
SBS News In Easy English 29 May 2025
A man accused of murder after allegedly burning down a house in Sydney has been arrested on a train with a machete in his trousers. The arrest followed a 15-hour search for the 50 year old, who police allege set fire to the Croydon home before robbing a service station for cigarettes. The body of an 80 year old man was found in the ruins of the burned-out property on Wednesday morning. The man is appearing in Gosford Local Court today . French surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, after pleading guilty to raping and sexually assaulting 299 people. Many of his victims were children and patients in his care, including those who were under anaesthetic when he abused them. Prosecutors say there may be another trial on behalf of those whose victimisation was not included in this case. There are ongoing investigations into whether agencies, including public hospitals, could have prevented the abuse A United Nations aid warehouse in Gaza has been broken into by hungry Palestinians. The UN says two people have died and more have been injured in the incident at the warehouse in central Gaza. The UN is continuing its calls for an immediate scale-up of aid allowed into Gaza by Israel, saying those still there need reassurance they won't starve. UN Middle East envoy Sigrid Kaag says Israel's recent lifting of its blockade has so far been a case of too little, too late. The Tasmanian government has backed away from pursuing a treaty with the state's Indigenous people, four years after the consultation process began. A government-commissioned report tabled in 2021 had recommended working on treaty and truth-telling at the same time. The government says it will instead be focusing on the truth-telling process with the appointment of truth and healing commissioners. It's committed $4.4 million over the next four years for Closing the Gap initiatives and other economic opportunities. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon says he is open to a proposed "Anzac" political mission to Kyiv alongside Anthony Albanese, suggesting the pair have spoken about making it a possibility. Ukraine Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko has invited the pair to visit this European summer, alongside other international summits. Mr Luxon says he received the invitation "a couple of weeks back" and it is under consideration. Mr Albanese has already visited Ukraine, making a two-day visit in July 2022, however Mr Luxon has not done so since taking office in 2023. In rugby league... Queensland coach Billy Slater says his team has to be more disciplined if they want to beat New South Wales. The Maroons must now come from behind to win this year's State of Origin series after losing game one at home, 18 points to 6. Slater says his players have the talent to win, but their discipline let them down. Zac Lomax scored two tries for the Blues in their victory, whilst Blues forward Payne Haas won the official player of the match award. Queensland now must win game two to keep the series alive.
It will be played on the 18th of June, on neutral ground in Perth.

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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Aussie coach Peters seeks redemption for Hull KR
The pain of recent history will weigh heavily on the mind of Australian coach Willie Peters as he plots a path to Challenge Cup final glory for his Hull Kingston Rovers side. Peters has the lingering memories of Rovers' heartbreaking 2023 final loss to Leigh to erase, not to mention a 40-year trophyless streak to explode as his side look to live up to their deserved billing as heavy favourites for Saturday's showdown with Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium. The 46-year-old Sydney-born Peters has told his players, who top the Super League, to embrace the weight of expectation that comes with being the domestic game's pre-eminent force. The club have scarcely looked back since Lachlan Lam's drop-goal denied them their long-awaited triumph in 2023. They were runners-up to Wigan in last October's grand final, four days after Peters had been named Super League coach of the year. East Hull has been awash with reminders that it is four decades since the Robins last lifted major honours, and Peters, who has immersed himself in the club and its community since he arrived as a relatively little-known head coach in 2023, is under no illusions about what a win would mean. "I don't think about what it would mean for me, but I think it about the effect it will have on our club," said Peters, who played halfback for the likes of South Sydney and St George Illawarra before taking up assistant coaching roles with Manly, South Sydney and Newcastle. "The people involved can be legends of this club for a long time, so that excites me. What would excite me would be being in a WhatsApp group for the next 30 or 40 years with the guys who won a Challenge Cup, and being able to come back and meet up. "We are a community club. I have always said our sole aim is to make our community proud, and we have got the chance to do that this weekend." Peters admitted glancing back at certain aspects of the 2023 final but has resisted plunging into the negative emotions that followed that loss, pointing out his side's ability to shrug it off almost immediately and finish their domestic campaign on a high. "I've watched some segments of the (2023) final because I know what I want to use this week, not so much about the emotions but around different actions in the game," added Peters. "If you talk about where you want to go, I believe that's a stronger emotion, so that's what I will be tapping