The US has sent more than 100 marines and Special Forces to northern Iraq and Britain is also joining the mission to rescue thousands of people trapped on a mountain by Islamic State fighters. Iraq's prime minister Nouri al-Maliki is refusing to resign as international efforts to tackle the humanitarian crisis in the north intensify. 

 

Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend the ceasefire in Gaza for another five days. The current three-day ceasefire was due to end later today. A senior Palestinian negotiator says time is needed to discuss remaining disputes with Israel over a long-term truce. 

 

The man who led a review into allegations of Defence Force abuse says there is a shadow of doubt now over thousands of graduates from the Defence Force Academy. Lawyer Gary Rumble has told a Parliamentary inquiry that a Royal commission should be established to properly investigate abuse claims. 

 

At present there is a shadow of doubt over the fitness to lead of every our, every male officer who went through ADFA between 86 and 1998, that's not fair to the innocent and it's certainly not appropriate for the guilty.