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The Israeli military says its troops have taken operational control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. It comes as delegations from Hamas and Israel are expected to gather in Cairo in an effort to reach a ceasefire agreement.

Hand-sanitising prayer beads have been launched to help curb the spread of germs among Muslim pilgrims at this year's Hajj. The prayer beads (or Tasbih) are coated in tea tree oil and uniquely designed to preserve spiritual practices. They're being distributed to pilgrims on Saudia airlines flights, as well as in Mecca itself.

Interest rates are increasing likely to stay high for longer because inflation is still a problem, meaning borrowers expecting a rate cut will have to wait even longer. But there are things that can be done to help reduce your mortgage rate in the meantime.

Police in New South Wales are set to be handed so-called extraordinary powers to search and scan people with wands to tackle a spate of knife crime. If passed, the reforms will bring the state in line with Queensland, which has some of the toughest knife laws in Australia.

While the RBA isn't ruling anything in or out, it would appear it has maintained its neutral bias following its decision to leave official interest rates on hold in May. SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speask with Jarek Kowcza from Westpac and Matt Wacher, CAIA from Morningstar for more.

Price gouging could soon become illegal in Australia following the recommendation of a major supermarket inquiry. The landmark report seeks to tackle elevated food prices and contain supermarket profit margins as well as supporting competition.