TRANSCRIPT
- First confirmed case of polio detected in Gaza
- The Reserve Bank governor says a longer-term plan is needed to ensure the viability of Australia’s cash system
- France's Cédrine Kerbaol makes history at Tour de France Femmes
The Palestinian Health Ministry says it has detected the first case of polio in Gaza - identified in a 10-month-old baby in the city of Deir Al-Balah.
It comes as the United Nations called for a seven-day pause in fighting to allow for a polio vaccine campaign to be conducted.
UN spokesman Farhan Haq says an urgent pause in the fighting is needed to roll out the campaign.
"Polio, as the Secretary-General has told you, does not wait. We cannot wait longer for a vaccination campaign because at some point people will start being crippled or dying from polio. So that is why it is urgent that we get progress on this. We will need agreement from the parties on this. We are working with them on that. But it is clear that it has to happen very soon - because otherwise disease will spread."
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Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock says the option to use cash must be maintained; and efforts must also be directed at a long-term model for cash distribution.
The drop in the use of cash by Australians has been a factor in the financial woes of the largest firm providing cash-in-transit services, Linfox Armaguard, earlier this year.
The company was been given a $50 million lifeline in late June, provided by the big banks and other major customers.
Speaking before a parliamentary committee, Ms Bullock says a plan is needed beyond the one-year industry support package to ensure the cash distribution system is viable.
"Use of cash for everyday payments has declined in recent decades, it remains an important means of payment for many Australians. Cash is used as a store of wealth, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty, and can be a useful backup for electronic methods of payment... The funding deal should provide time for the industry participants, the RBA and government to focus on formulating a longer term model for cash distribution, so that cash is available for those who need and want to use it. Developing a more durable future cash distribution system will require broad consultation and require participants in the system to approach these issues in the public interest."
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The detection of the first mpox case in Pakistan has led to new protocols to screen international passengers arriving at Jinnah International airport in Pakistan's biggest city, Karachi.
The patient had recently returned from a Gulf country.
It is not clear if the individual has the new variant of mpox that has killed at least 450 people in recent months in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - and has also spread to Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
Bronwyn Nichol, from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, says international support is needed to boost the supply of vaccines, particularly in Africa.
"We do stand with what is recommended under international health regulations, which is that there's no need to close borders, when we are in disease outbreaks, diseases don't recognize borders. People will continue to cross the border, whether it is illegal crossing or not. An illegal crossing, it doesn't stop a disease from spreading. And instead, we need to focus on having proper messaging around the diseases so people understand how they can protect themselves from impacts."
Health authorities in Australia say no cases of the new strain of mpox have been reported in Australia so far, but say it is important to stay vigilant.
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The 34-member bloc of the Organization of American States adopted a draft resolution in response to anti-government protests and violence in Venezuela.
The unrest follows the results from the country's election on July 28, which has been described as "undemocratic" by independent observers.
Meanwhile, the main opposition has said it has evidence that its candidate, Edmundo González, won by a wide margin.
The document adopted by the Organization of American States urges the Venezuelan government to respect the right to peaceful protest, cease arbitrary arrests and detentions, and provide access to fair trials.
It also includes a request that Venezuela's national electoral council publish polling station-level results from the July 28 presidential election.
Luis Almagro is the Secretary-General of the body.
"We appreciate the approval of the resolution by consensus. We value the principles and values it defends and how it contributes to the democratic transition in Venezuela. It is important because we remember that the electoral authority declared someone president without a document supporting its decision; and without complying with the law."
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In cycling, Cédrine Kerbaol has become the first French cyclist to win a stage at the Tour de France Femmes.
The 23-year-old's win in stage six moves her into second place in the overall standings, with two mountain stages of the race remaining.
Polish cyclist Kasia Niewiadoma remains the overall race leader, holding onto the yellow jersey.
Kerbaol says she purposely timed her attack at the top of the final climb on stage six.
"I've had an itch for two or three days now. I was thinking that I’d like to go for it. There were a few attacks, and then a few little flat moments, and that's when I went for it. I knew that on the descents I could have the edge over some of the girls. I immediately saw that I'd made a gap, and then I said to myself 'let’s go'.
Sarah Gigante is leading Australian in the general classification, in the 21st place.
She tells SBS, the last two days will provide opportunities for the cyclists to give their all.
"I'm definitely happy that we're out of the flat lands. I feel like I have some grey hairs. I have made it here safely and not too far down on general discussion. Yeah, I'm excited."
