Australia news LIVE: Israel calls on 60,000 reservists for full Gaza offensive; Tax reform to be discussed on final day of roundtable
Latest posts
6.53am
Macron responds as Israel readies Gaza assault
By David Crowe
French President Emmanuel Macron has hit back at a furious attack from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a decision to recognise a Palestinian state, deepening a dispute with parallels to an argument between Israel and Australia.
Macron accused Netanyahu of a 'manipulation' of the facts in the Israeli leader's claim this week that the French president had fuelled antisemitism with his decision on Palestinian statehood.
The assertive response followed a blistering letter from Netanyahu to Macron last Sunday, released to the media, that blamed the French president for the 'appeasement' of Hamas and suggested that history would not forgive him.
'Antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders stay silent. It retreats when leaders ac,' Netanyahu said to Macron.
6.49am
Trump urges Federal Reserve governor to quit
President Donald Trump called on Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook to resign after a staunch ally called for an investigation of the board member's mortgages, intensifying his campaign on the central bank.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Cook over a pair of mortgages, the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to increase legal scrutiny of Democratic figures and appointees. Cook was nominated to the Fed by former President Joe Biden.
Trump said Wednesday that Cook 'must resign now,' citing Pulte's allegations, while the FHFA head posted on social media that the accusations give Trump 'cause to fire' her.
Bloomberg, AP
6.43am
What's making news today
By Daniel Lo Surdo
Hello and welcome to the national news blog. My name is Daniel Lo Surdo, and I'll be helming our live coverage this morning.
Here's what is making news today:
Israel has announced the first steps to take over Gaza City after calling up 60,000 military reservists to support the expanded operation. The new phase of operations is expected to occur in some of Gaza's most densely populated areas, and comes after French President Emmanuel Macron hit back at Benjamin Netanyahu following the Israeli leader's claim that Macron had fuelled antisemitism by announcing France's imminent recognition of Palestine.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers' economic reform roundtable will enter its final day this morning, after a group of government, business and union leaders discussed tangible measures to improve Australia's lagging productivity levels on Wednesday. Today's discussions will focus on improving budget sustainability and tax reform, with Chalmers expected to deliver his closing remarks this afternoon.
Health Minister Mark Butler has defended his plan to divert children with autism or developmental delay from the National Disability Insurance Scheme from mid-2027, insisting that these children won't be left out as they're enrolled in a new 'Thriving Kids' support scheme. Butler announced the changes in a National Press Club address on Wednesday as part of measures to rein in NDIS spending.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
24 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Excessive': Trump rejoices as $700m New York fraud fine tossed out
New York: A Manhattan appeals court struck down a roughly $US500 million ($780 million) fraud penalty against US President Donald Trump and his company, even as it upheld the finding that he broke the law by inflating the value of assets such as Mar-a-Lago. A five-judge panel on Thursday, New York time, agreed with Trump that the size of the fine was unconstitutionally 'excessive'. The long-awaited ruling by New York's intermediate appeals court is a major victory for Trump over New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office brought the case, though other aspects of the April 2024 judgment remain intact. On top of the financial penalty, Trump and his sons faced a temporary ban on serving as corporate officers in New York. The company was also ordered to submit its financial records for review by an independent monitor. Those sanctions stand, though they remain on hold for possible further appeal by Trump. In a statement, James said her office would challenge the ruling at the New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest court. She also stressed that 'yet another court has ruled that the president violated the law'. Still, the massive fine had been the heart of Justice Arthur Engoron's judgment. The judge had ordered Trump last year to pay $US355 million in penalties after finding that he flagrantly padded financial statements provided to lenders and insurers. With interest, the sum has topped $US515 million. Additional penalties for executives at his company, the Trump Organisation, including sons Eric and Donald Trump jnr, have brought the total to $US527 million with interest. The elimination of the fine adds to the list of Trump's legal woes that have essentially melted away since he won re-election as president. The Justice Department dropped two federal criminal cases agaist him, citing a longstanding policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Though he was convicted of falsifying business records to conceal hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, he was sentenced to no jail time.
The Age
24 minutes ago
- The Age
‘Excessive': Trump rejoices as $700m New York fraud fine tossed out
New York: A Manhattan appeals court struck down a roughly $US500 million ($780 million) fraud penalty against US President Donald Trump and his company, even as it upheld the finding that he broke the law by inflating the value of assets such as Mar-a-Lago. A five-judge panel on Thursday, New York time, agreed with Trump that the size of the fine was unconstitutionally 'excessive'. The long-awaited ruling by New York's intermediate appeals court is a major victory for Trump over New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office brought the case, though other aspects of the April 2024 judgment remain intact. On top of the financial penalty, Trump and his sons faced a temporary ban on serving as corporate officers in New York. The company was also ordered to submit its financial records for review by an independent monitor. Those sanctions stand, though they remain on hold for possible further appeal by Trump. In a statement, James said her office would challenge the ruling at the New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest court. She also stressed that 'yet another court has ruled that the president violated the law'. Still, the massive fine had been the heart of Justice Arthur Engoron's judgment. The judge had ordered Trump last year to pay $US355 million in penalties after finding that he flagrantly padded financial statements provided to lenders and insurers. With interest, the sum has topped $US515 million. Additional penalties for executives at his company, the Trump Organisation, including sons Eric and Donald Trump jnr, have brought the total to $US527 million with interest. The elimination of the fine adds to the list of Trump's legal woes that have essentially melted away since he won re-election as president. The Justice Department dropped two federal criminal cases agaist him, citing a longstanding policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Though he was convicted of falsifying business records to conceal hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, he was sentenced to no jail time.
Canberra Times
24 minutes ago
- Canberra Times
Netanyahu amplifies attack on Albanese as rift deepens
"When Prime Minister Albanese and the leaders of France and Britain and others, when they say we'll give them a Palestinian state, they are actually rewarding terror, they are saying it doesn't matter what horrors you people do," Mr Netanyahu said.
