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The Prime Minister has defended Australia's climate record, as the Cop 31 UN climate conference gets underway.
Australia has drawn criticism over its continued recent approval of coal and gas expansion project.
That's despite calls from Pacific neighbours and climate and human rights advocates for a transition away from fossil fuels.
Saibai Islander Barbara Ibuai, who is in Turkiye for the talks, says Australia speaks about supporting climate-vulnerable Pacific nations, while overlooking issues within its own borders.
"We are experiencing exactly the same thing that our cousins in the Pacific are experiencing. We are an island community... We are Australia's authentic Pacific story internally in the country."
Police have launched a homicide investigation after finding a body in bushland near Lithgow, in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney.
Officers made the discovery as they searched rugged terrain near Newnes Plateau, as part of an ongoing investigation.
A post-mortem will be conducted in the coming days to determine the cause of death.
Police have not yet officially revealed the identity of the person found or details of the investigation that prompted the search.
Egyptian authorities say at least seven people have died in a collision between two passenger trains south of Cairo.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered an investigation into the incident, as emergency crews work to clear the wreckage and restore train services.
Nearby resident Mahmoud Salamara Ammar has described the aftermath of the collision.
"We heard an extremely loud crash. When I came, I found that the train heading to Fayoum had collided with a stationary train heading to Upper Egypt. The locomotive, which had the driver on board struck the last carriage of the other train. So what happened is that the last carriage of the stationary train was badly damaged, while six carriages of the train travelling from Cairo to Fayoum were overturned and piled on top of one another."
At least four people including three children have died after a stone slab collapsed onto makeshift tents in central Gaza.
Gaza has been battered by torrential rains over the past few days, which is believed to have contributed to the collapse.
Most of Gaza’s two million Palestinians are still displaced or live in tent camps, where they grapple with poor conditions and overcrowding.
UN Regional Crisis Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Karl Baker, says there's urgent need for safer shelter, as the harsh weather is expected to continue.
"It is a very difficult time to watch, especially after so many years of displacement. The greatest needs, I do believe, remain to be shelter materials, ones that have strength and have the durability to them. At the same time, everything that goes inside of a tent is needed at this time. Blankets, winter clothing, anything to reinforce their living situation so that they can make it through the next four months."
Australia's education ministers are being called on to create national standards for schools to support young victim-survivors who experience sexual harm.
Forty advocates, experts, lawyers and services have signed an open letter calling for access to counselling, extensions or extra time for schoolwork, and arrangements so they don't have to be near the student who harmed them.
Fair Agenda senior campaign manager Daisy Gardener says she has been told about students leaving schools after experiencing sexual assault by a peer.
A 2021 survey found 40 per cent of year 10 to 12 students have reported experiencing an unwanted sexual encounter.
[[If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25). More information is available at beyondblue.org.au and lifeline.org.au.
Anyone seeking information or support relating to sexual abuse can contact Bravehearts on 1800 272 831 or Blue Knot on 1300 657 380.]]
A sacred site will be returned to the Larrakia people in Darwin as part of the Federal government's push to reduce the size of the nation's defence estate.
Covering roughly four hectares, the Stokes Hill Fuel Installation was used as a bulk storage facility for Royal Navy operations up until 2014.
In Larrakia Dreaming, the tawny frogmouth sits on the site as a sentinel, surveying the land and sea and keeping Country and people safe.
Traditional Owners have not had free access for more than 100 years, but Defence Minister Richard Marles says that's set to change.
"That will be handed to the Larrakia people. There is a sacred site, a registered sacred site, on that facility, and so that's a great outcome for the Larrakia people."
