TRANSCRIPT
- The United States says the war in Gaza is entering a new phase
- Prince Harry wins his phone hacking case in the UK
- Spanish women's football top the FIFA rankings.
**
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says Israel's campaign in Gaza will now transition into a new phase focusing on the precise targeting of Hamas leadership and intelligence operations.
The transition comes as Israel is under increasing international pressures to scale back their offensive which has killed almost 19,000 Palestinian civilians since the Hamas attack on October 7.
An assessment carried out by the U-S Office of the Director of National Intelligence says that around 40-45 per cent of Israel's 29,000 air-to-ground munitions in Gaza have been unguided.
Mr Sullivan says the new phase will see a transition from Israel's intense bombing and ground operations but that Israel's objectives will take months to achieve.
"Israel has the intent to make sure that it is drawing those distinctions clearly and in a sustainable way and we want to see the results match up to that. That's a conversation that I had in full with them today and yesterday as well, and will continue to do that. Including on the types of munitions that they use and when they use a certain type of munition, how those are delivered to ensure that from a United States perspective they are fulfilling their obligations, their responsibilities."
**
Prince Harry is calling on British authorities to take further action against the publisher of Britain's Daily Mirror after he was awarded more than $260,000 in a phone hacking lawsuit.
A judge ruled that Mirror Group Newspapers carried out extensive phone hacking between 2006 and 2011 with Prince Harry's phone targeted between 2003 and 2009.
The judge found the executives at the media group were aware of the practice and tried to cover it up.
Prince Harry's lawyer David Sherborne says the Duke of Sussex wants to see further legal action taken against the publishers.
"The acts listed in this judgment are prime examples of what happens when the power of the press is abused. I respectfully call upon the authorities to do their duty to the British public and to investigate bringing charges against the company and those who have broken the law."
**
Queensland's new premier says he is happy to welcome five new ministers to the cabinet as part of the government's refresh.
Steven Miles has been officially elected by the Labor caucus as Queensland's 40th premier, after Annastacia Palaszczuk's shock announcement on Sunday that she would resign.
Mr Miles was the only candidate for the leadership after Health Minister Shannon Fentiman withdrew her bid.
"I asked the caucus - we asked the caucus - to provide us with fresh faces, with a new team. And I'm pleased to say there will be five new ministers in the first Miles government. That's the most number of new ministers Queensland has seen since we were first elected in 2015. They are younger, they are energetic, they are ready to deliver a fresh approach for Queenslanders."
The new ministers are Nikki Boyd, Bart Mellish, Lance McCallum, Michael Healy and Charis Mullen, but their portfolios are yet to be confirmed.
Cabinet will also increase by one minister, as Mr Miles says he will not take responsibility for the Olympic and Paralymic games portfolio as Ms Palaszczuk did.
**
A new report shows gas will need to be transported to the southern states to avoid shortfalls in supply next winter.
An ongoing gas inquiry by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commision has revealed New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania could face shortfalls in locally produced gas during the winter months.
The short-term outlook is for sufficient gas to meet demand in 2024, but with a reduced surplus, as east coast producers continue to export gas internationally.
The report shows there is sufficient pipeline capacity to transport the required gas south from Queensland.
**
Friends and family of late Labor MP Peta Murphy have gathered in Melbourne to remember the life of Ms Murphy.
Peta Murphy was first elected into Parliament in 2019, just two weeks after the return of her breast cancer.
The former barrister's contributions to Australian politics and advocacy work are remembered as inspiring and selfless.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke at the funeral, describing his former colleague as cherished family member who was deeply loved.
"Seeing herself as privileged, because she could set an example, she could be visible, she could give heart to those in the same fight. In all this I want to make the point, that while everyone admired the grace and courage Peta showed in her struggle, everyone of us knew she was so much more than what she endured."
The former squash champion and softball national league player's funeral was held in the at the Melbourne Cricket Ground's Olympic Room.
**
The Spanish women's football team have for the first time ever made it to the top position in FIFA rankings.
The winners of this year's Women's World Cup ousted Sweden from the number one spot after several impressive games in the UEFA Women's Nation League.
The United States women's team moved into second place in the rankings followed by France.
The Matildas currently rank in eleventh place.
