TRANSCRIPT
- Ukraine has destroyed a key bridge in Russia's Kursk region
- An independent MP calls for Australia to release detained asylum-seekers after 90 days
- Olympic canoeist Noemie Fox expresses her gratitude for the support of her sister
Ukraine has destroyed a key bridge in Russia's Kursk region and struck a second one nearby, disrupting Russian supply lines during a cross-border incursion that began on the 6th of August.
The attacks appear to be aimed at hindering a Russian counter-offensive in Kursk.
Pro-Kremlin bloggers admitted that the destruction of the first bridge near Glushkovo will hamper supply deliveries, though Moscow can still use smaller bridges and pontoons.
Ukraine released a video of the first airstrike, and Russian sources claim the second bridge targeted was over the Seim in Zvannoe.
Only one intact bridge remains in the area.
**
Six children from one family are among the 28 Palestinians that have been killed in Deir el-Balah, as Israel continues to launch fresh strikes on the Gaza strip.
This comes as United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel as part of Washington's push to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
He is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials today.
Last week the U-S put forward bridging proposals for a ceasefire agreement in Qatar seeking to secure the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
More than 40,000 people have been killed and over 90,000 others injured since the Hamas-led attacks on the 7th of October.
**
Independent MP Kylea Tink is pushing a bill that would make it illegal for the Australian government to detain asylum-seekers for more than 90 days and to place any children in detention centres.
She is reintroducing the bill today amid what she describes as an alarming increase in the number of people being held for indefinite duration in expensive and secretive offshore facilities
Ms Tink argues the Migration Amendment Bill 2024 amends the Migration Act 1958 to ensure Australia complies with global human rights obligations which she says Australia is failing to do.
**
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says the new Sydney Metro line might run into some hitches on its first few days of operating.
After almost a decade of planning and a $21 million investment, the new line connecting the North West region to the CBD is opening to the public this morning.
Its target is to have a train on each station every two minutes, providing passengers with speedy transport from Sydenham in the city's south to Chatswood in its north.
Mr Minns has asked people to be patient as the Sydney Metro crew address the last issues for this new line and become accustomed to its operating schedule.
**
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says the federal government is close to finalising an agreement that would put a cap on annual NDIS spending.
The government has been in negotiations with the Opposition and the Greens for a deal that would limit the funds siphoned into the scheme on a yearly basis.
The deal is set to limit NDIS growth to eight per cent every year, to counter forecasts that its cost would reach $50 billion by 2025/26.
Gallagher says there are still a few details to iron out but an agreement is on the horizon.
"Look, we're pretty close. The (NDIS) Minister Bill Shorten has been working with his counterpart to reach (an) agreement on that. There are a number of amendments. We've had a long debate in the Senate. Hopefully that will be able to proceed to the committee stage and get through some of those amendments but we are pretty close and very hopeful. Obviously we got still some work to do with the states and territories as well but that's a really important bill to start trying to control that scheme to a eight per cent growth cap as opposed to the speed with which it's been moving."
**
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has thanked Turkish firefighters putting their lives at risk to protect the cemeteries at Gallipoli.
Wildfires continue to ravage the western parts of the country, with hundreds of firefighters and volunteers attempting to put out the flames.
Authorities from Turkiye say over 130 wildfires have erupted during the week, with crews successfully containing the blaze that threatened the Cannakale province last week.
While the flames did reach the Gallipoli Canterbury Cemetery, it was extinguished before it could cause damage to the graves and the memorials of the World War I soldiers.
Mr Albanese has commended the efforts of the Turkish firefighters.
"With regard to the bushfires, it would appear at this stage, the reports are that there hasn't been extensive damage to the cemeteries that are there on the Gallipoli Peninsula of our Anzacs, and that is good news, and I thank all those firefighters there in Türkiye who struggled against what was a massive bushfire on the Peninsula."
**
In sport, Olympic canoeist Noemie Fox says she's thankful for the support of her sister, Jessica, in her efforts to reach the Paris events.
Both sisters were able to win gold medals for Australia, with Noemie finishing first in the kayak cross and Jessica winning both the canoe and kayak slalom categories.
Noemie tells SBS News the family rivalry has helped them both grow as athletes, but that outside the water, she has her sister's full support.
"On the water, she's (Jessica) very competitive but for me, in person, she's not at all competitive, she's so supportive. And I think when there was the opening for me to go to the Olympics, she wasn't eligible to compete in that race. So she fully supported me She was my sparring partner and we really helped each other grow as competitors."
