Good afternoon. The US says it carried out another airstrike targeting Iran-linked sites in Syria – the third in less than three weeks – amid concerns of a regional escalation of the Israel-Hamas war.
In Gaza, the al-Shifa hospital is “no longer functioning”, the World Health Organization says, with 36 babies at risk of dying after fuel ran out. Israeli forces have closed in on the hospital while accusing Hamas of placing its headquarters in bunkers under the building. Hamas denies the claim.
The war continues to have ramifications beyond the region, with shots fired at a Jewish school in Montreal, Canada, with no injuries reported.
In Canberra, hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters gathered in front of Parliament House urging the Australian government to call for an immediate ceasefire.
Top news
Trial starts over alleged leaking of war crime documents | The former military lawyer David McBride addressed supporters outside an ACT court before a trial over allegations he leaked material regarding war crimes in Afghanistan. McBride has pleaded not guilty and his high-profile case has led to a focus on the protection of whistleblowers.
Eighty people already freed from immigration detention | Their release was prompted by a landmark high court ruling last week that it is unlawful to hold those with no realistic prospect of deportation.
ANZ posts record profit | ANZ has taken full advantage of a period of fast-rising interest rates to post a record annual cash profit of $7.4bn while there’s a surge in the number of mortgage holders falling behind.
Judge cleared after removing breastfeeding mum from court | A Victorian judge did not intentionally single out or humiliate a breastfeeding mother by asking her to leave a courtroom during a high-profile trial, a judicial watchdog has ruled. The woman was feeding her child in March while observing a trial when the judge, Mark Gamble, told her she was not permitted to breast-feed in court because it was a distraction.
Tasmania bushfire | Two homes and a shed have been destroyed by a “wind-driven” bushfire that broke out at Dolphin Sands – a small community on Tasmania’s east coast. A first responder is being treated for non-critical injuries at Royal Hobart hospital.
Federal government accepts robodebt recommendations | All 56 recommendations from the robodebt royal commission – including adopting more face-to-face services, reviewing how Services Australia interacts with its customers, a six-year limit on debt and an auditing system for automatic debts – will be adopted, the government services minister, Bill Shorten, said.
Japan’s answers to the perfect power nap | How to get that perfect power nap … a giraffepod maybe or a massage pillow? In a country where more than 40% get less than six hours sleep a night and millions nap at work, new ways to grab forty winks are big business in Japan.
Could the California governor be a rival to Joe Biden? | Amid concern over the president’s poll ratings, Gavin Newsom appears to be running something of a shadow campaign.
Full Story
When Albanese met Xi: inside the diplomatic reset with China
Listen to this 30-minute episode.
What they said …
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“Today I serve my country. The question I have for you, Anthony Albanese, is who do you serve?” – David McBride
In numbers
It’s an increase from 53% in 2022, according to the annual Australian Youth Barometer.
Before bed read
Love or loathe him, Napoleon Bonaparte is central to French identity. Can Hollywood turn the existential angst into an epic? Read this piece on the upcoming movie starring Joaquin Phoenix.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: OYS. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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