TRANSCRIPT
- A report finds economic anxiety is the biggest obstacle to social cohesion
- Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 14, including six bombed while sheltering in tents
- Australia secures its first clean sweep of a T-20 series against Pakistan
A new report reveals how the economy, housing, immigration and conflicts overseas are affecting communities in Australia.
The not-for-profit Scanlon Foundation has released its latest social cohesion index showing relatively stable levels of cohesion with economic concerns shown as the biggest obstacle.
The index surveys 8,000 participants and measures social cohesion in five different areas - worth, social justice and inclusion, acceptance, belonging, and political participation.
While 85 per cent of Australians said they believed multiculturalism is good for the country, anti-immigration sentiment was also on the rise with almost half of respondents believing immigration levels are too high - up from 33 per cent last year.
Report author Dr James O'Donnell, from the Australian National University, says this sentiment is driven by economic struggles faced by Australians with 41 per cent describing themselves as either 'poor or struggling to pay bills.'
"When we're struggling to pay bills we're less likely to say we have a sense of belonging, we're less likely to say we trust others and we trust in government. We're a little bit less accepting of others and our differences and diversity as well."
**
Medical authorities say Israeli military strikes have killed 14 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, including six killed in attacks on tents housing displaced families.
Health officials say four people were killed in an Israeli air strike on a tent encampment in the coastal area of Al-Mawasi, designated by Israel as a humanitarian zone.
Two others were killed in temporary shelters in the southern city of Rafah and another in drone fire.
Mohammed Aboul Hassan says his brother and his family were killed while sheltering in their tent.
“It was a tent sheltering displaced people, and it was hit. My brother was martyred, along with his wife and young children. This is typical of the actions of the enemy; it’s neither the first time nor the last. My brother wasn’t the only one; many others have been martyred in this brutal way—children torn to pieces, civilians shredded. They weren’t carrying weapons or even knew 'the resistance', yet they were ripped apart into fragments.”
This comes after Israel's bombing of a residential building in northern Gaza on Sunday, where local officials say at least 72 were killed.
**
Russia's foreign ministry says there will be what it calls an appropriate response if Ukraine uses long-range missiles to strike inside its territory.
United States officials say President Joe Biden has given his approval for the Storm Shadow missiles to be used in Russian territory.
President Biden has told leaders at the G20 summit in Brazil that the US strongly supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The UK and France also provide the same missiles to Ukraine on the condition they are only used to strike Russian targets that have entered Ukrainian territory.
In other developments, at least 10 people are dead after a missile was shot out of the sky before falling on residential buildings in Odesa.
**
Two teenagers from Melbourne are reported to be in a critical condition in hospitals in Thailand after drinking cocktails in Laos suspected of containing methanol.
The 19-year-old women had been staying in a hostel in the capital Vientiane and became ill after a night out drinking.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it's providing consular assistance to two Australians and their families in Thailand.
**
Outgoing United States ambassador Caroline Kennedy has told Australians they can trust America despite risks from a Donald Trump presidency.
In a farewell speech at the National Press Club, Ms Kennedy says the U-S remains committed to agreements, including the AUKUS partnership.
But she expressed some reservations about the Trump Administration's nominee for Director of National Intelligence and a number of other appointments.
Tulsi Gabbard is one of Mr Trump's most controversial picks.
The former Democrat turned Republican has been accused by critics of being a Russian asset and a danger to national intelligence.
Ms Kennedy says while the appointments are making headlines, they are yet to be approved by the Senate.
"Let's just calm down and wait and see what happens. But obviously that would be a great concern and we'll see who actually gets confirmed."
**
In cricket, Australia has secured its first clean sweep of a T-20 series against Pakistan, winning by seven wickets in the third and final game in Hobart.
A left hamstring injury to Glenn Maxwell was the only dampener as Marcus Stoinis helped propel Australia to victory following wins in Sydney and Brisbane.
Stoinis was slow to get going before whacking five fours and five sixes in an unbeaten 61 runs off 27 balls.
Pakistan had won the toss and started promisingly with 1 for 61 but would ultimately collapse to being all out for 117.
Attention now turns to the first Test of the summer against India on Friday [[22 Nov]].
It's been a decade since Australia last won a test series against India.
Test star Nathan Lyon was a member of that squad and is excited to face the Indian side again after they were recently whitewashed by New Zealand.
"We've got plans for each and every one of the guys. They're a side full of superstars in the batting line up which is exciting and it's a massive challenge for us but we're looking forward to it."
