Nine charged after Sydney protest | ABC News Top Stories

Nine people have been charged with a range of assault and public order offences, in the wake of yesterday's pro-Palestine demonstration in Sydney's CBD.

27 people were arrested during a violent crackdown by police -- who've been criticised for their response after footage appears to show them punching protesters and moving on people praying.

Officers say several people were treated by paramedics after being pepper sprayed - five members of the public were taken to hospital for assessment, while two police officers were treated at the scene. 

Federal Opposition leader Sussan Ley has accused the Albanese government of failing to obtain justice for the families of two Australian women who died of methanol poisoning in Laos.

19-year-olds Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones died in 2024, alongside four other tourists, after drinking contaminated alcohol at a hostel - and their families say they're disappointed by the government's assistance.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the federal government will do everything it can to support them

The federal government is being urged to review how it selects medicines to be included on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme.

It's been revealed a range of everyday medicines are not funded under the PBS.

They include eczema creams, ear drops, and an inhaler.