The man set to become Western Australia's next Premier will face one of his final hurdles on his way to the top job today. Deputy Premier Roger Cook has emerged as the lone candidate to replace Mark McGowan, who will retire at the end of the week.

Perth

Roger Cook to become WA Premier

Mr Cook caught up with reporters while he was mid-run at Kings Park this morning, undeterred by the rain here in Perth. He said he wasn't quite calling himself Premier yet, but he was excited for the day ahead. Take a listen to what he had to say. It's early days yet. We've still got conversations to have within the party. I want to be respectful to those conversations and I want to make sure that we do the right thing by the process. Is this a bit of a ritual for you? Will you be doing this as Premier every day? As people know, I run a lot. I ride a lot. I swim a lot. And it's part of my fitness regime. Now Mr Cook emerged as the lone candidate to replace outgoing Premier Mark McGowan yesterday. That was after a shaky start in the morning when Health Minister Amber Jade Sanderson won the majority vote from Labor's left sub-faction United Workers Union in the morning. She got 17 votes to 11 against Mr Cook. But Mr Cook's deal with Transport Minister Rita Safiotti, who was initially also in the race, really changed the game. Their essentially joint ticket gained unanimous support from Labor's other left sub-faction Australian Manufacturing Workers Union during their meeting that afternoon. Ms Sanderson then of course pulled out of the race, paving the way for Mr Cook to essentially become the leader in waiting. So Doreen, what are the next steps then for Roger Cook to officially become the new Premier? Well, it was a big day for Mr Cook yesterday and we're expecting another big one today. He's set to meet with Labor's right faction in their meeting this morning and gained that final seal of approval from then. From then on his position as Labor's leader and thereby the Premier is expected to be sealed by all 74 Labor MPs during a caucus meeting. That's expected to be held as early as next week. From then on he'll be sworn in alongside his Cabinet by WA's Governor Chris Dawson.

The United States voted against a Palestinian request to the United Nations Security Council for full UN membership, blocking the world body's recognition of a Palestinian state. The draft resolution received 12 votes in favour, two abstentions from the UK and Switzerland, and one vote against.

New York

U.S. vetoes Palestinian request for UN membership

Indonesian authorities closed an airport and residents left homes near an erupting volcano due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami.

Sulawesi

Tsunami warning after Indonesia volcano erupts

Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter said, as Iranian state media reported that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.

Tehran

Israel strikes targets in Iran: Sources

Police have interviewed the sixteen-year-old accused of stabbing a Western Sydney Bishop during an alleged terror attack last Sunday. He's now facing terrorism charges that carry lengthy jail terms.

Council of the City of Sydney

Teen facing life behind bars after terror charges

Kenya's military chief, General Francis Ogolla, was among 10 people killed in a military helicopter crash shortly after take-off, President William Ruto announced. The helicopter was visiting troops combating cattle rustling when it crashed minutes after takeoff, Ruto said.

Nairobi

Kenya's military chief killed in helicopter crash

After a few setbacks, 12 jurors and one alternate have been selected for Donald Trump's hush-money trial. The former U.S. president is lashing out, calling the trial 'unfair' even after he was accused of violating a gag order.

12 jurors picked for Trump's hush money trial

Indonesian rescuers raced to evacuate thousands of people Thursday after a volcano erupted five times, forcing authorities to close a nearby airport and issue a warning that the crater collapsing into the sea could cause a tsunami.

North Sulawesi

Indonesian volcano's multiple eruptions prompt evacuations

The U.S. has reinstated oil sanctions against Venezuela's government, arguing it has not met conditions to hold fair and competitive elections as negotiated with U.S. envoys and the opposition last year. However, the U.S. oil company Chevron will be allowed to continue a joint venture with the Venezuelan state oil company.

Caracas

U.S. reimposes sanctions on Venezuela’s oil, gas sectors

Friday sees the start of the general election in India. Voting in the world's largest democracy will last nearly six weeks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term. But the ruling BJP is criticized for promoting a Hindu nationalist agenda and cracking down on the opposition.

New Delhi

Voting set to begin in India's national election

The U.S. House of Representatives will have its long-awaited vote on aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific as soon as Saturday, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson said, paving the way for its possible passage despite fierce objections from the right wing of his conference.

Washington

Israel-Gaza War

Ukraine Invasion

U.S. House to vote on Ukraine and Israel aid

The E.U. and U.S. have pledged to impose new sanctions on Iran following its attack on Israel. The E.U.'s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, says these further sanctions will be discussed by European leaders at their summit in Brussels, which is now under way.

