Israel has launched a massive airstrike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in southern Beirut. The militant group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah is believed to have been the target of the attacks. A source close to the organisation says he is alive. At least two people were killed in the Lebanese capital, while 76 others were injured.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong believes there needs to be a timeline set for the international declaration of a Palestinian state. Speaking in New York, she is also calling for the UN Security Council to step up its role to work towards a two-state solution. Ms Wong says the world cannot wait for peace to be made between Israel and Lebanon.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reacted to Israel’s strikes on Beirut. “The events of the past week and the past few hours underscore what a precarious moment this is for the Middle East and for the world,” Mr Blinken said during a media conference. This comes after Hezbollah’s central headquarters in southern Beirut was hit by huge Israeli airstrikes, which killed at least two people and injured more than 70 others.

US President Joe Biden has reacted to Israel’s strikes on Beirut. President Biden denied having knowledge of the attack nor having any participation in the IDF’s actions. This comes after Hezbollah’s central headquarters in southern Beirut was hit by huge Israeli airstrikes, which killed at least two people and injured more than 70 others.

Hezbollah’s central headquarters in southern Beirut have been hit by huge Israeli airstrikes. The militant group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah is believed to have been the target of the attacks. A suburb close to Beirut was also hit by a series of blasts, which killed at least two people and injured more than 70 others.

Sky News contributor Emily Carver discusses the “interesting” revelations that Princess Catherine was the driving force behind Buckingham Palace’s birthday wishes for Prince Harry. “This is very interesting,” Ms Carver said. “I wonder if going through the cancer scare … may have given Princess Kate perhaps a bit of a fresh perspective on how important family is.”

Actress Dame Maggie Smith has died at the age of 89. Ms Smith passed away in a UK hospital.

Sky News contributor Emily Carver slams the “woke” artists who are defending climate activists vandalising art. Many artists have defended two climate activists who defaced Vincent Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers painting. “These artists are so woke that they’re defending vandals who choose to trash some of the finest artwork the world has ever seen,” Ms Carver said.

Sky News contributor Emily Carver discusses the “grim” failings of Harrods regarding the sexual assault allegations against Mohamed Al-Fayed. The managing director of London department store Harrods says the store is deeply sorry for failing employees who claimed they were sexually assaulted by its late owner. “It’s a pretty grim story,” Ms Carver said. “The current managing director … he’s apologised for all of the past failings.”

Sky News host Erin Molan has delivered a message of thanks to thousands of people who reached out after she spoke about maintaining moral clarity over the Israel-Hamas war. Ms Molan said she is speaking out because she is “scared beyond belief” about the direction the world is heading and that evil appears to be edging out good. “This fight is bigger than just Israel versus Hamas or Hezbollah or Iran. It's a fight for everything that should matter and does,” Ms Molan said. “It's a fight for every child who has lost their life since October 7. For every human being who believes in life and freedom and hope.”

Centre for Independent Studies’ Warren Mundine says the proposed NSW Indigenous treaty adds to division in the community. New South Wales has become the latest state to embark on an Indigenous treaty process, appointing three commissioners to conduct a year long listening tour. “The communities have already voted – they voted on the Voice,” Mr Mundine said. “They made it quite clear, we want to come together as a nation, we don’t want to be divided.”

Centre for Independent Studies’ Warren Mundine says New South Wales’ Indigenous treaty is not going to fix anything. New South Wales has become the latest state to embark on an Indigenous treaty process, appointing three commissioners to conduct a year long listening tour. “None of them are going to fix anything,” Mr Mundine said. “All that it is going to do is fix the hip pocket of those sitting on those communities.”

Centre for Independent Studies’ Warren Mundine says New South Wales’ latest indigenous treaty process is a “waste of time”. New South Wales has become the latest state to embark on an Indigenous treaty process, appointing three commissioners to conduct a year long listening tour. “My advice to [NSW premier] Chris is … stop wasting money,” Mr Mundine said. “We know what the issues are within Aboriginal communities. “Setting up these talkfests is just a waste of time.”

Deakin University Global Islamic Politics Chair Professor Greg Barton says most of the Lebanese people don’t have “time” or “respect” for the actions of Hezbollah. Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, with Israel and Hezbollah launching strikes against the other. “It’s a terrible situation all round,” Mr Barton told Sky News host James Macpherson. “The other three quarters of the country [Lebanon] don’t have a lot of time and respect for Hezbollah.”

Deakin University Global Islamic Politics Chair Professor Greg Barton discusses whether there will be a “troop operation” in the “air campaign” between Israel and Hezbollah. Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, with Israel and Hezbollah launching strikes against the other. “It’s been an air campaign so far,” Mr Barton told Sky News host James Macpherson. “There’s a debate about whether it can be solved with an air campaign or whether there will have to be some sort of troop operation on the ground. “There is word from Israeli defence leadership suggesting they’re getting prepared for ground operations.”

Sky News host James Macpherson reacts to Haitian President Edgard Leblanc Fils spilling a giant jug of water during his speech at the United Nations. The incident happened as the president called for all nations to come together and support peacekeeping efforts in his country. “If he had done that more confidently it would have been a power move,” Mr Mapherson said.

Former AFL player and hotel owner Paul Dimattina has strongly criticised the idea of former Victorian premier Dan Andrews receiving a statue, calling the politician a “moron”. Mr Dimattina took aim at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s “smug” Labor Party claiming the proposition is an “insult”. “I don’t think they realise the destruction they are causing our country,” Mr Dimattina told Sky News host James Macpherson. “We are going to spend $100,000 or whatever it is on a statue of a moron? “I am gobsmacked, and I think like a lot of people, totally disgusted and insulted about what’s happening. “It’s just another kick in the teeth – we are stuck with these Labor morons for another year and hopefully people will wake up eventually to the crook Dan Andrews is.”

Deakin University Global Islamic Politics Chair Professor Greg Barton says the chance of a “diplomatic breakthrough” in the Middle East has “slipped away”. Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, with Israel and Hezbollah launching strikes against the other. “It’s conceivable there could have been a diplomatic breakthrough,” Mr Barton told Sky News host James Macpherson. “That slipped away over recent weeks.”

Brisbane Airport expects its busiest day ahead of the AFL grand final in Melbourne on Saturday. According to Brisbane Airport, about 60,000 people are expected to pass through the domestic terminal. Sky News reporter Kaiser Shields says crowds started forming early with Brisbane Lion fans packing out the airport.

Sky News host Caleb Bond has called the alleged scandal concerning RFK Jr and American journalist Olivia Nuzzi bizarre and a “wild ride”. It has been reported New York magazine suspended Ms Nuzzi, their Washington correspondent, because they had become aware of an alleged romantic relationship with RFK Jr. “Now one of the more bizarre stories to come out of this election campaign is that a 31-year-old magazine reporter reportedly had some kind of relationship with the 70-year-old Robert F Kennedy Jr,” Mr Bond said. “Bear with me here because it is a wild ride. “This presidential campaign does not disappoint.”