Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Australian government is organizing evacuation flights for its citizens stranded in Lebanon. Two charter flights will transport Australians from Beirut to Cyprus, with Qantas providing onward flights to Sydney. Foreign Minister Penny Wong urges Australians to leave the conflict zone, while opposition figures emphasize the urgency of the situation. The article also highlights diplomatic tensions between Australia and Iran, following controversial remarks by Iran's ambassador. As violence continues, Australian leaders call for de-escalation and stress the importance of leaving Lebanon promptly.

Australians are being nudged by tech giants to pay for streaming services like Netflix and YouTube to watch the taxpayer-funded cartoon 'Bluey', despite it being available for free on ABC iView. ABC managing director David Anderson and other industry representatives raised concerns at a parliamentary inquiry, highlighting the challenges free-to-air services face, such as SBS's app being removed from a TV home page over revenue share disputes. Proposed legislation aims to prioritize free TV channels on smart TVs and preserve first rights to major sporting events for free-to-air broadcasters. Foxtel and Netflix representatives warned against the legislation, fearing it would distort outcomes and be unfair to creators. The inquiry also discussed the impact of online advertising on free-to-air TV revenue and the cultural significance of accessible Australian content.

The attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally has sparked reactions from Australian political figures, who emphasize the dangers of political demonization and polarization. Former ambassador Arthur Sinodinos and other leaders, including Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull, denounced the attack, highlighting the importance of maintaining democratic processes and political stability. The incident has led to increased security measures ordered by President Joe Biden and calls for political leaders to avoid inciting violence. Australian officials stress the need to cherish and protect democratic values to prevent similar occurrences.