TRANSCRIPT
- The Gaza conflict on the agenda as Anthony Albanese meets his New Zealand counterpart for annual talks
- UN officials call Israel's Gaza City plan a dangerous escalation
- The Matildas to face Wales in an upcoming friendly in October
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been welcomed in New Zealand where he is visiting Christopher Luxon for bilateral talks.
Defence and trade are on the agenda, as well as international issues like the conflict in Gaza.
The foreign ministers of Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the UK and Italy have issued a joint statement condemning Israel's plans to control more of Gaza, warning it puts the lives of people in further danger; and risks breaching international law.
In Queenstown, Mr Albanese says he looks forward to the discussions that will take place today and tomorrow.
"We are neighbours. We're friends and we're members of the Pacific family. And as you say, we do live very much in uncertain times. There is much that we have to discuss. Increasingly, we have strong defence ties as well. We'll discuss the seamless economic activity that we have."
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that Germany will suspend all exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza.
This move marks a drastic change of course for Germany, with the country's one of Israel's staunchest international allies.
UN spokesperson Alessandra Vellucci says Israel's plan to take over the entire Gaza Strip is a dangerous escalation of the dire humanitarian situation in the enclave.
"Any decision to expand Israel's military operations in Gaza is deeply alarming. And obviously, it is clear that this would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians, and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza. It has to be really clear. We really stand firmly against any escalation of the conflict."
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Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has condemned a neo-Nazi march that took place in Melbourne's CBD.
Victoria Police say around 100 people dressed in black and wearing face masks marched through the city centre at around 12:40am on Saturday.
They held banners stating "White man fight back". Some protesters held the the Australian flag; while others the flag for the racist violent extremist group, calling themselves the National Socialist Network.
Police say there were no arrests made, with officers maintaining a presence to ensure community safety.
In a statement, Premier Jacinta Allan thanked police for maintaining public order - and she says the government will soon introduce powers for police to unmask protesters.
She added that criminal anti-vilification laws come into effect next month - and are aimed at stopping racist and hate-based behaviour.
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Soldiers in Ukraine say they have little hope for a diplomatic solution to the war, after US President Donald Trump announced he will be meeting with the Russian President in Alaska soon.
Mr Trump says he will meet Vladimir Putin for talks in Alaska on August 15, after the Russian leader failed to meet Trump's Friday deadline on a ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia has once again ignored an opportunity for peace.
"We are keeping up our talks with partners to find a common position for a solid peace for Ukraine. A real peace. And if everyone can see the opportunities and threats the same way, then we'll be able to get to a lasting peace. There is already a lot of support, and this support is (based) in the new circumstances, when a deadline has been set for Russia for a ceasefire. We see that the Russians are ignoring this, at least for now. Today there were more killings, today there were more Russian strikes. More than a hundred combat drones were launched against us, against Ukraine, during the night."
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In football, the Matildas will play against Wales in a friendly scheduled for October 25 in Cardiff.
The match against Wales - currently ranked 32nd in the world - is the first between the two nations in women's football.
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro says the game will provide a perfect opportunity to finetune the squad's preparations ahead of their Asian Cup campaign against the Philippines in Perth on March 1.
