Hello and welcome to Afternoon Update. Politicians across the globe are marking the first anniversary of the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel, releasing statements reiterating calls for a ceasefire and enduring peace.
In Australia, a number of vigils are planned for this evening to commemorate the 1,195 people killed during the attack, and the resulting ongoing retaliation in Gaza that has resulted in at least 41,000 people – mostly civilians and many children – being killed.
Israel will hold memorials for the first anniversary of the attacks later today as the war it launched in response escalates on two fronts, with heavy bombing raids and mass evacuation orders issued in Lebanon and Gaza amid the growing possibility of a retaliatory airstrike against Iran.
Qantas’s first 787 Dreamliner left Sydney for Cyprus this morning, the first of two assisted departure flights bringing Australians home from Lebanon.
In Canberra, hundreds of people, including Coalition MPs and the Israeli ambassador, Amir Maimon, have gathered on the lawns of Parliament House for a rally led by Christian organisation Never Again is Now. Tony Abbott told the crowd those behind the 7 October attacks against Israel “should be utterly destroyed”.
The independent senator Fatima Payman has issued a statement stating today is “a powerful reminder why we need to renew our commitment to standing for justice and upholding human rights for all”.
Top news
Babysitter still missing after Queensland house fire | Queensland police say they are yet to find a body after a woman, 31, was believed to have died in a fire alongside an eight-year-old girl at Thorneside, south of Brisbane.
Police to get power to search school kids under NT laws | Children at school could be searched by police under legislation expected to be passed when the Northern Territory parliament resumes on 15 October.
Christopher Ciccone dies at 63 | The multihyphenate artist, dancer, designer and younger brother of Madonna, has died aged 63 after being diagnosed with cancer.
New Zealand navy ship Manawanui sinks off Samoa | A Royal New Zealand Navy vessel has run aground and sunk off Samoa, the first time the navy has lost a ship since the second world war according to the New Zealand Defence Force.
‘Unacceptable’ Spurs lacked fight against Brighton | Ange Postecoglou tore into his Tottenham players after seeing them throw away a 2-0 half-time lead to lose 3-2 at Brighton, accusing them of a lack of fight.
Beirut’s youth adjust to an emptied city | As many flee Lebanon’s capital to the mountains and beyond, a new generation experiences terror under Israeli attack.
UK PM reiterates call for ceasefire in Middle East | Keir Starmer has called for unity and urged Britain to “unequivocally stand with the Jewish community”, as he reiterated calls for immediate ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon on the anniversary of the 7 October attacks.
Baby boomers in worse health than previous generations | The generation are living longer but are in worse health than previous ones were at the same age, despite advances in medicine and greater awareness of healthy lifestyles, a global study shows.
Black bear attacks man after breaking into Colorado home | A 74-year-old Colorado man was injured after a black bear with three cubs crashed in through his sliding glass door and he was unable to get them to leave, the Colorado parks and wildlife department said.
Full Story
How England’s far-right riots erupted
When racist chants rang out and homes, businesses and hotels housing asylum seekers were attacked, for a week in July and August English towns and cities seemed on the brink of chaos.
This outbreak followed the deaths of three young children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Josh Halliday reports on what we know so far about the people at the centre of the violence.
What they said …
***
“They said my pulse was gone. It was so – you’re here, you’re not. I thought: Wow, you don’t even have your memories. You have nothing. Strange porridge.” – Al Pacino
The movie star has revealed he almost died from Covid-19 in 2020, saying he “didn’t have a pulse” for several minutes.
Before bed read
The role of Charlotte ‘Big Jugs’ Hinchcliffe in hit British comedy The Inbetweeners made Emily Atack a star – then she spent years trying to get the respect and the roles she deserved.
Now, at the age of 34, she talks tabloids, trolls and having the time of her life shooting Jilly Cooper’s Rivals.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: DERE . You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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