Good afternoon. Benjamin Netanyahu has walked back suggestions Israeli forces would control security in Gaza for an “indefinite period”, saying: “We don’t seek to conquer Gaza, we don’t seek to occupy Gaza and we don’t seek to govern Gaza.” It comes after the US president, Joe Biden, said occupying the territory would be a “big mistake”.
Israel is to allow four-hour “humanitarian pauses” in parts of northern Gaza to let people leave, the US has said, though Israeli’s military stressed it had not agreed to a ceasefire. It comes as Palestinian officials say Israeli airstrikes landed on or near at least three hospitals today.
Top news
Details of immigration detainees facing immediate release in Australia | The majority of the 92 people facing immediate release after a landmark high court ruling are owed protection. High court documents reveal half a dozen have been in detention for more than a decade, while more than half had their visas cancelled by ministers due to serious concerns about criminality.
Australia to offer residency to Tuvalu residents displaced by climate change | Speaking from the Cook Islands, Anthony Albanese says Australia will provide 280 special visas annually to allow people from Tuvalu to work and study. He said it was “the most significant” agreement between Australia and a Pacific country.
Advance Australia doubled donations ahead of referendum | The conservative advocacy group “powering” the Indigenous voice to parliament no campaign raised nearly $5m in the lead-up to the historic referendum, documents lodged to Asic show.
Fire at Melbourne restaurant treated as suspicious by police | Police are investigating a fire at Burgertory in Caulfield at about 4.15am today. The restaurant is owned by Hash Tayeh, who was criticised last week after attending a pro-Palestine rally. Separately, the ABC will lodge a formal complaint with Sky News Australia after Bronwyn Bishop accused the public broadcaster of “aligning” itself with Nazi policies in its coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. The ABC was contacted for comment.
Home and Away actor Johnny Ruffo dies aged 35 | The actor and singer was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 and revealed it was terminal last August.
US bipartisan push to free Julian Assange | Maga Republican and fierce Trump supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene and leftwing Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are among 16 members of Congress who have written directly to president Joe Biden urging the United States to drop its extradition attempts against Assange and halt any prosecutorial proceedings immediately.
Robert De Niro’s company ordered to pay $2m to ex-assistant | Canal Productions was found liable by a jury for gender discrimination and retaliation, and ordered to compensate 41-year-old Graham Chase Robinson. The 80-year-old actor and director was not found personally liable by the jury in New York after a two-week trial.
Bangladesh garment protests | A 26-year-old woman was shot dead after police in Dhaka opened fire during a protest held by garment workers demanding a wage increase. Employees making clothes for fast-fashion brands have been demonstrating against a new minimum salary of $177 a month.
Mexico authorities find 123 people trapped in locked trailer | The majority of migrants rescued in Matehuala were from Central and South America and included 34 children.
In pictures
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What they said …
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“Hitler was duly elected. All of a sudden somebody with those tendencies, dictatorial, authoritarian tendencies, would be like ‘OK we’re gonna shut this down, we’re gonna throw these people in jail.’ And they didn’t usually telegraph that. Trump is telling us what he intends to do.” – Hillary Clinton
The former secretary of state has warned Donald Trump would end democracy.
In numbers
Australia’s surging property market may be set to cool as affordability pressures mount, borrowing costs rise and more stock enters the market, analysts say.
Before bed read
Everyone has overhead lights. Former creative director of JCrew and current Real Housewife of New York Jenna Lyons said she refuses to have them in her home. Drew Barrymore said nothing makes her angrier.
Here’s why you should ditch them.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: FRO. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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