TRANSCRIPT:
- The Malaysian Prime Minister urges Australia to reinstate funding for Gaza;
- Hamas officials leave Eygpt with no ceasefire agreement in sight;
- The Swans defeat the Demons in the opening match of the A-F-L season at a sold out S-C-G.
The Malaysian Prime Minister has called on Australia to reinstate funding to a United Nations organisation helping Palestinians in Gaza.
Anwar Ibrahim has also urged Australia to condemn human rights violations with the same consistency it has against Russia.
He has told Australian diplomats, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the application of international and humanitarian law has become trumped by politics.
"The differing responses by the West to human suffering defies reasoning. Why, for example, has the West been so vociferous, vehement, and unequivocal in the condemnation of the Russia invasion of Ukraine, while remaining utterly silent on the relentless, bloodletting inflicted on innocent men, women and children of Gaza.”
Australia says it's consistently defended Tel Aviv's right to self-defence after Hamas killed 1,200 people and kidnapped more than 250 on October 7.
It has also called for Israel to act in accordance with international law and for a humanitarian ceasefire so aid can be delivered.
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There is no sign of progress in peace talks in Egypt, after four days of negotiations.
Hamas' delegation has reportedly left Cairo for the time being, where mediators have been trying to secure a 40-day ceasefire.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri has accused Israel of "thwarting" efforts to conclude a deal, saying the group won't release the remaining hostages until a ceasefire is agreed on.
US President Joe Biden has said it's up to Hamas to play its part.
"It's in the hands of Hamas right now. The Israelis have been cooperating. There's a offer out there that's rational... There's got to be a ceasefire, because Ramadan - if we get into a circumstance where this continues through Ramadan in Israel and Jerusalem, it could be very, very dangerous."
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Sweden has formally joined NATO, ending decades of post-World War Two neutrality.
The country's membership was formalised at a ceremony in Sweden attended by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
It becomes the 32nd member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, amid concerns about Russian aggression in Europe.
"Today is, as Secretary Blinken said, it's a victory for freedom today. Sweden has made a free, democratic, sovereign and united choice to join NATO."
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Lawyers for several media outlets are trying to overturn a suppression order which prohibits them identifying a 22-year-old man charged with murdering missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy.
Police and specialist detectives are continuing a desperate search for the body of Ms Murphy, who was last seen on February 4.
The man has appeared in court and police say he hasn't provided any assistance in the search for the 51-year-old.
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A First Nations community in northern New South Wales have won the right to appeal against a gas project they say would have a devastating impact on their traditional lands.
The Federal Court has ruled the public interest had not been considered when Santos was given mining leases two years ago, effectively giving the green light to their $3.6 billion gas project near Narrabri.
The Court says the National Native Title Tribunal should have considered the affects of climate change in its determination.
Gomeroi Traditional Owners like Raymond Weatherall say they are pleased with the court result, which has come after years of campaigning to have the project shut down.
"To say that I was excited is an understatement, you know it was an overwhelming feeling of happiness but pride. Every contribution that resisted and defended Gomeroi country was worthwhile."
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The world is marking International Women's Day today, a time meant to reflect on the progress to gender equality.
In Australia, the focus is on domestic violence, with environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to attend an I-W-D event in Sydney with her daughter Anna Coutts-Trotter, who is a survivor.
A report from Homelessness Australia says domestic and family violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women.
Research group Counting Dead Women Australia reporting 64 women have been killed in recent months.
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The Sydney Swans have defeated the Melbourne Demons 86 - 64 in the first game of the season.
It was a blockbuster opening game at the S-C-G beginning with a touching tribute to AFL goal umpire Jesse Baird and partner Luke Davies.
