WA news LIVE: Youths ‘surrounded, attacked' police officer outside stadium, court hears
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9.31am
Officer tells court he was 'surrounded, attacked'
A WA Police officer has described the moment he was surrounded and attacked outside Optus Stadium in an attempt to seize an ebike he says was being used unlawfully.
An 'ride-out' late last December in the city grabbed police attention, with a mass of youths on bikes and scooters reportedly doing wheelies and kicking cars.
Senior Constable Mark Cooper spotted one group of boys at Optus Stadium and told them he would seize a bike after seeing it used unsafely.
Then, as he told a Perth court yesterday, he was surrounded by nearly 30 youths who were yelling at them, one a 16-year-old boy who allegedly moved closer and asked him if he wanted a kiss.
Cooper took it as a headbutt threat and attempted to make an arrest, when the teen allegedly turned violent. Cooper told the court he was punched in the face and pushed against a wall, left with injuries including a cut to his face that needed stitches.
The defence told the court the arrest was unlawful, there was no reasonable threat of an assault, the 16-year-old was only being cheeky by puckering his lips and asking about the kiss, and he had a right to resist.
The case continues today.
9.31am
The news further afield
By Daniel Lo Surdo
Here's a little more on those major national and international headlines this morning:
US President Donald Trump has called his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, after speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a high-powered European delegation in the White House to end the war in Ukraine earlier today. No ceasefire or peace deal has been struck, and, according to Trump, won't be achieved until he, Zelensky and Putin meet.
The federal government's three-day economic reform roundtable will begin today, with government, business and union leaders gathering at Parliament House to discuss measures to boost productivity. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has signalled plans to remove unnecessary regulations stalling building and housing approvals, and said that discussions would shape federal budgets for the next three years.
Hamas agreed to a 60-day ceasefire proposal with Israel that includes the return of half the hostages held in Gaza and Israel's release of some Palestinian prisoners, an Egyptian official source said. Israel is yet to respond to the Hamas proposal, but an Israeli source confirmed it's been received. Egypt and Qatar have been mediating between both sides with US support.
9.28am
Today's weather
9.27am
Welcome to our live news blog
Good morning readers, and welcome to our live news blog for Tuesday, August 19.
Making headlines today is the sad news that broke late on Monday that a baby's body had been found in a stormwater drain in Perth's north.
Officers were called to La Salle Road in Alexander Heights about 1pm.
Ambulance crews were also called out to the street, but were soon stood down.
Police have also put out an alert to maternity hospitals across the city, with concerns held for the infant's mother.
You can read more here, and we'll keep you updated on the story as the day progresses.
Meanwhile, today we're also live-blogging Trump's effort to secure a peace deal national economic roundtable.
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The walkout of writers shows how promiscuous the politics of safety can be
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Sydney Morning Herald
41 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The walkout of writers shows how promiscuous the politics of safety can be
What might we discern from the wreckage of the Bendigo Writers Festival? To recap, nearly 60 per cent of its participants withdrew on the eve of the festival, protesting the last-minute introduction of a code of conduct. That code, drafted by La Trobe University (which was presenting some sessions), required participants to have 'conversations that are inclusive, thoughtful and welcoming to diverse perspectives,' and 'avoid language or topics that could be considered inflammatory, divisive or disrespectful'. Appended, were definitions of both antisemitism and Islamophobia, inviting the reasonable inference that the war on Gaza was top of organisers' minds. Ultimately, more than 20 sessions were cancelled, including both opening and closing ceremonies. It later emerged that an antisemitism advocacy group had pressured the festival to remove an ardent Palestinian-Australian speaker on grounds of alleged antisemitism. The whole thing was, to be frank, disastrous. The reasons for writers' withdrawals are subtly varied. Some withdrew as an act of solidarity, over what they saw as the silencing of Palestinian voices. A related argument criticised the code of conduct for silencing criticism of Israel, and especially stifling discussion of genocide which is inherently 'inflammatory' and 'divisive'. Another objection regarded the guidelines as impossibly vague and unworkable. The broadest objection, articulated most clearly by the Australian Society of Authors, reiterated in bold type the inviolable principle that 'freedom of expression is a fundamental right'. Hereabouts, there's a tension. The festival organisers explained that La Trobe introduced the code because it 'felt it was necessary to emphasise the importance of safety and wellbeing for all participants'. If that language strikes you as familiar, it's because it distils progressive politics' dominant expression over the past decade or so. It is in progressives' hands that confronting speech has been reconceived, not as offensive, but as unsafe. On this basis, speech could constitute harm, or even 'violence', and therefore be curtailed. Such safety discourse became all the rage, especially on university campuses where various academics and invited speakers faced regular student complaints or student-led 'deplatforming' campaigns. Loading Until two years ago, such claims have always revolved around speech alleged to be racist, misogynist, homophobic or transphobic. That is, they have gathered around matters of progressive concern, and policed a progressive consensus (with some complications around transphobia). The kink in the Bendigo Writers Festival was that 'safetyism' was being invoked in the name of a cause progressives largely reject. In the chiefly progressive context of a writers' festival, the politics of safety short-circuited. Gaza has cut diagonally across such principles. Conservatives, whether in the Coalition or on the editorial pages of the Murdoch press, once positioned themselves as free-speech crusaders against safetyism, denouncing it as a censorious means of imposing leftist orthodoxy by force. Now, they suddenly find themselves policing protests, arguing that the speech of some make Jews feel unsafe, especially on university campuses. The same people who campaigned to abolish racial vilification laws like section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, began to demand punishment of what they considered antisemitic speech. Coalition senators began grilling university administrators in committee hearings about campus protests, and insisted they listen to the 'lived experience' of Australian Jews – effortlessly borrowing from the progressive glossary. Meanwhile, progressives found themselves unmoved by claims that Jews felt unsafe on university campuses or in the city amid ongoing protest. This was summarily dismissed not only as a matter of fact, but on the basis that such feelings could not trump the right to speech and protest. Gaza has led lots of people to adopt principles they had previously opposed. Free speech and safetyism have been swapped like trading cards.
