TRANSCRIPT
- Another two flights bringing Australians home from Vanuatu arrive in Brisbane
- A French court finds nearly 50 men guilty of raping a 72-year-old woman
- Melbourne Victory coach Arthur Diles steps in after Patrick Kisnorbo's abrupt resignation
More than 100 Australians stranded in Vanuatu following a deadly 7.3 magnitude earthquake have been evacuated on two Royal Australian Airforce flights.
Both flights arrived in Brisbane last night, following other emergency rescue flights that brought 148 Australians home on Tuesday.
The 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Vanuatu has killed at least nine people, the number of confirmed deaths revised down from 14, as the search for survivors continues.
The Vanuatu Meteorology Department is now warning of a low to medium risk of a cyclone in the coming days.
Experts are concerned the cyclone and rainfalls may cause landslides, complicating rescue efforts.
Dr Dee Ninies, a geologist at Monash University, says there may also be more earthquakes on the way.
"An earthquake of this magnitude will have an aftershock sequence, we've already seen six earthquakes to date, greater than magnitude 5, we would expect some in the magnitude 6 range."
**
A French court has found 51 men guilty of raping Gisèle Pelicot, including her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot.
Mr Pelicot was sentenced 20 years in prison for drugging and raping Ms Pelicot, while inviting strangers to rape her while she was unconscious.
Of the other 50 men, 46 were found guilty of rape, two were found guilty of attempted rape, and two of sexual assault.
During the trial, Ms Pelicot waived her right to anonymity, stating she wanted to change the narrative of shame in rape trials.
**
Israel has launched air strikes on Yemen as its defence minister warns the country's "long hand" will reach the leaders of the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
According to Houthi-run television news outlet, Al Masirah TV,the Israeli air strikes killed nine people,.
It also said the strikes targeted two central power stations south and north of the capital Sanaa.
Israel's military says it conducted precise strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen, including ports and energy infrastructure.
Earlier the Israeli military said it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen.
**
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told the D-8 summit in Cairo that full Palestinian membership in the United Nations is the key to security and stability in the Middle East.
Leaders of the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation have gathered in Egypt to address mounting regional tensions.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi were among the prominent figures at the summit, alongside President Abbas.
Iran's President is calling for unified action to stop the violence in Gaza, urging regional nations to pressure Israel into a ceasefire.
"No pause is acceptable for confronting these crimes and widespread invasion. Necessary and immediate action in this regard should be put on agenda through synergies and coordination. The first step is putting pressure on the regime for a truce in Gaza and halting strikes on Lebanon and Syria. This issue should be the most important humane and ethical priority of the regional nations and members of the D-8."
**
Australia's celebrated cartoonist Michael Leunig has died aged 79.
A statement on his social media reads, "The pen has run dry, its ink no longer flowing — yet Mr. Curly and his ducks will remain etched in our hearts, cherished and eternal."
Mr Leunig passed away peacefully on December 19.
The statement says he was surrounded by his children and loved ones in his final days.
Mr Leunig was a contributor to The Age for 55 years, until his contract was ended by the outlet in August this year.
He was declared a national living treasure by the National Trust in 1999, for his contributions to Australian culture.
**
In football,
Melbourne Victory interim coach Arthur Diles has expressed his confidence he can keep the team going until a new boss is found.
It comes following the shock resignation of previous manager Patrick Kisnorbo, who left Victory to pursue an opportunity overseas.
Kisnorbo's departure comes only a few days before the Melbourne derby with local rivals City at AAMI Park on Saturday.
Victory have expressed disappointment at Kisnorbo's behaviour, saying they made no attempt to convince him to stay on.
Diles, who was Kisnorbo's assistant at the club, says the players are undisturbed by his departure and remain focused on their targets.
