- The Greens condemn what it calls a "tepid" response from the government to Israel's strikes on Qatar
- The PM signs $100 million to help set up a Pacific Resilience Facility
- In sport, Bolivia stun Brazil in a World Cup qualifier
The Greens have condemned the federal government's response to the Israeli strike on Hamas targets that has killed six people in Qatar.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called the attack "the wrong thing to do", and says it risks escalating conflict in the region.
Greens Senator David Shoebridge has angrily condemned Israel for the strike on the neutral country as it tried to broker ceasefire negotiations — and also for alleged drone attacks on an activist aid flotilla headed for Gaza — adding that the government's response has been weak.
"And under cover of those two lawless assaults, Israel has now further pressed its ethnic cleansing in Gaza City itself. What has been the Australian government's response to now a pattern of extreme, violent lawlessness from Israel? Yet another tepid response, a statement of concerns and no material consequences for Israel."
***
Poland's military says it scrambled its own and NATO allied air defences to shoot down Russian drones after they crossed from neighbouring Ukraine.
It's first time the NATO country has directly engaged Russian assets in its airspace since the Ukraine war began in 2022.
In a statement on social media platform X, Poland's military command says its airspace was repeatedly violated by drone-type objects.
***
Two men have been charged over a series of antisemitic attacks that happened in Sydney this year.
Counter-terrorism detectives say the two men have been charged over an incident in January at a synagogue in Sydney's south, in Allawah, that saw the building covered in graffiti depicting a Nazi symbol.
They have also been charged over three other incidents, including targeting a childcare centre in Maroubra and a home in Dover Heights.
The pair are due to appear in court next month.
***
The Prime Minister has committed $100 million to help set up a Pacific Resilience Facility to assist regional island states respond to the challenges of climate change.
Anthony Albanese has arrived in Honiara from Vanuatu for the Pacific Islands Forum, where 18 member countries are ratifying the new agreement.
He says Australia's contribution shows Pacific nations they do not have to face climate threats alone.
But when questioned on calls by Pacific leaders for Australia to freeze fossil fuel production, he said Australia would decide its own energy policy.
"Australia determines our own policy, and what we are doing is transitioning, in a way that ensures there is energy security, that ensures there is community support for action, and my government is committed to action on climate change."
Member states will also use the forum to agree to a peace declaration, calling on the international community to respect national sovereignty in the Pacific.
***
The federal government has signed a new $1.7 billion contract to acquire a fleet of Australian-designed and built autonomous undersea vehicles, known as Ghost Sharks.
The contract with Anduril Australia builds on the approximately $140 million already spent on the development of the Ghost Shark platform, payloads and production facilities.
Defence Minister Richard Marles says the drones will be crucial in equipping Australia's Navy with what it needs to navigate an increasingly complex security environment.
"We're going to be a little coy in terms of how we answer specific questions about what this can do, given the nature of what it does. But I go back to the words that we've used. This is a capability which will be able to engage in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike, and one should read those words to the fullest extent. That is the capability that we have here."
***
Crowds have gathered in Melbourne's west to mourn the deaths of two boys who were brutally stabbed on the weekend.
Hundreds attended the candlelit vigil in Melbourne last night to pray and sing hymns in remembrance of 12-year-old Chol Achiek and his 15-year-old friend, Dau Akueng.
Chol's father, Chuti Ngong, addressed the crowd, saying the family and community want justice for the deaths.
"Chol was a lovely boy. He was a very peaceful boy. He loved everybody — loved all the family, siblings, everybody. Being a relative or not, he is a good person. He is always smiling, playing. But how can someone just kill him, like they are killing an animal, like that."
His friend Dau has been remembered as a good kid and an emerging community leader.
***
To sport and in football,
Bolivia has advanced to the playoff tournament for the World Cup, after a shock defeat against Brazil.
Miguel Terceros scored a penalty in the 45th minute to push Bolivia to a 1-nil victory.
The play-off tournament next March will see six South American countries vie for the last two World Cup spots, to be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year.
Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay have already qualified for the finals.
Bolivia are aiming to qualify for their first World Cup since 1994.
