Key Points
- Israel confirms new strikes on Tehran
- Victoria records 18% spike in crime in past year
- Popyrin eliminated before Queens Club Championships quarter-finals
The Israeli Air Force confirms it has begun a new wave of attacks in Tehran and other areas on Thursday but did not share details about the targets.
The strikes come after Israel said it had earlier intercepted a drone launched from Iran.
Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump has approved plans to attack Iran's nuclear sites but has said he has not made a final decision on whether to do so.
Demonstrators in Washington DC have gathered to voice their opposition to US involvement.
"My position is just peace. I don't know what they're doing. All the governments are doing the worst they can do. All of them. I don't want war in Iran. It’s my country. I don't want it to be destroyed."
Europe has stepped in to negotiate with Iran, with nuclear talks planned between the British, German and French Foreign Ministers and their Iranian counterpart in Switzerland on Friday.
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The latest unemployment statistics released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.1 per cent in May.
Overall, around 2,500 jobs were lost from the economy, despite forecasts that 20,000 jobs would be gained in the wake of 89,000 jobs being created in April.
But employment was still up by 2.3 per cent compared with this time last year, which was stronger than pre-pandemic levels.
The participation rate fell slightly, to reach 67 per cent.
The average hours worked increased by 1.3 per cent.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth, says the full-time employment data reflects a resilient jobs market.
"It is encouraging that we have continued to see strong full time jobs growth, with this month recording more than 38,000 full time jobs. And full-time employment remains at a record high."
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Hundreds of CFMEU workers have gathered in protest in Brisbane, after a High Court legal challenge by former union officials was rejected.
About 500 protesters gathered in Bowen Hills in Brisbane's inner north, while more than 200 marched on Queen Street in the Central Business District, causing major traffic delays.
The rally was organised in response to the High Court's decision on Wednesday to dismiss a case brought by the union, seeking to overturn the federal government's decision to place its construction division into administration.
The federal government intervened in August 2024, following claims of bikie and organised crime figures infiltrating the organisation.
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Victoria's Crime Statistics Agency says criminal offences have reached a record high after soaring by more than 18 per cent in the year to March.
There was also a record number of family violence incidents, up more than 10 per cent, and child crime was at its highest level since 1993.
It comes as Victoria tightens its bail laws and moves to implement bans on machetes in response to youth crime.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner David Clayton says reducing offending requires a holistic approach.
"I think legislation is one thing, and bail laws and changes to bail laws will have a short-term impact, but I think there are broader societal impacts that could have a longer-term impact in terms of youth offending. So, you know, it's about the identifying those youth who are most at risk. What are the wraparound services and supports that they require, be it education, be it employment to assist them staying away from crime?"
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First Nations justice advocates have condemned the Northern Territory government's latest plan to increase armed police officers in public spaces including on public transport, shopping centres and in public housing.
The Country Liberal government has announced existing safety officers will be re-trained and re-deployed as Territory police officers, by early next year.
It will see more than fifty new armed officers in public spaces, with the aim of targeting anti-social behaviour.
Crystal Roberts, a spokesperson for the Darwin based advocacy group, Justice not Jails, says she's concerned the changes will disproportionately target First Nations people.
"Instead of putting that money toward guns and pepper spray and that, put the money back to where we really need it, to make our mob feel good, to feel empowered. To have a say. And to have some control when it comes to our children, and the guns and the pepper spray is just going to make it worse."
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To sport and in tennis, Australia has been hit with a blow ahead of Wimbledon, with Alexei Popyrin ousted from the Queens Club Championships in London.
Popyrin was beaten by Britain's Jack Draper - a devastating turn of events after another Aussie, Alex de Minaur was knocked out in a surprise loss.
More bad news came with an injured Jordan Thompson - with the weight of the team on Popyrin's shoulders when he went into the match against Draper.
But when the game came to a decisive tie-break, it was world number 6, Draper, who disarmed the Sydneysider to head into the quarter finals.
