TRANSCRIPT
- Reports Syria's deposed president is taking asylum in Russia
- Disruptions still expected on Sydney's rail network despite an end to industrial action
- Australia celebrates a resounding win in the second test match against India
Russian state media reports Syria's deposed president Bashar al-Assad has arrived in Moscow after fleeing Damascus.
Russia was a key ally of Assad's regime - with the former president and his family to now reportedly receive asylum there.
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali says he's willing to facilitate the peaceful transfer of power to any leader who's chosen by the people.
He's calling for elections after rebel forces announced they had overthrown President Assad.
"Any new leadership chosen by the Syrian people, we are ready to cooperate with it, providing all possible facilities to ensure a smooth transition of various government files."
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Turkiye's Foreign Minister has reacted to the recent events in Syria - saying he hopes the downfall of President Assad will enable the return of millions of refugees displaced by civil war.
Hakan Fidan says it is time for the country to reunite and reconstruct.
He's calling on all actors in the region to proceed calmly.
It comes as Israel deploys troops to the border with Syria, in a buffer zone at the Golan Heights, and Syrians storm the Iranian Embassy in Damascus.
Speaking at the annual Doha Forum on Sunday, Mr Fidan underlined the importance of protecting minorities and preserving state institutions.
"As of this morning, Syria has reached a stage where the Syrian people will shape the future of their own country. Today, there is hope. The Syrian people cannot achieve this alone. The international community must support the Syrian people. Turkey attaches great importance to the national unity, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and the well-being of the Syrian people."
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Ghana's former president John Dramani Mahama has made an historic comeback, returning to the top job on Sunday as voters appear to be punishing the ruling New Patriotic Party over its management of the economy.
Current Vice President and NPP candidate Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat at the weekend after failing to shake off widespread frustration over high inflation, costs of living and a major debt default.
The election loss ends eight years in power for the NPP under President Nana Akufo-Addo.
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And in New South Wales, the government has been granted a Federal Court injunction to stop the state's rail unions from resuming industrial action.
The action was expected to cause severe delays and cancellations, and was instigated when pay talks between the government and a key union broke down.
But transport authorities say rail commuters are still likely to face some disruption today with delayed and cancelled services already locked in across the network.
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New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has previewed changes to state laws in a bid to prevent intimidation of worshipers exercising their faith.
He says his government will review the laws and make any reforms necessary to protect the safety of community members.
It comes after a pro-Palestinian protest took place outside the Great Synagogue in central Sydney earlier in the week.
Mr Minns says everyone in the state needs to feel safe to observe their religion.
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Domestic violence crisis workers are warning the worst is yet to come as Australia struggles to reduce the prevalence of violence against women.
Figures from advocacy group Counting Dead Women show 73 women across Australia have been killed in gender-based violence this year.
That figure is already higher than last year’s total death toll.
A volunteer for Counting Dead Women, Dr Jill Tomlinson says the true number of people suffering from domestic violence is likely much higher than official records suggest.
"The fact that there’s been that mobilisation of support and resources without a clear change in the numbers shows what a difficult problem it is. We also need to recognise that for each number in the Counting Dead Women project, hiding behind that are hundreds of women and children experiencing family violence."
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And in cricket,
Australia has produced an emphatic turnaround at the Adelaide Oval, securing a thumping 10-wicket win in the second Test against India to level the Border-Gavaskar series.
Hometown hero Travis Head delivered a century for the ages before captain Pat Cummins crowned the match with the 13th five-wicket haul of his test career.
Both teams will enjoy an extra two days off before preparing for the third Test at the Gabba which starts next Saturday.
