News live: nearly 4,000 Australians trying to evacuate Israel and Iran, Marles says; body found in search for missing man in NSW

In a recent update, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles reported that nearly 4,000 Australian citizens are currently seeking assistance from the government to evacuate from Iran and Israel amid escalating tensions in the region. Specifically, Marles indicated that there are approximately 2,600 Australians in Iran and around 1,200 in Israel who have reached out for help. The Australian government has a civilian charter plane on standby, ready to assist with the evacuation; however, the operation is currently hindered due to the closure of airspace over both countries. Marles emphasized that the government is prepared to provide assistance as soon as the airspace reopens, highlighting the urgency of the situation for Australian citizens caught in the conflict zones.

In addition to the evacuation concerns, the New South Wales police have reported the discovery of the body of an 81-year-old man in the Moruya area after a search operation conducted late Saturday night. The body was located in a white utility vehicle, and authorities have stated that they are not treating the death as suspicious at this time. This incident adds a somber note to the day's news, as the community comes to terms with the loss while also grappling with the ongoing international crisis affecting Australian citizens abroad. Minister Marles’ updates and the police's findings are reflective of the broader issues facing many Australians both domestically and internationally at this critical moment.