TRANSCRIPT
- A man shot by police in Queensland as they responded to a house fire
- Israel launches a surprise attack on Hamas targets in Qatar
- The Panthers lose a key player to injury ahead of their elimination finals clash
A man remains in a critical condition after being shot by police responding to a house fire in Brisbane.
The 39 year old was rushed to hospital after officers wounded him in the backyard of a Wynnum West property in Brisbane's east on Tuesday.
Acting Chief Superintendent Heath McQueen says the shooting was justified, telling reporters that his officers had been confronted with a situation which required them to use force.
Police union head Shane Prior has also told reporters they were justified in their response.
"But unfortunately this officer has felt fear for his life, and has used their service firearm."
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Israel's military has launched an audacious attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar, where the Palestinian militant group has long had its political base.
Hamas says its leadership has survived the attack on targets in the capital city of Doha, but other media reports indicate six people have died.
Plumes of black smoke have also been seen billowing from the city's Legtifya petrol station, which is next door to a small residential compound that has been guarded by Qatar's emiri guard 24 hours a day since the beginning of the Gaza conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel acted independently to initiate the strike - which he says can be a game changer.
"This action can open the door to an end of the war. End of the war in Gaza. Israel has accepted the principle proposal put forward by (U.S.) President (Donald) Trump to end the war, beginning with the immediate release of all our hostages, which have been held in the dungeons of Gaza for 700 days. If President Trump's proposal is accepted, the war can end immediately."
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Nepal's Prime Minister has resigned amid anti-government protests that have seen protesters set fire to Parliament and the homes of some of the country's top political leaders.
Khadga Prasad Oli has said he was stepping down immediately.
The houses set on fire include those of Sher Bahadur Deuba, leader of the largest party Nepali Congress, President Ram Chandra Poudel, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and leader of the Communist party of Nepal Maoist Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
The mass protest and attack on parliament began as opposition to a ban on social media platforms that was later lifted, but fuelled by growing frustration and dissatisfaction against the political parties among the people who blame them for corruption.
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French President Emmanuel Macron has named loyalist Sebastien Lecornu as the country's new Prime Minister.
The choice of the 39 year old conservative protege indicates Macron's determination to press on with a minority government that stands firmly behind his pro-business economic reform agenda, under which taxes on business and the wealthy have been cut and the retirement age raised.
Lecornu is the fifth prime minister in less than two years after parliament ousted Francois Bayrou nine months into the role over his plans for taming the country's ballooning debt.
His immediate priority will be to forge consensus on a budget for 2026, a task that proved the undoing of Bayrou who had pushed for aggressive spending cuts to rein in a deficit standing at nearly double the European Union ceiling of 3 per cent of GDP.
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Australia’s Prime Minister says he remains confident of signing a treaty with Vanuatu despite the pact being delayed.
There had been an expectation that Anthony Albanese’s visit to Vanuatu would feature the signing of the $500 million Nakamal security pact, following months of negotiations.
But Prime Minister Jotham Napat has indicated more time was nee ded by the Vanuatu government to consider the agreement, with concern it could restrict the Pacific nation's ability to get funding from other countries for critical infrastructure.
Mr Albanese says Australia’s ties with Vanuatu are still going to proceed to the next level.
"We're very confident that the agreement can be reached, and I'm very reassured by the discussion that I've had with the Prime Minister."
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To sport and in the NRL,
Penrith's premiership push has been rocked by a hamstring injury to hooker Mitch Kenny.
The Panthers have been forced to name Luke Sommerton at No.9 in just his 12th NRL game, as they continue their quest for a fifth consecutive premiership.
They'll play the Warriors in Auckland in an elimination final.
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