Police pepper spray, arrest Herzog demonstrators at Sydney Town Hall | Morning News Bulletin 10 February 2026

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Protesters and police clash in demonstrations against Israeli president's visit to Australia; Hong Kong authorities defend the jailing of pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai; and in sport, the Seattle Seahawks win the US Super Bowl.


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TRANSCRIPT:

Protesters and police clash in demonstrations against Israeli president's visit to Australia

Hong Kong authorities defend the jailing of pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai

The Seattle Seahawks win the US Super Bowl

**

Dozens of people have been arrested after a demonstration against Israel's visiting president descended into chaos.

New South Wales Police say 10 of the 27 people arrested were taken into custody for assaulting police, while witnesses have alleged that some officers were seen beating and deploying pepper spray at attendees.

That included a group of Muslim men leading a prayer, who were ripped from their knees and taken away by police.

There are also reports that media, including photographers and those with press passes displayed, were forcibly pushed away from the scene by officers.

**

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been questioned about the desecration of Australian war graves - and whether the issue will be raised with Israeli President Izaac Herzog while he is in the country.

About 250 Australian service people are buried at the Gaza War Cemetery - but Senator David Pocock has alleged that many of their graves have been bulldozed, or had headstones removed by Israeli forces.

POCOCK:"A lot of Australians find it outrageous. Surely, the Prime Minister has some sort of role to actually raise this with an ally?"

WONG: "I know you want to ask this here ... and I will take on notice, what, because I can't tell you what the Prime Minister has raised because obviously the visit has not yet occurred."

Ms Wong has largely referred Senator Pocock's questioning to the Department of Veteran Affairs - and last week, she said in a statement that the issue had already been raised through diplomatic channels.

She has previously called the damage to war graves distressing and unacceptable.

**

Hong Kong authorities have rejected criticism of the 20 year sentence that has been handed to pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai.

Rights groups argue the 78-year-old has effectively been given a death sentence, while the UK government has previously described the case as a political prosecution.

But the head of the National Security Department of the Hong Kong police, Chief Superintendent Steve Li, has accused the China critic - who maintains his innocence - of exaggerating his frail health.

The Chief Superintendent says the case shows the court system is working.

"The trial process fully showcased the city’s rigorous rule of law and judicial system. During the 156 days of open trials, Jimmy Lai has self-defended for 52 days, with 2,220 evidences submitted, over 80,000 pages of document and statement from 17 witnesses. Despite the complicated process, the court upheld the standard of proceeding and conduct the trial in absolute transparency.”

**

(WARNING: This article contains references to rape/domestic violence/sexual assault/child abuse/abuse.)

Controversial gaming platform Roblox has been put on notice, with persistent reports predators are targeting kids with sexually explicit and suicidal material.

Communications Minister Anika Wells has requested an urgent meeting with the popular platform two months after Australia's world-leading social media ban kicked in - which Roblox is not included in.

But she says she is alarmed by claims young Roblox users are being exposed to graphic and gratuitous user-generated content, and described reports of children being approached and groomed by predators as 'disturbing'.

Ms Wells has asked the internet regulator what powers can be ramped-up to combat harms on Roblox as the government works towards legislating a digital duty of care.

(Readers seeking support can ring Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged five to 25). More information is available at beyondblue.org.au and lifeline.org.au. )

**

Research has found First Nations Australians in custody - are being held in what's known as a prone restraint for longer periods of time than non-Indigenous people.

The restraint involves holding a person face down against a surface - with guidelines stating it should be used for no longer than 3 minutes - without pressure on the neck or chest and with continuous monitoring of the person's condition.

The study by the University of Queensland looked at all publicly available coronial findings - where a prone restraint was linked to a death in custody.

The findings are calling for stronger oversight and improved training - to reduce the risk of harm - particularly for vulnerable people in custody.

**

To sport - Michael Dickson has become the second Australian to play in an American Super Bowl - and win.

Dickson was part of the Seattle Seahawks side that defeated the New England Patriots 29 to 13 to claim the ultimate prize.

The win marks the Seahawks' second Super Bowl in franchise history and their first since 2014.

Michael's teammate Demarcus Lawrence says after a decade in the league, he feels privileged to be able to help the team win that title.

"Special, these guys here are irreplaceable man. The type of group and bond that we committed to this yea. It is a special unit. It is a special group. I think it is our journey man. We have so many ups and downs throughout this season. You know overtime games and losses. That we thought we should have won. It is just gold. Our fundamentals are playing one play at a time, and just keeping at it!"


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