It’s been a busy end to the political year, with the Government passing its preventative detention bill late last night.

The legislation is in response to the High Court’s ruling that indefinite detention in Australia is unlawful, and the subsequent release of more than 140 detainees, some of whom had a criminal record. Four people have been charged for reoffending since they were released from detention last month.

We’ve got a full explainer on this story in today’s podcast - you can listen here!

The quote
“Scientists are running out of adjectives to describe this.” – Deputy Director of the EU Climate Change Service Samantha Burgess on the sixth straight month of record-breaking global temperatures.

The stat
$24 million
The amount Telstra has paid in refunds and penalties after Australia’s communications regulator found it had inaccurately billed 6,500 customers.

Today in history
2017: Same sex marriage was legislated in Australia.

Some headlines from this morning:

Australia Post will reduce standard letter deliveries to every second business day to focus on the growing demand for parcels.

AusPost delivered around half a billion parcels in 2022-23, but letter volumes have dropped by two-thirds since 2008.

CEO Paul Graham said the measure will improve AusPost's capacity to deliver parcels "with better tracking technology and quicker turnaround times".

What’s changing?
The Government has announced measures to ensure AusPost's "long-term financial sustainability" after it reported a $200 million before-tax loss in 2022-23.

AusPost recently trialled decreasing the frequency of letter delivery days in select locations. Postal workers were able to make 10% more deliveries and carry up to 20% more parcels.

The trial's model will now be implemented, meaning letter delivery frequency will be reduced to every second business day for the majority of the country.

Urgent letters will continue to be delivered daily.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said: "Modernising Australia Post will put it on a surer footing so it can deliver the essential community services Australians need."

Last Friday, the temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended, lasting a total of seven days (three days longer than initially expected).

During the pause, Israel released a total of 240 Palestinian prisoners and Hamas released 105 hostages.

Here's what has happened since.

Recap
On 7 October, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing roughly 1,200 people. About 240 hostages were captured by Hamas, which controls Gaza. There are still 138 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Israel responded to the attack by declaring war and launching a ground invasion in Gaza. According to data cited by the United Nations, more than 15,000 people in Gaza have been killed since 7 October.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently said its military will resume fighting until all hostages are returned and Hamas is eliminated.

Southern Gaza
Following the end of the ceasefire, Israel is now intensifying fighting in southern Gaza.

This comes as 1.8 million people are now living in the south of Gaza after the Israeli Defence Forces told residents to leave the north – where most of the violence was initially occurring – and go to the south in mid-October.

Israel has now issued evacuation orders for people in parts of southern Gaza, including the main city of Khan Younis.

One UN official said: "People are pleading for advice on where to find safety. We have nothing to tell them."

Conditions in Gaza
The World Health Organisation's Dr Margaret Harris told NPR there are outbreaks of jaundice and diarrhoeal disease caused by "dirty water, lack of sewage services, [and] overcrowding" in Gaza.

The World Food Programme's director Cindy McCain has issued an urgent plea for further aid in Gaza "as humanitarian needs skyrocket and critical food supplies reach dangerously low levels".

Civilian deaths
The UN has repeatedly called for Israel to abide by international humanitarian law which requires militaries to "take all feasible measures" to protect civilians.

Israel has defended its actions by saying "Hamas deliberately embeds itself among civilians so that Gazans will bear the consequences of Hamas atrocities".

Allegations of sexual crimes
Israel has accused Hamas of sexual violence crimes during the 7 October attacks.

Israeli authorities say they have "hundreds of testimonies of rape and sex crimes" they allege were committed, but claimed "virtually all" of the victims were murdered on 7 October.

Speaking on Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden said it was "on all of us – government, international organizations, civil society and businesses – to forcefully condemn the sexual violence of Hamas terrorists without equivocation".

Australia
After the temporary pause ended, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: "Australia wants to see next steps towards a sustainable ceasefire, but it cannot be one-sided."

She added: "Australia is working with countries that have influence in the region towards the goal of a long-term, enduring peace, and to help protect civilians and prevent the conflict from spreading."

Travel warning
Earlier this week, Israel upgraded its travel advice for those travelling to Australia to level two, which urges Israeli citizens to take extra precautions when visiting, due to a rise in antisemitism.

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said on ABC's RN in light of this decision: "We are seeing a rise in both antisemitism and Islamophobia and there can be no place for that within our society."

You’re headed to the stands at the Australian Open on a hot January afternoon. You’ve just finished dinner at one of the world-class food vendors spread around the precinct, and now that your belly is full, it’s time to get into tennis mode. Do your best to ignore the temptation of the live DJs playing at the various pop-up bars - you’ve got tickets to watch Ons Jabeur do her thing!

We all love the Australian Open - it just hits differently. If that sounds like your idea of the perfect evening in summer, make sure you buy your tickets here.

Get all the news you need to know today in your ears on The Daily Aus podcast!

Scientists have created a snail-inspired robot designed to collect microplastics from the ocean. The flexible structure of the robot, based on the Hawaiian apple snail, is designed to suck up particles. Researchers at Cornell University in the U.S. said they were inspired by how the snail "collects food particles" in the water and air. Further development is needed before the robot will be ocean-ready.

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Let me paint you a picture.

An extremely extravagant wedding occurred between two people. Their names are Madelaine Brockway and Jacob LaGrone. Their wedding celebrations took place over five days with locations including the Eiffel Tower and the Paris Opera House.

Some reports say the wedding cost up to $AU89 million. It went viral on TikTok due to its sheer extravagance.

But now, weeks after it happened, the couple is making headlines again - and this time, it’s because the groom is facing years in prison.

It turns out LaGrone was charged with aggravated assault against a public servant in March this year in Texas (before the wedding). If convicted, he could face the maximum sentence of life in prison.

Imagine spending $AU89 million (full stop but then also) to spend the rest of your life with a man in prison.

What a coincidence! That’s exactly who The Daily Aus reaches. Get in touch with us to see how we can work together.