Australian Greens senator denies leave as party rumors swirl; French protests turn violent

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John accused factions within his party of deliberately circulating rumours to damage his reputation and refuted reports that he had taken leave from parliamentary duties, contrary to statements by party leader David Shoebridge. Senior sources at the Reserve Bank warned that the ongoing conflict with Iran may sustain elevated inflation, likely forcing higher interest rates as oil prices show no sign of falling.

Overseas, Israel approaches its election with polls indicating an even split between supporters and opponents of Prime Minister Netanyahu, a race recently highlighted by former US President Donald Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu on social media. In France, large-scale demonstrations over the cost of living and school standards escalated into violence and looting for a second consecutive day, leading President Emmanuel Macron to deliver an emergency address condemning the unrest. The combined developments underscore political tension in Australia, economic uncertainty linked to Middle-East turmoil, a tightly contested Israeli election, and escalating civil disorder in France.