Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong voiced deep concern over the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza and violence in the West Bank, warning that one day there may be no Palestinians left to recognize. Speaking to ABC, she supported recent mass protests in Sydney calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid. Wong emphasized the urgency of recognizing Palestine, stating the key issue is when, not if. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is reportedly preparing to order a full occupation of Gaza despite internal opposition.

Thousands of demonstrators marched across Sydney Harbour Bridge in the rain, demanding an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza and calling for urgent humanitarian aid. The protest, dubbed the “March for Humanity,” drew wide public attention and included high-profile participants such as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Some protestors carried pots and pans to symbolize hunger, while others waved Palestinian flags and held placards demanding justice. New South Wales Police initially sought to block the march, but the state’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing it to proceed. A parallel protest also took place in Melbourne.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has expressed support for U.S. efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. In a televised interview on Monday, Wong stated, “We support the steps taken by the United States to deter Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.” She acknowledged that the recent attack was a unilateral move by the U.S. but added, “Australia is joining countries like the UK in urging Iran to return to the negotiating table. We do not want to see further escalation.”
Meanwhile, Australia has deployed two military aircraft to the Middle East to assist in evacuating civilians if necessary.

Australia has suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran due to a significant deterioration in the security situation. All Australian diplomatic staff stationed in Iran have been instructed to leave the country immediately.

In an official statement, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, “We are actively working on contingency plans to assist Australian citizens currently in Iran. We remain in close contact with our international partners to monitor the situation.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) also announced that consular staff will be deployed to neighboring Azerbaijan, particularly near the Iranian border, to assist Australians seeking to leave Iran.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that his country has no involvement in the ongoing military conflict between Iran and Israel. Speaking from Seattle on his way to the G7 Summit in Canada, Albanese confirmed that no request for military assistance had been received and that the situation is being closely monitored. Meanwhile, the Australian government is providing consular support to its citizens in the region. The UK has already deployed military aircraft to the Middle East.

An Australian court sentenced BJP leader Balesh Dhankar to 40 years in prison for sexually assaulting five South Korean women. Dhankar, 43, lured victims with fake job ads, drugged them, and recorded the assaults. He meticulously documented victims’ details in an Excel sheet. Convicted of 39 crimes, including 13 sexual assaults, his actions have sparked outrage. His past involvement with BJP and the Hindu Council of Australia raises concerns about leadership ethics. The case questions BJP’s and Modi government’s commitment to women’s safety.

China has fired flares at an Australian reconnaissance aircraft over the disputed South China Sea, triggering fresh tensions. According to Australian officials, a Chinese J-16 fighter jet released flares near an Australian P-8 surveillance aircraft in contested waters.

Australia’s defense department has lodged a formal complaint, expressing concerns over the incident. Beijing, however, defended its actions, stating that the Australian aircraft had entered its territory illegally, and the response was a restrained yet professional enforcement of its sovereignty.

Under immense pressure from a record run chase, Australia found themselves at 136 for 4 while chasing 352. That’s when Josh Inglis emerged as a superhuman force. His unbeaten century powered Australia to victory with 15 balls and five wickets in hand, dismantling England’s massive total. England had earlier set a daunting target of 351 runs in 50 overs, with batter Ben Duckett scoring a record-breaking 165—the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. Previously, the record was held jointly by Nathan Astle and Grant Flower, both scoring 145. Yet, despite Duckett’s heroics, England faced a bitter defeat!

A devastating whale stranding has occurred on a beach in Tasmania, Australia, where 157 whales have become trapped. Among them, 67 have already died, while rescue efforts are underway to save the remaining 90.

The stranded whales belong to the false killer whale species, known for their medium-sized black bodies. Australia’s Department of Environment has deployed marine specialists to the site to coordinate rescue operations.

Experts estimate that the whales have been stranded for 24 to 48 hours. Authorities are assessing whether the surviving whales can be safely returned to the ocean. Due to the risks involved, the public has been advised to avoid the area.

Australia clinched a historic Test series victory in Sri Lanka after 14 years, winning the second Test by nine wickets. The visitors dominated the series, securing the first Test convincingly before wrapping up the second with ease. Sri Lanka struggled with the bat, getting bowled out for 257 in the first innings, while Australia responded strongly with 414, gaining a significant 157-run lead. In their second innings, Sri Lanka managed 231 runs, setting Australia a modest target of 75, which they chased down comfortably. The last time Australia won a Test series in Sri Lanka was in 2011.

The Albanese government has banned DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot, from all federal government devices, citing national security concerns. The ban follows advice from intelligence agencies, warning of an unacceptable risk to Australia’s assets. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized that the decision is based on security, not the app’s country of origin. The move comes after similar actions from Taiwan, Italy, and some U.S. federal agencies. The government will ensure the app is removed from all devices and cannot be reinstalled.