In this bulletin;
- Andrew Hastie quits the Coalition frontbench;
- Australia still in the dark after several citizens detained by Israel;
- And in sport, Australia bats first against New Zealand in second Twenty20 International.
West Australian Senator Andrew Hastie has quit the Coalition frontbench three days after being sent a so-called 'charter letter' by Liberal leader Sussan Ley.
As the Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Mr Hastie has become increasingly outspoken about net-zero targets, immigration, and other policy areas.
Ms Ley said she sent every member of her shadow ministry letters outlining expectations and policy priorities, after extensive consultations.
She says Mr Hastie informed her by phone on Friday he could not abide by the conditions she had outlined.
Senator James Paterson will take up his portfolio until a permanent replacement is named.
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Israeli authorities are yet to provide the Australian government with any official confirmation of which citizens are being held in detention after participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla.
A group of at least five - and possibly six - Australians are understood to have been detained for trying to breach Israel's naval blockade and deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says officials from the Australian Embassy in Tel Aviv are travelling to Ketziot to provide consular assistance.
They say officials are liaising with Israeli authorities and have formally requested confirmation of Australians detained - but have not yet received it.
Meanwhile, Israeli politician Ben Gvir, who has been sanctioned by Australia, reposted a video of himself accusing flotilla activists of being terrorists.
“These are the flotilla terrorists. These are terrorists."
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US President Donald Trump has given Hamas until Sunday [[5 October]] to accept his peace proposal to end the nearly two-year war in Gaza, warning that all hell will break out if they refuse.
In a social media post on Friday, President Trump wrote: “An agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday evening at six o’clock, Washington time. Every country has signed on! If this last-chance agreement is not reached, all hell, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas.”
White House Press Secretary echoed the President's warning in a press conference.
"When I was out here on Wednesday (October 1), I told all of you, I'll leave it to the president to make that red line and he now has. I think the entire world should hear the president of the United States loud and clear. And Hamas has an opportunity to accept this plan and to move forward in a peaceful and prosperous manner in the region. And if they don't, the consequences, unfortunately, are going to be very tragic."
The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas disarmament, and the creation of a transitional administration overseen by an international body.
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The Church of England has announced its first-ever female leader, with Sarah Mullally becoming spiritual leader to tens of millions as the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
In her first speech the 63-year-old highlighted climate change and the need to recognise and take seriously distrust of the church.
"Given the many struggles of our church and of societies here and around the world, I am often asked where I see hope. I have the privilege to see hope in communities, chaplaincies, and churches in the Church of England and across the wider Anglican Communion. In the parishes across this nation, I see faithful clergy and congregations worshipping God and loving their neighbours."
UK Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer has welcomed Ms Mallally's appointment.
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To sport now, and in cricket,
Australia will bat first in the second Twenty20 International against New Zealand as they hunt victory in the three-match series.
Rain in Mount Maunganui delayed the first ball by an hour on Friday night and condensed the match to 18 overs per side, with Australia losing the toss once the weather cleared.
Bowling allrounder Sean Abbott has been brought into the XI in place of Ben Dwarshuis as the only change to the Australian team that won game one on Wednesday.
It comes as Australia deliberates which bowler will join the first-choice attack for the 2026 T20 World Cup following Mitch Starc's retirement from the format earlier this year.