Brussels

E.U., U.S. pledge to impose new sanctions on Iran

A Sydney bishop stabbed by a teenager in an alleged terrorism incident has spoken from hospital, saying he forgives his attacker.

Doonside

Bishop forgives attacker as rioters granted bail

An alleged ringleader behind a major drug importation syndicate has been arrested, after a number of 'cocaine bricks' washed up on Sydney and Central Coast beaches late last year.

Manly

Smuggler behind beach 'cocaine bricks' arrested

The Democratic-majority U.S. Senate dismissed impeachment charges against President Joe Biden's top border official, bringing a swift end to an effort that House of Representatives Republicans launched months ago.

U.S. Senate ends impeachment bid against Mayorkas

The owner of a wellness retreat near Ballarat has shared her 'deep sorrow and shock' following the death of a 53-year-old woman. It's understood Rachael Dixon consumed a drink made with mushrooms before she died.

Clunes

Wellness retreat 'shock' at mushroom death

The dry desert countries of Oman and the U.A.E. are dealing with the aftermath of deadly flash floods caused by more than one year's worth of rain falling in just 24 hours, which some are attributing to climate change.

Dubai

Climate Crisis

Record rainfall causes deadly floods in U.A.E., Oman

Germany has urged the European Union and NATO member states to bolster Ukraine's air defenses as quickly as possible as Russian missiles pounded Ukrainian cities and its president repeated urgent calls for support. The Netherlands, Czechia and Denmark quickly rallied behind the proposal.

NATO looks to bolster Ukraine air defenses

Bondi Junction shopping centre will reopen today for a community reflection day before resuming normal trading hours from Friday. Meanwhile, six victims from the stabbing attack remain in hospital, with two women in ICU.

Bondi

Shopping centre to reopen for community reflection

Israel will make its own decisions about how to defend itself, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, as Western countries pleaded for restraint in responding to a volley of attacks from Iran.

Jerusalem

Netanyahu says Israel will do 'everything necessary' for defense

Three Russian missiles have crashed into Ukraine's historic city of Chernigiv, killing 17 people, as officials pleaded for more air defense systems from allies.

Chernihiv

More than a dozen killed in Russian missile strike in Ukraine

Iran's president says his country's forces are ready to face any threat. Ebrahim Raisi says any further move by Israel will be met with another attack by Iran. He made the comments during Iran's National Army Day.

Iran’s Raisi reiterates warnings as Israel mulls response to attack

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned of further sanctions targeting Iran following its unprecedented weekend attack on Israel, saying she expects Washington will take added action "in the coming days." The EU is also weighing new sanctions against Iran according to foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

U.S., E.U. weigh new sanctions targetting Iran

The first seven jurors for Donald Trump's hush money trial were seated after lawyers grilled the jury pool about their social media posts, political views and personal lives to decide who can sit in fair judgment of the former president. Eleven more people still must be sworn in before opening statements begin as early as next week in the first criminal trial of a former US president.

First seven jurors chosen for Trump's hush money trial

The U.K. has cleared its first hurdle in passing strict new anti-smoking legislation that would make it illegal to sell cigarettes to those born after January 2009 for the rest of their lives.

London

U.K. votes in favour of smoking ban for those under 15

He quickly became known as ‘The Bollard Man’ after bravely taking-on the attacker during Saturdays deadly stabbing rampage at Bondi Junction. Now, the French national has been offered permanent residency after the Prime Minster declared he can stay in Australia for as long as he likes.

Bondi stabbing hero offered permanent residency

Fire has ripped through Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange, one of the Danish capital's best-known buildings, engulfing its spire which collapsed in a scene reminiscent of the 2019 blaze at Paris' Notre-Dame.

Copenhagen

Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames

Australia's domestic spy agency ASIO believes a man alleged to have stabbed a bishop at a Sydney church last night was acting alone.

Canberra

Australia's terror level unchanged after church attack

Efforts to end wars in the Middle East and Ukraine will dominate this week's meeting of Group of Seven foreign ministers, host Italy's top diplomat Antonio Tajani said, with the West struggling to get its voice heard.

Capri

Wars to dominate G7 talks in Italy

Israel's war cabinet was set to meet for the third time in three days, an official said, to decide on a response to Iran's first-ever direct attack, amid international pressure to avoid further escalating the conflicts in the Middle East.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel war cabinet to meet again on response to Iran's attack

Authorities in Russia are warning people to evacuate affected areas as Russia’s Kurgan and Tyumen regions and swaths of northern Kazakhstan are flooded. Tens of thousands have already abandoned their homes. Kurgan Governor Vadim Shumkov said there was almost a “sea” of water approaching the area and fresh rainfall was making the situation worse.