into." Peters' opposite number, Sam Burgess, will also be on a mission at the London final, where Warrington will be attempting to erase memories of last year's miserable 18-8 final defeat by Wigan. But his side have been ravaged by injuries this season and languish in eighth place in the Super League. The pain of recent history will weigh heavily on the mind of Australian coach Willie Peters as he plots a path to Challenge Cup final glory for his Hull Kingston Rovers side. Peters has the lingering memories of Rovers' heartbreaking 2023 final loss to Leigh to erase, not to mention a 40-year trophyless streak to explode as his side look to live up to their deserved billing as heavy favourites for Saturday's showdown with Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium. The 46-year-old Sydney-born Peters has told his players, who top the Super League, to embrace the weight of expectation that comes with being the domestic game's pre-eminent force. The club have scarcely looked back since Lachlan Lam's drop-goal denied them their long-awaited triumph in 2023. They were runners-up to Wigan in last October's grand final, four days after Peters had been named Super League coach of the year. East Hull has been awash with reminders that it is four decades since the Robins last lifted major honours, and Peters, who has immersed himself in the club and its community since he arrived as a relatively little-known head coach in 2023, is under no illusions about what a win would mean. "I don't think about what it would mean for me, but I think it about the effect it will have on our club," said Peters, who played halfback for the likes of South Sydney and St George Illawarra before taking up assistant coaching roles with Manly, South Sydney and Newcastle. "The people involved can be legends of this club for a long time, so that excites me. What would excite me would be being in a WhatsApp group for the next 30 or 40 years with the guys who won a Challenge Cup, and being able to come back and meet up. "We are a community club. I have always said our sole aim is to make our community proud, and we have got the chance to do that this weekend." Peters admitted glancing back at certain aspects of the 2023 final but has resisted plunging into the negative emotions that followed that loss, pointing out his side's ability to shrug it off almost immediately and finish their domestic campaign on a high. "I've watched some segments of the (2023) final because I know what I want to use this week, not so much about the emotions but around different actions in the game," added Peters. "If you talk about where you want to go, I believe that's a stronger emotion, so that's what I will be tapping into." Peters' opposite number, Sam Burgess, will also be on a mission at the London final, where Warrington will be attempting to erase memories of last year's miserable 18-8 final defeat by Wigan. But his side have been ravaged by injuries this season and languish in eighth place in the Super League. The pain of recent history will weigh heavily on the mind of Australian coach Willie Peters as he plots a path to Challenge Cup final glory for his Hull Kingston Rovers side. Peters has the lingering memories of Rovers' heartbreaking 2023 final loss to Leigh to erase, not to mention a 40-year trophyless streak to explode as his side look to live up to their deserved billing as heavy favourites for Saturday's showdown with Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium. The 46-year-old Sydney-born Peters has told his players, who top the Super League, to embrace the weight of expectation that comes with being the domestic game's pre-eminent force. The club have scarcely looked back since Lachlan Lam's drop-goal denied them their long-awaited triumph in 2023. They were runners-up to Wigan in last October's grand final, four days after Peters had been named Super League coach of the year. East Hull has been awash with reminders that it is four decades since the Robins last lifted major honours, and Peters, who has immersed himself in the club and its community since he arrived as a relatively little-known head coach in 2023, is under no illusions about what a win would mean. "I don't think about what it would mean for me, but I think it about the effect it will have on our club," said Peters, who played halfback for the likes of South Sydney and St George Illawarra before taking up assistant coaching roles with Manly, South Sydney and Newcastle. "The people involved can be legends of this club for a long time, so that excites me. What would excite me would be being in a WhatsApp group for the next 30 or 40 years with the guys who won a Challenge Cup, and being able to come back and meet up. "We are a community club. I have always said our sole aim is to make our community proud, and we have got the chance to do that this weekend." Peters admitted glancing back at certain aspects of the 2023 final but has resisted plunging into the negative emotions that followed that loss, pointing out his side's ability to shrug it off almost immediately and finish their domestic campaign on a high. "I've watched some segments of the (2023) final because I know what I want to use this week, not so much about the emotions but around different actions in the game," added Peters. "If you talk about where you want to go, I believe that's a stronger emotion, so that's what I will be tapping into." Peters' opposite number, Sam Burgess, will also be on a mission at the London final, where Warrington will be attempting to erase memories of last year's miserable 18-8 final defeat by Wigan. But his side have been ravaged by injuries this season and languish in eighth place in the Super League.

