Scott Morrison tells US Australia risks going to sleep on China threat after diplomatic ‘charm and flattery’

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Former prime minister warns US House of Representatives committee Australia must do more to resist the security threat posed by China

The Chinese Communist party hopes Western democracies “go to sleep on the threat” it poses to the international order, former prime minister Scott Morrison has told a congressional committee in the US.

In a forthright appearance before the hawkish US House of Representatives select committee on the strategic competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist party, Morrison said China had changed diplomatic tack after he lost the 2022 election to Anthony Albanese.

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Wildfire kills at least 10 forest workers and rescuers battling blaze in Turkey

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High temperatures and strong winds fan fires between Istanbul and Ankara forcing evacuation of several villages

A wildfire killed at least 10 forest workers and rescuers on Wednesday who were battling to douse the flames near Eskişehir in western Turkey, authorities said.

The agriculture minister, İbrahim Yumakli, said the fire killed five forest workers and five rescuers. Local lawmaker Nebi Hatipoğlu and news website BirGün had earlier said 11 had died.

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Albanese government worse than Morrison era at producing documents for public scrutiny, report finds

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Labor’s first term saw second-worst performance since 1993 in complying with Senate orders for documents, data shows

The Centre for Public Integrity has accused the Albanese government of having a poorer record than the Morrison government for producing documents for public scrutiny, with a leading barrister warning Labor’s landslide win may further entrench secrecy.

The warning comes after the centre assessed the government’s response to freedom-of-information applications, a tool that allows anyone an opportunity to request documents that are not publicly available.

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Hamas responds to Gaza truce offer with ‘unacceptable’ new demands — mediators – The Times of Israel

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  1. Hamas responds to Gaza truce offer with ‘unacceptable’ new demands — mediators  The Times of Israel
  2. Food Aid Becomes Main Sticking Point in Gaza Cease-Fire Talks  The Wall Street Journal
  3. Israeli official says Jerusalem reviewing latest Hamas response to ceasefire proposal  The Times of Israel
  4. Hamas hands its response on ceasefire proposal to mediators, official close to talks says  Reuters
  5. Source: Hamas Gives Official Response to Cease-fire Deal Proposal 'With Positive Spirit'  Haaretz
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Nations must act on climate change or could be held responsible, top U.N. court rules – NPR

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  1. Nations must act on climate change or could be held responsible, top U.N. court rules  NPR
  2. Opinion | Climate Science Is Now the Law  The New York Times
  3. UN’s top court delivered a landmark opinion on climate justice. What’s next?  PBS
  4. World’s top court says major polluters may need to pay reparations for climate harm  CNN
  5. Australia warned it could face legal action over ‘wrongful’ fossil fuel actions after landmark climate ruling from world’s top court  The Guardian
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World’s smallest-known snake found under rocks in Barbados after nearly 20 years – CBS News

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  1. World's smallest-known snake found under rocks in Barbados after nearly 20 years  CBS News
  2. Snake Species Believed to Be the World's Smallest 'Rediscovered' After Being 'Lost to Science' for 20 Years  People.com
  3. Scientists find the world's smallest snake, once feared extinct, hanging out under a rock  CBC
  4. World’s smallest snake rediscovered in Barbados after 20-year absence  Mongabay
  5. World’s Tiniest Snake Rediscovered After Going MIA For 20 Years  IFLScience
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