TRANSCRIPT
- Australia announces more aid for Ukraine.
- Israel says a ceasefire deal would defer its planned incursion into Rafah.
- Rafael Nadal defeats Alex de Minaur at the Madrid Open.
The Australian government has announced a $100 million military assistance package for Ukraine, involving drone technology and support from local Australian defence industry.
It also includes: the delivery of air-to-ground precision munitions, $50 million for short range air defence systems, $30 million for uncrewed aerial systems, and $15 million for other high priority equipment, such as combat helmets, rigid hull inflatable boats, boots, fire masks and generators.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles is in Europe where he has had meetings with leaders in Poland - and is set to do the same in Ukraine.
He says Australia has supported Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion two years ago.
"The idea that a large country can impose itself on a smaller neighbour, not by reference to international law - but simply by reference to power and might cannot be allowed to stand. And what we understand is that Australia's national interest is deeply engaged in the maintenance of the global-rules based order around the world. And that's why we are so concerned by what's happened in Ukraine. And why we are so determined to play our part in supporting Ukraine."
(The latest announcement brings Australia's total support for Ukraine to more than $1 billion).
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says men need to step up to tackle domestic violence.
Thousands attended rallies around the country on Saturday, with more to be held on Sunday.
So far this year, 32 women have been murdered - allegedly at the hands of men - equating to one woman killed every four days, according to advocacy group Destroy the Joint.
Mr Albanese says he is attending the Canberra rally to show there is a clear resolve to tackle this issue.
Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has ruled out a federal royal commission on domestic violence, saying the government is already pushing ahead with funding initiatives.
Ailie Banks works in domestic violence prevention sector. She says the violence must stop.
"We've had enough. Too many women have died. There needs to be action from all of society. It needs to not just be women who shows up. It needs to be men. It needs to be politicians, people in power. Everyone needs to stand together and decide to change things."
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Israel's foreign minister says a planned incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah could be suspended should a deal emerge to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
The comments came as international mediators push for a deal to achieve a ceasefire in the six months of devastating fighting in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages taken during Hamas' October 7 assault that sparked the war.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz says releasing the hostages is Israel's top-priority.
When asked if that included putting off a planned operation to eliminate Hamas battalions in the city of Rafah, Katz answered "Yes."
He went on to say: "If there will be a deal, we will suspend the operation."
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Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in Tel Aviv to protest against the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Attendees called for elections to be pushed forward and for the government and hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 to be released.
Many like 17-year-old protester Nadav Zoharalso called for an end to the war with Hamas.
“I want for elections to be held not in a year or two, but right now as soon as possible. I want all the hostages back because I can see the government does not want them back. They want to make this war go as long as possible, keeping their chair. They always say ‘now is not the time, now is not the time, you're doing harm.’ The only one doing harm are the government. We are here in order to to improve our country.”
Around 250 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage during the Hamas assault, which killed some 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, in the deadliest single attack in Israel's history.
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South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa says citizens should be proud of the country's democracy story.
The country is marking Freedom Day and the end of the brutal system of racial discrimination known as apartheid.
It also marks 30 years since South Africa held its first free elections as a newly democratic country in 1994.
Mr Ramaphosa says bridging divides in the last 30 years has been challenging.
"Our people confront everyday the apartheid legacy of unemployment, poverty and underdevelopment. Despite great progress, many households do not have electricity or clean water. At times, it seems that these challenges threaten to undermine the achievements that we've made over the last 30 years. And yet we know if we harness the same spirit of unity that we did in 1994, we will surely overcome these challenges that confront us."
The country is due to hold a general election next month.
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Alex de Minaur has missed out on the chance of a lifetime to beat Rafael Nadal on clay in successive tournaments, blown away by the rejuvenated, emotionally-charged Spanish great in the Madrid Open.
The Australian Number One, looking a shadow of the player who swept aside Nadal in the Barcelona Open in straight sets 10 days earlier, seemed tight and slightly distracted in the face of the passionate support for the home favourite as he succumbed 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 in their second-round encounter.
But for the 37-year-old Nadal there were moments of his vintage best as he blasted spectacular winners past the fleet Sydneysider in a two-hour demonstration that no-one can write him off on the surface he adores.
Nadal, the former Number One, says he can do better.
“ I think at moments there was a good level of tennis. I was able to do positive things, but still not enough. Super happy to be able to be competitive against a great player like Alex. To play over two hours means a lot to me. And you know, the atmosphere here is just a joke. So I can’t thank enough everybody here.”
