Morning Mail: Penny Wong’s Israel broadside, Nauru issues rare statement, snow season fears

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Morning everyone. Penny Wong says she believes the Australian women who have alleged they were sexually assaulted and beaten by Israeli forces after being detained as part of a humanitarian flotilla attempting to bring aid to Gaza.

Nauru insists it is a “friendly” country, despite claims by a whistleblower about the treatment of people sent there by the Albanese government. Meanwhile, forecasters warn hopes for a good snow season could melt away with the coming El Niño.

Nauru ‘friendly’ | The Nauruan government has issued a rare statement insisting it is a “friendly” and “welcoming” country after a whistleblower alleged “serious threats of physical violence” were made against a group of non-citizens removed there by the Albanese government.

Flotilla accusations | Appearing at Senate estimates, Wong said the treatment of the Australian women detained by Israel was “unacceptable”, and the allegations they had subsequently made were “distressing”.

Hero charged | Ahmed al-Ahmed, the Sydney man who disarmed one of the Bondi terror attackers, has been charged with assaulting his father.

Bill delays | The Greens want Labor to halt its plans to rush NDIS cuts through the Senate later this month, urging a longer inquiry process as the government seeks the minor party’s support for its contentious tax and housing changes.

Slavery accusation | A woman accused of marrying Islamic State fighters allegedly lived with a teenage slave who was repeatedly assaulted and raped by the woman’s father. Melbourne magistrates heard the allegations yesterday against Zeinab Ahmad, 31, as she applied for bail on slavery offences.