TRANSCRIPT
- Penny Wong says concerns over escalations in Lebanon are mounting
- Joe Biden says the assassination of Hezbollah's leader provides a measure of justice
- In rugby, the Wallabies are focusing on being more competitive
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says she is increasingly concerned about the escalation of violence in Lebanon following Israel's killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
At the United Nations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was clear in his rejection of calls for a ceasefire in Lebanon after Israel killed more than 1,000 people in the last two weeks.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton says after visiting Israel he got the impression it's government was confused about why Australia has not provided it with more support.
Speaking to Sky News, Penny Wong says while Australia supports Israeli statehood, this does not mean they are exempt from following international law.
"Our support for the existence of the state of Israel, which is bipartisan, does not mean we walk away from supporting international humanitarian law. It does not mean we don't say each civilian should be protected. Mr Dutton should remember Australia is, you know, we're a country that prides ourself on our respect for the rule of law, and that has to apply internationally as well, and that is why it is appropriate for Australia to talk about the need to protect civilians."
_
U-S President Joe Biden says Israel's killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah provides a measure of justice after giving orders to further enhance the defence posture of U-S forces in the Middle East.
The White House has released a statement from Mr Biden declaring that the U-S is negotiating a deal that would return people safely to their homes in Lebanon and Israel.
At least 1 million people in Lebanon and around 80,000 in northern Israel have been displaced by Israeli attacks in the past two weeks.
At the United Nations, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel says there can be no resolutions without real action.
"How do you want to say to people waiting outside, demonstrating outside, that we came here together to find solutions about all the troubles that we have nowadays. I can tell you that for them we are just discussing, but not acting. We are like a very barking dog without teeth. Barking all the time, but leaving so many people behind."
_
The South Australian government is working on legislation to increase its powers to shut down premises suspected of selling illegal vapes and tobacco products.
The new legislation will give Consumer and Business Affairs Minister Andrea Michaels the power to close businesses violating orders and distribute fines of up to $1.1 million.
Ms Michaels says a government taskforce dealing with illicit products has already seized over $1 million worth of tobacco and vape products but says more action is needed.
Australia is among the most expensive places in the world to buy cigarettes and has seen a growing illicit market sell the products untaxed for half the price.
_
The death toll from Hurricane Helene continues to rise as authorities across parts of the southeastern United States are preparing for clean-up operations.
At least 64 deaths have been reported so far as flooding and dam failures caused by the massive storm continue impacting several states.
Hurricane Helene was downgraded from a category four storm just hours after making landfall in Florida earlier in the week, but has continued to leave a trail of destruction as over 3 million people are left without power.
Janalea England is the owner of the Steinhatchee Fish Company in Florida.
She says this is the third storm to hit the area this year and says she doesn't know how much more the community can take.
“I've turned my retail seafood market into a donation center and we will take it all. Whatever you got, whether it is generators or Pepsi-Cola, a piece of wood or a bottle of water, you know what I mean? Like, we’re, we're here to take it all, because there's just there's I've never seen so many people homeless as what I have right now. Not not in my community.”
_
To rugby now...
The Wallabies are focusing on being more competetive after a 33-13 loss to New Zealand's All Blacks in Wellington.
Despite the loss, the Australian side had a 68 per cent possession during the game and made smart plays throughout.
Australia's challenge now is to reset before a northern tour with fixtures against world number one Ireland, World Cup semi-finalists England, and more fitting match-ups Wales and Scotland.
