‘We are seeing bodies recovered all over, up and down': Texas flood death toll rises as Trump declares major disaster
Latest posts
6.56am
By Michael Koziol
Overseas, the death toll from catastrophic floods in central Texas has risen to 70, with many adults and children still missing, as President Donald Trump declared a major disaster over what he called an 'unimaginable tragedy'.
In the worst-affected region, Kerr County, authorities said 59 people were confirmed dead – 38 adults and 21 children – while 11 children and a counsellor from the Camp Mystic summer camp were still missing.
Read the story by our US correspondent, Michael Koziol, here.
6.56am
Victorian Premier launches new anti-hate taskforce, set to visit firebombed synagogue
By Kieran Rooney, Wendy Tuohy and Alexander Darling
A new anti-hate taskforce will be assembled by the Allan government as it scrambles to beef up efforts to address antisemitism in Victoria following a new round of attacks on Friday, last week.
In Melbourne's CBD on Sunday, pro-Palestinian protesters including children chanted 'Death to the IDF' at a demonstration that went ahead less than 48 hours after the antisemitic attacks, which included an attack on East Melbourne Synagogue while children and families were inside.
Premier Jacinta Allan, is expected to visit East Melbourne Synagogue today and will announce that the new anti-hate taskforce will meet this week for the first time.
Read the full story here.
6.56am
This morning's headlines at a glance
By Emily Kowal
Good morning and welcome to today's national news blog. My name is Emily Kowal, and I will be getting our coverage started this morning.
It's Monday, July 7.
Here's what's making news this morning.
After being ignored, sidelined and marginalised, brave women in Australia's armed forces are speaking up about Defence's failures to act on sexual violence against its own people.
In NSW, former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas has been warned to 'prepare for worst' after suffering a serious eye injury caused when police broke up an anti-Israel protest in Sydney last month.
In Victoria, a new anti-hate taskforce will be assembled by the Allan government as it scrambles to beef up efforts to address antisemitism in Victoria following a new round of attacks on Friday.
'unimaginable tragedy'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
an hour ago
- Courier-Mail
Lawyer claims Hannah Thomas ‘punched in face' by cop at anti-Israel protest
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Lawyers have claimed a police officer used excessive force with 'brutal and life-changing consequences' when former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas was allegedly 'punched in the face' during a scuffle at an anti-Israel protest. Ms Thomas was involved in a protest picketing SEC Plating in Belmore in Sydney's southwest on June 27, following reports the company provided jet components used by the Israel Defence Forces. Police issued a move-on order to about 60 people, but a scuffle broke out when some failed to comply with directions, a NSW Police spokesperson previously said. Ms Thomas was pictured with a swollen eye and blood caked on her face following the protest, with the former Greens candidate claiming she may have suffered permanent vision damage as a result. Former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas was charged over an anti-Israel protest in June. Picture: Supplied. She was spotted with a swollen eye and blood dripping down her face following the protest. Picture: Supplied. Ms Thomas was charged with hinder/resist police and refuse to comply with direction to disperse, with an additional charge related to a rarely-used emergency anti-riot power since dropped. Her lawyer, Peter O'Brien from O'Brien Solicitors, has since called for all charges against Ms Thomas to be dropped, claiming he is 'satisfied' his client was 'punched in the face'. 'My office has now viewed all available footage of the incident giving rise to the moments leading to the injury to Ms Thomas' eye on the 27th of June, and I am satisfied that Ms Thomas was punched in the face by a male police officer, causing extensive and serious injury to her eye,' Mr O'Brien said in a statement. Mr O'Brien claimed Ms Thomas was an 'innocent victim of gratuitous police brutality', condemning the actions of police as 'completely and entirely unjustifiable'. He said he's called on the NSW Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to withdraw all the charges, and confirmed Ms Thomas would file a civil claim for compensation against the state over her 'apprehension, injury, detention, and prosecution'. 'It is our position that the charges against Ms Thomas are wholly unsustainable and should be immediately withdrawn,' Mr O'Brien said. Ms Thomas challenged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the federal seat of Grayndler at the federal election earlier this year. Picture: Tim Hunter. He argued the charge of resisting police could not hold up, citing claims police were acting outside their powers by enforcing an unlawful direction and using excessive force 'with brutal and life-changing consequences'. Further, failing to comply with a direction would 'most certainly fail', he claimed. 'The charge of failing to comply with a direction will most certainly fail as the direction was plainly and on its face unlawful, and reflected the directing police officer's complete misunderstanding of the law,' Mr O'Brien said. He noted it was 'not ordinary' for lawyers to comment on cases against their clients, but that there were 'such stark and serious concerns' raised by evidence which required an immediate public response. 'This is especially so where comments have been made by senior police officials and politicians downplaying the gravity of the incident, apparently justifying police actions and comments that have been detrimental to my client's position,' Mr O'Brien said. Peter O'Brien from O'Brien solicitors has called for all charges against Ms Thomas to be dropped. Picture: Supplied Ms Thomas earlier claimed her injuries were a result of the 'draconian anti-protest laws' currently subject to a constitutional challenge in the NSW Supreme Court launched on behalf of the Palestine Action Group. The laws in question gave police fresh powers to prevent protesters from harassing, intimidating or threatening people accessing or leaving — or attempting to access or leave — places of worship, with a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment. The laws were brought in less than a month after news of an explosives-laden caravan being found in Dural broke, which later proved to be a fake terrorism plot rather than an anti-Semitic attack. Mr O'Brien claimed it was 'noteworthy' the incident at the June protest happened amid an attempt by the state government to broaden police powers regarding public assemblies, which he called 'arguably contrary to constitutional principles'. 'It cannot be known what goes through the mind of a police officer who uses gratuitous violence like this, but the context and timing appear unavoidably revealing,' Mr O'Brien said. Ms Thomas is set to face Bankstown Local Court on August 12. Four others were handed various charges following the protest in June. NSW Police were unable to comment on calls for the charges to be dropped, or Mr O'Brien's claims, as a critical incident investigation remains ongoing. The ODPP declined to comment on the matter as it's before the court. Originally published as Lawyer claims Hannah Thomas was 'punched in the face' by cop at anti-Israel protest
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
‘Disturbing' anti-Israel video claims responsibility for Melbourne car-bombing
Sky News host Chris Kenny has reacted to a 'disturbing' anti-Israel video which links anti-Israel rhetoric with anti-imperialism and Indigenous rights in a 'bizarre rant'. 'In this disturbing video, now the subject of a police investigation, the speaker claims responsibility for this car-bombing a week ago at a Melbourne technology firm involved in defence industry work, including for the Joint Strike Fighter used by the US, UK and Australia, among other nations, with technological co-operation from Israel,' Mr Kenny said. 'The new threatening video even includes tips on how to firebomb cars. 'This is worrying stuff, as you can see. And it comes hot on the heels of last week's firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne, and a violent anti-Israel protest at a Melbourne restaurant.'
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Donald Trump confirms ‘unusual' UK visit after King Charles' invitation
News Corp Europe correspondent Sophie Elsworth discusses King Charles III inviting United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a second state visit to the UK in September. This will be Mr Trump's first visit in his renewed presidency, as second-term presidents are not traditionally invited to return for a state visit. The timing is notable as the president will not be able to address the Houses of Parliament due to their break, avoiding potential political backlash from anti-Trump UK politicians, causing controversy in British media.
