Australia congratulates the winner of Taiwan's presidential election, as China expresses its anger; Four people rescued from a rip in Sydney's east; A local wildcard loses his first round match as the Australian Open begins in Melbourne.
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TRANSCRIPT:
- Australia congratulates the winner of Taiwan's presidential election, as China expresses its anger;
- Four people rescued from a rip in Sydney's east;
- A local wildcard loses his first round match as the Australian Open begins in Melbourne.
Australia has congratulated the leader of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, who has won the country's presidential election.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says the people of Taiwan have exercised their democratic rights in their choice of leader, describing the "smooth conduct of the elections" as "a testament to the maturity and strength of their democracy."
But it's a result that's expected to anger Beijing and heighten tensions, with China reaffirming its commitment to reunification in a statement from its Taiwan Affairs Office, read on state tv.
"The results of the two elections in Taiwan show that the Democratic Progressive Party does not represent the mainstream public opinion on the island. Taiwan is China's Taiwan. This election cannot change the basic situation and the direction of cross-Strait relations, nor can it change the common desire of compatriots on both sides to get closer and closer, nor can it stop the general trend that the motherland will eventually and inevitably be reunified."
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Four people have been pulled from the water in a dramatic rescue at Bronte Beach, in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
NSW Ambulance Inspector Ben Morey says the three women and one man were brought back to the beach by surf lifesavers after being caught in a rip.
They have been taken to hospital in a stable condition.
The Inspector has urged beachgoers to follow water safety advice.
"NSW Ambulance always support the message from Surf Lifesavers to swim at patrolled beaches and between the flags, always staying vigilant throughout the summer; making sure that you've always got someone to spot you as well as everybody else whilst you're swimming as well."
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Firefighters are battling extreme heat in Western Australia as they contend with several blazes to the north of Perth.
The city is forecast to reach a maximum of 38C today, slightly cooler than the 40.7C recorded on Saturday, the first such 40 plus day in almost two years.
Homes and lives remain under threat from an uncontrolled blaze near Chittering after it burned through 120 hectares in a matter of hours yesterday morning.
A potentially dangerous fire has also broken out near the entrance to R-A-A-F Base Gingin, a facility primarily used for pilot training.
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Thousands of protesters have filled a square in Tel Aviv, beginning a 24 hour rally they hope will draw attention to the hostages still being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The square is directly opposite Israel's Defence Ministry that has served as a gathering point for the campaigners.
More than 100 hostages were released during a temporary truce in November, but 132 are still in Gaza including the remains of about two dozen who died or were killed.
Jossef Avi Engel is the grandfather of one of the hostages, and says there has been little visible progress in bringing everyone home.
"We are calling on the Red Cross, we are calling the UNRWA, we are calling the UNCIEF and we are calling our government to do much more. It is not -100 days. It is a lot of time for young people, old people, ill people to be there in jail under the ground. It is not normal and we are calling everybody who can do something to bring them back."
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A new campaign has been launched on a series of dating apps, urging young Australians to get themselves tested for sexually transmitted diseases
The nine-week campaign will appear on social media, Tinder and Grindr, and around universities, bars and clubs - and materials will also be translated for multicultural and First Nations audiences.
Health Minister Mark Butler says the Beforeplay campaign is in response to a rising number of cases of infections, especially syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
He says it's been almost 15 years since the last major awareness campaign was rolled out by the government.
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The first results are coming in for the opening matches of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
In the men's singles, Australia's Adam Walton has been defeated by Italy's Matteo Arnaldi 6 seven, 2 six, 4 six.
The local wildcard made an encouraging start on his grand slam debut before being overwhelmed by the rising Italian star.
He is one of 15 Australian men in the singles draw at Melbourne Park this year, the largest local contingent since 1998.
