Australia news LIVE: Netanyahu intends to take full control of Gaza; Albanese to consider Palestine recognition without Trump's approval

Sydney Morning Herald

a day ago

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6.49am
Suspect who 'ambushed' two Pennsylvania state troopers in shooting is dead, official says
A suspect who ambushed and shot two Pennsylvania state troopers has died and the troopers were hospitalised, officials said.
The attack took place in the rural area near Thompson, Pennsylvania shortly after 11am on Thursday (local time), state police Colonel Christopher Paris told reporters after he and Governor Josh Shapiro met with one of the wounded officers in a hospital. Both troopers were said to be in stable condition.
Paris said the two troopers, whose full names were not immediately released, 'were dispatched to check the welfare of an individual. And there was additional information about shots being fired'.
'We will have more information about the specifics of how that call came in. But upon their arrival, they were immediately fired upon and ambushed. They are very lucky to be alive,' he said.
One trooper applied a tourniquet to another and a third trooper was able to help rescue them, Paris said.
Pennsylvania US Senator Dave McCormick said in a social media post that he was monitoring the developing situation and expressed empathy for the troopers who were shot.
AP
6.43am
Albanese shies away from major tax overhaul
By Shane Wright
The federal Treasury has conceded Australia's current company tax system is contributing to the nation's poor productivity performance and hurting workers' wages, while warning young people will increasingly shoulder the pain of propping up the budget.
But hopes of a major overhaul of the tax system emerging from Labor's economic summit have been dampened by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
'The only tax policy that we're implementing, is the one that we took to the election, and indeed the one that the Coalition voted against on the floor of the parliament, which is – we're reducing income taxes,' Albanese said on Thursday.
The remarks undermine calls for major tax reform, such as business groups' push for company tax cuts, the Productivity Commission's suggestion of a groundbreaking cashflow tax to spur innovation and independent MP Kate Chaney's plan for a broader GST to be offset with cash handouts.
What's making news today
By Daniel Lo Surdo
Hello and welcome to the national news live blog. My name is Daniel Lo Surdo, and I'll be helming our live coverage this morning.
Here's what is making news today:
Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel intends to take military control of all of Gaza and create a secure zone around the narrow territory, shunning global calls for a ceasefire amid mounting casualties from the war. It comes as Israel's security cabinet meets to discuss plans to intensify its military operation to wipe out Hamas and transfer control of Gaza, with Netanyahu saying the goal would be to hand over government to Arab states, though set no timeframe for this to occur.
Australia is considering recognising a Palestinian state before the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month, following recognition plans from France, the UK and Canada, and doing so without the approval of US President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese brushed off suggestions that he was required to align with the US on Palestinian statehood, saying he led a 'sovereign government' that would make decisions in the national interest.
The Australian sharemarket is set to fall on Friday, following a slide on Wall Street after Trump's latest tariffs took effect on dozens of countries. Trump announced that he would nominate Council of Economic Advisers chairman Stephen Miran to serve as Federal Reserve governor, filling the position vacated by Adriana Kugler's surprise resignation last week. The nomination is subject to approval by the Senate.