The Advertiser
41 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Israel to begin Gaza ceasefire talks to end war: PM
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel will immediately resume negotiations for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and an end to the nearly two-year-old war, but on terms acceptable to Israel. It was Netanyahu's first response to a temporary ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar that Hamas accepted on Monday. Speaking to soldiers near Israel's border with Gaza, Netanyahu said he was still set on approving plans for defeating Hamas and capturing Gaza City, the densely populated centre at the heart of the Palestinian enclave. Thousands of Palestinians have left their homes as Israeli tanks have edged closer to Gaza City over the last 10 days. "At the same time I have issued instructions to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and an end to the war on terms acceptable to Israel," he said. "We are in the decision-making phase." 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Netanyahu is under pressure from some far-right members of his coalition to reject a temporary ceasefire and instead continue the war and pursue the annexation of the territory. Some Palestinian families in Gaza City have left for shelters along the coast, while others have moved to central and southern parts of the enclave, according to residents there. "We are facing a bitter, bitter situation: to die at home or leave and die somewhere else. As long as this war continues, survival is uncertain," said Rabah Abu Elias, 67, a father of seven. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel will immediately resume negotiations for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and an end to the nearly two-year-old war, but on terms acceptable to Israel. It was Netanyahu's first response to a temporary ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar that Hamas accepted on Monday. Speaking to soldiers near Israel's border with Gaza, Netanyahu said he was still set on approving plans for defeating Hamas and capturing Gaza City, the densely populated centre at the heart of the Palestinian enclave. Thousands of Palestinians have left their homes as Israeli tanks have edged closer to Gaza City over the last 10 days. "At the same time I have issued instructions to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and an end to the war on terms acceptable to Israel," he said. "We are in the decision-making phase." Israel's plan to seize Gaza City was approved this month by the security cabinet, which Netanyahu chairs, even though many of Israel's closest allies have urged the government to reconsider. His latest remarks underscore the Israeli government's view that any deal ensures the release of all 50 hostages captured in Israel in October 2023 and still held by militants in Gaza. Israeli officials believe around 20 are still alive. The proposal on the table calls for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 living hostages held in Gaza by Hamas militants and of 18 bodies. In turn, Israel would release about 200 long-serving Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Once the temporary ceasefire begins, the proposal is for Hamas and Israel to begin negotiations on a permanent ceasefire that would include the return of the remaining hostages. In a sign of growing despair at conditions in Gaza, residents staged a rare show of protest against the war on Thursday. Carrying banners reading "Save Gaza, enough" and "Gaza is dying by the killing, hunger and oppression," hundreds of people rallied in Gaza City in a march organised by several civil unions. "This is for a clear message: words are finished, and the time has come for action to stop the military operations, to stop the genocide against our people and to stop the massacres taking place daily," said Palestinian journalist Tawfik Abu Jarad during the protest. The Gaza health ministry said at least 70 people had been killed in Israeli fire in the enclave in the past 24 hours, including eight people in a house in Sabra suburb in Gaza City. Even as the military begins its preparations to launch the assault on Gaza City, Israeli officials have indicated that there is time for a ceasefire to be reached. On Wednesday, the military called up 60,000 reservists in a sign the government was pressing ahead with the plan, despite international condemnation. Such a call-up is likely to take weeks. Netanyahu is under pressure from some far-right members of his coalition to reject a temporary ceasefire and instead continue the war and pursue the annexation of the territory. Some Palestinian families in Gaza City have left for shelters along the coast, while others have moved to central and southern parts of the enclave, according to residents there. "We are facing a bitter, bitter situation: to die at home or leave and die somewhere else. As long as this war continues, survival is uncertain," said Rabah Abu Elias, 67, a father of seven. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel will immediately resume negotiations for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and an end to the nearly two-year-old war, but on terms acceptable to Israel. It was Netanyahu's first response to a temporary ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar that Hamas accepted on Monday. Speaking to soldiers near Israel's border with Gaza, Netanyahu said he was still set on approving plans for defeating Hamas and capturing Gaza City, the densely populated centre at the heart of the Palestinian enclave. Thousands of Palestinians have left their homes as Israeli tanks have edged closer to Gaza City over the last 10 days. "At the same time I have issued instructions to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and an end to the war on terms acceptable to Israel," he said. "We are in the decision-making