TRANSCRIPT
- Qantas announce new mercy flights for Australians evacuating Lebanon
- An employee at a Russian-controlled nuclear power plant in Ukraine killed in a car bombing
- Calls for unity at the embattled Melbourne Demons AFL club
Qantas has agreed to a series of mercy flights to evacuate Australians still stranded in Lebanon.
The two charter flights carrying up to 500 passengers will depart Beirut for Cyprus today.
Qantas Head of Integrated Operations Centre Ben Holland says the flights will be operated at no cost to those travelling.
He says they have teams experienced in organising these evacuations to be operated safely.
"We're looking at the availability of services when we get to Larnaca. Things like how much fuel will we need; what's the availability of in-flight catering; what are the resources for the overnighting of our cabin crew to get ready for these flights; what are the countries we will overfly. All of these aspects go into great detail to ensure the success of the operation."
**
A key road connecting the border crossing between Lebanon and Syria has been cut off by an Israeli air strike.
The UN's refugee agency says traffic has been halted and the route closed to vehicles after the strike near the crossing between Masnaa, Lebanon, and Jdaidit Yabws in Syria.
An Israel Defence Forces military spokesman has accused Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah of using the crossing to transport military equipment into Lebanon.
But UNHCR spokesperson Rula Amin says it was the main escape route for hundreds of thousands of people to flee Israeli bombardments in recent days.
Amin says with so many trying to get to safety, most of the 900 government established shelters in Lebanon are full, leaving others with no choice but to sleep outside.
"On the streets of Beirut, and even at the most famous landmarks like the Corniche, hundreds of stranded men, women and children are sleeping in the open."
**
A car has exploded near the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, killing an employee.
Russia's Investigative Committee says the employee - identified as Andrei Korotkiy - died after a bomb planted under his car went off near his house in the city of Enerhodar, where the plant is located.
Ukrainian military intelligence has claimed responsibility for the bombing.
They have published a video of his car exploding and in a statement called Korotkiy a "war criminal" and collaborator, accusing him of repressing Ukrainians and handing Russia a list of the plant's employees, then pointing out people with pro-Ukrainian views.
**
A man is in a critical condition in hospital after being shot by police in an allegedly stolen car in western Sydney.
A second man who was also allegedly in the car is in a serious condition.
New South Wales Police say the two men were shot after allegedly driving at officers in the car taken from the home of Penrith state Labor MP Karen McKeown.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb says a full inquiry will be held into everything that happened.
"The critical incident team has been formed from state crime command's homicide squad who will now investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. And that investigation will be subject to an independent review."
**
Australia's online regulator says X’s failed court bid against it has has avoided a concerning precedent.
The US-based social media company had taken the eSafety Commissioner to the Federal Court, arguing it should not have to pay a fine or any further penalties for non-compliance.
But the court found the social media platform must respond to a $610,500 fine issued by the regulator.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant says the court's rejection of X Corp's argument was in line with the Online Safety Act's aim to hold all tech companies to account without fear or favour.
**
Authorities have suspended the search for a man reported missing after his boat washed up onshore in Tasmania.
Search parties have been looking for the man aged in his 70s since his 10 metre cruiser beached at Kingston, on the outskirts of Hobart, on Wednesday afternoon.
It's believed the man likely went overboard, and was not believed to have been wearing a life jacket.
**
To sport, and in AFL news, Melbourne Demons’ new president, Brad Green, has called for unity within the strife-torn club.
The Demons are conducting two reviews in the wake of their disappointing 2024 AFL campaign, which saw them drop out of the top eight this season.
They have also faced two consecutive finals exits since their 2021 premiership win, compounded by off-field challenges.
But in a speech at the club's best and fairest awards event, Green has said that the key to renewed success was unity.
