In this bulletin;
- Israel delays the release of Palestinian detainees after Hamas frees hostages.
- Pope Francis is in critical condition after suffering a severe asthmatic respiratory crisis.
- In motorsports, Waters edges Feeney in a dramatic Sydney 500 finish.
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Israel has delayed the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees without explanation after Hamas released the last hostages expected under phase one of the ceasefire.
Following the release of six Israeli hostages from Gaza, Israel did not release the 602 Palestinians from captivity as expected.
Hamas is accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire deal, with a spokesperson accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of 'deliberately stalling'.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Hamas Political Bureau spokesperson Basem Naim says Israel is violating the agreement.
"We are doing, and we have already done and abide all, all our obligations in this deal, and we have fulfilled all, all the duties from our side according to the deal. But what we have seen until now, violations of the first phase and rejection to be involved in the second phase. "
Israel's government has not responded to questions about the delay.
The Vatican says Pope Francis is now in a critical condition after spending a week in hospital with asthma-like respiratory issues.
While being treated at Rome's Gemelli hospital with a prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis, he has since been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
In a statement released today, the Vatican says the pope is now requiring supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions.
Edgar Henriquez is a priest from Chile and is among the nuns and priests gathering to pray outside the Gemelli hospital.
"We are here to pray for the Holy Father. We have all come together in a very spontaneous way. Some nuns organized this rosary but we have all joined in this prayer. I believe that the Pope needs the unity and prayer of the Church to accompany and support him at this difficult time as well. Let us ask God for much strength for him and, if God wills it, physical health and above all spiritual health at this time."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced an $8.5 billion Medicare boost over four years—the biggest in 40 years, to expand bulk billing and cut GP costs.
Labor aims to lift bulk-billed GP visits from 80 per cent to 90 per cent within five years by tripling the bulk billing incentive, adding 18 million visits annually, and saving families $859 million by 2030.
The plan includes 400 nursing scholarships and Australia's largest GP training program for 2,000 doctors.
Health care is shaping up as a key election battleground, with Labor accusing Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of freezing Medicare.
Opposition Treasurer Angus Taylor tells Sky News the plan is just Labor fixing its own mess.
"The important point here to start with is that this is necessary because of Labor's abject failure when it comes to health, what we have seen is a collapse in billing rates from 88 per cent when we were in government to 77 per cent a 45 per cent increase in out of pockets being paid by people when they go to the doctor, 40 million bulk billing sessions that have disappeared since we were in government. And so people are feeling this because of Labor's failure."
Total fire bans are in place across Tasmania and parts of Victoria, with conditions putting firefighters under pressure.
In Tasmania, no fires can be lit today, including incinerators, burn-offs, campfires, fire pits, and wood-fuelled barbecues.
More than 150 firefighters, 14 aircraft, eight bulldozers, and teams from interstate and overseas have been battling fires ignited by dry lightning earlier this month.
The fires have already burned at least 94,500 hectares of Tasmanian wilderness and world heritage forest.
Jonathan How from the Bureau of Meteorology says inland areas will see temperatures rise to the high 30s and low 40s.
"High fire danger is still forecast across large areas on Sunday. So, how hot will it get? Maximum temperatures on Saturday will be 6 to 12 degrees above the February average, 36°C in Melbourne, 38°C in Adelaide, and the high 20s to low 30s across Tasmania."
Supercars drivers are set to ramp up aggression as they push towards a revamped finals series, with Cam Waters setting the tone at the Sydney 500.
Waters edged out Triple Eight rival Broc Feeney at Sydney Motorsport Park on Saturday, winning by less than 0.04 seconds.
"Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Unbelievable finish to that race. I am blown away. I am blown away by what I have just seen."
Starting from pole, Waters lost the lead when Richie Stanaway’s car caught fire early in the 200km sprint.
Waters then fought back, forcing Feeney off at turn four as reigning champion Will Brown briefly took the lead.
He then redressed the move, avoiding penalties, before making contact with Feeney's rear bar on the final lap.