phase." Israel's plan to seize Gaza City was approved this month by the security cabinet, which Netanyahu chairs, even though many of Israel's closest allies have urged the government to reconsider. His latest remarks underscore the Israeli government's view that any deal ensures the release of all 50 hostages captured in Israel in October 2023 and still held by militants in Gaza. Israeli officials believe around 20 are still alive. The proposal on the table calls for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 living hostages held in Gaza by Hamas militants and of 18 bodies. In turn, Israel would release about 200 long-serving Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Once the temporary ceasefire begins, the proposal is for Hamas and Israel to begin negotiations on a permanent ceasefire that would include the return of the remaining hostages. In a sign of growing despair at conditions in Gaza, residents staged a rare show of protest against the war on Thursday. Carrying banners reading "Save Gaza, enough" and "Gaza is dying by the killing, hunger and oppression," hundreds of people rallied in Gaza City in a march organised by several civil unions. "This is for a clear message: words are finished, and the time has come for action to stop the military operations, to stop the genocide against our people and to stop the massacres taking place daily," said Palestinian journalist Tawfik Abu Jarad during the protest. The Gaza health ministry said at least 70 people had been killed in Israeli fire in the enclave in the past 24 hours, including eight people in a house in Sabra suburb in Gaza City. Even as the military begins its preparations to launch the assault on Gaza City, Israeli officials have indicated that there is time for a ceasefire to be reached. On Wednesday, the military called up 60,000 reservists in a sign the government was pressing ahead with the plan, despite international condemnation. Such a call-up is likely to take weeks. Netanyahu is under pressure from some far-right members of his coalition to reject a temporary ceasefire and instead continue the war and pursue the annexation of the territory. Some Palestinian families in Gaza City have left for shelters along the coast, while others have moved to central and southern parts of the enclave, according to residents there. "We are facing a bitter, bitter situation: to die at home or leave and die somewhere else. As long as this war continues, survival is uncertain," said Rabah Abu Elias, 67, a father of seven. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel will immediately resume negotiations for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and an end to the nearly two-year-old war, but on terms acceptable to Israel. It was Netanyahu's first response to a temporary ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar that Hamas accepted on Monday. Speaking to soldiers near Israel's border with Gaza, Netanyahu said he was still set on approving plans for defeating Hamas and capturing Gaza City, the densely populated centre at the heart of the Palestinian enclave. Thousands of Palestinians have left their homes as Israeli tanks have edged closer to Gaza City over the last 10 days. "At the same time I have issued instructions to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and an end to the war on terms acceptable to Israel," he said. "We are in the decision-making phase." Israel's plan to seize Gaza City was approved this month by the security cabinet, which Netanyahu chairs, even though many of Israel's closest allies have urged the government to reconsider. His latest remarks underscore the Israeli government's view that any deal ensures the release of all 50 hostages captured in Israel in October 2023 and still held by militants in Gaza. Israeli officials believe around 20 are still alive. The proposal on the table calls for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 living hostages held in Gaza by Hamas militants and of 18 bodies. In turn, Israel would release about 200 long-serving Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Once the temporary ceasefire begins, the proposal is for Hamas and Israel to begin negotiations on a permanent ceasefire that would include the return of the remaining hostages. In a sign of growing despair at conditions in Gaza, residents staged a rare show of protest against the war on Thursday. Carrying banners reading "Save Gaza, enough" and "Gaza is dying by the killing, hunger and oppression," hundreds of people rallied in Gaza City in a march organised by several civil unions. "This is for a clear message: words are finished, and the time has come for action to stop the military operations, to stop the genocide against our people and to stop the massacres taking place daily," said Palestinian journalist Tawfik Abu Jarad during the protest. The Gaza health ministry said at least 70 people had been killed in Israeli fire in the enclave in the past 24 hours, including eight people in a house in Sabra suburb in Gaza City. Even as the military begins its preparations to launch the assault on Gaza City, Israeli officials have indicated that there is time for a ceasefire to be reached. On Wednesday, the military called up 60,000 reservists in a sign the government was pressing ahead with the plan, despite international condemnation. Such a call-up is likely to take weeks. Netanyahu is under pressure from some far-right members of his coalition to reject a temporary ceasefire and instead continue the war and pursue the annexation of the territory. Some Palestinian families in Gaza City have left for shelters along the coast, while others have moved to central and southern parts of the enclave, according to residents there. "We are facing a bitter, bitter situation: to die at home or leave and die somewhere else. As long as this war continues, survival is uncertain," said Rabah Abu Elias, 67, a father of seven.
