TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News In Easy English. I'm Catriona Stirrat.
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have met with Israeli Prime minister separately in his first white house visit in four years.
Benjamin Netanyahu met with the U-S leaders separately with both leaders urging for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In comments after the meeting, Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her unwavering commitment to Israel but also concerns for the suffering in Gaza.
"It is time for this war to end, and end in a way where Israel is secure, all the hostages are released. The suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to freedom, dignity and self determination. There has been hopeful movement in the talks to secure an agreement on this deal, and as I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu, it is time to get this deal done."
Mr Netanyahu will meet former US President Donald Trump in Florida tomorrow, who has previously said the war has gone on for too long.
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The Australian Marine Conservation Society says improving Australia's environmental laws is critical to protecting the Great Barrier Reef.
Australia has once again avoided having the reef listed as 'in danger', with the UNESCO's World Heritage Committee ruling the nation is still 'on probation' over the status of the Great Barrier Reef.
The government must report to UNESCO on coral bleaching events and efforts made to better protect the reef in February next year.
Tooni Mahto from the Australian Marine Conservation Society says stopping deforestation in Queensland would protect the reef.
"We know the Great Barrier Reef is under really considerable stress from impacts of climate change. And there are things that could be done now to hold that deforestation and give the Great Barrier Reef the resilience it needs to help combat those changes."
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Journalists at Nine newspapers have started a five-day strike.
Five hundred staff walked out of work at 11am eastern time this morning.
The ABC is reporting unionised staff rejected management's latest pay offer yesterday afternoon.
Adam Portelli is the deputy Chief Executive of the relevant union - the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance.
He says Nine are being disrespectful to their audience by making their journalists an inadequate offer.
"This is always the last resort for our members, and it's something they don't take lightly. But they're doing it because Nine simply hasn't shown them the respect that they deserve- and frankly hasn't shown the respect to their audiences that they deserve."
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And in football,
The Matildas have had a horror start to their Olympic campaign with a 3-nil loss to Germany.
2016 gold medalists Germany decisively won the first group round game with a first half header from a corner, and two second half goals in quick succession.
Australia is seeking its first ever Olympic medal in football, coming off the back of its best ever FIFA World Cup performance in 2023.
The Matildas now must win their next match on Sunday ((28 JULY)) against Zambia to keep their campaign alive.
That was SBS News In Easy English. I'm Catriona Stirrat.
