TRANSCRIPT
- Joe Biden expresses outrage towards Benjamin Netanyahu over the deaths of seven aid workers
- Rescue efforts continue after Taiwan's biggest earthquake in 25 years
- Melbourne beat Adelaide for a fourth straight win to go top of the A-F-L ladder
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United States President Joe Biden has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the phone, in their first discussion since the death of seven aid workers, including one Australian, following an Israeli air strike in Gaza.
The White House has released an official record of their conversation, with the U-S President revealing his outrage over the deaths of the humanitarian workers.
Mr Biden has said the U-S's policy on Gaza will depend on the actions Israel takes to assure the protection of aid workers in the area and reduce the number of civilian casualties.
Following public threats from Iran against Israel, the White House has said Mr Biden assured Mr Netanyahu they will have the full support of the U-S to face any potential dangers.
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Rescuers have continued to return residents to safety after Taiwan's worst earthquake in 25 years.
Many more have been forced to seek shelter outdoors as hundreds of aftershocks rock the eastern region around the 7.2-magnitude quake's epicentre near the city of Hualien.
A helicopter ferried to safety six miners trapped on a cliff in a dramatic rescue after the quake cut the roads into Hualien's mountains, around 150 kilometres from the island's capital Taipei.
Emergency services say around 660 people are still trapped, most of them in hotels in the Taroko National Park, a famous tourist attraction, where at least four have been killed in the quake.
The discovery of the body of a 65-year-old man on Thursday on a hiking trail near the entrance to a gorge has taken the total number of deaths to ten, with those injured at nearly 1,070 ((1,067)).
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Friends and family of the Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom say they hope an independent war crimes investigation into her death in an Israeli airstrike could be a "turning point".
The Israeli Defence Forces say a preliminary investigation into the strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza was a grave mistake and caused by misidentification.
In his strongest comments yet, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined other world leaders in criticising Israel's explanation so far as 'insufficient' and 'unacceptable'.
Karuna Bajracharya, a friend of Zomi Frankcom, says her family would like to see accountability for the deaths of aid workers in the conflict.
"As heartbreaking and as devastating as it is for us, if this could be a turning point to get some sort of humanity and justice back into this situation, then I think that's what Zomi would have wanted as well."
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A former Seven Network producer has alleged in court he witnessed Bruce Lehrmann purchase cocaine and attempt to order sex workers to a Sydney hotel.
Former Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach told the Federal Court he was tasked with building trust with the 28-year-old ex-Liberal staffer, who was a prospective interview subject.
Mr Auerbach has also claimed Mr Lehrmann leaked confidential material to the broadcaster, in one instance, using a network photocopier.
Mr Lehrmann has denied being the source of the documents.
Mr Auerbach's testimony is due to continue today after the drafted judgment on Mr Lehrmann's defamation action against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson was delayed until at least next week.
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In A-F-L,
Melbourne has extended its winning streak to four matches with a 15-point victory over Adelaide to top the ladder.
Christian Petracca had 29 disposals, while Bayley Fritsch kicked three goals in the Demons 78-63 triumph in the Gather Round opener at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
The Demons have some cause for concern after Kysaiah Pickett faces scrutiny for high contact as he attempted to smother a handpass by the Crows' Jake Soligo.
But Melbourne's Steven May told Fox Sports says the team is happy to be heading home with back-to-back wins in Adelaide after also beating Port Adelaide last weekend.
"We came over here with a mission, you know, it's a business trip, we spent the week here. To take on two Adelaide powerhouses and get the two wins and get back home, that's exactly what we wanted. Gather Round is starting, there's going to be a lot of hype here, I'm glad we can get out of here."
