TRANSCRIPT
- Pacific Islands leaders address the UN General Assembly on the climate crisis
- Anthony Albanese discusses a Gaza reconstruction plan during a meeting with former British prime minister Tony Blair
- The Storm book a spot in the NRL grand final
The leaders of five Pacific island nations have warned the United Nations General Assembly about the impact of climate change, which makes their countries susceptible to rising sea levels and natural disasters.
Feleti Teo, the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, urged member states to keep the existential threat of climate change top of mind.
"It is my hope that the urgency to address the existential threats of climate change and sea level rise would not be overshadowed by the ongoing geopolitical competition between the superpowers and the military conflicts around the globe."
He was joined in his call by the leaders of Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and Samoa in demanding action and commitment to the 2015 Paris climate accord.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says all efforts must be directed to the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
"Climate change is a crisis multiplier that is defining our future. We can do more with international partnerships, investing in reforestation and the conservation of our forests, including renewable energy investments. We need urgent and ambitious climate action."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is open to considering arrangements for a post-war authority in Gaza, including a proposal raised by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The pair met in London where the issue was raised.
Mr Blair - who took the UK into the Iraq War in 2003 - is backing a proposal that would see him lead a governing authority supported by the UN and Gulf nations - before handing control back to Palestinians.
Mr Albanese says it has been valuable to get a deeper understanding of Mr Blair's proposal - and the search for solutions.
"It was an opportunity to be briefed on by Mr Blair on some of what he has undertaken - and the discussions he has had. I don't want to pre-empt those processes, but it was an important opportunity to be informed."
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Organisers of an international aid flotilla say they plan to press on with attempts to break an Israeli naval embargo on Gaza.
Italy and Spain this week sent naval vessels to assist the Global Sumud Flotilla, after it came under drone attack en route to Gaza to deliver aid.
No one was injured, but vessels suffered some damage from the attack, which happened in international waters 56 kilometres off the Greek island of Gavdos.
The flotilla of about 50 civilian boats blamed Israel, which did not respond to the accusation - but said it would use any means to block the boats' access to Gaza.
Greek flotilla organiser Iasonas Apostolopoulos says those on board the flotilla are determined to complete their mission.
"We are very happy, because yesterday we joined the rest of the boats coming from Italy, Spain, and Tunisia, and we united as one common fleet of 44 ships. Our next destination is Gaza. Our mission, is to break the illegal Israeli siege and create a people’s humanitarian corridor."
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Slovenia has imposed a travel ban on Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that prevents him from entering the country.
In a statement, a Foreign Ministry official says the decision upholds international law, citing the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court last year over alleged war crimes, which Israel denies.
The EU nation of some 2 million people recognised a Palestinian state last year - and has been a vocal critic of Israeli actions in Gaza.
Slovenia has already barred Israeli National Security Minister and Finance Minister from entering the country - and it has also imposed an arms embargo on Israel.
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In the NRL, the Storm have booked a spot in the grand final.
Coach Craig Bellamy says he commends the team's performance in the 22-14 win over Cronulla.
It is the second straight NRL grand final for the team, after last year's loss to Penrith.
Bellamy says the team really stepped it up to get this spot in the grand final - and that should be celebrated.
"At the end of the day, it is hard to get into a grand final. And it's extra hard to win one. And like I say, we found a way to get into the grand final and hopefully, you know, we can find a way to finish it off next week. But at the end of the day, there is going to be two teams there. And they are going to be two good teams. And we'll see what happens. But like I say, this thing about 'you've had a failed season, if you been beaten in the grand final' - that's a load of crap."
