The boss of ASIO has defended shifting resources away from counterterrorism in the lead-up to the Bondi terror attack, as he fronts the antisemitism Royal Commission.

Mike Burgess faced questions over why the national terrorism alert level was lowered from 'probable' to 'possible' in November 2022, and said the risk of jihadist terror had declined with the fall of the Islamic State caliphate.

ASIO pivoted to combating the threat of foreign interference, and the terror threat level was raised again in August 2024.

The government will introduce its new tax legislation to parliament this Thursday.

Along with changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, the package also includes an income tax offset of 250 dollars, and an instant deduction of a thousand dollars for workers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the reforms are long overdue and are aimed at getting more young Australians into the housing market.

Cathay Pacific says it's supporting passengers and crew, after severe turbulence on board a flight from Australia left ten people hurt.

Flight CX156 was travelling from Brisbane to Hong Kong on Saturday when the plane dropped suddenly, about two hours before landing.

One passenger said it happened during breakfast service and that people who didn't have their belts on "hit the roof".

Eight people were taken to hospital.

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Motorists shouldn't get too comfortable with the current fuel prices, the real pain from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz hasn't hit us yet, says a leading energy expert.

This is despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong's visits to neighbouring countries to ensure ongoing fuel supply and underwriting costs.

So, what will future fuel prices look like?

Several so-called Teal independents say they're open to forming a new political party to counter the rise of One Nation, and offer an alternative to major party politics.

The independents include ACT Senator David Pocock and Sydney MPs Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender, who say they've been discussing the prospect of forming the new party

But Kate Chaney and Monique Ryan have ruled themselves out of such a party, along with four other independents in the Lower House.

The Coalition, meanwhile, is arguing it's still the best credible alternative to Labor.

Educators are voicing their concerns about students using artificial intelligence to complete assignments and schoolwork.A new report that surveyed thousands of teachers across New South Wales has found Australia's education system is facing real and urgent risks from students' use of AI.

The report says teachers have trouble recognising when students are using the technology and that its use is affecting learning outcomes.

China has launched a spacecraft with three astronauts heading to its space station.

The much-anticipated launch comes as Beijing prepares for its first crewed moon landing by 2030.

One of the astronauts aboard the craft is scheduled to stay at the Tiangong space station for a year, in what would be among the world's longest single stays in space.

American rival NASA is aiming to land astronauts on the lunar surface in 2028.

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Political analysts say the Teals are likely to form a new political party as new laws coming into force in 2027 make it harder for independent MP's to share resources.

The independent member for Warringah, Zali Steggall, says people are fed up with the major parties and conversations are underway between the crossbenchers on creating a formal organisation.

Former Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull says while says he's "not actively involved" in setting up a new party, it could appeal to moderate Liberal voters concerned that the Coalition has lost its way.

The Coalition is threatening to retract its support for reforming the National Disability Insurance Scheme, in order to delay changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax.

The government will introduce laws to curb tax breaks for investors this fortnight, and is also progressing changes to rein in spending growth of the NDIS, which the Coalition previously supported.

But leader Angus Taylor says he's prepared to block those reforms, unless Labor agrees to an inquiry into its tax changes.

The World Health Organisation says there are now nearly 1000 suspected Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The agency says more than 200 people are suspected to have died from the deadly virus, and earlier this month declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

The handling of the situation has angered many in the DRC, with reported attacks on hospitals and treatment centres.

An Ebola outbreak in 2014 in Western Africa killed more than 11-thousand people

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Several Australians who were onboard the Global Sumud Flotilla that was intercepted by Israeli Defence Forces have landed in Sydney and Melbourne.

The Australians were onboard the flotilla with more than 400 people when it was intercepted by the IDF after trying to get humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Activists on the flotilla claim many faced physical violence and sexual abuse, and say the Australian government failed them as hostages.

Israel has denied mistreatment of detainees.

Iran's government has not responded to mounting speculation that Tehran and Washington will soon sign a new peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East. The new Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the US is expected to include steps towards re-opening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the months-long conflict.

But Iranians inside the country say they're skeptical America is acting in good faith.

Federal Independent Zali Steggall says she's open to forming a new political party with her fellow independents.

Yesterday independent senator David Pocock left the door open to forming such a party to respond to the rise of One Nation.

It follows a Redbridge poll suggesting Pauline Hanson's party could win as many as 59 seats in the lower house if an election were held now.

Ms Steggal says conversations between crossbenchers are taking place, and she's been consulting with her electorate about the possible move.

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Eleven Australians who attempted to sail to Gaza to deliver aid are returning home.

They were part of the Freedom Flotilla, made up of dozens of ships and hundreds of people from around the world who are trying to break Israel's maritime blockade of the Gaza strip.

Israel has intercepted multiple missions ... but there's growing international concern about the welfare of activists and their treatment while being detained and deported back to their home countries. 

Is the gas industry paying its fair share of tax?

Industry representatives say they paid $21.9 billion in taxes and royalties in the last financial year.

But critics — including crossbench politicians, energy analysts, and economists — say the system is not delivering value to Australian taxpayers.

Seven Australians who were detained by Israeli forces while part of a flotilla to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, are landing back home this morning.

The group's among 11 Australian activists who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, later deported amid an outcry over their alleged mistreatment in custody.  

It comes as the foreign ministers of eight Arab and Islamic nations have strongly condemned the actions of far-right Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir while the activists were detained.

Israel's Prime Minister says his country will continue to defend itself from threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon, even if the US and Iran agree to a deal to end the broader war.

Iranian state media says any deal to end the conflict must also include a commitment to stop the fighting in Lebanon.

But in a social media post, Benjamin Netanyahu says he and Donald Trump agreed that Israel has a right to defend itself against threats on every front, including Lebanon.

Intelligence agencies will face questions over what they knew about the gunmen involved in the Bondi terror attack, when the Royal Commission on antisemitism and social cohesion resumes hearings today.

The first witness in the second block of hearings will be ASIO director-general Mike Burgess, who's expected to face scrutiny over why the gunmen wasn't on the agency's radar after first coming to ASIO's attention in 2019.

Senior members of the Australian Federal Police and New South Wales Police will also front the commission today.

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