Millions of South Africans head to the polls to vote in the country's general election, Predictions Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza would continue all year, Blues coach Michael Voss says Orazia Fantasia's impact at Carlton is being undersold ahead of an upcoming game.
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
- Millions of South Africans head to the polls to vote in the country's general election
- Predictions Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza would continue all year....
- Blues coach Michael Voss says Orazia Fantasia's impact at Carlton is being undersold ahead of an upcoming game...
Millions of South Africans are heading to the polls to vote in the country's general elections.
The African National Congress - which has ruled since the end of apartheid - is at risk of losing its majority for the first time as many voters at the ballots point towards a shake-up.
Polls have consistently shown the ANC winning less than 50 per cent and current president Cyril Ramaphosa needing to find coalition partners.
His party's popularity has been in decline amid rising unemployment, corruption scandals and rolling power cuts.
But President Ramaphosa was confident as he cast his ballot, saying he has 'no doubt' the ANC will 'continue to lead'.
"This is the day when South Africa decides. Decides on the future of our country. Who should lead the government of South Africa. And I have no doubt whatsoever, in my heart of hearts, that the people will once again invest confidence in the African National Congress to continue to lead this country."
Israel has sent tanks on raids into Rafah, and predicted its war with Hamas in Gaza would continue all year.
The comments come after Washington said the Rafah assault did not amount to a major ground operation that would trigger a change in United States policy.
Israeli tanks moved into the heart of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday despite an order from the International Court of Justice to end its attacks on the city, where many Palestinians had taken refuge from bombardment elsewhere.
The ICJ says Israel had not explained how it would keep evacuees from Rafah safe and provide food, water and medicine.
Its ruling also called on Hamas to release hostages taken from Israel on October 7 immediately and unconditionally.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles has again come under fire after it was revealed two people convicted of murder who were released after the NZYQ High Court case, are NOT being electronically monitored.
Ankle bracelet provisions have also been removed for two dozen people convicted of sex offences.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has repeated his confidence in the minister.
Minister Giles says he will be issuing a new, revised ministerial direction, and has since questioned the visa decision made when Peter Dutton was in government.
"And I'm sure the leader of the Opposition when he was listening to the examples that the Prime Minister put to him was reflecting on how previous ministerial directions under him, might have been improved too. These are changes that will improve decision making. Now, on the specific question I can say that I have already briefed senior officials of my department so that these changes can be approved expeditiously."
A new report from a New South Wales birth trauma inquiry has been released making 43 recommendations to the state government.
New South Wales is the first state in the world to hold a birth trauma inquiry, made up of submissions from 4,000 people including patients, doctors, midwives and experts across Australia.
Among the recommendations include implementing trauma-informed care, reviewing laws around informed consent and improving mental health support and postpartum services.
Dr Hazel Keedle is the lead researcher of The Birth Experience, a 2021 study and the largest ever conducted into birth trauma in Australia.
She says women want culturally sensitive trauma-informed continuity of care led by a midwife.
"I strongly recommend that the New South Wales government appoints a chief midwife and expands access to midwifery group practice, and privately practising midwives. I hope that the New South Wales government acts on these recommendations as they will result in less women experiencing birth trauma and obstetric violence."
A volcano in southwestern Iceland has sent glowing hot lava shooting 50 metres into the air, its fifth eruption since December, shortly after an eight-week long eruption on the same peninsula came to an end.
Authorities had warned of the risk of renewed volcanic activity in the area just South of the capital Reykjavik as studies showed magma accumulated underground.
Flights continued as usual at Reykjavik's Keflavik Airport, according to the airport's website.
The fiery spectacle underlines the challenges faced by the island nation of almost 400,000 people as scientists have warned that repeated eruptions are possible in Reykjanes for decades or even centuries.
In AFL,
Blues coach Michael Voss says Recruit Orazia Fantasia's [[or-RAH-zee-oh fan-TAY-zha]]impact at Carlton is being undersold as he prepares to play his former club Port Adelaide for the first time.
The injury-hit Fantasia managed just 19 AFL games in three seasons at Port, a stint which followed 80 matches in seven years at Essendon.
Despite Fantasia's extensive list of soft-tissue leg injuries at his initial two clubs, Voss threw the goalsneak a lifeline when he was delisted by the Power at the end of last season.
