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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 themThe 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. 

Police actions at Sydney protest to be reviewed | ABC News Top Stories

Australian snowboarder Mela Stalker says her performance in the women's big air event at the Winter Olympics in Livigno exceeded her expectations.Stalker finished 10th, behind fellow Australian and 2022 slopestyle bronze medallist Tess Coady in eighth.And And Australia has ended a twelve-year absence from the figure skating ice dance event, with Holly Harris and Jason Chan scoring 67.75  in the rhythm dance enough to qualify for the free dance section of the event.

NSW police face protest 'brutality' allegations | ABC News Top Stories

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns is strongly defending the action police took last night to disperse thousands of protesters from Sydney's CBD, saying it was "proportionate".Organisers have accused some police of "sickening violence" and the Greens want the state's police watchdog to investigate.Footage has emerged online of officers appearing to throw punches while detaining some demonstrators, while in another clip police are seen physically moving men who'd been praying during the rally.Protesters have been targeting a visit to Australia by Israel's president given the country's conduct in Gaza and the West Bank.The federal government invited him to comfort Jewish people following the Bondi attack.Calls are growing for Liberal MP Angus Taylor to challenge Sussan Ley for the Liberal leadership, as the reformed Coalition faces dire polling numbers.Conservatives say they want an end to the speculation that's paralysing the party.The challenge could come as early as Friday this week.And in the Winter Olympics 41-year-old American ski star Lindsey Vonn says she'll "require multiple surgeries" after a tibia fracture, but she denies her previously ruptured ACL was the cause of the crash that ended her games and saw her airlifted to hospital.Among the Australians, Tess Coady and Mela Stalker have missed the podium in the snowboard big air final, finishing 7th and 10th.

NSW leaders defend allegations of 'police brutality' | ABC News Top Stories

New South Wales police and the state's premier are defending allegations of heavy-handed tactics from officers arguing protesters in Sydney put them in an impossible position by trying to march in a restricted area.Video's emerged of police punching protesters and a rally organiser's accusing officers of sickening brutality.Dozens of people were arrested including ten for assaulting police.The state's leaders say they wanted to keep protesters away from Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his Jewish supporters given his visit's purpose was to comfort people following the Bondi attack.But they say protesters ignored a request for them to voice their criticism of the Israeli government's conduct in Gaza elsewhere in the city.Meanwhile the United Nations says Israel's latest plans to make it easier for Jewish settlers to take over Palestinian land in the West Bank are in flagrant violation of international law.  Britain has condemned the move and several Arab countries say it amounts to de facto annexation.And a medical examiner in Los Angeles has revealed actor Catherine O'Hara died of a blood clot in her lungs.When the Canadian star of “Schitt’s Creek” and “Home Alone" died late last month at the age of 71, her fans and Hollywood figures were shocked.The death certificate has also listed rectal cancer ‌as an underlying ‌cause. 

O'Hara cause of death revealed | ABC News Top Stories

The federal government's urging people protesting against the visit of Israel's president to be respectful, after clashes between police and demonstrators at a Sydney rally.Nationwide demonstrations are targeting Isaac Herzog, while he's in Australia to comfort Jewish people following the Bondi terror attack.While protesters weren't allowed to be at Sydney Town Hall due to restrictions, they still turned up anyway.Police are also facing scrutiny over vision showing officers pushing people who are praying and punching a man multiple times.New South Wales premier Chris Minns says police did their best to contain angry crowds.The federal social services minister is calling the launch of the government's first plan to combat domestic, family and sexual violence against First Nations people 'historic'.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are almost 30 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence.The plan's bolstered by a $200 million dollar funding boost, to increase service delivery.And it's been revealed actor Catherine O'Hara's shock death came from a pulmonary embolism blood clot, with cancer as the underlying cause.The Canadian born comic actor was well known for her roles in Schitt's Creek and Beetlejuice.She also starred as the mother in two Home Alone movies.