TRANSCRIPT
- Hamas frees three Israeli hostages in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners
- Heatwave conditions in Victoria make it difficult for fire crews to contain fires
- Australia achieves a historic Women’s Ashes whitewash
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Hamas has freed three Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of 183 Palestinian prisoners, of whom 18 were serving life sentences.
It is the fourth hostage exchange since a ceasefire went into effect on the 19th of January.
Dr Hagar Mizrahi, head of the Israeli Ministry of Health’s medical directorate, says all three Israeli hostages - Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas, and Ofer Kalderon - are receiving medical care.
"The returnees are undergoing initial medical evaluation. They have been reunited with their families and friends. This is an exciting day for all of us after so many days in a difficult and complex reality. We must all remember that it is an emotionally and medically challenging event for those who returned, the families and the families of all the captives."
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The Rafah crossing, a vital route for humanitarian aid into Gaza, is reopening for medical evacuations for the first time since May.
It will initially be opened for 50 injured fighters and 50 wounded civilians, along with the people escorting them, according to Hamas officials.
A further 100 people - most likely students - are also expected to be allowed through on humanitarian grounds.
Officials say people will only be allowed to travel in one direction, from Gaza to Egypt, for the time being.
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Heatwave conditions forecast for Victoria today pose an imminent threat to emergency services crews battling fires in the Grampians region.
A forecast temperature of 37 degrees is expected on Sunday and Monday; and 38 degrees on Tuesday.
David Nugent is Park Victoria’s director of fire, environment, land and water.
He says the terrain in the Grampians is making it tough to contain the fires.
"It's very dry, as we know from the Yarram Gap Road fire that we had only a few weeks ago. So the conditions are really difficult for us. Our strategy around trying to contain those fires involves a large area of back-burning operations to reduce the fuel loads to reduce the run of the fire."
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Authorities have confirmed the death of all six people on board a medical transport plane that crashed in Philadelphia shortly after take-off.
The group includes: a child and her mother, a doctor, paramedic, pilot and co-pilot.
The child was receiving care in the US for a life-threatening condition and was returning to Mexico.
The crash resulted in a fireball that set nearby homes and cars ablaze.
There has been another death on the ground, and 19 more injured, after the plane slammed into a heavily populated portion of the city.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has praised the community's response so far.
"As awful as that aviation disaster was, tonight we also saw the best of Philly. We saw neighbour, helping neighbour. We saw Pennsylvanians looking out for one another."
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US President Donald Trump says he is not concerned about inflation impacts from new tariffs that are set to come into effect on Mexico, Canada, and China.
Mr Trump has been threatening the tariffs to ensure greater cooperation from the countries on stopping illegal immigration and the smuggling of chemicals used for fentanyl.
The tariffs carry both political and economic risks for Mr Trump, who is just two weeks into his second term.
Many voters backed the Republican on the promise that he could tamp down inflation, but the possibility of tariffs could trigger higher prices and potentially disrupt the energy, auto, lumber and agricultural sectors.
Mr Trump admitted tariffs could raise consumer costs, but says he also expects it to boost domestic manufacturing and raise revenue for the federal government.
"Tariffs don't cause inflation, they cause success, cause big success. So we're going to have great success and there could be some temporary short-term disruption and people will understand that."
**
In women's cricket, Alana King and Ashleigh Gardner have spun Australia to an innings-and-122-run victory in the day-night Ashes Test at the MCG.
The result is the first whitewash of the multi-format era - and also the worst overseas tour by England Women in living memory.
Player of the series Alana King says she relishes the achievement.
"I am just stoked that I did at the MCG with the pink ball in hand and the baggy green. So it is pretty special. Well, the buzz word that I have been using is that it has fizzed out really well and I can't complain too much on how I've been bowling. It's been a really nice rhythm. I love bowling long spells. We don't get to do it all that often. But to relish that opportunity. It is something that is pretty high on my list. And I am pretty proud of it."
