Midday News Bulletin 9 May 2025
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TRANSCRIPT:
Australian Catholics react to the election of a new Pope;
India and Pakistan accuse each other of a spate of drone attacks as tensions continue to escalate;
Los Angeles launches a beautification program ahead of the 2028 Olympics. The Australian Catholic community has welcomed the election of the new Pope, American Cardinal Robert Prevost who will be now known as Leo the fourteenth. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe has said the new pontiff is known for being approachable and willing to listen. Catholic Social Services Australia executive director Jerry Nockles says Pope Leo's appointment has come at a critical time when the world is yearning for compassionate leadership. Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese has released a statement inviting the pontiff to Australia for the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028, and declaring his government will continue its strong relationship with the Holy See. "This is a moment which will bring joy and hope to Catholics everywhere. May the papacy of Pope Leo the fourteenth advance the cause of peace and social justice for all humanity." Religious researchers say the swift election of the new pope could be a promising sign for unity within the Church as it moves forward. 69 year old American Robert Prevost - now known as Pope Leo the fourteenth - was selected after just four rounds of voting. The new pontiff is seen as being aligned with the progressive values of the former Pope Francis. But President of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago Barbara Reid says it is unusual to elect a cardinal from a country with major secular influence, and she and her colleagues were surprised. "We didn't think that the cardinal electors would lean toward choosing an American, but of course Pope Leo XIV, as Father John just said, has the heart of a Peruvian as well and has deeply endeared himself to the church in Latin America and has exercised his ministry these last several years on behalf of the whole world church while he's been in Rome." India and Pakistan are accusing each other of a spate of drone attacks, as the neighbouring countries enter a third day of strikes and reprisals. Pakistan's army says it has shot down 28 Indian drones, while New Delhi has accused Islamabad of launching raids with drones and missiles, and claimed it destroyed an air defence system in Lahore. On both sides of the conflict, waged in Kashmir, at least 48 people are dead. The fighting comes two weeks after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which Pakistan has denied. Former Prime Minister Paul Keating has slammed the demotion of Ed Husic from Labor's new second term Cabinet. Mr Keating has released a statement calling Mr Husic's expulsion as the Cabinet's sole Muslim member an appalling denial of the former Industry Minister's diligence. He says it also represents a contempt for what he has described as the measured and centrist support provided by the broader Islamic community at the general election. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has defended Anthony Albanese's decision ahead of the Labor caucus meeting in Canberra today to endorse the new slate. "Only 30 spots are available. Inevitably there are more people who could serve as really effective ministers... And it can be tough, but we need to balance stability with renewal." Liberals M-P Sussan Ley has confirmed she is nominating to be the new leader of the Opposition party. Ms Ley has told Channel 7 she is running because the Liberals need a new approach. "It's about making sure that I am listening to my colleagues and that I demonstrate to them that we want a strong approach that includes everyone." Sussan Ley will be competing for the job against Angus Taylor and Jacinta Price - who has defected from the Nationals to the Liberals in order to bid for the top role. Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie has told Sky News she is disappointed by the Senator's defection. "We're a tight team. We're a close knit team. We fought many battles together, and whilst we're strong coalitionists, we are very, very separate parties, and so it's very disappointing news." Queensland has appointed a new coroner who will focus on fatalities in the state's multi billion dollar mining sector. North Queensland barrister, Wayne Pennell, has been named to the role. Seven people have died in Queensland mines since 2022, but Natural Resources Minister Dale Last says some families have been waiting years for answers about what happened to their loved ones. Los Angeles has launched a program that it says will beautify the city ahead of the next Olympic Games in 2028, months after a series of devastating fires that reduced entire neighbourhoods to ash. LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover says the Games will also be a unifying event, with these Olympics the first time the city will also host a Paralympics. ParalympIic athlete Natalia Mayara says that is an important milestone.
"The LA 28 Games really has the opportunity to reshape the conversation about disabilities and really show everybody that the Paralympic Games is all about elite competition."
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