News and politics live updates: Iran condemns ‘barbaric’ strikes as US vows to hold country ‘accountable’

Richard Scolyer’s decision to volunteer for an experimental treatment after receiving a brain tumour diagnosis has paved the way for fellow cancer patients, a cancer expert has lauded.

University of Sydney emeritus professor of melanoma John Thompson, who was a friend and former colleague of the late researcher, addressed Scolyer’s State memorial on Monday.

“Richard courageously volunteered for a very risky form of treatment that had never been tried on brain tumours before in the hope that others might benefit from the information obtained,” Professor Thompson said.

“This bold experiment probably advanced research into brain cancer treatment by at least 10 years in one giant leap and formal clinical trials of this form of therapy are now in progress.

“I know this gave Richard enormous satisfaction.”

Thompson says Scolyer left a legacy of which his family, friends, colleagues and the “whole nation” could be proud.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says Labor has gone to the ‘edge’ of the law to keep ISIS fighters and brides from returning to Australia.

Exclusion orders are a key tool that the federal government can use to prevent ISIS-linked individuals from returning to the country, with the last ISIS bride Hodan Abby having had her exclusion revoked in June.

Mr Burke said while the Albanese government had considered lowing the threshold for exclusion orders but ultimately said it was not up to him to decide.

“The reality has been that the threshold really can’t be lowered. The High Court has made that pretty clear,” he said.

“So we’ve gone right to the edges of what we’re legally able to do, and even with that, there’s only been one occasion where I’ve been able to have a brief presented to me with the capacity to put a temporary exclusion order.

“As soon as that brief came to me, I took the opportunity to do it.”

Federal Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has hinted that Australia’s definition of a terrorist act will unlikely change.

While at a press conference today, Mr Burke was asked whether the definition needed an overhaul.

“The definitions of terrorism that are used tend to be international,” The Sydney Morning Herald reported Mr Burke as saying.

“[A] report has been given to government. There will be a formal response.

But, certainly, the definitions we’re using … interact very well with the partners we have.”

Typhoon Bavi has weakened to a tropical storm, hours after making landfall in eastern China ‘s Zhejiang province, but is still bringing days of strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the country.

The storm’s intensity continued to weaken as it moved northwestward across eastern China into the province of Anhui on Sunday afternoon, according to China’s national weather centre.

Strong winds and heavy rain are expected to impact many eastern and northeastern Chinese cities on Sunday and Monday, the National Meteorological Centre said, adding that heavy to torrential rain was recorded Sunday afternoon in provinces, including Anhui.

In Zhejiang province, more than 2.2 million people were evacuated due to Bavi, according to state media.

The city of Shanghai, in Zhejiang, evacuated over 290,000 people from at-risk areas, while Fujian province evacuated more than 180,000 people.

-AP

The Australian stock market weakened as further strikes between the US and Iran lifted oil prices.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell around 0.3 per cent to 8781.2 around midday, while the All Ordinaries slid 0.3 per cent, to 8976.6.

Brent Crude is trading at about $US79 a barrel, which is around the level it traded during the start of the Persian Gulf conflict in March.

The Australian dollar was buying 69.35 US cents, down from 69.50 US cents on Friday at 5pm.

- with AAP

Speaking about Professor Scolyer’s achievement, his three children said that while they can’t compete with being awarded the Australian of the Year gong and countless other successes, their Dad had told them that they “were his greatest achievement”.

He was described as their “biggest cheerleader”.

It was revealed that their Dad loved a “sweet treat” and that he would get a vanilla slice whenever they would stop at a small-town bakery during family road trips.

“Every time I eat one, I think of my Dad. I hope you do too.”

Our dad was the best dad we could have ever asked for.

“He continues to inspire us every day.

“We’re so lucky to call him our dad.

“He was the most kind, generous, fun, loving, and cheekiest person we knew.

“Dad was always there for us and never failed to make us smile or laugh.

“He taught us everything we know and we will strive to make his proud for the rest of our lives.”

Professor Scolyer’s wife, Dr Katie Nicholl, described her husband as a people’s person.

“He had a special ability to put people at ease, and for them to feel the warmth and kindness of his spirit,” she said.

She told of a time when her husband approached a group of runners at the Bay Run in Sydney and asked if he could join them for the 7 kilometre run.

“It didn’t matter to Rich, who someone was, their background, or even if it might embarrass his kids, he just had an amazing ability to walk up, say hi, and start a conversation.

“I think Rich pretty much applied this approach to everything in his life.

“It was always worth having a go.

“For our first date, Richard turned up at my doorstep unannounced with two bikes and proposed we go on an adventure for the day.”

Dr Nicholl said her husband was the “most wonderful father” who was involved and excited about sharing every phase of their kids’ lives.

She said Professor Scolyer was “funny, cheeky and mischievous, fun and when put his mind to something, Rich gave it his all”.

She ended her eulogy saying how lucky she felt to have had “24 amazing years” with him and “grateful” their children will carry him throughout their lives.

“We love you, Rich.”

Consular officials in Thailand are investigating whether any Australians have been caught up in a deadly fire that has killed at 27 people in a packed Bangkok pub.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says a dedicated consular line has been set up for relatives and friends worried about the welfare of loved ones.

“Our embassy is engaged in trying to make sure as to whether or not Australians are being caught up in it,” he told reporters in Sydney.

“Family members will be concerned if they’ve got family in the area.”

Concerned families are asked to call the Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra on 1300 555 135.

Professor Scolyer’s friend, Jim Finlay, who met Professor Scolyer 40 years ago, drew laughter from the crowd after noting how he was one of the “lucky few to have known the unprofessional Richard”.

In a touching tribute to his friend, Mr Finlay cited work from American author Jack London.

Mr Finlay said it “beautifully” summed up his friend’s philosophy on life.

“I would rather be ashes than dust, I would rather my dark and spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it shall be stifled by dry rot.

“The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.

“I shall not waste my days.

“I shall use my time.”

Beijing has told Australia and other nations to “stop stirring up trouble” over the South China Sea, as diplomatic tensions flare up over expansive claims in the contested waters.

Over the weekend, 14 countries issued a joint statement criticising China’s “destabilising” actions in the disputed maritime region to mark a decade since the Hague ruled against Beijing’s territorial claims against the Philippines.

Signatories including Australia, the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, and Slovenia urged parties to abide by the 2016 decision.

In a statement, China’s Foreign Ministry hit back at the joint statement, insisting its “territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea shall not be affected by the ‘award’ under any circumstances”.

“China urges the relevant countries to earnestly respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea,” the statement added.