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TRANSCRIPT:
- Qatar presents Israel and Hamas with a ceasefire draft as negotiations reach a breakthrough
- Immigration detention facility found to be illegally holding detainees in cells without water
- Nick Kyrgios's grand slam return at the Australian Open ends abruptly.
Qatar [[cutter]] has given Israel and Hamas a final draft of a deal to end the Gaza war, following a breakthrough in late-night talks attended by U-S President-elect Donald Trump's envoy, according to an official briefed on the negotiations.
The terms for a ceasefire and hostage release were finalised in discussions held in Doha, involving Israel's Mossad and Shin Bet chiefs, Qatar's prime minister, and Steve Witkoff, who will become US envoy when Mr Trump is inaugurated next week.
Israel's Kan radio, citing an Israeli source, has reported that both Israeli and Hamas delegations in Qatar have received the draft, with the Israeli delegation updating the nation's leaders.
For Ruby Chen, whose son Itay Chen was killed on 7 October and whose body was taken into Gaza, the lack of concrete information remains deeply frustrating.
"This morning, we've learned that there is an advancement towards a deal. The families are feeling unease and not understanding exactly what's going on. We're not getting any guidance yet from the government of Israel."
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Firefighters are battling two Los Angeles wildfires, now in their sixth day, using a brief lull in hazardous conditions before expected high winds are likely to worsen the situation.
At least 24 people have died so far in what California Governor Gavin Newsom calls potentially the worst natural disaster in United States history.
Thousands of homes have been destroyed, forcing 100,000 people to evacuate.
The fires have reduced neighbourhoods to ashes, creating an apocalyptic landscape, with at least 12,300 structures damaged or destroyed.
Aerial firefighters, some drawing water from the Pacific Ocean, are dropping water and retardant, while ground crews work to hold back the Palisades Fire as it nears Brentwood and other populated areas.
Major General Pat Ryder says the U-S military has been helping.
“As part of our ongoing support to California, over 1,800 California National Guardsmen have been activated to assist with the firefighting efforts, including hand crews, rotary wing aircraft and military police that are working in support of local law enforcement. Additionally, eight C-130s equipped with the modular airborne firefighting system, or MAFS, are currently on station at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station to support aerial firefighting efforts.”
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A review into the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre in Western Australia has found detainees are being held in cells with no toilets or running water, in what refugee advocates say is a disturbing disregard for basic human rights.
A report from the Commonwealth National Preventive Mechanism Ombudsman finds that the centre, controlled by the Australian Border Force, is holding detainees in prohibited dry-cells.
The regulator's review also states that detainees have limited access to communication lines, with limited support services and family visits.
Around 160 people are currently detained at the facility, with 29 of those held there for more than 6 years.
The Refugee Council of Australia says the findings in the report show a disregard for the basic human rights and dignity of people in immigration detention.
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Improving the lives of autistic people and challenging harmful attitudes that exclude them from society are the aims of a new $42.3 million plan.
Australia's first national autism strategy is to be launched today [[14 January]] by Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth.
It sets out 22 commitments to enhance wellbeing.
Nearly $20 million over four years will fund a peer support program offering lived-experience advice for autistic people, as part of an initial two-year action plan focused on practical measures.
Around $3 million has been allocated for a study to determine autism prevalence in Australia.
The strategy and action plan prioritise social and economic inclusion, diagnosis and services, and health.
Oversight Council co-chair Clare Gibellini, an autistic person who helped shape the strategy, says its creation acknowledges there's a need for change.
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Nick Kyrgios's grand slam return at the Australian Open ended abruptly, with a straight-sets defeat to Scotland's Jacob Fearnley.
The 29-year-old Australian, visibly agitated and struggling with discomfort, lost 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 7-6 (7-2) to world Number 86, Fearnley on Monday evening.
Kyrgios, hampered by an abdominal strain, was making his first major appearance since the 2022 US Open quarter-finals, following wrist and knee surgeries.
During the first set, the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up used expletives to voice his frustration over his inability to match the serving power of his 23-year-old opponent.
"It was amazing. I just want to start with the atmosphere was is incredible to be back, you know. It was definitely not my best performance, but look full credit to to my opponent. He was he played really well tonight. I was really impressed with his level, hits the ball, really flat, really aggressive. But you know, I knew tonight was going to be tough, you know, with my physical state. Going into the match I knew that I was going to be really hindered with my serve."
