Good morning, it's Amy Hall here with SBS News' Morning Briefing.
Israel and Palestinian militants agree to ceasefire
After three days of cross-border fighting in the Gaza Strip, a truce between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad has taken effect. The Egypt-mediated ceasefire seeks to bring an end to a weekend of violence that has left at least 43 Palestinians dead, including 15 children. There have been no reported deaths in Israel. Both sides have confirmed they've accepted the truce, but say if it's violated, they reserve the right to respond.
Mehreen Faruqi says politicians shouldn't have to give up dual citizenship
Deputy Greens leader Mehreen Faruqi says Australian politicians shouldn't have to give up their citizenship to other countries. Section 44 of Australia's constitution means dual citizens can't run for federal parliament. In an interview with SBS' Our House podcast, Senator Faruqi says the process of renouncing her Pakistani citizenship was harder than she thought it would be, and almost made her reconsider her decision to join parliament. "I just felt as if I was being forced to give up my birthright, you know, to give up my history and my culture," she says.
Mehreen Faruqi gave up her Pakistani citizenship to stand for federal parliament. Source: AAP / RUSSELL FREEMAN
Redfern's National Centre of Indigenous Excellence to remain open
Less than a week after it announced it would close, the Indigenous Land and Sea Council (ILSC) says the National Indigenous Centre of Excellence (NCIE) in Sydney's Redfern will remain open. Last Monday, around 50 NCIE staff were notified of the business closure following a two-year divestment process. The announcement caused uproar among the community, with Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney telling ILSC, and NCIE's new owners, the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) to "get your act together." In a statement released on Sunday, ILSC says the operation of the NCIE's fitness and aquatic services will transfer to the NSWALC this week.
US Senate passes 'boldest clean energy package in American history'
The United States Senate has made history, passing the country's single largest investment in addressing the climate crisis after several hours of debate. The $622 billion Inflation Reduction Act aims to cut carbon emissions and shift consumers to green energy, while reducing prescription costs for the elderly, and increasing the enforcement of taxes for corporations and the wealthy. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the energy package will "change America for decades."
In other news
- Former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro is expected to appear at the inquiry investigating how he landed a $500,000 a year taxpayer-funded US trade job.
- Sydney-based activist Saffaa helps young women who have fled to Australia from Saudi Arabia. She says she feels a sense of responsibility for the deaths of sisters Asra and Amaal Abdullah Alsehli
- Amnesty International says it "deeply regrets the distress and anger" caused by a report it released last week accusing Ukraine of endangering civilians.
