TRANSCRIPT
- Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says the U-S-Australia military alliance is the strongest it's ever been
- The Israeli Supreme Court considers closing prison camp after claims of torture and abuse...
- The Prime Minister praises Australian athletes after most successful OIympic day ever
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says Australia's defence relationship with the Unites States is stronger than ever following the 34th AUSMIN talks.
The talks focused on the U-S-Australia strategic relationship, AUKUS submarine deal, and evolving security conditions in the Indo-Pacific.
It was the third consecutive year that Mr Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with their US counterparts Lloyd Austin and Antony Blinken.
Mr Marles says the consistency has allowed the countries to work efficiently together.
"We often talk about the alliance as being bigger than individuals, doesn’t matter which party’s in power in Washington or Canberra, and that’s all true. So, when you do get good personal alignment, does that matter? I think the opportunity that that affords is an ability to accelerate. So, we have been able to just move really quickly."
The Israeli Supreme Court considers a petition to close a desert military prison where soldiers are accused of torturing and abusing Palestinians, after a new video appears to show the alleged sexual assault of a Palestinian detainee.
In leaked surveillance footage believed to have come from Israel's Sde Teiman prison camp, aired on Israel's Channel 12, Israeli soldiers are seen picking a detainee out of a large group of blindfolded men.
Soldiers then took the detainee to the corner and blocked the view, but several hours later he was taken to hospital with reports of bleeding caused by the insertion of an object.
Meanwhile, a report from Israeli Human Rights group B'Tselem alleges Palestinian prisoners are frequently subject to acts of violence and sexual assault in Israeli prisons.
The group collected 55 testimonies from Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, most of whom they say are held without charges.
Among them was 21 year-old Maryam Salhab, a pharmaceutics student from the Occupied West Bank.
"We were brought to a dirt field, one of the soldiers kicked me and I fell to my face. I tried to lift my head to breathe, but they pushed my head down with their legs. One after the other soldiers kicked and hit me in the stomach and back. One time, two soldiers stood on my back for three minutes. In those three minutes I said to myself, 'That's it, this is my end."
Austrian authorities say two people suspected of plotting terror attacks in Vienna were detained hours before three Taylor Swift concerts were cancelled after a planned attack was confirmed at the stadium.
Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer says 'a tragedy was prevented'.
An Austrian interior ministry official group, says one of the suspects - a 19-year-old Austrian citizen - was radicalised on the internet and had affiliation with terror group IS.
Education Minister Jason Clare says reports that the government will seek to cap international student enrolments at 40 per cent are incorrect.
Back in May, Mr Clare introduced a bill to parliament that would give him powers to set caps on the number of international students able to enrol in a course, which could be increased if extra accommodation is built.
The government says the changes are needed to crack down on the exploitation of international students by universities.
However Mr Clare says they are not planning to cap international enrollments at 40 per cent and they value the economic asset these students provide.
"That’s not right. I’ve seen those reports. That’s not what we’re intending to do. I’d make the general point that international education is an incredibly important national asset for us. International education is our fourth biggest export industry. It makes us money - not just universities - but us as a country. And it also makes us friends."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised Australia's Olympic athletes after the country's greatest-ever day at the Olympics.
Sailor Matt Wearn, skateboarder Keegan Palmer, Australia's four-strong men's team pursuit track cycling team and pole vaulter Nina Kennedy all brought home gold overnight, pushing the gold medal total from 14 to 18 in barely six hours.
Their golden tally has broken Australia's previous record of 17 gold medals achieved in Athens and Tokyo.
Mr Albanese says it's a wonderful day to be Australian.
"Well, this is a proud day to be Australia's prime minister. Proud of our 18 gold medals, our best Olympic performance ever. Doing something that uplifts our nation by giving us excitement, joy and pride."
Australia won gold on each of the first eight days in Paris - the previous best was four - and has won a title on all but one day so far at the 2024 Games.
And with four days to go there remain several live chances to push the bar higher.
Boxers Caitlin Parker and Charlie Senior have semi-final bouts early tomorrow morning , while the women's water polo, beach volleyball and basketball teams all reaching the semis too.
