Labor Senator Fatima Payman resigns from foreign affairs committees; an Australian citizen among pro-democracy activists convicted in Hong Kong's largest national security trial, and in football, tensions mount for the Matildas before their final pre-Olympic friendlies.
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TRANSCRIPT
- Labor Senator Fatima Payman resigns from foreign affairs committees.
- An Australian citizen among pro-democracy activists convicted in Hong Kong's largest national security trial.
- Tensions mount for the Matildas before their final pre-Olympic friendlies.
Labor senator Fatima Payman has resigned from her position on a prestigious parliamentary foreign affairs committee, after breaking party ranks to accuse Israel of genocide.
The West Australian senator, the first hijab-wearing parliamentarian, had been facing pressure to step down from the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade following a speech earlier this month.
In it, she accused Israel of genocide, saying her conscience has been "uneasy for far too long" and that she had to call out Israel's actions in the conflict in Gaza.
She also used the phrase "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free".
The slogan is seen by some Jewish communities as a call for the destruction of Israel, while many pro-Palestinian supporters say it is a call for freedom for Palestinians in the region.
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The Health Ministry in Gaza says at least 53 people have been killed and more than 350 injured over the latest 24-hour reporting period, as Israel pushes on with its Rafah offensive.
Street fighting and heavy bombardment continues in the Palestinian enclave despite widespread international condemnation.
This displaced Palestinian described scenes in the region.
"This scene two weeks ago, or 20 days ago was full of life and now it's destruction - you feel like it's a ghost town. God will make it up to us, God willing."
The United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, says one of its schools in Deir al-Balah is now housing 16,000 people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the United States to sanction the International Criminal Court after its prosecutor requested his arrest warrant over alleged war crimes carried out in Gaza.
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An Australian is among 14 pro-democracy activists convicted by a Hong Kong court on national security charges, following a landmark subversion trial.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has expressed concern over the sentencing of the activists, including Australian-Hong Kong dual citizen Gordon Ng.
The verdict has drawn international concern about the erosion of the rule of law in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Police Superintendent for National Security Li Kwai-wah says he welcomes the decision.
"The National Police Department of the Hong Kong Police welcome the court conviction of the 14 defendants who have entered the not guilty pleas to the offence, who have offended beyond reasonable doubt. In the judgment, you can see that the court regarded these as very serious cases and there will be some conspiracy intent amongst each defendants."
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Partial results from South Africa's national election show the African National Congress could be on course to lose the parliamentary majority it has held for 30 years.
If the final results confirm the loss of its majority, it would signal the most dramatic political shift since the end of apartheid.
The ANC would then be forced to make a deal with one or more other parties to govern, a situation that could lead to unprecedented political volatility in the coming weeks or months.
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Jurors in Donald Trump's hush-money trial have returned for a second day of deliberations, as they consider the fate of the first United States president to potentially be charged with a crime.
It is unclear when the 12 jurors and six alternates will reach a verdict that could potentially upend the Republican candidate's hopes of recapturing the White House from Democratic President Joe Biden in the November 5 election.
A conviction will not prevent Mr Trump campaigning for the presidency, nor will it prevent him taking office if he wins.
New York prosecutors have charged the former president with falsifying business documents to try to cover up a hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in the final weeks of the 2016 presidential election.
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The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a warmer-than-expected winter for large parts of Australia.
Capital cities are likely to experience multiple days within the highest 20 per cent of weather records.
In its newly-released long-range winter forecast, the Bureau says there would be an 80 per cent chance of above median temperatures across Australia.
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The Matildas have admitted nerves are kicking in ahead of their first of two pre-Olympic hitouts against China tonight.
Players are preparing for the last chance to impress before the squad for Paris is named.
Coach Tony Gustavsson says the friendly is still a very important game.
"And then it's a little bit of a special game as well with a former Matildas coach on the other side that knows the in and outs of this team and every details about the players so they are going to be very, very well prepared, so, we're really looking forward to the game."
The games have also thrown up an interesting dilemma for some Chinese-Australian fans.
Austin Zhang says he is torn over which side to support.
"I like both of them winning, because I just like both of them, and it's still going to be a tough match though."
