In this bulletin;
- The first Palestinian detainees seen leaving the West Bank ahead of Israel hostage exchange;
- Peter Dutton criticises the PM over confused timeline around Chinese warships;
- And in cricket, the pressure on for Australia, ahead of their match against Afghanistan.
A bus that appears to be carrying Palestinian detainees has been seen leaving an Israeli prison in the West Bank.
The sighting comes as Israel is scheduled to release around 600 Palestinian detainees, in exchange for Hamas sending the bodies of four Israeli hostages home.
Israel had delayed the detainees' release, putting a fragile ceasefire truce with Hamas in doubt.
Under the terms of the deal, the second phase of the ceasefire that would allow more freedom of movement in the region, should have been enacted on the 3rd of February.
A local resident who declined to be named, told reporters the situation in the town of Khan Younis is life threatening.
"Look at this! This situation is just terrifying, there is a risk it would fall on the little kids and kill them. Even when lying on the ground at night, we cannot sleep, fearing that something might happen at any moment, especially worrying about the roof collapsing and killing us. Look around you."
—
The Opposition leader has criticised the Prime Minister for failing to be clear about the timing of when the defence was notified of China's live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea.
Defence Force chief Admiral David Johnston told a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday New Zealand's military had been monitoring the warships and didn't inform the Australian Defence Force until about an hour after a Virgin pilot reported it to civil aviation authorities.
Speaking on 2GB Radio, Mr Dutton said the word of the Defence force chief should be trusted over the Prime Minister's claims that New Zealand notified Australia's defence at the same time as air services.
He added that the government should be spending more on defence.
"I think the prime minister's either confused, he's mixed up in his details or he is misled and whatever it is, I think he needs to stand up and say, look, I got it wrong. I misunderstood the briefing that I had. But for the Prime Minister not to be across that detail, we dunno whether there's a nuclear submarine attached to this exercise or why the government wouldn't be putting in place Very definite measures to collect the intelligence and be ahead of the game here."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was conscious of the presence of Chinese ships and the Australian and New Zealand militaries were observing the group.
—
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host European leaders - possibly including Ukraine's President - to discuss a response to the US plan for peace in Ukraine.
The meeting is scheduled for Sunday after US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington DC.
The Ukrainian President is under pressure by the US to sign a minerals deal, which would see the country share billions of dollars in mineral wealth with the US.
Mr Zelenskyy has said he will not sign the deal without assurances of US security and weapons provision.
"I would really ask for at least an understanding that we all see that all this is part of future security guarantees. Therefore, even in the framework agreement, I really wanted at least a sentence to appear guaranteeing the security of Ukraine."
And as Britain hosts regional leaders, President Trump has flagged a likely meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
—
Police are asking the public to avoid part of the Gold Coast's Main Beach, after a suspicious device washed ashore.
Police are on the scene at Main Beach, after the object was spotted by a dog walker and surf lifesavers about 5.45 am on Thursday.
An exclusion zone of 100 metres has been established around the device, while authorities examine it.
The Australian Defence Force has reportedly been notified, with media outlets saying it appears to be a military device, possibly a torpedo.
—
In cricket,
Afghanistan has caused a major upset, knocking out England in the 2025 Champions Trophy series - with Australia next on the line tomorrow.
The Afghans smashed the tournament's highest-ever score of 177 in their 7-325 before England fell just short, bowled out for 317.
As Australia prepare to face Afghanistan, Smith is under pressure for a win, as it would seal Australia's place in the last-four - while Afghanistan's head cricket coach Jonathan Trott is feeling similar nerves.
Mr Trott said his team is focused on the upcoming game.
“Yeah, it's all on the line, isn't it? And, I think we've played against, since I've been coach, we've played against Australia three times, and we've been in the game each of those games. So, we should take a lot of confidence from that, and, I think, certainly what happened in the World Cup, T20 World Cup, and I say this to the players as well, that Afghanistan's never going to be taken lightly ever again."
South Africa will take on England in Saturday's final group B match.
Rain has dampened training plans for the competition, with almost all games played across Pakistan - and more downpours are forecast.
