TRANSCRIPT
- A 14-year-old charged with stabbing a Thai-Australian schoolmate to death
- Climate protesters storm the Western Australian Premier's office
- Scott Boland will miss today's third test against India in Brisbane
Thai police say a 14-year-old has been arrested on charges alleging he stabbed a Thai-Australian schoolmate to death after a fight.
The suspect told investigators he and the victim harboured a mutual dislike from school and agreed to meet near their homes in Chonburi province to fight.
Police say the suspect appeared to have lost the fight because the other boy was bigger, but then proceeded to stab the victim in the back.
A spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says they are providing consular assistance to the family of the victim who died in Thailand.
They have offered their deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time.
**
A small band of climate activists have occupied the Western Australian premier's office building lobby after a colossal gas plant was given the green-light to continue operating until 2070.
About two dozen protesters carrying anti-Labor and climate action signs laid on the floor in the West Perth building for about 15 minutes yesterday chanting the phrase "climate justice now".
The W-A government's decision to wave through Woodside Energy's North West Shelf Project, one of the largest liquefied natural gas projects in the world, comes despite hundreds of appeals against it.
The Australian Institute adviser Mark Ogge says the 4.3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions expected to come from the project's Karratha Gas Plant and its three offshore platforms is a disaster for the climate.
Greens leader Adam Bandt says the Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has a duty to stop the project.
"The environment minister now has the power to stop a very dangerous, climate-destroying project from proceeding off the coast of Western Australia. There are countries-worth of pollution locked up in this project and it cannot be allowed to go ahead. Scientists have made it very clear that we can not approve any coal or gas projects if we we're to have any chance of stopping runaway climate change."
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French President Emmanuel Macron has named Francois Bayrou as the new prime minister.
Mr Bayrou is the leader of the centrist Democratic Movement party, and was heavily tipped to be Mr Macron's pick for the position after he reportedly met with the President on Friday morning, local time.
The 73-year-old will be France's fourth prime minister this year and will be tasked with steering the country out of its second major political crisis in six months.
His immediate priority will be passing a special law to roll over the 2024 budget, with a nastier battle over the 2025 legislation looming early next year.
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A police officer investigating the case of a couple charged over a child's fake cancer diagnosis has described the case as a devious and cruel scheme by the boy's parents.
South Australia police acting assistant commissioner, John DeCandia says authorities believe the incident has caused significant and serious psychological harm to the six-year-old and his sibling.
"The investigation has confirmed that the child is not seeking any medical treatment. We believe that this farce illness is causing serious and significant psychological harm to the child and their sibling."
The alleged cancer ruse was first reported to police in the state on November 26, who then launched an investigation.
Police are now urging anyone with more information on the case to come forward.
**
In cricket,
Scott Boland will miss today's third test against India in Brisbane after Josh Hazlewood has been declared fit to play.
With the series level at one all, both sides are hoping they can make the most of a pitch that's traditionally given the fast bowlers plenty of help.
Australia is set to launch a short ball barrage against India after the tactic helped secure a comprehensive win in Adelaide.
India is boasting the world's top ranked bowler in Jasprit Bumrah, and he's sure to make life tough for Australia's batters too.
Whichever side comes out on top will edge ahead in the series.
Australia's captain Pat Cummins believes home advantage will help their cause.
"We definitely go into every home series here expecting to win that's what we grew up watching, these are the conditions we grew up playing with so that's the standards we set for ourselves and playing at a familiar venue it falls right into that."
