TRANSCRIPT
- Syrians head to the polls for first election since the fall of Assad regime...
- Albanese government claims Australia helped lead the way to Gaza peace process...
- Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 to make it three defeats in a row for the reigning Premier League champions.
Syrians are about to head to the polls to elect a new People's Assembly, the first parliament to be chosen since the fall of Bashar al-Assad and a major test of inclusivity under its current Islamist-led authorities.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power after his rebel offensive toppled Assad in December, is trying to consolidate his hold over a nation fractured by a 14-year war and sectarian violence that has fuelled distrust of him among minorities.
The elections to be held from 5pm Sunday to 1am on Monday will not be a fully democratic process.
Rather, most of the People’s Assembly seats will be voted on by electoral colleges in each district, while one third of the seats will be directly appointed by President al-Sharaa.
Marwan Zogheib, a Christian Syrian candidate, says many minority groups don't have faith in a parliament that represents them.
“This is an abnormal situation for our country. The country is in an unstable state. Some citizens have a different perspective, and it is their legitimate right not to see the state or the administration may not be moving in the proper direction or representing all components of society. Therefore, they may see this participation as useless.”
The Albanese government have welcomed progress on a Gaza peace plan, arguing peace efforts have been helped by Australia's role as a middle power in diplomatic efforts.
It comes as U-S President Donald Trump revealing Israel has agreed to a limited troop withdrawal as negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release from Israel and Hamas continue.
Prime Minister Albanese says there was no question Australia's decision to recognise Palestinian statehood at a recent United Nations meeting, alongside allies the U-K, Canada and France, played a minor role in helping the move towards peace.
Industry Minister Tim Ayres echoes the sentiment to Sky News, saying Australia is regarded as a genuine player by its partners and has helped build momentum.
"I think that Australia is playing the role that Australians would expect it to, as a middle power, engaged with our partners around the world, particularly on the question of statehood. But you've seen over the whole two-year period, Australia playing a role for a ceasefire, working with partners on those questions. In terms of statehood, of course, it's part of creating momentum towards a peaceful settlement."
United States President Donald Trump has authorised the deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Chicago as part of his effort to clamp down on Democrat-controlled cities he claims are ravaged with crime and rebellion.
The move comes amid a wave of protests against an unprecedented show of force by Border Patrol agents who were sent into Chicago by the Trump administration.
Protesters say the immigration officers are the ones bringing the danger.
PROTESTER 1: As they're leaving they're throwing tear gas. So as they're leaving they're not really in any danger...
PROTESTER 2: "We are in danger because they are throwing smoke bombs. How do they even know if we are in danger? We are in danger all of the time with them here. "
It comes as an Oregon federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump's deployment of 200 troops to the city of Portland while a lawsuit challenging the move plays out.
The ruling by U-S District Judge Karin Immergut, who was appointed by Mr Trump, has blocked the president from sending troops at least until October 18, saying there is no evidence that recent protests rose to the level of a rebellion.
The White House says it will appeal the decision.
Australia's oldest person has turned 112 today.
Born on October 5, 1913, in Grafton on the NSW north coast - Ken Weeks has lived through five global pandemics and two World Wars.
Mr Weeks had lived independently in the same home for 65 years before moving into care just before his 105th birthday.
Described by his family as a true Aussie battler, Mr Weeks is not only the country's oldest living person but also the oldest Australian man on record.
The supercentenarian celebrated the milestone with a birthday party surrounded by family, friends and community members.
In football,
A stoppage time winner from teenager Estevao Willian earned Chelsea a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Premier League, condemning the champions to a third defeat in a row in all competitions.
The 18-year-old Brazilian scored from a Marc Cucurella cross in the fifth minute of extra time for his first Chelsea goal, in a fast and furious game at Stamford Bridge.
The result left Arne Slot's team in second place in the table on 15 points, one point behind Arsenal, while Chelsea rise to sixth place.
Despite the series of losses, Slot says he's still happy about Liverpool's start to the season considering the introduction of a number of new players.
"We had our changes in the summer. Players came in in different moments. Last weeks there’s hardly been any training time and still we need to try to bring these players in, and if the results would have been better today with a draw or a win, which was both possible, I don't say we deserved it - a draw we definitely deserved - but then we would have had a great start to the season. If you take into account everything that happened in the summer in Liverpool."
