A hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas back on track after an inital delay, Australia on track to meet its 2030 emissions reduction target, and in sport, Max Verstappen takes final pole position on the Formula One season.
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
- A hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas back on track after an inital delay
- Australia on track to meet its 2030 emissions reduction target
- Max Verstappen takes final pole position on the Formula One season
A second group of 13 Israelis hostages and four Thai nationals have been handed over by Hamas and released to the Red Cross, following hours of delay.
A senior Hamas official said the delay was due to a lack of aid entering into northern Gaza, accusing Israel of failing to deliver on its side of their recently brokered ceasefire agreement.
39 Palestinian prisoners have also reportedly been released in exchange for the hostages today.
Video has emerged on social media appearing to show Palestinians released by Israeli prisons reuniting with their families in Jerusalem.
It comes on the second day of a four-day pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Israeli Defence Force spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari says they are working around the clock to ensure every stage of the hostages' release goes according to plan.
"Yesterday was the first day of this complex event of returning the abductees. And it was conducted within a time frame. And then there is an expectation that everything happens exactly the same. Every day you have to be patient. It is a complex event. Every day like this is an operation."
-
Australia is close to meeting its 2030 emissions reduction target but Energy Minister Chris Bowen won't be drawn on how much taxpayers will need to fork out to underwrite the transition to renewables.
Mr Bowen has revealed the nation is on track to cut its emissions by 42 per cent below 2005 levels by the end of the decade, slightly short of the government's 43 per cent target.
Minister Bowen says the government's taxpayer funded renewable energy investment scheme will allow for an orderly and faster transition to renewables.
"What we’re doing is supplying a reliable, and secure and welcoming investment environment for both despatchable and renewable. We need both. Just as you need in any system, whether it’s at water system or electricity system, you need ranges of capacity and availability. We need both. You do need more despatchable power, renewable energy or some other support for peaking and firming. And the options will support both of those."
Mr Bowen was also pressed on the upcoming COP28 climate summit and how much Australia plans to contribute to the multi-trillion dollar loss and damage fund to compensate nations affected by climate change.
He said Australia has been very involved and negotiations are ongoing.
Mr Bowen was also asked about the government's recent renewal of coal mine and gas projects, to which he said Australia is making the biggest transformation in its history.
-
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says graphic pornographic videos are playing into the minds of young Australians and is backing a pathway to age verification for some online content.
The opposition announced this week that if elected they will provide $6.7 million over two years to the eSafety Commission to conduct a trial of age verification technology for online pornography, and other harmful content.
Speaking to the Liberal Party New South Wales state convention in Sydney on Saturday, Mr Dutton accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of siding with the pornography industry over Australian kids and families.
-
In sport,
Red Bull's Max Verstappen took the final pole position of the Formula One season with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc joining the triple world champion on the front row at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit.
Oscar Piastri qualified third for McLaren, although the Australian rookie faced a stewards hearing for allegedly impeding Alpine's Pierre Gasly.
The 22-year-old Melburnian says there are still improvements to me made in his driving.
“The pace has been good. I’ve just been making big mistakes in every lap. So, I cleaned it up mostly. Qualifying was nice. Still a couple of small things to adjust and tweak, but I think everyone can say the same.”
The pole was Verstappen's 12th of the season and 32nd of his career, putting him level with 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell in the all-time lists.
