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TRANSCRIPT:
- Israel expected to re-open the Rafah border crossing today
- Australia confirms Afghanistan embassy in Canberra to cease its operations mid year
- Elena Rybakina knocks world number one Aryna Sabalenka out of the Australian Open
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For the first time in two years, Israel is expected to reopen the Rafah border crossing today.
This will allow people to travel in or out of the Palestinian territory - a move that hasn't been possible since May of 2024.
The Israeli government agency that coordinates civilian policy in the enclave says the return of residents from Egypt to the Gaza Strip will be permitted, in coordination with Egypt, for residents who left Gaza during the course of the war only.
This will also be subject to prior security clearance by Israel.
According to COGAT, both Israel and Egypt will vet individuals for exit and entry through the crossing, which will be supervised by European Union border patrol agents.
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The Australian government has confirmed that the Afghan embassy in Canberra will cease to operate after 30 June 2026.
The decision comes amid reports late last year that the Australian government advised the embassy's ambassador, Wahidullah Waissi, his diplomatic credentials would not be renewed.
In a joint statement by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, both parties say they do not recognise the Taliban as the country's legitimate representatives of the Afghan people.
Both the Australian government and the former Afghan government's diplomats have no intention of appointing a Taliban-appointed representative.
The diplomatic mission was operating as an embassy-in-exile following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
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Torres Strait Island councils are demanding urgent action against what they're calling an 'escalation' in illegal foreign fishers entering Australia's northern waters.
The Australian Border Force says it has destroyed two fishing vessels that were intercepted in the Torres Strait after its crew arrived at a beach resort bar on Roko Island, asking staff for water.
Staff say they're concerned about just how far south the fishers are now frequently travelling to.
Torres Strait Island Regional Council CEO, James Williams, says there is a real fear and anxiety for the community when vessels appear.
"The Torres Strait is considered a very fertile ground for harvesting lucrative fin fish and other seafood products because it is a well-managed fishery."
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Police in Copenhagen say at least 10,000 people joined an emotional silent march on Saturday to protest Donald Trump's downplaying of the role of non-US NATO troops in Afghanistan.
Organised by Denmark's Veterans Association, Danes faced subzero temperatures to support the veterans, including the 44 Danes who died in Afghanistan.
The United States President sparked anger in Denmark and across Europe in January when he implied non-US NATO troops stayed away from the frontline in the 20 year conflict in Afghanistan.
65-year-old veteran Søren Knudsen says the comments were not fair.
"These soldiers died, we have many soldiers who are suffering from the one or the other, still one arm, one leg less. We have some who are suffer from PTSD or the like. And we have a lot of veterans who are luckily not suffering from anything, but they are still feeling offended by the statements."
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Elena Rybakina triumphed over world number one and two-time champion, Aryna Sabalenka, at the Australian Open women's semi-finals in Melbourne Park last night.
Sabalenka led 3-0 early on, but the fifth seed 26 year-old made a stunning comeback in the third set, to walk out with the crown.
The top-seeded Sabalenka is a four-time Grand Slam winner, including both the 2023 and 2024 Australian Open.
Sabalenka has also won the US Open twice in 2024 and 2025.
The fifth-seeded Rybakina was hoping for her second career Grand Slam win after winning Wimbledon in 2022.
This is her second time as a finalist at the Australian Open after she also faced Sabalenka in the 2023 final.
