Penalty heartbreak ends Socceroos' World Cup dream; UNESCO backs Australia's Great Barrier Reef protections; Rugby League match ban for Cody Walker.
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TRANSCRIPT
- Penalty heartbreak ends the Socceroos World Cup dream
- UNESCO backs Australia's Great Barrier Reef protections
- Cody Walker banned after a kicking incident
The Socceroos' FIFA World Cup campaign has ended in heartbreak, losing to Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shootout after their Round of 32 match finished 1-1 following extra time in Dallas Stadium.
Egypt took the lead through Emam Ashour in the 13th minute before Australia levelled in the second half, after an Aiden O'Neill free kick forced an own goal from Mohamed Hany.
Goalkeeper Patrick Beach then produced a series of crucial saves to force the match to penalties.
Coach Tony Popovic says Australians should still be proud of the team's performance.
"At this moment right now, everything is a little tough to take, but I'm sure every Australian is proud of the group and what they did at this tournament, and tonight the effort they put in. I'm sure their families and friends and every Australian back home that's watched will be very proud."
Australia's shootout hopes faded when Harry Souttar blasted the opening penalty over the bar before teenager Lucas Herrington struck the crossbar with the fourth kick.
Egypt now advances to the Round of 16, where it will face the winner of Argentina.
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The federal government has welcomed a draft decision by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre recognising Australia's efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef, with the reef not recommended for listing as endangered.
The draft decision acknowledges Australia's conservation efforts and asks for a progress report in 2028, with a full conservation report due in 2029 – the longest reporting period requested in several years.
Assistant Environment Minister Nita Green says the longer reporting period reflects the progress that's been made.
"This is the first time in quite a few years since we've been working to restore the Great Barrier Reef under this government that we've had such an extensive reporting period put to us. We're excited by that. We've been working constructively with UNESCO, and I know everyone who relies on the reef for their job, every Australian that loves to see the reef in their backyard will be excited by this decision."
The government says it has invested more than $5 billion, alongside the Queensland Government since 2014, to protect the reef, which supports around 77,000 jobs and is one of Australia's most important tourism attractions.
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A third teenager has been charged with murder over the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old Mickleham boy Darweish Mohamed outside a Melbourne hospital.
The 14-year-old was arrested on Friday and is due to face a children's court.
Police allege Darweish was found critically injured outside Craigieburn Community Hospital on Wednesday night.
A staff member rushed to his aid and performed CPR, but he died at the scene.
A 15-year-old and a 16-year-old had already been charged with murder and remain before the courts.
A 15-year-old girl has also been charged with affray and motor vehicle theft and has been bailed to appear in court at a later date.
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The frontrunner to become Britain's next prime minister, Andy Burnham, says he wouldn’t call an early general election if he succeeds Keir Starmer, instead focusing on delivering Labour's agenda and pursuing voting reform.
Mr Burnham, currently the only declared candidate in the leadership race, has also pledged to stick to Labour's 2024 election commitments while signalling there is scope for targeted tax changes to support high-street businesses.
He says the focus should be on policy, not personalities.
"I think it's been a little frustrating for me in the last, sort of ten days, two weeks, because kind of Westminster goes into its normal mode, and it wants to endlessly speculate about personalities before policy and before direction. And I very deliberately have said, ‘no, I'm going to set out a new direction for the country."
Mr Burnham has also promised to fully fund Britain's defence investment plan if he becomes prime minister, saying there can be no compromise on national security.
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Cody Walker has been suspended for one match after kicking Jack Cogger during South Sydney Rabbitohs' loss to the Penrith Panthers.
Walker was sin-binned in the first half after striking Cogger following a play-the-ball, with Penrith scoring while South Sydney was reduced to 12 players.
The 36-year-old later apologised, admitting his actions were "not good enough" and saying he had let his aggression get the better of him.
Cogger has also been suspended, receiving a two-match ban for a separate incident involving Ashton Ward later in the game.
