TRANSCRIPT
- The WHO says at least 28 medics have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon in 24 hours
- Queensland opposition leader David Crisafulli vows to resign if he can't tackle youth crime
- Brisbane Lions Premiership forward Joe Daniher is set to retire
The World Health Organization (WHO) chief says at least 28 medics have been killed in Lebanon over the past 24 hours as Israel launched airstrikes and sent troops to fight Hezbollah.
Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says some paramedics are now afraid to report for duty.
“In Southern Lebanon, 37 health facilities have been closed. While in Beirut, three hospitals have been forced to fully evacuate staff and patients and another two were partially evacuated. Health and humanitarian workers, including WHO staff, have done incredible work under very difficult and dangerous conditions with limited supplies. And yet health care continues to come under attack. In Lebanon alone, 28 health workers have been killed in the last 24 hours.”
He adds that planned shipments of trauma and medical supplies would be delayed due to flight restrictions.
According to Lebanon's health ministry, nearly 2,000 people have been killed and more than 9000 injured since Israeli attacks on Lebanon began last year.
The strike comes as at least eight Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
The country's ground invasion of its northern neighbour continues amid escalation following an attack by Iran that saw 180 missiles fired at Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
The United Nations is urging all parties to pull back from the brink of an all-out regional war.
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Police and rally organisers in New South Wales have reached an agreement following police attempts to prohibit Sunday's pro-Palestine rally from proceeding.
A New South Wales Supreme Court hearing on the matter was interrupted on Thursday with the announcement the parties had reached an agreement.
New South Wales police were attempting to have the court prohibit the demonstrations, citing concerns about public safety.
Now, rally organisers are no longer seeking to hold a protest throughout the Sydney CBD on Monday, October 7th, instead agreeing to stage a standing vigil.
Police also agreed to allow protests planned for Sunday the 6th to go ahead following a slightly different route than initially planned.
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Queensland's opposition leader is pledging that he would resign if crime numbers don't decline under his leadership.
David Crisafulli made the comments during a leaders debate broadcast on Chanel Nine ahead of the state's October 26 poll.
The L-N-P leader squared off with Labor Premier Steven Miles over health, housing, energy, cost of living and crime in the first of three debates.
Mr Crisafulli is vowing an LNP government would introduce new laws for crime by Christmas, including adult sentences for youths.
He says Labor has weakened crime laws and created "a generation of untouchables".
Nine Network journalist Tim Arvier pressed Mr Crisafulli on his pledge to resign.
"I'm serious about it, and I'm not giving myself any wriggle room. It's victim numbers. It's not number of unique offences and what happens on a Wednesday, and how many young people repeat. It's victim numbers. How many people have had their life torn apart? And there will be fewer victims. ... So no wriggle room, no wriggle room, by what date will we see that, will you make that decision? ... Well you'll have an election within four years, it's set, and if there aren't fewer victims I don't think I'll be in a very good position, Tim. ... So you won't run at the election? ... If there aren't fewer victims, you won't be seeing me."
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Families say feeding their children is becoming increasingly difficult amid growing grocery prices and cost of living pressures.
Consumers across Australia are blaming major supermarkets for the rise in prices and accusing them of profiting while Australians are struggling to pay for basic items.
The federal government has announced it will crack down on supermarkets accused of shrinkflation, whereby product sizes decrease but prices do not.
Greens leader Adam Bandt says tackling shrinkflation is only a half measure.
"They're picking something important, but it's only a half measure when we need a full-size response. Shrinkflation is a problem, but it's part of a broader problem of price gouging. And Labor’s not even promising to get rid of the shrinkflation con. They're just saying there might be a bit more information provided to people when what we need to do is make price gouging illegal."
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The death of a mine worker in central Queensland has sparked calls for an industry-wide review.
The worker's death is the fourth mining fatality in central Queensland this year and has prompted an outcry from unions who say better training and supervision is needed.
The fatal incident this week also saw another man, aged in his 20s, airlifted to hospital with life threatening head, arm and leg injuries.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles says the major mining companies need to take better care of workers.
"Too many mine workers have died this year. How often do we need to hear of a worker who's left their family in the morning and died at work? My mum was a workplace health and safety inspector. My dad worked in a factory, and I feel really strongly about workplace health and safety. The onus here is on these companies. These are big, profitable multinational companies. They need to be taking better care of their workers."
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And now to sports, Brisbane Lions Premiership forward Joe Daniher is retiring from the AFL with one year remaining on his contract.
Daniher let the Lions know during their flag celebrations following a 60 point win over the Sydney Swans in the grand final.
Daniher is retiring after playing 204 games with the Lions and Essendon.
