Good morning. Welcome to our live news coverage. This is Martin Farrer with a roundup of the key overnight developments, before Nick Visser takes over with the main action.
Pro-Palestine Groups Rally Against Israeli President's Visit
Pro-Palestine organisations are preparing for a significant rally in Melbourne this Sunday. The protest is aimed at the upcoming state visit by Israel's president, Isaac Herzog.
The groups are holding a press conference this morning at the State Library of Victoria to outline their plans. This follows a call from a Labor party faction urging the Albanese government to withdraw its formal invitation to President Herzog.
BlueScope Steel Rejects $13.2bn Takeover Bid
In a major business development, BlueScope Steel has firmly rejected a takeover proposal valued at $13.2 billion. The bid, led by Australian billionaire Kerry Stokes and his US partners, was dismissed as being "too low".
The board of BlueScope characterised the offer as an attempt to acquire the company "on the cheap". This rejection forces Stokes and his consortium to consider whether to increase their offer or walk away from the deal.
Police Warning Over Carpark Scams Targeting the Elderly
Police in New South Wales have issued an urgent warning to the public. They report a series of incidents where elderly drivers are being targeted in shopping centre carparks.
The crimes involve both theft and sophisticated scams. Authorities are urging shoppers, particularly older citizens, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.
