US plans strikes on Iran, Prime Minister doesn't rule out extending fuel excise relief, Alex de Minaur wins on grass in the Netherlands
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TRANSCRIPT
- US plans strikes on Iran
- Prime Minister doesn't rule out extending fuel excise relief
- Alex de Minaur wins on grass in the Netherlands ...
US Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, says a planned resumption of strikes on Iran is about securing a deal that meets President Donald Trump's expectations.He says the military will strike Iran “hard” and President Trump says the strikes are further retaliation for what he says is Iran's downing of an army helicopter.
Pete Hegseth says the strikes are designed to enhance the diplomatic position of the US.
"Iran has a chance to make a good deal, a great deal to codify what they said they've been willing to do, and they haven't been willing to do it. So, as President Trump said, they've been tap, tap tapping. You can see when someone's trying to tap, tap, tap on a deal. Instead, they're going to have tap, tap, tap bombs dropping on key facilities in Iran from the United States of America and that's not because, we want to restart anything we don't have to restart. It's because we are - the War Department is prepared to set the terms to ensure that we get the kind of deal President Trump expects."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese isn't ruling out extending the fuel excise cut given the latest renewal of fighting in the Middle East.The 26.3 cents a litre cut is due to expire at the end of the month.
Mr Albanese says he's "deeply concerned" with the situation in the Middle East and called for a de-escalation because of the human impact and global economic implications.
He says the Government will continue efforts to secure more fuel for Australia, with more stockpiles in the country now than before the war broke out.
"We'll continue to monitor those issues, which are there at the moment. The price of fuel has decreased substantially from where it was, it's had an ipmact it's decreased by much more than the 32 cents between the commonwealth and the GST adjustment means, by much more than that and that's made a different, we're very conscious about the pressures that are on people. "
NSW Police Commissioner, Mal Lanyon, has accepted all 29 recommendations of an independent culture review of the force.
The report found bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment are occurring at "unacceptable levels" within NSW Police.
The review was launched by former Commissioner Karen Webb and found more than 30 per cent of the more than 5,000 people surveyed had been bullied at work in the past five years.
Commissioner Lanyon says things need to change.
"Whilst the review found there is a deep connection with the organisation, it also found that there were harmful behaviours present in the NSW police force, behaviours such as bullying, discrimination and harassment. behaviours that are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The review also found there was a culture where people feared speaking up against such behaviours. I've made it clear and I have made it clear to our workforce that that is not the culture we will have in the NSW police force."
Taxi drivers and motorcyclists are being used to spread Ebola awareness messages in eastern Congo.Community scepticism has led to attacks on health workers who are trying to contain a spreading outbreak of the illness.
The drivers wore white “Stop Ebola” T-shirts and displayed public health messages and illustrations on how to prevent the disease as they rode through the streets of Bunia and Rwampara, two towns in Congo's eastern province of Ituri at the heart of the outbreak.
The World Health Organisation's Jacques Maliro, says taxi drivers are well-placed to spread the word that medical workers are just trying to stop the spread of Ebola.
"There has been a lot of scepticism and people still deny the existence of the disease, but this at least allows us to mobilise the public, to raise awareness, and to inform them that Ebola exists – there are still some who doubt it. The aim is really to raise awareness and mobilise the public."
There have been 115 confirmed deaths from the disease, out of at least 598 cases confirmed so far.
Millions of Australians with arthritis will have renewed hope as the government unveils millions of dollars in funding to tackle the painful condition.
With about one in four Australians living with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions, the government will spend $100 million over 10 years to establish a research mission.
The number of Australians with arthritis is forecast to increase by 31 per cent by 2040.
Arthritis Australia CEO, Louise Hardy, says the announcement brings new hope to Australians living with over 100 different types of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, ranging from osteoarthritis and back pain, to autoimmune illnesses.
In tennis
Alex de Minaur has won his first match in his return to grass court after a disappointing performance on clay at the French open.
He's taken a wildcard entry in the Libema Open in the Netherlands, an event he won in 2024.
De Minaur won against American qualifier Martin Damm in a rain-interrupted round-of-16 affair. He says Damm was a tricky opponent and he's happy with the win.
