TRANSCRIPT
- Pope Francis calls for a Gaza ceasefire
- Renewed calls to repatriate Australians held in detention camps in Syria
- Australian boxer Tim Tszyu suffers his first defeat in 25 fights
Pope Francis has used his Easter message at the Vatican to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as an end to the war in Ukraine.
The 87-year-old pontiff addressed tens of thousands gathered at St Peter’s Square at the Vatican, after withdrawing from the Good Friday procession to protect his health.
He told the crowd that war is an "absurdity".
''My thoughts go especially to the victims of the many conflicts worldwide, beginning with those in Israel and Gaza, and in Ukraine. May the risen Christ open a path of peace for the war-torn peoples of those regions. In calling for respect for the principles of international law, I express my hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine: all for the sake of all.''
**
Gaza's health ministry says Israeli strikes have killed 77 Palestinians in the last 24 hours, including at least four people at Al-Aqsa Hospital.
The Israeli military says it conducted a precise strike on the medical centre and killed a senior Islamic Jihad militant in its courtyard, minimising damage to the building and avoiding civilians.
But Palestinian health officials say the strikes hit tents inside the Al-Aqsa complex, killing four people and wounding several others, including five journalists.
The violence continues as Egypt has hosted an Israeli delegation for a new round of talks, in a bid to secure a truce with Hamas and ensure its hostages are released.
Meanwhile, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to undergo surgery for a hernia, with Yariv Levin serving as acting prime minister.
**
There are renewed calls to repatriate Australians still held in detention camps for families linked to I-S in North-East Syria, after SBS Dateline found missing Australian, Yusuf Zahab, in a Kurdish Prison.
He was thought to be dead after being taken into IS territory aged 12 - and later imprisoned without charge.
He is among the 34 Australians, including 23 children and 11 women, who remain in al-Roj camp in northeast Syria.
NGO Rights and Security International estimates Australia has so far repatriated 25 nationals from the region.
Matt Tinkler, from Save the Children, says Australia should be doing better.
"Well Australia doesn't fare very well at all. A number of like-minded countries have repatriated many of their citizens, if not all. The US, Canada, Sweden, France, Denmark, Norway, countries like Iraq and Turkey which are neighbouring Syria as well have repatriated very large numbers of citizens."
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson has previously told Dateline that consular assistance is being provided to Mr Zahab's family and due to privacy considerations they won't be commenting further.
**
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the government would seek "other diplomatic avenues" before moving to use a proposed power to ban citizens from certain countries from applying for Australian visas.
The power is outlined in the government's draft deportation legislation that has passed the lower house - and has now been referred to a six-week Senate inquiry.
The draft bill creates a mechanism for the government to ban people from making visa applications if they are from a country that does not accept removals from Australia, including Russia, Iran and South Sudan.
Ms Wong says the power would be used sparingly - if at all.
She tells Sky News the legislation is about making Australia's immigration system stronger.
"It was about ensuring that people who don't co-operate with a requirement to return can be penalised. And it was about ensuring that we can have a new power to stop granting visas - in certain circumstances - to those countries who are refusing to have citizens return. Now, obviously, that would be a power that would only be exercised where necessary. It is a power which is one tool in the way which we seek to manage the immigration system."
Human rights lawyers have warned the draft legislation risks non-compliance with Australia's obligations under the Refugee Convention.
**
In boxing, a bloodied Tim Tszyu has been denied in his quest to emulate his legendary father Kostya and become a unified world boxing champion after a loss to American Sebastian Fundora.
Suffering his first defeat in 25 fights, Tszyu surrendered his WBO super welterweight belt and missed the chance to claim the vacant WBC strap at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and take his place among the sport's elite.
Tszyu lost the fight in a split decision, with the judges scoring the fight in favour of Fundora.
The unlucky Australian's fight derailed at the end of the second round when he walked into the elbow of Fundora, opening up a huge gash on his head.
Despite that, Tszyu says he's still optimistic about his future.
"Oh, look, we will bounce back. The arena showed up. I showed up still no matter what, and I always bring the fight. So you know what? I was given one week. No excuses. But you know what? I'll fight whoever, whenever. Even Errol Spencer's here, I'll fight him as well. Even Terence Crawford. Man, y'all want a good scrap. You know who to call."
