TRANSCRIPT:
- A UN committee finds Israel is committing genocide in a new report;
- Donald Trump says he expects to meet Anthony Albanese soon;
- Gout Gout prepares to make his senior debut at the World Athletics Championships.
A United Nations commission of inquiry says Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza - and that top Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu incited these acts.
The 72-page report has cited the scale of killings, aid blockages, forced displacement and the destruction of a fertility clinic to substantiate its finding.
Israel has declined to cooperate with the Commission, with the Israeli ambassador in Geneva calling the finding "scandalous," "fake" and a "libellous rant".
But Commission Chair Navi Pillay says they stand by their report.
"It is our hope that this report will be read by the higher-ups, including the Secretary-General at the United Nations, because they too are trained to be guided by the facts. We are the only investigating body of the UN. So, the facts should influence high-level leaders at the United Nations also to call this what it is: the genocide."
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Meanwhile, Israel has announced the start of its ground operations into Gaza City.
An Israel Defence Forces official says ground troops are moving deeper into the enclave's main city, and that the number of soldiers will rise in coming days to confront up to 3,000 Hamas combatants the IDF believes are still there.
Brigadier General Effie Defrin has declared in a video conference from southern Israel that the operation will continue "as long as necessary", until all the goals of the war are achieved.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are believed to remain in the city, while others have fled in vehicles strapped with mattresses and other belongings.
But the general says it's Hamas and not civilians that they are targeting.
"Gaza City is the central hub of Hamas’ military and governing power - their main stronghold. Hamas has turned Gaza City into the largest human shield in history."
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Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Israel's government is more isolated than ever.
Ms Wong says Australia has condemned Israeli actions that have led to this point.
She says Australia re-iterates its demand that the Israeli government reach a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza, and stop undermining a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict.
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U-S President Donald Trump says he expects to speak with Australia's Prime Minister soon, ahead of Anthony Albanese's planned visit to the United Nations in New York next week.
He has made the comments in a combative exchange with the ABC's Americas Editor, John Lyons, who asked Mr Trump about his business dealings while president.
"In my opinion, you are hurting Australia very much right now. And they want to get along with me. Your leader is coming over to see me very soon. I'm going to tell them about you, you set a very bad tone. (Speaking to another reporter) Go ahead John, maybe you can set a nicer tone."
Anthony Albanese has been under pressure to secure a face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump since he returned to the White House this year.
The pair were due to speak on the sidelines of the G-7 meeting in June, but Mr Trump left the summit early, citing developments in the Middle East.
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Back home now, and the federal government will release its climate targets this week amid fears one million homes could be considered at "high risk" by 2050.
The Insurance Council of Australia says the 14 catastrophic weather events declared since 2020 has pushed the insured cost to $4.5 billion dollars on average, each year, over 5 years.
In the 2010s, the average annual cost was much lower.
Deputy CEO of the Insurance Council, Kylie Macfarlane, says it's seeking a unified approach to ensure more Australians can afford to protect their assets.
"It is important, however, in the future that we collaborate with the Australian government and state governments to ensure our communities are safe and that the insurance that they need to underpin the risks in their homes or businesses or other assets are well protected."
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To sport now, and Australian sprinting sensation Gout Gout will make his senior international debut in Tokyo tonight, becoming the youngest ever athlete to compete in his event at the World Championships.
Only three Australian men have qualified for the 200m final, and none have done so since 2005.
The 17-year-old will be running in the men's 200 metres - for which he holds the Oceanian record - against favourite Noah Lyles from the United States, who's won all three of the last world championship titles in the event.
Gout Goutsays he's excited to step up to the senior competition.
"Yeah, I'm very excited. It's been a long process. This time last year I was at World Juniors, so coming out here in my first open outdoor season is amazing and I'm really excited to be out there running against the best in the world, so it's going to be a great experience and I'm going to take a lot from this first time."
You can catch Gout Gout's heat via SBS Viceland at 9.15pm AEST, where it will be broadcast live and free.
