Survivors pulled from rubble in Myanmar | Morning News Bulletin 31 March 2025

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Four survivors pulled from the rubble as the death toll rises; US President Donald Trump says he's very angry with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine; and in sport, the Northern Territory crowns its youngest ever state Sportsperson of the Year.


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TRANSCRIPT
  • Four survivors pulled from the rubble as the death toll rises
  • US President Donald Trump says he very angry with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine
  • The Northern Territory crowns its youngest ever state Sportsperson of the Year
Four more people have been rescued from the rubble in Myanmar, days after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck, killing 1,700 people.

Hundreds remain missing, as search efforts continue in Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand.

Trevor Clark is the regional chief of emergency operations at the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF .

"Tents, dignity kits, hygiene kits, recreational kits as well. So, what we are attempting to do is get the initial supplies on the ground, so that we can make sure that children have access to safe water. There is going to be some health supplies there as well. So, they will have some health services, and then also with recreational kits we will be able to make sure that they have a sense of normalcy in such a chaotic time as well."

The World Health Organization has classified the crisis as a Grade 3 emergency - the highest level under its Emergency Response Framework.

The WHO says it needs A$12.7 million to respond to the immediate health needs over the next 30 days.

It says this includes saving lives, preventing disease, and restoring essential health services.

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US President Donald Trump says he is angry with Russian President Vladimir Putin over his approach towards a ceasefire in Ukraine.

In a telephone interview with NBC News, Mr Trump says if he believes Mr Putin is at fault for a ceasefire deal not being reached, he will consider imposing further tariffs on oil coming out of Russia.

The remarks come after Mr Putin appeared on Russian television and suggested Ukraine could be placed under a temporary UN-led government to organise fresh elections before negotiating a peace deal.

Mr Trump says he plans to talk with his Russian counterpart this week.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his Cabinet has decided to intensify military pressure against Hamas in Gaza.

In a public address to the Cabinet, Mr Netanyahu says the offensive against Hamas is working - and cracks were begining to show in Hamas' negotiations.

Yesterday, Hamas agreed to a new ceasfire proposal received from mediators.

Despite making a counter offer, Israel resumed its bombing in southern Gaza's Rafah.

But protesters on the streets of Tel Aviv over the weekend are against the war in Gaza, and are calling for the release of remaining hostages.

Hamas's most senior leader, Khalil Al-Hayya says the group supports a new plan brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

"We've dealt with it positively and accepted it. We hope that the occupation (Israel) does not disrupt it or thwart the efforts of the mediators."

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Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has taken his campaign to Sydney's western suburbs, meeting Assyrian community leaders in Fairfield over a New Years' feast.

Labor's Chris Bowen – the M-P for the federal electorate of McMahon, which takes in parts of Fairfield – also attended the event, as did New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.

Independent Dai Le currently holds the electorate of Fowler, which captures the remaining parts of the suburb, having taken it from Labor at the last election.

It's likely the first of many visits to key seats, which YouGov public director Paul Smith says may tip the balance of power in May's election.

"What we know for certain is that very small shifts of voters... can make big differences to the key marginal seats. And for the government, they've got their nose in front but it's going to be a very competitive five weeks. And there's still everything to play for in this election."

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And in sport, Macey Sheridan has made history as the Northern Territory's youngest state Sportsperson of the Year winner.

The 15-year-old is the first Northern Territory swimmer to be selected for Swimming Australia's Flipper Squad, after receiving gold medals at both state and national championships.

Sheridan is also the state's 2024 Junior Sportsperson of the Year.

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