Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led tributes to award-winning actor Sam Neill, who has died aged 78 after a celebrated career spanning film and television.

The New Zealand actor, known for roles in My Brilliant Career and Jurassic Park revealed in April he was cancer free after a five-year battle with blood cancer -- and a statement on his official Instagram says his death was sudden and unexpected.

The PM says Neill earned a special place in Australian hearts - praising his dignity, humour and conviction.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has described him as "one of the greats".

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has heard disagreement over whether various protest slogans are antisemitic.

Jewish students and staff members at universities told the commission they felt blamed and targeted over the Israel-Palestine conflict, with one teacher describing the phrase "intifada" as a call to violence against Jewish people.

But Jewish student Yasmine Johnson from Students for Palestine defended its protest phrases as a "call for freedom" for Palestinian people, and accused some of deliberately misinterpreting the meaning.

and the inquest into a mid-air chopper collision that killed four people on the Gold Coast has heard the crash could have been avoided if the pilot had looked right.

Sea World Helicopters CEO Brett Newman told the inquest he believed pilot Ashley Jenkinson was "totally distracted" by the front row passengers on the flight -- and that the tragedy should never have happened

And for more news at any time you can follow the ABC Top Stories podcast.

Award-winning New Zealand actor Sam Neill -- who starred in My Brilliant Career and Jurassic Park -- has died aged 78.

In a post on his official Instagram account, a statement said the "loss was sudden and unexpected".

The post said he was surrounded by family when he died in Sydney's St Vincent's Private Hospital.

Neill first rose to fame in the 1977 film Sleeping Dogs, before going on to star in My Brilliant Career, Jurassic Park, The Piano and Possession among other films. 

Jewish university students and staff have told the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion they felt intimidated by encampments set up on campuses across the country in 20-24.

The encampments were set up to protest against the war on Gaza and to call on universities to cut ties with weapons manufacturers.

One student became emotional, saying she felt she had to hide her Jewish heritage at on campus.

The commission will also look at surveys and studies of Jewish Australian uni experiences, responses from the universities, and evidence from the Department of Education.

Kuwait says its air defences are firing.. as Iran retaliates over US airstrikes targeting it.

Earlier, Bahrain -- which is home to the U-S Navy's Fifth Fleet -- twice sounded its missile alert sirens over Iranian attacks.

It comes after US forces said they completed another wave of strikes against Iran, hitting dozens of targets ‌at multiple ⁠locations, with both sides asserting they control the Strait of Hormuz.

And for more news at any time you can follow the ABC Top Stories podcast.

There have been fresh allegations about the last known so called 'ISIS bride' still overseas.

Security sources from within the notorious Al Roj detention camp in Syria have described Sydney woman Hodan Abby as a cunning, threatening figure.

So where does she fit into the picture? 

US forces say they have ​completed another wave of strikes against Iran, hitting dozens of targets ‌at multiple ⁠locations.

US Central Command says it has struck Iranian ​military air-defence ‌systems, coastal radar ⁠sites, ‌missile and ‌drone capabilities, and small ‌boats.

Meanwhile,  following air-raid sirens sounding across Bahrain - Iran says it has hit a US base in the country as part of it's second phase of a retaliatory operation.

The Home Affairs Minister says the federal government will "not lift a finger" to support suspected Islamic State group fighters in Iraq.

According to The Australian newspaper, 13 Australian men accused of being I-S fighters are being interrogated in a prison in Baghdad.

Tony Burke wouldn't confirm the number of the men being questioned, but says the cohort's decision to leave Australia was a decision to "hate" the values of the nation.

and the Prime Minister and Governor General have paid tribute to the late Australian of the Year, Richard Scolyer at his memorial service at the Sydney Opera House.

Thousands gathered in the concert hall for the service for the world-renowned medical researcher, who died last month aged 59.. after a 3 year fight with brain cancer.

Anthony Albanese described Richard Scolyer as a "medical revolutionary" who achieved so much before his death, saying his legacy lives on.

For more news at any time you can follow the ABC Top Stories podcast.

Thousands have gathered for the state memorial service of Richard Scolyer, a pioneer of cancer research who was a world authority on skin cancer and melanoma diagnosis.

An explosive fire at a popular pub in Thailand's capital Bangkok has killed at least 27 people, in one of the deadliest such incidents in the tourist hub in years.

One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has shrugged off new polling that shows support for his party has dropped.

For more news at any time you can follow the ABC News Top Stories podcast.

A state memorial service for Professor Richard Scolyer has begun at the Sydney Opera House, honouring the late cancer researcher and Australian of the Year.

Australian officials are making urgent enquiries with Thai authorities after a deadly fire in Bangkok killed at least 27 people.

The US military says it's begun a fresh wave of strikes against Iran, as the two sides make conflicting claims about whether the Strait of Hormuz is open.

For more news at any time you can follow the ABC News Top Stories podcast.

A digital app and webform is being rolled out to replace paper traveller declaration cards in airports.  

The United States has confirmed that it has launched a new wave of strikes against Iran to degrade its ability to attack commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Barnaby Joyce has shrugged off new polling that shows support for One Nation has dropped.

A state memorial service will be held at the Sydney Opera House today to remember former Australian of the Year, Professor Richard Scolyer.

For more news at any time you can follow the ABC Top Stories podcast.