Scores killed in latest Israeli airstrike in Gaza | Morning Bulletin 1 July

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Source: SBS News

In this bulletin; Israeli strikes kill at least 72 people in Gaza. The Greens welcome an investigation into a protest arrest that left a former colleague injured. And in sport, Manchester City manager worried the FIFA Club World Cup will lead to a lack of rest for players.


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Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed at least 72 people in the last 24 hours, as the Israel's military steps up its offensive.

Medics say at least 11 of those people have been killed in southern Gaza while seeking for food.

It comes as Israeli Minister Ron Dermer prepares to meet with US officials in coming hours (Tue, 1 July AEST) to talk about a ceasefire.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump says he believed a deal could be within reach this week.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says Mr Trump has been talking regularly with Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

"It is because of this president that humanitarian aid is being brought in to the region. It's heartbreaking to see the images that have come out from both Israel and Gaza throughout this war. And the president wants to see it end. He wants to save lives. And however, the main priority for the president also remains to bring all of the hostages home out of Gaza. As you know, his tireless effort has brought home many of the hostages, including all of the American hostages who were held there. So he wants to see both things happen. And we're continuing to work very hard to do those things."

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Hundreds of emergency services personnel, helicopters and specialist vehicles are on stand-by as a wild storm tracks towards regions still recovering from deadly floods.

Millions of residents are in the path of a severe low pressure system intensifying off New South Wales north coast - including a warning for communities hit by the May floods that killed five people and damaged thousands of properties.

There's a risk of flash-flooding at Wallis Lake near Taree. Areas from Coffs Harbour south to Bega are in the zone of impact.

Bureau of Meteorology says the weather system - also known as a "cyclogenesis" - is set strengthen today (1 July) before the most severe effects on Wednesday, including heavy rain, strong winds and hazardous surf.

The State Emergency Service has about 400 personnel ready to be deployed.

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The Greens have welcomed a decision by New South Wales Police to declare the arrest of a former Greens candidate a Level 2 critical incident, while maintaining the need for an independent investigation.

Hannah Thomas - the 35-year-old lawyer and activist who ran against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in his site of Grayndler - was arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest last week, an incident which left her with serious facial injuries that could lead to permanent vision loss in one eye.

She was arrested, with four others, during what police say was as an unauthorised protest, for allegedly failing to comply with a move on order.

The police will investigate the circumstances of the arrest, after being accused of using excessive force against the protesters, claims which they deny.

New South Wales Greens MP Sue Higginson tells SBS there needs to be a serious, independent investigation into police response to protests in the state.

"What we can see is an emboldened police force that felt that it was within their right to attend a protest and use excessive force and now we have a significantly injured woman who attended that protest because she is an advocate for peace. I believe there is a critical incident, but there is a broader question as well: What has emboldened the police?"

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New road rules and road safety measures come into effect today (1 July), including the nation-wide introduction of artificial-intelligence powered surveillance cameras to detect mobile phone use.

New speed limits for many states will also be introduced in response to increased road deaths.

Among other changes, New South Wales drivers face higher penalties for not wearing a seatbelt, vehicles in Victoria are now required to slow down to 40 kilometres per hour when approaching or passing slow-moving police and emergency vehicles, and Queensland fines have increased by 3.5 per cent.

VicRoads driving instructor Chamitha Lokuwithana has told SBS Sinhala the new rules will save lives.

"The reason behind all these changes are we have seen that the number of road accidents in Australia is increasing year by year. Some of the key reasons identify such as using mobile phone while driving or speeding, not wearing seat belts. The government is introducing technological solutions like AI cameras increased fines and reduce speed limits."

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is worried that participation in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States could destroy the English Premier League club, due to the lack of rest for players.

The Cup is held during the rest period in-between Premier League seasons, giving participating English clubs less time to recover and strategise.

If City reach the final, they will play in New York on 13 July, leaving them with just a month's rest before the Premier League starts on 15 August.

Speaking ahead of City's knockout clash against Al Hilal, Guardiola warns there is a strong possibility that his players will complain of fatigue at the end of the year.

"Of course, it's not an ideal situation for the manager. Would I love to have two months to prepare for next season? I tell you right now - Yes. Would I love to be refreshed for next season? Yes. But it is what it is. Game by game, month by month we will see. Maybe in November, December or January, it will be, 'Pep, listen we are a disaster, we are exhausted and the World Cup has destroyed us'. I don't know, but it's the first time in our lives that this has happened."

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