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Welcome to SBS News in Easy English. I'm Angelica Waite.
Australian Defence Force personnel will be sent to Poland in the coming weeks as part of efforts to train Ukrainian soldiers in the ongoing war with Russia.
Defence Minister Richard Marles says the Australian troops will join a Norwegian led operation to teach basic infantry tactics, leadership and military skills.
Australia has been providing similar support through a UK based operation since 2023, but the government now says it makes more sense to train closer to Ukraine.
Speaking at a defence summit, Mr Marles has said Australia's support of Ukraine is crucial for upholding the rules-based world order.
"We will continue to have serving men and women in the Australian Army providing the critical role of training new recruits to the Ukrainian Armed Forces for as long as it takes for Ukraine to resolve this conflict on its own terms."
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Foreign Minister Penny Wong has defended the recent shift in the AUKUS submarine deal after Ed Husic argued the government should renegotiate.
The Labor backbencher says there has been some disquiet within the Labor party about the deal and is calling on the government to reconsider their commitment to the agreement.
Doubts over the defence deal were amplified after a recent announcement that Australia would only be purchasing second hand nuclear powerered submarines from the United States.
But in an appearance this morning on Nine's Today Show, Penny Wong has shut down any suggestion of a vote on the matter.
"Ed's entitled to his views, but the government is very clear about why we need AUKUS. This is a capability Australia needs, and unfortunately we had a capability gap in terms of our submarines because of what happened under the Abbott, Turnbull, Morrison governments and we are determined to deliver that capability. So it is full steam ahead."
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Israeli strikes have continued across southern Lebanon, despite a partial ceasefire agreement aimed at reducing tensions with Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s health ministry says at least 10 people have been killed and more than 130 injured, including staff at Jabal Amel Hospital near Tyre.
Israel says it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, while Hezbollah says it attacked Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
Staff at Jabal Amel Hospital say the strike caused major damage, but the hospital will keep operating.
"We hadn't ruled out that the enemy wouldn't do here what they did in Gaza but I pesonally didn't anticipat the intenseive care unit being damaged to this extent."
"This attack only makes us more resilient, we guarantee that hospital will remain open and will fulfil it's humanitarian duty and we will continue to provide medical care no matter what the sacrifices are."
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Aboriginal elder Uncle Robbie Thorpe is in Victoria’s Court of Appeal today to pursue a private prosecution involving King Charles the Third.
The hearing falls on Mabo Day, marking the High Court decision that overturned terra nullius.
The case relates to allegations of genocide against First Peoples, and raises questions about sovereignty, unceded land and the application of genocide law in Australia.
Thorpe began by challenging the authority of the court.
THORPE: "On the grounds that all courts in this country are racist because they swear their allegiance to a foreign state."
JUDGE: I understood in relation to me there was a particular objection because I've sat on courts that have decided some interlocutory application?"
THORPE: Yes, that's true."
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A driver who crashed into Sydney's Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park has been charged by police.
Officers allege the 21-year-old French national drove into the landmark in the early hours of this morning.
Police say he has been charged with negligent driving, not reversing safely and driving while unlicensed.
The man is due to appear in court at a later date.
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