Key Points
- Australia, UK to sign 50-year AUKUS agreement tomorrow
- Prime Minister's strongest words yet on Gaza
- Alex de Minaur through to Washington Open quarterfinals
TRANSCRIPT
Defence Minister Richard Marles has celebrated Australia's relationship with the United Kingdom ahead of an historic treaty signing.
The two countries are on the cusp of signing a 50-year defence treaty underpinning the AUKUS nuclear submarine program, with Defence and Foreign Ministers from both countries meeting in Sydney.
While the AUKUS partnership involves the US, UK and Australia, the treaty is between the latter two nations, as the Trump administration continues its review of the pact.
Mr Marles says the treaty will be signed tomorrow.
"Today we are on the brink of concluding a treaty between our two countries in respect of AUKUS and Australia acquiring a nuclear submarine capability. It's as significant a treaty as has been signed between our two countries since federation and tomorrow will be the honour of John and I to put our signatures to this treaty."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Gaza in the grips of a humanitarian catastrophe, condemning Israel for restricting aid to Gaza and killing civilians, including children.
In a new statement Mr Albanese says, "The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world’s worst fears."
He reaffirmed the government's commitment to an eventual two state solution but has not revealed when Australia will move to recognise a Palestinian state.
It follows a pledge from French President Emmanuel Macron today to recognise the State of Palestine at a UN General Assembly in September.
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A state MP has been found guilty of sexually abusing two young men - including a teenager - after inviting them to his house and supplying them with drinks.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward has stood trial in the New South Wales District Court after pleading not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and indecent assault charges.
He was accused of indecently assaulting a drunk 18-year-old man at his South Coast home in February 2013.
Two years later, the long-time MP allegedly sexually assaulted an intoxicated political staffer after an event at New South Wales Parliament House in 2015.
After deliberating for two-and-a-half days, the jury on Friday returned unanimous verdicts of guilty on all counts.
Ward, who has denied all allegations against him, will return to court later this year to be sentenced.
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The United States Justice Department has met with Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The meeting between Maxwell and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is part of a Justice Department effort to cast itself as transparent, following backlash over President Donald Trump’s refusal to release additional Epstein records.
Maxwell was convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.
Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 awaiting trial.
Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney, David Oscar Markus, says it was a lengthy conversation.
"We're not going to comment on the substance, but there were a lot of questions, and we went all day and she answered every one of them. She never said, 'I'm not going answer,' never declined. You know, this is the first time the government has asked questions, so we were thankful that the deputy attorney general came and asked her questions."
Asked if his client could potentially receive a pardon or see her prison term reduced, the lawyer said that they haven't been given any promises of a deal yet.
If you or someone you know wants to talk about sexual assault or harassment, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
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In tennis, Alex de Minaur has fired up to reach his first A-T-P quarter-final in more than three months and matched a milestone of Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz.
Seventh-seeded de Minaur out-gunned Czech player Jiri Lehecka 7-6 6-7 6-4 to power into the last eight at the Washington Open, the scene of the Australian's first ATP 500 final in 2018.
De Minaur's returns yielded three breaks while he also served eight aces in a tight encounter lasting two- and three-quarter hours.
He finished the match with a perfect service game, as seen on Tennis TV.
"De Minaur with three more opportunities. And he closes it out in style. Unblemished to get the final hold and Alex de Minaur returns to the quarter-finals in Washington D-C for the first time since he reached the final in 2018."
With his 39th ATP 500 victory since the start of 2023, de Minaur has tied Alcaraz for the most wins at that level during that period.
