In this bulletin;
- Hamas releases final hostages under first phase of ceasefire deal.
- Labor pledges $8.5 billion to expand bulk billing and GP training.
- Inglis Ton powers Australia to a record-breaking win over England.
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Hamas has freed six Israeli hostages in the last scheduled release of living hostages under phase one of the ceasefire.
Israel will also be releasing 602 Palestinian detainees, including 445 people rounded up by Israeli forces in Gaza.
Among the Israeli hostages being released are three who were taken from the Nova music festival during Hamas' 7th of October 2023 attack.
They were handed to the Red Cross in Gaza, before being transported to Israeli forces.
Professor Hagai Levine heads the health team at the Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
"We are at the end of an emotionally complex week. Five-hundred and five days since October 7, Omer, Avera, Hisham, Tal, Omer and Eliya have returned home to their families."
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Australians will gain access to 18 million more bulk-billed GP visits annually under a major election pledge from the federal government.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised that a re-elected Labor government will invest $8.5 billion to expand bulk billing and train more G-Ps and nurses.
He is expected to say in Launceston this afternoon that he wants every Australian to know they only need their Medicare card, not their credit card, to get the care they need.
Many G-P clinics have been reducing bulk billing due to rising costs and increasing service demands.
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Emergency authorities in Victoria are battling a grass fire in Melbourne's north, after bringing a grass fire in central Victoria under control.
Authorities were battling an out-of-control fire in Willowmavin on Saturday, but an emergency warning has since been downgraded to advice level.
The Bureau of Meteorology says hot and windy conditions in Melbourne have fuelled the fires.
Luke Hegarty from the State Control Centre is urging residents to remain alert.
"Grass fires particularly, will start easily, will spread very rapidly, just as we see in the Donnybrook area, so those grassland areas, people might think are safe, typically urban and residentially areas are at threat."
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New Zealand navy personnel say China has conducted a second live-fire exercise in international waters, one day after a similar drill forced multiple airlines to change path.
New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins says personnel advised of live rounds being fired from a Chinese warship in international waters on Saturday afternoon.
The exercise follows live fire drills off the Australian coast on Thursday, prompting demands from the Foreign Minister for explanations of why such short notice was given of the drills.
China's actions are believed to have complied with international law and the Australian Defence Force says there was no imminent threat to its assets or those of New Zealand.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the group acted under international law and gave radio notice of its intent.
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Germans will head to the polls today to elect the lower house of their parliament.
The latest poll shows centre-right Christian Democrats might secure the majority of the seats, followed by far-right party Alternative for Germany, or AfD.
Ahead of the election, there are protests in support of the AfD as well as counter-protests across the nation.
Speaking to SBS News, a protester at the rally against AfD says she wants the world to know that not all Germans supports the AfD.
"I want to show my presence that the far-right swamp is not the majority, that there are enough people who stand up for democracy and diversity, including me."
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Josh Inglis smashed his maiden ODI century as Australia chased down the highest total in Champions Trophy history, securing a five-wicket win over England in Lahore.
Ben Duckett’s 165 off 143 balls had lifted England to 8-351, surpassing New Zealand’s 4-347 against the US in 2004.
But the record stood for only hours, with Australia reaching 5-356 with 15 balls to spare.
Leeds-born Inglis led the charge with an unbeaten 120 off 86 balls, hitting eight fours and six sixes.
Contributions from Alex Carey, Matt Short, Marnus Labuschagne, and Glenn Maxwell ensured a strong start to Australia’s campaign.
