| | 26/08/2024 Israeli strikes on Lebanon ‘not the end’, airline passengers get new rights, drone deliveries take off |
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 | | | Good morning. Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a series of intense airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon is “not the end of the story”. The two sides have exchanged their heaviest fire since the Gaza conflict began, giving rise to renewed fears of a dramatic escalation of hostilities. At home, the Albanese government is releasing its much-anticipated aviation white paper outlining reforms to boost protection for air passengers. One proposal is a new ombudsman that could force airlines to pay cash compensation for disrupted flights. Meanwhile, there are already about 1.5m drone flights a year in Australia – but operators say that’s just the beginning, with deliveries set to soar. And: we take a look at some of Australia’s Paralympics medal hopefuls before the Paris Games. |
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| Australia | | Airline industry | Under landmark reforms, an ombudsman could police how airlines treat customers and enforce passenger rights to ensure timely refunds and cash compensation for delayed and cancelled flights. | Home insurance | Fast-rising insurance premiums have plunged 1.6m households into affordability stress, a new report has warned, with those in cyclone and flood-prone areas the worst hit. | ‘We don’t stop for red lights’ | Regulators are preparing for an air traffic boom as operators explore new technology to stop connection black spots sending their delivery drones dropping from the sky. | Queensland | A police officer accused of inappropriate behaviour by female colleagues over 15 years – including one case that resulted in a $1m-plus payout – is now being investigated for stalking. | Analysis | Labor breached its core promises to voters and got the hiding that was coming in the NT election – and other lessons may well ring true across the country, Ben Smee writes. |
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| Full Story | | ‘We were all in shock’: two teals on the toxic tenor of political debate A heated sitting fortnight has prompted fresh debate about the tone of parliamentary conduct, and why independents and women seem to cop it the worst. Independent MPs Zali Steggall and Dr Sophie Scamps call time on poor question time behaviour. | |
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| In-depth | | From today, plenty of Australian workers will be looking forward to switching off. That’s when Australia’s new “right to disconnect” laws come into effect, meaning employers can’t punish workers who refuse to pick up the phone out of hours. Except they still can, under certain conditions. So, how do you know if your boss still has the right to contact you on personal time? |
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| Not the news | | A Confidence Man show lands somewhere between a school play and a rave. The Australian four-piece have been bubbling under since 2016 when they formed out of the ashes of various indie projects: getting drunk and writing pop tunes turned out to be much more enjoyable. But as the pop hedonists get set to release their super-sweaty new album, they say there’s also a dark side to their DayGlo dance-pop. |
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| Media roundup | Newly published research from Australian scientists suggests that constipation may double the risk of having a heart attack, the Age reports. Seagrass restoration projects are showing great promise in WA’s world heritage-listed Shark Bay but locals say difficulties in obtaining state government permits are impeding progress, ABC News reports. The NRL has been urged to prepare for new franchises in Perth and Papua New Guinea by buying its own plane for players to travel on, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. |
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| What’s happening today | Diplomacy | Regional leaders are gathering for the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga. | Queensland | The inquest into what appeared to be an ambush of police by three extremist Christian conspiracy theorists at Wieambilla continues. | Victoria | A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Erin Patterson, facing trial over the fatal mushroom lunch. | Queensland | The third annual Hydrogen Connect Summit will begin today in Brisbane. |
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| Brain teaser | And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. | |
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