Israel Folau says he feels "vindicated" after getting a payout from Rugby Australia, & more news in 5.

With AAP.

1. Israel Folau says he feels “vindicated” after getting a payout from Rugby Australia.

Eight months after an Instagram post got Israel Folau sacked from the Wallabies, the rugby player and Rugby Australia wished each other well for the future after signing a confidential settlement.

In a joint statement yesterday, both parties apologised for any “hurt or harm” they caused each other.

This agreement came after mediation ordered by the Federal Circuit Court had gone for a marathon 12 hours on Monday, then wrapped up over the phone on Wednesday.

Here’s a snippet of Israel Folau’s new YouTube video. Post continues after video.

Folau, who also played for the Waratahs, had reportedly rejected in May a $1 million offer to walk away from his case.

He asked for $14 million in compensation for being sacked over his controversial social media posts, which read: “Drunks, Homosexuals, Adulterers, Liars, Fornicators, Thieves, Atheists, Idolators: Hell Awaits You. Repent! Only Jesus Saves.”

The payout is believed to be $8 million, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Rugby Australia said it was within its rights to sack him.

RA and NSW Rugby said they “do not in any way” agree with the content of Folau’s post.

“Inclusiveness is one of Rugby’s core values and it welcomes all people to the game, including all members of the LGBTI community,” the joint statement said.

“Mr Folau did not intend to hurt or harm the game of rugby and acknowledges and apologises for any hurt or harm caused.”

With his wife Maria by his side, Folau later published a video statement on his website.

“With today’s acknowledgement and apology by Rugby Australia, we have been vindicated and can now move on with our lives to focus on our faith and our family,” Folau said on Wednesday.

“We now look forward to the federal government enacting the legislation necessary to further protect and strengthen these rights for all Australians.”

Despite the settlement, equality advocates raised diverse opinions on the matter.

“Folau should apologise to the LGBTI community for the harm he caused, he should say sorry to rugby community for the disruption he caused the sport, and he should refund the money raised for his defence in court,” Just.equal spokesperson Rodney Croome said.

Equality Australia stated that in spite of the details being confidential, “it is clear that Rugby Australia did not back down on its support for the LGBTIQ+ community.”

2. Both victims of the London Bridge terror attack died from stab wounds to the chest.

London Bridge terror attack victims Saskia Jones and Jack Merritt both died after suffering a stab wound to the chest, an inquest has heard.

Cambridge University graduates Jones, 23, and Merritt, 25, were attacked during a prisoner rehabilitation event at Fishmongers’ Hall last Friday afternoon.

Convicted terrorist Usman Khan, 28, who was living in Stafford, was later identified as their killer.

Armed with two knives and wearing a fake suicide vest, he was tackled by members of the public, including ex-offenders from the conference, before he was shot dead by police.

He died from "multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen" and "shock and haemorrhage", a separate inquest hearing was told.

Yesterday, City of London senior coroner Alison Hewitt opened and adjourned inquests into the victims' deaths at the Old Bailey.

The court heard Jones had graduated from Cambridge University in the summer of 2018 with a master's in criminology and had applied to join West Midlands Police.

She was said to be "passionate about victim support" and planned to use her role in the police to further her PhD at Oxford University.

Merritt also had a master's degree in criminology at Cambridge, having already completed a law degree at Manchester University.

Both Jones and Merritt had been at the Fishmongers' Hall event when they were stabbed, the hearing was told.

Detective Superintendent Des McHugh said: "On Friday November 29 2019 an event was held at Fishmonger's Hall, London Bridge.

"At 1.58pm police were contacted with reports that a male was attacking delegates at the event within Fishmongers' Hall.

"Armed officers attended the scene. Upon their arrival the male had left the building and was being restrained on London Bridge by several members of the public. The male was subsequently shot by police."

Jones was pronounced dead at 2.25pm, the court heard.

Merritt was moved from the scene to nearby King William Street where he was pronounced dead at 3.14pm, despite efforts to save him.

Post-mortem examinations found Merritt and Jones died from "shock and haemorrhaging" and a "stab wound to the chest", the Metropolitan Police officer said.

3. Sydney expected to clock the longest period of air pollution on record for NSW.

The "longest period" of air pollution on record for NSW is set to continue with severe bushfire conditions across large chunks of the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology says heavy smoke billowing from bushfires surrounding Sydney will linger in the city basin until Saturday.

Poor air quality has again been forecast for Sydney after hazardous levels of pollution were recorded in the east and southwest of the city on Wednesday.

Butterfly Foundation chief executive Kevin Barrow says social media plays a crucial role influencing how young people see themselves.

"We know that when young people are dissatisfied with their bodies and constantly comparing themselves, they can turn to 'quick fixes' that could potentially develop into an eating disorder," he said.

Instagram spokesman Philip Chua says the social media platform wants its users to feel safe.

"We're honoured to work with the Butterfly Foundation, one of Australia's leading organisations in the fight for positive body image," he said.