TRANSCRIPT
- The UN "extremely worried" about civilians in Rafah
- Votes are still being counted in Pakistan's election as former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declares victory
- Australian Cassiel Rousseau is named the 2023 World Aquatics Diving Athlete of the Year
The United Nations says it is extremely worried about the civilians in Rafah after Israel said it would evacuate them ahead of an expected ground invasion.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered the military to prepare a plan for the evacuation much of the population of the southern Gaza city.
Israel claims Rafah is the last remaining Hamas stronghold and it needs to send in troops to complete its war plan against the group.
The U.N. estimates 1.4 million Palestinians have crammed into Rafah after fleeing fighting elsewhere in Gaza, where the Health Ministry says more than 27,700 people have been killed in Israeli offensives since Hamas October 7 attacks.
Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric says the UN is limited in what it can now do to help civilians in Rafah.
"We're trying to keep civilians fed. We're trying to keep civilians clothed, trying to keep civilians, have medical treatment, keep them dry and warm. I t is nearly impossible to for us to protect them, from tank fire, from artillery shells, and so on. And we, we all see what is going on currently."
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Votes are still being counted in Pakistan, in a general election which has been affected by the suspension of mobile phone services and violent unrest.
Currently independents linked to ex-prime minister Imran Khan hold the highest number of seats.
But three-time former leader Nawaz Sharif has claimed his party, the PML-N, is the winner.
Neither group appears to be on course to win a clear majority.
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Former President Donald Trump has won Nevada’s Republican presidential primary.
After being the only major candidate to compete, it has become his third straight state victory as he tries to secure his party's nomination.
Republican opponent Nikki Haley is still in the race, but chose to skip the Nevada caucuses.
Mr Trump win celebrated with supporters in Las Vegas.
“We're leading everybody. We are right now - is there any way we can call the election for next Tuesday? That's all I want. I want to call the election for next Tuesday. But, we're going to… we're going to make our country great again. We're going to make it great. We're going to make it greater than ever before.”
Trump will need to acrue at least 1215 delegates to formally clinch the party’s nomination.
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The future of Tasmania's Liberal minority government remains uncertain, but the state will not be facing an early election this weekend.
Independent MPs John Tucker and Lara Alexander have met with Premier Jeremy Rockliff but have so far been unable to reach a deal on cooperating with the government.
But Mr Rockliff has gone back on an ultimatum issued last week threatening the possibility of an early election if they didn't agree not to back opposition bills.
The duo left the Liberal party last May putting the government into minority, over concerns about transparency, particularly around the state's deal for an AFL team and stadium.
Mr Tucker says he is willing to negotiate with the premier, as he continues his work as an MP.
"I haven't been prepared for an election at the moment. Um, so no I won't be preparing for an election at the moment. Um, yeah when an election is called yeah I'll go in election mode but at the present moment um my job is to represent my constituents and that's what I will be doing as best of my abilities are."
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Regional airline passengers and fly-in, fly-out workers are in for more disruptions, as pilots fight for a pay rise from Qantas.
The Australian Federation of Air Pilots said on Friday its members would walk off the job on Wednesday and Thursday over stalled wage negotiations.
Pilots for the Qantas-owned Network Aviation in Western Australia are striking for a second time since early October, when strikes caused more than 40 flights to and from regional towns and mine sites to be cancelled.
Qantas Group said it was disappointed by the pilots' decision to strike for a second time in less than a week and is "reviewing its contingencies".
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In diving,
Australian Cassiel Rousseau has been named the 2023 World Aquatics Diving Athlete of the Year, following his gold-medal heroics in Japan.
It comes after he became the first Australian to be crowned world champion in the men's 10 metre platform in Fukuoka in July.
The 23-year-old's efforts in Japan proved vital in being voted the 2023 diving athlete of the year at this year's awards in the Qatari capital of Doha.
Rousseau will now return home to Australia following his 2024 World Aquatics Championships campaign, where he secured an Olympic spot in the men's 10 metre platform synchronised event with partner Domonic Bedggood.
