TRANSCRIPT
- A fire at a new shopping centre in Iraq kills dozens of people
- Facing criticism, the Prime Minister defends his six-day visit to China
- VFL great Maurice Rioli inducted into the Richmond Hall of Fame
A fire has engulfed a newly opened shopping centre in eastern Iraq, killing at least 61 people.
Civil defence teams rescued more than 45 people who became trapped when the fire broke out in the city of Kut.
Several others are still missing.
The five-storey Corniche Hypermarket Mall had opened only a week earlier.
Ali Al Zargani saw the building go up in flames.
"My house is behind the mall. The fire started around 8 pm and continued burning until 4 am. The flames were raging. The Civil Defence did their best ,may God reward them, but they were limited by a lack of resources. They don’t have modern vehicles. The building lacked even the most basic safety measures. None of the safety protocols were in place."
The provincial government has declared three days of mourning.
The Interior Minister says investigations have begun and legal cases have been filed against the building and shopping centre owner.
**
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended himself against claims that his visit to China was indulgent and failed to achieve security guarantees.
Mr Albanese has finished his six-day diplomatic trip to China where he met with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang as part of annual leader level talks, this time with a focus on trade and increasing business links.
But Mr Albanese largely tempered his public rhetoric on Australia's concerns over Beijing's military build-up and military actions in the Pacific.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley says she's disappointed that the Prime Minister didn't pressure President Xi on these concerns.
But Mr Albanese says he's simply looking out for Australia's interests with its largest trading partner.
"The Opposition has got some issues they've got to sort out within themselves, including over the relationship with China. I think they should sort themselves out before they start going back to where they've been for the last three years. Sitting back, never having anything positive to contributing, seeking distinction when what they should be doing is supporting Australia's national interests. That's what I'll continue to do."
**
The hunt continues for the organisers of a synagogue firebombing in Melbourne, following the charging of a man with the theft of a car linked to the incident.
Police allege the car theft is connected to the attack on Melbourne's Adass Israel Synagogue in December, as well as other high-profile incidents.
No one has been charged with carrying out the firebombing and the alleged 20 year old car thief is the first person to be accused of any offence linked to the attack.
But Victoria's acting premier Jaclyn Symes has suggested this is not the end of the inquiry.
"The community welcome a breakthrough in the investigation. A breakthrough such as this - and getting to an arrest - demonstrates that the investigation is at a critical point. I'm sure that once they have the ability to question who they've arrested that there may be further arrests down the track."
**
The UN has condemned an Israeli strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church that killed three people and injured 10.
Spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay says attacks on places of worship are unacceptable.
“The secretary-general strongly condemns today's strike on the Holy Family Church in Gaza, a place of worship and a sanctuary for civilians. Attacks on places of worship are unacceptable. People seeking shelter must be respected and protected, not hit by strikes. Too many lives have already been lost. There's an urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”
The shelling damaged the Holy Family Church compound, where hundreds had taken refuge.
Israel issued a rare apology and is investigating.
Ms Tremblay adds nearly 2,000 families have been displaced by recent fighting in Syria’s Sweida province, with many unable to return home.
Her remarks come as the UN Security Council met following a US and Turkey-brokered ceasefire between Syrian forces and Druze militias.
**
And in sport, former VFL champion, the late Maurice Rioli, has been inducted into Richmond Football Club's hall of fame.
Hailing from the Tiwi Islands, Rioli played 118 games for Richmond across 6 seasons in the 1980s.
He won the club's best and fairest award three times, and was runner-up in the 1983 Brownlow Medal.
That same year he won the Norm Smith medal for best afield in the Grand Final despite playing in the losing team.
He was regarded as one of the most elusive and skilled players of his era.
His son Maurice junior is continuing his legacy, currently playing for Richmond in the AFL.
