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Ministers from all levels of government are being asked to do more to help improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians in several key areas.
The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, is in Canberra for a Joint Council meeting on Closing the Gap, joined by Indigenous groups and government officials.
Ms McCarthy says all ministers in Australia, not just those in Aboriginal Affairs, should be involved, as the national agreement is for everyone.
Senator McCarthy says although there is a long way to go with Closing the Gap, it's important to acknowledge the early childhood education target has been met.
"We are seriously looking at the federal funding agreements that we have with states and territories in order to meet these targets. We have already seen in the Northern Territory direct funding to First Nations organisations as a result of the Northern Territory remote investment because we want to see results. And that is significant funding that is going to First Nations organisations."
The federal government says it is extending its support for mental health services for the Jewish community ahead of the anniversary of the Bondi attack.
15 people were killed in the shooting targeting a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.
The Bondi Medicare Mental Health Centre will become a permanent fixture to enable access to free walk-in mental health support.
Support is also being extended for Jewish Care, Jewish House, and the Witness to War and Violence Multilingual Support Line.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler says the anniversary will be a difficult time for many people and it is important that mental health support continues to be in place.
Work has progressed on introducing new national standards and safety codes for e-bikes, e-scooters, and lithium-ion batteries across Australia.
Consultation has begun on the new safety standards to establish consistent rules across Australia under which e‑bikes can be sold.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is running the consultation, closing at the end of the month, which will then inform a framework for e-bikes in early 2027.
Assistant Minister for Competition Andrew Leigh says the injuries and fatalities linked to e-bikes is growing and updated regulation is needed.
"Australians need to be sure that what we're being sold is safe. As we lead into Christmas I would urge those who are thinking about putting bikes under the Christmas tree, to ensure that it is a safe vehicle - that it isn't going to imperil the rider, or others."
California Governor Gavin Newsom says he is commuting the death sentences of all 548 people on the state's death row.
The Death Penalty Information Center says it's largest grant of mass clemency in the country's history.
The executive action will see the death sentences changed to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In an open letter to constituents, Mr Newsom says the decision is among the most difficult of his career, but he feels state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with values in California.
The move comes seven years after Mr Newsom issued a moratorium on executions, which prevented any further executions but left all pending death sentences in place.
Thousands have gathered in the English town of Ottery Saint Mary to watch the ancient tradition of barrel rolling.
The centuries-old custom sees selected town residents, including children as young as seven, take turns carrying barrels of blazing tar through the crowd-lined streets, balancing them on their shoulders and heads as sparks fly from the barrels.
Jayden Rowland-Phillips says the event offers participants a thrilling way to connect with the past.
"It's the biggest thing in Devon. It's the second most deadliest tradition in the UK. It's been going on for hundreds and hundreds of years, and it's been, it goes down throughout generation after generation and family. So it's basically a family tradition thing in Ottery, which has just grew and grew and grew. And it started from putting it in the houses to burn off your ghosts and spirits and scaring them away. And then because it was thatched roofs, they moved outside, and now it's just turned into this brilliant thing."
The Sydney Swans have appointed independent advisers to examine the club's culture.
In a message to members, Swans chairman Andrew Pridham says the board has engaged workplace culture company Intersection to "provide advice on the club's various protocols and programs".
The announcement comes after a Melbourne hotel incident in August, which led to the suspension of five players for breaching club behavioural standards.
It has also been revealed that player Tom Papley allegedly returned a positive roadside test this week.
