no final agreement has been reached.
"I think there's a conversation and negotiation that we are involved in between Oman and Iran on how warships can be able to go through there safely in the short term as we move toward these longer term talks about denuclearization. And suffice it to say there's been progress made in those talks but not finality yet. We're hoping that will happen very shortly."
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Palestinians have held a mass funeral in Gaza for more than 100 people killed in an Israeli air strike in 2023.
The remains of 112 victims, including 40 children, were recovered from beneath the rubble of a residential block in Gaza City.
More than 300 people were killed in the strike, while another 157 bodies are still believed to be missing.
A relative of the victims, Taysir al-Hassayna, says many families are still waiting for the remains of their loved ones to be found.
”Three years after this horrific massacre, we were only able to recover the bodies of 112 martyrs out of more than 300. More than two-thirds remain buried under the rubble, as if their bodies had evaporated without a trace.”
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The New South Wales Police Acting Deputy Commissioner has apologised for failing to advise the Jewish community ahead of time that neo-Nazis would rally outside state parliament in November 2025.
Peter McKenna was giving evidence before the royal commission on antisemtism and social cohesion (Tue 4 Aug), which spent a day examining how police respond to protests; and hateful conduct that sometimes occurs in the context of protest activity.
The Acting Commissioner says the Jewish community should have been informed.
"Absolutely, it should have happened. It was a human error. We have systems in place to do that sort of thing. And unfortunately, on this occasion that did not occur. And I understand why that would upset the Jewish community and they have our deepest apologies for not informing them of that. But unfortunately, it was human error and we have put systems in place since to make sure that doesn't happen again."
The hearings (Wed 5 August - 14 Aug) will now turn to looking at the key drivers of antisemitism in Australia, including religious, far right and other ideologically-motivated extremism and radicalisation.
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With just one week to go until Census night on Tuesday 11 August, the Australian Bureau of Statistics is reminding people they can complete their Census as soon as they receive their instructions.
Everyone in Australia is expected to complete the Census - and failing to do so when directed attracts a fine of up to $364 a day.
Hassan Hawatmeh from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, has told SBS Arabic, there is also a risk of scams - and Australians are advised to double check they are dealing with official Census documents.
"Household will receive the census letter. The letter will have all the instructions, including 16 digits code and also temporary password for them to log in and complete the census form. The census form is only available through the ABS website. So that's the first thing. The second thing, field staff, all of them, they have ID card. They must wear it all the time. So this is to identify they come in from the ABS and it always has their picture and also the name and even their employee number."
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And in cycling,
The winner of the men's Tour De France, Tadej Pogacar, is going for the career hat-trick - and plans to compete in the Vuelta a Espana this month.
The Vuelta remains the only Grand Tour still not won by the 27-year-old, who has claimed the Tour de France five times and clinched the Giro d'Italia title in 2024.
Pogacar has competed in the Vuelta only once, when he made his Grand Tour debut in 2019.
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