TRANSCRIPT
- Israel withdraws most of its troops from southern Gaza as ceasefire talks begin in Cairo;
- The Prime Minister defends the government's record on border security after a W-A boat arrival;
- And in rugby, series leader Australia suffers a blow in the women's world sevens title battle.
A spokesperson for the Israeli military says Israel has withdrawn all but one brigade of ground troops from southern Gaza after months of focussing its offensive in the region.
Providing no further details, it remains unclear if the withdrawal will delay a long-threatened ground incursion into the southern city of Rafah, which has become the last refuge for over one million displaced Palestinians.
The announcement comes as Egypt prepares to host a new round of ceasefire talks with Israel and Hamas following six months of Israel's offensive in Gaza.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has brushed aside claims the government is failing to maintain border security following the arrival of a group of people by boat in Western Australia's remote Kimberley region.
Police spent the weekend searching for a man believed to have been separated from the party, who was then located on a track in the state's far northern reaches.
They confirmed he'd been part of the group which had arrived via an unknown vessel.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham says he's concerned the boat could offload its passengers and depart without detection.
But Mr Albanese has defended Australia's border security measures.
"We will deal with any unauthorised arrivals consistent with operation sovereign borders, and that's what we've done. And I do note Rear Admiral Sonter a very clear message that there's been no change in policy since 2013. We'll use all avenues at our disposal to make sure that the borders are protected, and make sure we respond in accordance with the principles of Operation Sovereign Borders."
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The damage from record-breaking downpours in New South Wales is being assessed as flood waters recede.
The Hawkesbury River, northwest of Sydney, peaked above the major flooding level at north Richmond late on Saturday night.
With rain easing and river levels beginning to subside, authorities say the clean up is under way.
SES volunteers began assessments in the Illawarra, in Sydney's south, on Sunday, finding 57 properties damaged in the storms, while 28 were inundated with floodwater and 14 deemed non-habitable.
This Illawarra resident describes how quickly the situation escalated.
"I came down at five, had a bit of a look with the torch. Normally, if it's coming around the garage, it's getting up, but it wasn't at that point. Went back upstairs, came back down about half an hour later and I'm going, oh, okay, it's coming around the garage. But I was watching the bureau of meteorology as well, and it looked like it was clearing really quick, and I thought we might be okay. There was an almighty bang, and that's when the water went through the side of Gary's place across the road."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined members of Australia's Sikh community to celebrate the Sikh spring festival Vaisakhi and the 10th anniversary of charity Sikh Volunteers Australia.
Attending an event in Melbourne, the prime minister joined Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan in praising the work of Sikh Volunteers Australia, a Melbourne-based organisation that has delivered hundreds of thousands of meals across the city and beyond.
Sikh Volunteers Australia was founded in 2014 by a group of less than twenty first generation migrants and has now grown into a charity with hundreds of volunteers.
Mr Albanese says the organisation consistently puts its values into practice.
"During the pandemic, they provided food for students who were in desperate need for that support. During the bushfires, during floods, wherever there are issues confronting Australians we see the best of the Australian character, and there's no community organization that has done more than Sikh Volunteers Australia, we see them, whether it be here in Victoria are up in Lismore, wherever there are floods or natural weather events, we see people putting their values into practice."
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And in rugby,
Series leaders Australia have suffered a blow in their women's world sevens title battle with New Zealand, losing a thrilling Hong Kong semi-final to their trans-Tasman rivals by 28-14.
Both teams went into the match with two tournament wins to their credit from five events, but New Zealand, winners of the previous two events, pulled away from the 14-14 halftime scoreline.
Legendary winger Portia Woodman-Wickliff scored a crucial late try for the Kiwis as they set up a final clash with the United States, who overcame France 19-5 in the other semi.
