TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin;
- Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit dies aged 93;
- Venezuela's President claims Trump administration is seeking to start an eternal war;
- And in swimming, Mollie O'Callaghan sets new world record in the at the swimming World Cup.
A lengthy mourning period has begun in Thailand after the Queen mother Sirikit has died aged 93.
The queen will lie in state in Bangkok's Grand Palace with the royal family and court officials mourning the loss for a full year while celebrations and festivals are expected to be disrupted for several weeks.
Sirikit supervised royal projects to help the rural poor, preserve traditional craft-making and protect the environment.
The Royal Household Bureau says she died in a hospital in Bangkok on Friday after suffering from a blood infection for a week.
A small group of mourners dressed in black and holding portraits of the late Queen Mother gathered outside the hospital, with one saying her death is a heartbreaking moment for all Thai people.
"My heart broke when I heard the news, just like all Thais. I wish she goes to heaven with no worries. Thai people will always have her in our hearts."
Sirikit had been largely absent from public life in recent years due to declining health.
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Venezuela's President says the United States is seeking to start a forever war as the Trump administration announces a US military buildup in the Caribbean on Friday.
Part of Donald Trump's plan is deploying the Gerald R Ford carrier strike group to Latin America - which would add to eight warships, a nuclear-powered submarine and F-35 aircraft already in the region.
It marks a significant escalation amid heightened tensions with Venezuela following 10 separate US missile strikes on boats off the Venezuelan coast which have killed 43 people.
The US claims the victims were drug traffickers, without providing evidence, while several families say their loved ones were killed while fishing.
President Maduro has defended Venezuela as a drug-free country, adding they will put an end to the cocaine trafficking that comes from neighbouring Colombia.
"And the people of the United States know it—they're making up a new eternal war. They promised that they will never enter a war and they're making up a war that we will avoid. How? With the mobilisation of the peoples of South America. As South America and the Caribbean all say: no to war, yes to peace, yes to prosperity, yes to harmony and living together."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has attended a landmark event at Uluru to mark 40 years since the sacred site's handback to the local Anangu people.
The return of ownership of Uluru and nearby Kata Tjuta on October 26, 1985 was a symbolic high point for Aboriginal land rights.
Mr Albanese and Governor-General Sam Mostyn have attended this weekend celebrations of the handback featuring speeches, song and dance performances and local craft displays.
The anniversary of the sites' return was also marked by King Charles and Anangu representatives at Australia House in London on October 16.
Anthony Albanese says the handback was a critical moment in the First Nations land rights movement.
"It was a milestone in Aboriginal land rights in Australia, and a powerful moment in the story of our continent. Around the world, Uluru is instantly recognised as Australia. In Australia, it stands as a monument to a peoples' love for country and their determination to see justice done."
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Independent MP Sophie Scamps has condemned allegations of abuse and sexual harassment in the Australian Defence Force as unacceptable.
A landmark class action against the Australian Defence Force alleges widespread and systemic sexual violence, harassment and discrimination within the institution.
Four applicants are listed in the filing currently, with claims by one woman that she was shown pornography while another alleges she was grabbed and kissed by a colleague who forcibly resisted her attempts to separate herself.
Ms Scamps tells Channel Nine's Today program there should be zero tolerance for abuse and harassment.
"We're talking about it again, we're aware of what's going on. There's been multiple cover ups by the sounds of it. So we do need to be hearing about it. What can be happening in Canberra? We need to be talking about it in Canberra as much as anywhere. But the culture in the ADF does need looking at, we need to be absolutely certain that the women who go to work there, who are just trying to be professional, can get on with the job without being harassed."
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And in swimming,
Mollie O'Callaghan has capped a brilliant week at the swimming World Cup in Toronto, setting a new short-course world record in the 200 metre women's freestyle.
The 21-year-old Australian scored a time of 1:49.36 on Friday, just seven days after setting a then new mark of 1:49.77.
O'Callaghan will now turn her attention to the 100 metre freestyle where she could pose a threat to Triple Crown contender Kate Douglass of the United States.
