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TRANSCRIPT:
- Protesters demand the release of several people arrested during a pro-Palestinian rally in Sydney
- Epstein survivors unveil a bill to end statute of limitations on sex trafficking cases
- The Bangladesh Cricket Board urges Pakistan to withdraw its decision on Sunday's match
Around one hundred protesters opposing a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog have rallied outside Surry Hills Police Station in Sydney, demanding the release of people arrested during clashes the night before.
The protest followed unrest on Monday evening near Sydney Town Hall, where police used pepper spray and were filmed pushing and striking pro-Palestinian protesters.
Twenty-seven people were arrested, with nine charged.
Palestine Action Group spokesperson Josh Lees has accused the government of authorising heavy-handed policing.
"So, what was the difference in orders from above by Chris Minns to be utterly intransigent to crack heads, to use violence on us as part of his political directive, to crack heads and I said - you know - use state violence in support of the state violence of Israel in Gaza (protesters booing police/Minns)."
Several politicians, including Greens MPs and Independent MPs and Muslim organisations have criticised the police response as excessive and are calling for an independent review.
Premier Chris Minns and police have defended officers' actions as proportionate and necessary to maintain public safety.
**
The Imam who led the prayer during Monday's protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Sydney is accusing police of aggression.
Wesam Charkawi told SBS News that in two and a half years of peaceful protests, he has never seen police behave like this.
"Somebody has to be accountable for that - who made the decision, who made the call, was it here, was it somewhere else. I think there needs to be an investigation as to how we actually ended up at this point where that decision was made. I am of the utmost believe that somebody has to lose their job for what happened."
He says both the police and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns have been dishonest in terms of their framing of the situation.
Shahbaz Jamal, who was also at the prayer, says they strategically decided to pray 40 to 50 metres away from where police were stationed.
He says they were in one of the most vulnerable points in their prayer when violence broke out.
"So we have our faces, our backs towards the police, and we're on the ground. So to be coming out of the second prostration towards the end. And then to be thrown, I'm basically the blue guy in that shirt that was thrown the furthest. It was quite shocking, but I wasn't fully surprised."
**
The federal government has reiterated that Australia objects to the Israel Security Cabinet's decision to expand Israel's control over the occupied West Bank.
The series of administrative and enforcement measures would make it easier for Jewish settlers to take over Palestinian land.
In a statement to SBS, a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the decision will undermine the stability and security of the Middle East, adding that altering the demographic composition of the West Bank is unacceptable.
The government maintains that settlements are illegal under international law and a significant obstacle to peace.
The government says a two-state solution remains the only viable path to long-term peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
**
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse, have helped unveil legislation in the United States aimed at eliminating the federal statute of limitations for sex trafficking cases.
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the bill would remove legal barriers that have kept survivors from pursuing justice.
The legislation is named for Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein accuser who died by suicide in 2025.
Her brother, Sky Roberts, says he wants new laws that empower survivors of abuse.
"I want to begin with a single word, a word that meant everything to my sister. A word we will not stop fighting for until real justice is served. And that word is change. Virginia's dream was to inspire and empower survivors to come forward. In a world that too often turns away from abuse and pushes it into the shadows she wanted to bring light."
The announcement comes days after the Justice Department released millions of files tied to the Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases.
**
In sport, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh says his team is adequately prepared to play two specialist spin bowlers in their side at the Twenty20 World Cup.
Australia starts its World Cup campaign tonight [[8:30pm aedt]] against Ireland in Colombo, in conditions that are expected to suit spin bowling.
Marsh says, contrary to what some may believe, Australia's recent experience with spin bowling has been positive.
"We've played with two spinners over the last twelve months a few times. And we've seen that Matt Kuhnemann certainly belongs at this level. So, yeah, if we go that way, it will certainly be no surprise to us, and something that we've been accustomed to over the last twelve months."
Marsh says fast bowler Nathan Ellis will be fit to play this game, but batsman Tim David won't be.
On day four of the tournament... Pakistan has defeated the United States by 32 runs... the Netherlands have beaten Namibia by seven wickets... and New Zealand has defeated the United Arab Emirates by ten wickets.
