Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
In this bulletin;
- Albanese says Australians have the rights to express views, ahead of planned protests against the Israeli President
- Thailand heads to the polls today to elect a new parliament
- Sydney FC loses to Auckland, one-nil
---
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says people have a right to express their views in a democracy, ahead of planned protests against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit on Monday.
He stresses that he hopes people will be respectful in this difficult time.
"President Herzog is coming in the context of the devastating antisemitic terrorist attack that occurred in Bondi on the 14th of December. I along with President Herzog will meet with families of victims, those innocent lives of people in that local community."
Mr Albanese also says his thoughts are with the Indigenous Australian community, saying there's no place for racism following the recent Perth attack on January 26.
On Thursday, the 31-year-old man who allegedly threw a bomb into the Invasion Day protest in Perth was charged with terrorism.
---
Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees says their call is for Israeli President Isaac Herzogs visit to Australia to be cancelled.
The Israeli President is due to arrive in Sydney on Monday.
Ahead of the visit on Monday, Mr Lees says the Israeli President should be arrested if he sets foot to Australia.
"As Chris Sidoti, the UN Commissioner has called for he should be arrested and investigated for incitement towards genocide. This trip, as we said is a propaganda to it and it becomes clearer and clearer the statements coming out from Herzog himself and from other Israeli officials."
—
Tropical Cyclone Mitchell has strengthened to a category three storm as it nears the Western Australia coast, bringing with it damaging wind gusts of up to 185 kilometres per hour.
Residents from Whim Creek to Onslow, including the mining town of Karratha, have been told it is too late to leave and they must seek shelter indoors immediately, with Mitchell presenting a threat to lives and homes.
Todd Smith from the Bureau of Meteorology says residents in the region should keep a close eye on the bureau's latest forecast track maps.
"And also to pay attention to what DFES and Emergency Services are saying via Emergency WA. It's going to be a really critical next 24 hours for residents of Karratha and Onslow."
---
The Daly River has burst its banks and begun flooding its namesake outback town — after the entire community was evacuated to safety in the Northern Territory capital.
More than 400 people from Daly River were bussed 230 kilometres to Darwin or made their own way out on Wednesday.
The river is expected to rise to a major flood level of 14 metres, peaking on Monday or Tuesday.
---
Thailand will be heading to the polls today, to elect a new parliament after experiencing political turmoil for the last two decades.
It's expected to be another fierce battle between the Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai party backed by Thailand’s royalist conservative establishment, and the progressive youth-led People’s Party.
Natthanphong Ruengpanyawut is the People's Party leader.
"I promise that this prime minister and the MPs of this party will be humble towards the people and stand firm against dictatorship. I promise they will work for the best interest of the people – not put money in their own pockets"
---
Auckland FC has returned, at least temporarily, to the top of the A-League men's ladder, with a one goal to nil win over Sydney FC in Auckland.
Sam Cosgrove scored the only goal of the game, in the 20th minute.
It's only Auckland's second win in seven matches since Christmas, and it vaults them past Sydney FC and the Newcastle Jets back into first spot.
The Jets have a chance to take back first spot if they beat Adelaide United in Adelaide tomorrow afternoon.
