TRANSCRIPT
- A curfew announced in Los Angeles after days of protests
- Israel condemns Australia's announcement of sanctions targeting two ministers in Israel's government
- In football, the Socceroos beat Saudi Arabia to qualify for FIFA 2026
The mayor of Los Angeles has issued a curfew to stop the vandalism and the looting.
Karen Bass says a 10-hour curfew will apply to a 2.6-square-kilometre section of the downtown area - and will lift at 6am local time on Wednesday.
She says 23 businesses have been looted so far.
"The unrest that has happened are a few blocks within the downtown area. Unfortunately, the visuals make it seem the whole city is in flames - and it is not the case. The violence and damage is unacceptable. It is not going to be tolerated. And individuals will be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
The move follows a military deployment after days of violent protests against a Trump adminisration crackdown on migrants.
+++
Australia has joined the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in announcing financial sanctions and travel bans for two Israeli government ministers.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed the sanctions apply to Israel's National Security Minister and Finance Minister.
She says they have encouraged extremist actions that have led to grave human rights violations against Palestinians.
Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, says the action is outrageous - and the government has set a special meeting for early next week to decide how to respond.
The US has also condemned the sanctions.
Former Palestinian Ambassador to Australia Izzat Abdulhadi told SBS Arabic he welcomes the announcement from the Albanese government - and thinks it should go even further.
"I call on the Australian government to impose sanctions on Israeli government not just those two members of the government. Also, I call on the Australian government to recognise the state of Palestine immediately in the forthcoming peace conference to be held in New York."
World leaders and diplomats will meet in in New York later this month to discuss the issue of Palestinian statehood.
+++
Major construction is now complete at Sydney's new 24 hour airport in Badgerys Creek, ahead of its opening in 2026.
The airport is only the second to be built in Australia in the past 50 years, and was first promised in 1946 and then again in 1986.
Western Sydney International Airport CEO Simon Hickey says testing will now begin on the runway to ensure it is ready for passengers and cargo freight next year, with capacity designed to go from 10 million passengers a year to eventually 81 million.
There are concerns that problems with the Western Sydney Airport Metro Line, as well as a lack of clarity over which airlines will use the airport, could delay the set opening date.
But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is confident the project will be completed smoothly and become a major draw card for economic growth.
"What we know is that the centre of population is here in Western Sydney. And what this airport will do - not just a runway or terminal, but the aerotropolis that will grow around with it the Bradfield city - is to be a catalyst for economic activity. And for Sydney to look out - not just in."
+++
Qantas has announced it is closing down Jetstar Asia by the end of July, following years of financial losses.
In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange [[ASX]], the airlines says it is implementing a strategic restructure that see Jetstar Asia finish operations at the end of next month.
It says 13 planes used by Jetstar Asia will be redeployed across Australia and New Zealand, creating 100 jobs.
An estimated 500 jobs will be lost in the closure.
+++
To sport, the Socceroos have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia’s Green Falcons.
The Australians only needed to avoid defeat by less than five goals in Jeddah to seal their automatic World Cup finals qualification.
Coach Tony Popovic says he is happy with the team's result, but won't let them get complacent.
"It's not easy. And to show that character and resilience and then quality to come back and take the lead and win the game, so I'm delighted, and you know, we've built a good foundation now and we want to really get better and get better and kick on and try and do something special at the World Cup."
