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The head of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion says some Jewish Australians have expressed concerns about speaking at the inquiry, fearing they'll be targeted by further hostility. The first block of public hearings has begun this morning, with both a Holocaust survivor and the daughter of a Bondi Beach terror attack victim set to give evidence today. In her opening remarks, Commissioner Virginia Bell said among the thousands of submissions to the inquiry were personal accounts from Jewish people who've experienced antisemitic incidents. The commission's final report is due in December. The Australian Federal Police Association says a security flaw in Bluetooth-enabled tasers and body-worn cameras could disrupt covert police operations. Police services have been warned about free apps which criminals can download to track officers using thousands of those devices across Australia. The AFPA says people may be able to use the apps to evade police while driving. The US military has confirmed it will begin escorting ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. The vital oil shipping route has been blocked by Iran since the beginning of the war nine weeks ago. Some 20,000 seafarers are stuck in the strait and President Donald Trump today announced that the so-called 'Project Freedom' will escort them to safety in a mission he's described as a 'humanitarian gesture'. A senior Iranian official says any US attempt to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz would violate the ceasefire. Press the 'Follow' or '+' button on this show page to add us to your playlist, so you never miss an episode. For more news, politics and current affairs podcasts go to ABC listen.  

US President Donald Trump says his representatives are having 'very positive discussions' with Iran as the two countries trade peace proposals It's a stark change from earlier remarks when he said he couldn't imagine the latest proposal being acceptable because Iran 'had not yet paid a big enough price'. Mr Trump's also announced the US will start escorting stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz as a humanitarian gesture, adding that if the process is interfered with, that interference would 'have to be dealt with forcefully'. Former New York City Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, has been hospitalised in a critical but stable condition. His spokesperson has confirmed the news to US media but hasn't provided more details ‌about why the 81-year-old is unwell. Mr Giuliani was named 'America's Mayor', for his response to the September 11 ⁠attack, and also worked as a lawyer for US President ‌Donald Trump in his failed efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Australians are being told that there's no need to panic, after three people died from a respiratory illness outbreak on a cruise ship off the coast of South Africa. The South African health ministry says they tested positive for hantavirus, which spreads to humans from infected rodents via their urine or faeces. Professor Paul Griffin from the University of Queensland's Medical School says there haven't been any cases in Australia. The World Health Organization is investigating the incident. Press the 'Follow' or '+' button on this show page to add us to your playlist, so you never miss an episode. For more news, politics and current affairs podcasts go to ABC listen.  

US President Donald Trump says the United States will begin an operation to free up ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz as a 'humanitarian gesture' Mr Trump says Washington was answering a call for help from countries not involved in the conflict, and that the US would help guide ships safely out of the area. Iran's effectively closed the oil shipping channel since the end of February, leaving some 20,000 seafarers stranded.   Meanwhile Trump says his representatives are having 'very positive discussions' with Iran as the two countries trade peace proposals Public hearings are underway  for the Royal Commission on antisemitism and social cohesion, with a dozen people scheduled to give evidence today, including people with a lived experience of antisemitism. The first public hearing block, set to run for two weeks, will focus on the nature of antisemitism and its impacts on Jewish Australians. The hearings will also examine how antisemitism is monitored and reported. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has not indicated there'll be extra cost of living relief for Australians on top of what's already been promised, as part of next week's budget. He's confirmed tax reform, productivity and savings will all be central to what the government unveils. But asked if there'd be any new cost of living help, Mr Chalmers said the government will respond to hip-pocket pressures with measures including already-announced tax cuts and a reduction in the fuel excise. Press the 'Follow' or '+' button on this show page to add us to your playlist, so you never miss an episode. For more news, politics and current affairs podcasts go to ABC listen.  

US President Donald Trump has announced the US will launch an operation to rescue ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz. Mr Trump says this is a humanitarian gesture, as many of these vessels are running low on food, and warned Iran against interfering with the operation. It's estimated around 20,000 seafarers are stranded in or near the oil shipping channel, which has effectively been blocked by Iran since the beginning of the war.   Police across Australia are being exposed to detection and tracking by criminals, due to a major security flaw in thousands of tasers and body-worn cameras. A Four Corners investigation has revealed police agencies know of the safety risks — notably to undercover officers or those who take their equipment home — but none appear to have warned officers. It's understood criminals are using free apps available online that detect the devices up to hundreds of metres away. The family of a five year old who was allegedly murdered in Alice Springs says they're "relieved" to hear that her accused killer has been charged. On Saturday officers formally charged Jefferson Lewis with one count of murder, a week after Kumanjayi Little baby disappeared from the Old Timers town camp. The 47-year-old man remains in custody and is due to face court tomorrow. People are being asked to wear pink to an event today in Alice Springs in Kumanjayi Little baby's honour.   Press the 'Follow' or '+' button on this show page to add us to your playlist, so you never miss an episode. For more news, politics and current affairs podcasts go to ABC listen.  

US President Donald ‌Trump has announced the US will ‌free up ‌ships stranded ‌in ‌the Strait ⁠of Hormuz in the coming hours. In a social media post, he says 'neutral and innocent' countries have been affected by the Iran war and that the US will  guide their vessels safely out of the  waterways in what he's labelled 'Project Freedom' It's estimated that around 20,000 seafarers are stranded in or near the vital oil shipping channel, which has effectively been blocked by Iran since the beginning of the war.   The news comes as Iran reportedly reviews a response from the United States to its 14-point proposal to end the war. Public hearings will begin today in Sydney for the Royal Commission on antisemitism and social cohesion. The first public hearing block will focus on the nature of antisemitism and its impacts on Jewish Australians, with people with a lived experience of anti-Jewish hate expected to give evidence. The inquiry will also this week hear from Jewish leaders who say it's the most significant national examination of antisemitism in Australia's history. The family of a Kumanjayi Little Baby who was allegedly killed in Alice Springs is calling on the country's leaders to be "respectful" while the community is engaging in sorry business, and to not politicise her death. On Saturday officers formally charged Jefferson Lewis with murdering the five year old, a week after she disappeared from the Old Timers town camp. The 47-year-old man remains in custody and is due to face court tomorrow. Press the 'Follow' or '+' button on this show page to add us to your playlist, so you never miss an episode. For more news, politics and current affairs podcasts go to ABC listen.