TRANSCRIPT
- The United States evaluating a Hamas response to a cease-fire proposal
- Former N-R-L star Jarryd Hayne's rape convictions overturned
- Australia through to the next stage of the men's Twenty20 World Cup, after thrashing Namibia
Hamas has formally responded to a US ceasefire proposal for the eight-month-old war in the Gaza Strip.
Israel says the response was tantamount to a rejection, while a Hamas official says the Palestinian group merely reiterated longstanding demands not met by the current plan.
Meanwhile, the U-N Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs condemned the high casualty toll in Israel's rescue operation in the An Nuseirat Refugee Camp.
Yasmina Guerda, a Humanitarian Affairs Officer, says nearly 1,000 Palestinians were killed or injured during the operation to rescue four hostages seized by Hamas during its 7th of October attack in southern Israel.
"On the first attack, the Israeli military targeted a school where displaced people thought that they had found safety. And dozens of people were killed, including, of course, a lot of children and women. Two days later, the special operation happened in a crowded market area and more than 270 people were killed in just two hours, 700 injured. We were able to speak to some residents here in Nuseirat, they were having lunch when this happened. And honestly, they just couldn't find the words to tell us what went through their mind and what they saw when they walked out in the street and saw all the wounded and all the people who were hurt."
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Former N-R-L star Jarryd Hayne is set to be released from jail after having his rape convictions quashed on appeal.
The 36-year-old spent a year behind bars after a jury convicted him of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent in April 2023, after an earlier guilty verdict was overturned in a separate appeal.
Hayne was granted bail unopposed early this afternoon.
The case is due to return to the New South Wales district court in late July, when prosecutors will provide an update on whether he will face a fourth trial.
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China's second-highest official, Li Qiang, will arrive in Australia on Saturday for a four-day trip in what will be the first visit by a Chinese premier in seven years.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking to improve trade ties with the world's second-largest economy, whilst pushing back on China's projection of military power into the Pacific.
Bans on some beef exports to China were removed this year, as well as the more than 200 per cent tariff on Australian wine imports.
Trade Minister Don Farrell says he's hopeful more trade restrictions will be removed by China.
"We have recovered almost $20 billion worth of sales into the Chinese market over the last two years. I'm very confident that not only will we remove all of the remaining trade impediments, but that we can actually continue to build on our trading relationship with.”
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says universal childcare would be a national asset to Australia.
A new report by the Centre for Policy Development has recommended three days of free childcare for some families, with a small fee for others.
The report argues childcare should be seen in the same light as public education and Medicare, which is offered to all Australians.
Mr Albanese says the federal Labor government supports a transition to universal childcare.
"I have said on repeated occasions that I think that universal childcare provision, as it is in a range of other countries, is something that is a valued national asset. Early education is good for children. It's good for families. But it's also good for our economy."
The government is currently waiting for the Productivity Commission to release its final report on the sector, which is due later this month.
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Two people have been charged with murder after a man's body was found at an abandoned quarry in southeast Queensland.
The two men - aged 22 and 19 - have been accused of luring Jai Gray to a Glass House Mountains property, north of Brisbane, before stabbing him multiple times.
Police said the three men were known to each other.
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In cricket, Australia is through to the next stage of the men's Twenty20 World Cup with a game to spare, after thrashing Namibia.
After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first in Antigua, Australia dismissed Namibia for just 72.
It's the lowest total Australia has ever restricted an opponent to in this format of the game.
Spin bowler Adam Zampa was Australia's main weapon, taking four wickets, which won him the Player of the Match award.
The Australians chased down their target in a hurry, overhauling Namibia's total in fewer than six overs, with nine wickets to spare.
