TRANSCRIPT
- Israel to allow foreign aid airdrops as Gaza starvation deaths rise to 122
- At least six killed in gas explosion in southern Russia
- Dolphins take revamped squad with 10 debutantes to world championships in Singapore
Israel has announced it will allow foreign countries to airdrop aid into Gaza, as the UN's World Food Programme says around one in three people in Gaza are without food.
This comes as hospitals in Gaza record several more deaths from malnutrition, bringing the total number of people in Gaza who have died from starvation to 122.
Israel has been restricting food, water and medical supplies into Gaza, claiming Hamas are looting supplies - despite a US report which found no proof of such actions.
Dr Thienminh Dinh is Australian specialist emergency physician and Medical Activity Manager in Gaza for Médecins Sans Frontières, or Doctors Without Borders.
She tells ABC's Breakfast program that Israel must allow an uninhibited flow of aid into Gaza immediately.
"A few airdrops is not going to make a tangible difference. And what we feared a few months ago, we are starting to see. That people are literally dying because they do not have enough food. And let me be clear, when I say the aid blockade needs to be lifted, allowing a small amount of aid in so you can placate your allies is not the same thing as lifting the blockade."
**
US President Donald Trump has responded to French President Emmanuel Macron's recent move in support of a Palestinian state, speaking to reporters as he arrived in Scotland.
REPORTER: "What's your comment on...(Macron's plan to recognise Palestinian state?)"
TRUMP: "Well, that's what he does. I mean, you know, that's fine. If he does that, that's up to him. It's not up to me. I'm with the United States. I'm not with France."
Mr Macron made the announcement on Thursday in a post on X, saying it's urgent that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved.
He added that he has decided France will recognise the state of Palestine, given its historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East.
The French president offered support for Israel after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks and frequently spoke out against antisemitism.
But he has grown increasingly frustrated about Israel's war in Gaza, especially in recent months.
Israel condemned France's decision, saying it rewards terror.
**
At least six people have died in a gas explosion in an apartment block in the southern Russian city of Saratov.
The civil defence authorities on Friday said at least one child is among the dead.
Emergency services have rescued one person from the rubble of the building, with at least four people missing and at least 16 injured.
The governor of the region, Roman Busargin, declared a regional state of emergency.
Gas pipe explosions in residential buildings are a frequent occurrence in Russia, causing severe damage and casualties.
**
Around 80 per cent of the country is preparing for a huge downpour of rain this weekend, as a monster rain band approaches from western Australia.
Angus Hynes from the Bureau of Meteorology told Channel Nine the rain will stretch all the way from north Queensland down to Tasmania.
But he says in most parts of the country there aren't serious concerns for flooding.
"Parts of Central Queensland and also parts of Eastern and Northern Tasmania. We'll probably see those heaviest falls, and particularly down south in Tassie that could lead to some perhaps minor or even moderate riverine flooding. But other areas, I don't think the rain is going to cause too many issues, and in particular for those parts which have really missed out on rain, not just this year, but all of last year. That rain will be really, really welcome on those dry landscapes."
**
Australia's swimming team are heading to the world championships in Singapore on Sunday, with a near-quarter of debutantes.
Head coach Rohan Taylor says the Dolphins squad will face an immediate resilience test at the world titles.
Proven performers and gold-medal winners including Kaylee McKeown, Kyle Chalmers, Cam McEvoy and Mollie O'Callaghan form a core of a team including 10 world championship rookies including 16-year-old breaststroker Sienna Toohey.
The 10-strong coaching team under Swimming Australia's head coach Taylor has also been revamped after last year's Paris Olympics with five fresh faces.
