TRANSCRIPT
- United States president Joe Biden says invasion of Rafah may be a "red line"
- Trade minister Don Farrell says Australia would win over tariffs if China matter returns to the WTO
- Australia's sport integrity chief says sport leaders need to step up against racism
United States President Joe Biden has said Israel's threatened invasion of Rafah would be his "red line" with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu - and then immediately backtracked.
In an interview with broadcaster MSNBC, Mr Biden said an Israeli invasion of Rafah - where more than one million displaced Palestinians are sheltering - was a red line for him.
He also suggested it was unacceptable that Israel has killed than 30,000 people in the pursuit of Hamas militants.
However he quickly reiterated he would never "leave Israel" and that the defence of nation was still critical.
Mr Biden reiterated his call for a six-week ceasefire for hostage releases and aid delivery, and said a ceasefire before the month of Ramadan was still possible.
Ramadan begins on or around the 10th of March, and negotiations have stalled.
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Federal trade minister Don Farrell says Australia would win its 1 billion-dollar dispute with China over wine tariffs if the matter returned to the World Trade Organisation.
Beijing slapped sanctions worth $20 billion on Australian products during the height of diplomatic tensions in 2020.
China is now reviewing sanctions on wine under a five-month process after the Albanese government agreed to suspend a dispute lodged with the WTO.
Mr Farrell has told Sky News that process will come to an end on the 31st of March.
"We're now simply waiting for China to complete its processes. I'm hopeful that at the end of that process, China will lift all of its tariffs on Australian wine. But if they don't, then we will continue with our World Trade Organisation dispute and we will win that dispute."
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A competitive water skiier has died during a race on the Murray River near the border between New South Wales and Victoria.
The 42-year-old man was injured around 11am on Saturday while racing in the Robinvale Euston 80 race and could not be revived by paramedics.
Ski Racing Victoria cancelled the event for Saturday and Sunday.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
The incident comes after the death of a man at the Southern 80 water ski race last month, also on the Murray River.
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Pope Francis says that Ukraine should show what he's called the courage of the "white flag" and negotiate an end to the war with Russia that followed Moscow's full-scale invasion two years ago and that has killed tens of thousands.
His words come as Ukrainian authorities have said two people including a teenage boy have been killed in Russian artillery attacks.
Russia also reported it had shot down a Ukrainian fighter jet and destroyed a wave of drones over several regions.
Russia is gaining momentum on the battlefield and Ukraine is running low on ammunition, prompting its allies in the West to delicately raise the prospect of sending troops to assist.
But Pope Francis has said in an interview that Ukraine should show what the "white flag" of courage and instead seek to negotiate.
"The word negotiate is a courageous word. When you see that you are defeated, when things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate. One may feel shame, but how many dead will it (the war) end up with? And it will end even worse (One should) negotiate in time, find a country that can be a mediator."
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Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have marched in London, Manchester and Paris, calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and humanitarian aid for Gaza.
In London, the crowd was large enough to more than fill the 1.7 kilometre road between central London and the River Thames.
Reverend Jenny McKay attended the rally, which marched towards the United States embassy.
“I feel really really strongly that what is happening in Palestine is a genocide. There is no question about that. And as a Christian, I want peace for all people. And I don’t see currently a lot of the Christian community speaking out about Palestine. So that’s why I’m here: I’m showing my solidarity with the Palestinian people. And we need a ceasefire immediately.”
And in Tel Aviv, protesters have scuffled with police in what has become known as Hostages Square, calling for the Israeli government to do more to free the 130 hostages still held in Gaza.
During their attack on southern Israel on October 7, Hamas killed 1,200 people - including 33 children - and took more than 240 hostage.
Israel's retaliatory attack on Gaza has so far killed at least 30,200 people, including 12,000 children, and displaced 85 per cent of the population, which is facing famine due to aid blockages.
Ceasefire talks in Cairo have stalled, with hopes for a 40-day truce during Ramadan fading.
**
Australia's sport integrity chief says sport leaders must stop downplaying racism, amid a fresh wave of vilification claims.
Sport Integrity Australia chief executive David Sharpe has said athletes guilty of racism should face the same lengthy penalties given to fans in similar situations.
He says attitudes won't change until sport brands and their sponsor are willing to drive a cultural shift.
Mr Sharpe's comments come after a week when the AFL joined the NRL and Football Australia in being linked to racism claims.
