TRANSCRIPT:
- The government under pressure to recognise a Palestinian state as Gaza protests get underway
- Emergency services search for a woman swept away by floodwaters in New South Wales
- Cameron McEvoy wins gold at the world swimming titles
Pressure is mounting on the federal government to respond more forcefully to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as Israel maintains daily strikes and restricts aid.
Tens of thousands are expected to march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge today, with similar protests planned in Melbourne.
The rallies come as France, Britain, and Canada announce plans to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN in September.
Labor’s Victorian branch, former foreig minister Bob Carr, and backbencher Ed Husic have also called for recognition.
This morning ACTU President Sally McManus echoed that sentiment.
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The federal government has accused Israel of breaching international law and sanctioned some ministers but refused to lay out a timeline for recognising a Palestinian state.
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Hamas has issued a statement saying it will not lay down arms unless an independent and fully sovereign Palestinian state is established with its capital in Jerusalem.
The statement comes as ceasefire talks stall, and flies in the face of a key Israeli demand for Hamas to disarm before it will consider an end to the conflict.
Western governments including Australia, Canada and the UK say Hamas can have no part in any future Palestinian state.
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Rescue workers are searching for a woman after she was swept away by floodwaters in New South Wales.
Emergency workers were called north of Cessnock in the Hunter region following reports a car was grounded due to the floods about 8pm on Saturday.
The driver, a 27-year-old woman, managed to escape but the passenger, in her mid-20s, was dragged away with the strong current.
The SES has responded to more than 1,455 call-outs related to rain, thunderstorms and snow in New South Wales, with at least 100 people trapped in their cars by snow.
The Bureau of Meteorology says conditions are expected to ease this afternoon.
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A man has died after being found critically injured in his apartment in Brisbane.
Queensland Police say the 50-year-old passed away at the scene after being found unconscious at his address in West End, a suburb close to the city's CBD.
Detective Inspector Wayne Francis says it was a confronting scene for first responders.
He says police don't believe it was a random incident.
"At this stage it's too early to speculate as to motive. But motive obviously will be part of the investigation ongoing and will inform those inquiries... It's more so towards the point that we're saying it's a targeted incident, in so the persons being known to each other rather than being a random type of attack."
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Rescue workers in Chile are scrambling to save a group of workers who were trapped underground when a copper mine collapsed due to seismic activity.
Two people have been confirmed dead, and four more remain trapped, as rescuers use heavy machinery to clear underground passages.
The collapse at Codelco's mine occurred 5.30pm Thursday local time, and the company says it could take days more to reach survivors.
Codelco Vice President of Human Resources, Maricarmen Llanos, has acknowledged the suffering caused by two deaths so far.
"We know the pain, it's not what we expected to find, and we also know that this has a very big impact on the work teams. One thing we have committed to is that we will not rest and we will keep the energy in continuing with the rescue activities."
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Women are set to dominate this year’s Logie Awards, claiming six of the seven nominations for the prestigious Gold Logie.
The 65th ceremony takes place on Sunday, celebrating Australia’s top T-V talent, both on and off screen.
Comedian Sam Pang will return as the host for a third year running.
Nominees include last year’s winner Sonia Kruger, Julia Morris, Lisa Millar, Lynne McGranger, Poh Ling Yeow, and Ally Langdon.
Hamish Blake, a two-time winner and host of Lego Masters, is the only male contender.
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In sport, Cameron McEvoy has made swimming history with a powerhouse victory in the men's 50 metre freestyle at the world titles in Singapore.
The win brings McEvoy the honour of being Australia's oldest gold-medalist at a swimming world championships.
He says the victory has been made even sweeter by the birth of his first child three weeks ago.
"It's definitely changed my perspective on the grand scheme of things. But I'm also learning that you can hold that, but still maintain and go after your passions as well. Alongside that and I'll continue to learn how to do that as we go forward. Yeah, so it's been, it's been wild. I'm still processing a lot of the changes that come with it, but yeah, I wouldn't change it for the world."
