DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) – Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least nine Palestinians overnight, a hospital said Thursday, even as much of the world’s attention was focused on the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The nine people were killed in at least four separate strikes in Gaza City, according to Shifa Hospital, which received the bodies.

The Queensland Government is recognising the vital contribution of volunteers across the State as National Volunteer Week 2026 begins from 18 to 24 May, highlighting the people who dedicate their time to strengthening local communities.

There has been a lot of speculation lately, not least from Pauline Hanson, about the possibility of the One Nation leader riding her surging polling figures into the Lodge at the next election. So what are the rules around who can be prime minister? What would need to happen first? Is it likely Hanson will ever hold the position, or is this just hype?

The Queensland Government has unveiled a new three-year strategy aimed at reducing gambling-related harm across the state, supported by more than $17 million in annual funding for support programs and services. The Gambling Harm Action Plan 2026-28 focuses on prevention, early intervention and improving access to support for Queenslanders impacted by gambling.

This year's federal budget has been the most controversial since the Abbott government's 2014 budget, with Labor struggling to sell its new capital gains tax changes and crackdown on trusts. Its changes have produced howls of outage from those potentially affected, and criticism from some experts.

The Queensland Government says it has cleared the backlog of untested sexual assault examination kits inherited from the former Labor Government, while also significantly reducing delays in major crime DNA testing. The milestone marks another step in the State's effort to rebuild confidence in Queensland's forensic system, following widespread concerns over thousands of unprocessed DNA samples.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – A 63-year-old man was banned on Wednesday from contacting Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexander or her family for two years as she studies at a university in Australia.David James Cook appeared in court where he was issued with a two-year Apprehended Violence Order that prevents him from entering the Sydney University campus.

The Queensland Government has announced a $3 million investment to support a major expansion of the BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, aimed at boosting tourism in the Whitsundays and encouraging visitors to stay longer in the region. The project is being supported through the State Government's $80 million Tourism Icon Investment Fund.