Foreign Minister Penny Wong announces further humanitarian aid for Gaza; another cyclone threatens the Australian coast, and in sport, Steve Smith is to open the batting for Australia in the first test against the West Indies in Adelaide.
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TRANSCRIPT
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong announces further humanitarian aid for Gaza
- Another cyclone threatens the Australian coast.
- Steve Smith is to open the batting for Australia in the first test against the West Indies in Adelaide.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced $21.5 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza and its refugee crisis.
Australia's foreign minister has begun a visit to the Middle East by pledging to almost double humanitarian funding for people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and refugees.
Ms Wong has said she is seriously concerned about the worsening conditions in Gaza and that aid will focus on women and children affected by the war between Israel and Hamas.
She has called on nations to work together towards peace.
"We come from different parts of the world, there are some very different perspectives, but I hope that the international community can work towards adjusting and during peace, in which Israelis live in peace and security and Palestinians are able to achieve their legitimate aspirations"
The package means Australia has now pledged around $46 million in humanitarian assistance since October.
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The US military has carried out a new strike in Yemen against Houthi targets, as the Iran-backed rebel group said it had fired missiles at another commercial vessel in the Red Sea.
US officials say a strike on Tuesday targeted four anti-ship missiles in the Houthi-controlled part of the country, while a spokesman for the Houthis said on Tuesday they had carried out a missile attack against the Malta-flagged carrier Zografia.
The Greek Shipping and Island Policy Ministry says the ship, managed by a Greek firm, had no cargo on board, sustained only material damage and that no crew were injured.
The Houthis' military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Sarea says the attack on the ship was aimed at supporting the Palestinians in the conflict in Gaza.
"The targeting operation came after its crew rejected all warning calls including warning shots. The Yemeni armed forces will continue to prevent the navigation of Israeli ships or ships related to the Israeli enemy in both Arabian and Red Seas, until they stop the aggression and lift the blockade on the steadfast Palestinian people in Gaza."
The Houthi movement has pledged to expand its targets in the Red Sea and keep up attacks after US and UK forces carried out dozens of strikes last week against radar and missile capabilities.
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Another cyclone threat is looming, with rain expected to hit Australia's already flood-affected regions for several days.
A cyclone warning has been issued for the Cocos Islands, around 4,000 km from Western Australia, with Cyclone Anggrek expected to enter Australian waters this week.
Much of the Northern coast could be impacted by another cyclone forecast to make landfall in far north Queensland.
The region is still recovering from the record flooding caused by Cyclone Jasper in December, and the potential rainfall could hamper progress.
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A new walk-in service has been established at Western Australia's state library which aims to support Aboriginal community members to learn about their family history.
The state government-run Aboriginal History Western Australia has been operating since 1997, and is now providing access to their records for the period between 1886 and 1972.
Community Education Officer Duan Kelly says the project is providing important access to information and knowledge for community members who continue to be impacted by the legacies of colonisation.
"It's really rewarding to see people learn about things about their own family that didn't know and to really fill in the gaps that might be there through you know whatever sort of removals or other things that happened in the past."
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In cricket, Steve Smith will open the batting for Australia when the first test against the West Indies starts in Adelaide today.
All-rounder Cameron Green will take Smith's previous number four spot.
But following opener David Warner's retirement, the attention will be on Smith as he looks to begin a new chapter in his career at the top of the batting order.
Australia Captain Pat Cummins says Smith's spirits are high and he welcomes the challenge.
"He can't wait to get out there also think you know the new ball maybe a few more scoring options is something that excites him so that makes sense and you know getting Greenie into a spot where we think he's set up to succeed all kind of added up."