News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
France opens 'complicity in genocide' probes over blocked Gaza aid
French anti-terror prosecutors have opened probes into "complicity in genocide" and "incitement to genocide" after French-Israelis allegedly blocked aid intended for war-torn Gaza last year, they said on Friday. The two investigations, opened after legal complaints, were also to look into possible "complicity in crimes against humanity" between January and May 2024, the anti-terror prosecutor's office (PNAT) said. They are the first known probes in France to be looking into alleged violations of international law in Gaza, several sources with knowledge of the cases told AFP. In a separate case made public on the same day, the grandmother of two children with French nationality who were killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza has filed a legal complaint in Paris, accusing Israel of "genocide" and "murder", her lawyer said. The French judiciary has jurisdiction when French citizens are involved in such cases. Rights groups, lawyers and some Israeli historians have described the Gaza war as "genocide". Israel, created in the aftermath of the Nazi Holocaust of Jews during World War II, vehemently rejects the accusation. The French probes were opened after two separate legal complaints. In the first, the Jewish French Union for Peace (UFJP) and a French-Palestinian victim filed a complaint in November targeting alleged French members of hardline pro-Israel groups "Israel is forever" and "Tzav-9". It accused them of "physically" preventing the passage of trucks at border checkpoints controlled by the Israeli army. Lawyers for the plaintiffs, Damia Taharraoui and Marion Lafouge, told AFP they were happy a probe had been launched into the events in January 2024 -- "a time when no-one wanted to hear anything about genocide". A source close to the case said prosecutors last month urged the investigation in relation to events at the Nitzana crossing point between Egypt and Israel, and the Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel into Gaza. Around that time, hardline Israeli protesters -- including friends and relatives of hostages held in Gaza -- blocked aid lorries from entering the occupied Palestinian territory and forced them to turn back at Kerem Shalom. A second complaint from a group called the Lawyers for Justice in the Middle East (CAPJO) accused members of "Israel is forever" of having blocked aid trucks. It used photos, videos and public statements to back up its complaint. - 'Genocide' complaint - No court has so far concluded that the ongoing conflict is a genocide. But in rulings in January, March and May 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations' highest judicial organ, told Israel to do everything possible to "prevent" acts of genocide during its military operations in Gaza, including through allowing in urgently needed aid. In the separate case, Jacqueline Rivault, the grandmother of six- and nine-year-old children killed in an Israeli strike, filed her complaint accusing Israel of "genocide" and "murder" with the crimes against humanity section of the Court of Paris, lawyer Arie Alimi said. Though formally against unnamed parties, the complaint explicitly targets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli government and the military. The complaint states that an Israeli missile strike killed Janna, six, and Abderrahim Abudaher, nine, in northern Gaza on October 24, 2023. "We believe these children are dead as part of a deliberate organised policy targeting the whole of Gaza's population with a possible genocidal intent," Alimi said. The children's brother Omar, now five, was severely wounded but still lives in Gaza with their mother, identified as Yasmine Z., the complaint said. A French court in 2019 convicted Yasmine Z. in absentia of having funded a "terrorist" group over giving money in Gaza to members of Palestinian militant groups Hamas and the Islamic Jihad. - Famine warnings - Israel said last month it was easing the complete blockade of Gaza it imposed on March 2 but on May 30 the United Nations said the territory's entire population of more than two million people remained at risk of famine. A US-backed aid group last week began distributions but reports that the Israeli military shot dead dozens of Palestinians trying to collect food has sparked widespread condemnation. The UN and major aid organisations have refused to cooperate with the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund, citing concerns that it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives. Hamas fighters launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. A total of 1,218 people died, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. The militants abducted 251 hostages, 55 of whom remain in Gaza, including 32 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory war on Hamas-run Gaza has killed 54,677 people, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry there, figures the United Nations deems reliable. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. It also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif over similar allegations linked to the October 7 attack but the case against him was dropped in February after confirmation Israel had killed him.


Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Aussie coach Peters seeks redemption for Hull KR
The pain of recent history will weigh heavily on the mind of Australian coach Willie Peters as he plots a path to Challenge Cup final glory for his Hull Kingston Rovers side. Peters has the lingering memories of Rovers' heartbreaking 2023 final loss to Leigh to erase, not to mention a 40-year trophyless streak to explode as his side look to live up to their deserved billing as heavy favourites for Saturday's showdown with Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium. The 46-year-old Sydney-born Peters has told his players, who top the Super League, to embrace the weight of expectation that comes with being the domestic game's pre-eminent force. The club have scarcely looked back since Lachlan Lam's drop-goal denied them their long-awaited triumph in 2023. They were runners-up to Wigan in last October's grand final, four days after Peters had been named Super League coach of the year. East Hull has been awash with reminders that it is four decades since the Robins last lifted major honours, and Peters, who has immersed himself in the club and its community since he arrived as a relatively little-known head coach in 2023, is under no illusions about what a win would mean. "I don't think about what it would mean for me, but I think it about the effect it will have on our club," said Peters, who played halfback for the likes of South Sydney and St George Illawarra before taking up assistant coaching roles with Manly, South Sydney and Newcastle. "The people involved can be legends of this club for a long time, so that excites me. What would excite me would be being in a WhatsApp group for the next 30 or 40 years with the guys who won a Challenge Cup, and being able to come back and meet up. "We are a community club. I have always said our sole aim is to make our community proud, and we have got the chance to do that this weekend." Peters admitted glancing back at certain aspects of the 2023 final but has resisted plunging into the negative emotions that followed that loss, pointing out his side's ability to shrug it off almost immediately and finish their domestic campaign on a high. "I've watched some segments of the (2023) final because I know what I want to use this week, not so much about the emotions but around different actions in the game," added Peters. "If you talk about where you want to go, I believe that's a stronger emotion, so that's what I will be tapping into." Peters' opposite number, Sam Burgess, will also be on a mission at the London final, where Warrington will be attempting to erase memories of last year's miserable 18-8 final defeat by Wigan. But his side have been ravaged by injuries this season and languish in eighth place in the Super League.