Norway, Ireland and Spain today say they are recognising a Palestinian state in a historic move that drew condemnation from Israel and jubilation from the Palestinians.

Israel immediately ordered back its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland after the announcements today.

The formal recognition will be made on May 28.

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The development is a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that came against the backdrop of international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel's offensive there.

It was a lightning cascade of announcements. First was Norway, whose Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said "there cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition".

"By recognising a Palestinian state, Norway supports the Arab peace plan," he said, adding the Scandinavian country will "regard Palestine as an independent state with all the rights and obligations that entails".

Several European Union countries have in the past weeks indicated that they plan to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region.

The decision may generate momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state by other EU countries and could spur further steps at the United Nations, deepening Israel's isolation.

Norway, which is not a member of the EU but mirror its moves, has been an ardent supporter of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

"The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel," the Norwegian government leader said.

"Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state."

Since the unprecedented attack by Hamas-led militants on Israel on October 7, Israeli forces have led assaults on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip in May, causing a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people, and sharply restricted the flow of aid, raising the risk of famine.

Today's announcements come more than 30 years after the first Oslo agreement was signed in 1993. Since then, "the Palestinians have taken important steps towards a two-state solution", the Norwegian government said.

It added that the World Bank determined that a Palestinian state had met key criteria to function as a state in 2011, that national institutions have been built up to provide the population with important services.

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"The war in Gaza and the constant expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank still mean that the situation in Palestine is more difficult than it has been in decades," it said.

In making his announcement, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the move was coordinated with Spain and Norway — and that it was a "historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine".

He said it was intended to help move the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to resolution through a two-state solution.

Harris said he thinks other countries will join Norway, Spain and Ireland in recognising a Palestinian state "in the weeks ahead".

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Spain's Socialist leader since 2018, made the expected announcement to the nation's parliament today.

He had spent months touring European and Middle Eastern countries to garner support for the recognition, as well as for a possible cease-fire in Gaza. He has said several times that he was committed to the move.

"We know that this initiative won't bring back the past and the lives lost in Palestine, but we believe that it will give the Palestinians two things that are very important for their present and their future: dignity and hope," Sánchez said.

"This recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people," Sánchez added, while acknowledging that it will most likely cause diplomatic tensions with Israel.

"It is an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency."

Sánchez argued that the move is needed to support the viability of a two-state solution that he said "is in serious danger" with the war in Gaza.

"I have spent weeks and months speaking with leaders inside and outside of the region and if one thing is clear is that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu does not have a project of peace for Palestine, even if the fight against the terrorist group Hamas is legitimate," the Spanish leader said.

Earlier this month, Spain's Foreign Minister José Albares said he had informed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken of his government's intention to recognise a Palestinian state.

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Hugh Lovatt, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said "recognition is a tangible step towards a viable political track leading to Palestinian self-determination".

But in order for it to have an impact, he said, it must come with "tangible steps to counter Israel's annexation and settlement of Palestinian territory – such as banning settlement products and financial services".

Israel Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered the country's ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to immediately return to Israel. He spoke before Spain's announcement.

"Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays," Katz said.

He said that the recognition could impede efforts to return Israel's hostages being held in Gaza and makes a ceasefire less likely by "rewarding the jihadists of Hamas and Iran".

He also threatened to recall Israel's ambassador to Spain if the country takes a similar position.

Regarding the Israeli decision to recall its ambassador in Oslo, Gahr Støre said: "We will take note of that. This is a government with which we have many disagreements. What we agree on is to condemn Hamas's cruel attack on October 7."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking after Norway's announcement, welcomed the move and called on other countries to follow.

In a statement carried by the official Wafa news agency, Abbas said Norway's decision will enshrine "the Palestinian people's right to self-determination" and support efforts to bring about a two-state solution with Israel.

Some 140 countries have already recognised a Palestinian state — more than two-thirds of United Nations members — but none of the major Western powers has done so. This move could put more pressure on continental heavyweights France and Germany to reconsider their position.

The United States and Britain, among others, have backed the idea of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel as a solution to the Middle East's most intractable conflict.

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They insist, however, that Palestinian independence should come as part of a negotiated settlement.

The head of the Arab League called the step taken by the trio of European nations as "a courageous step".

"I salute and thank the three countries for this step that puts them on the right side of history in this conflict," Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit wrote on the social media platform X.

Turkey also applauded the decision, calling it an important step toward the restoration of the "usurped rights of the Palestinians".

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also said the move would help "Palestine gain the status it deserves in the international community".

The move comes less than two weeks after 143 nations, including Australia, voted in favour to pass a UN General Assembly resolution to extend some of Palestine's rights to participate in United Nations forums.

Australia does not formally recognise Palestine as a state but supports a two-state solution.

A bus driver has died and a child is in hospital after a school bus carrying about 30 students crashed into a tree north of Melbourne.

The other children were assessed at the scene in Kilmore this afternoon but did not require emergency treatment, according to Ambulance Victoria.

Assumption College, a year 7 to 12 school, confirmed its bus to Wandong had been involved in the accident.

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"There are college staff also present at the scene," the school said.

Paramedics arrived after 3.45pm, with two helicopters and 10 ambulances on scene.

The child taken to Kilmore Hospital suffered a minor upper body injury and was in a stable condition. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined the Salvation Army's efforts to raise funds for Australians doing it tough.

The Salvation Army provides support to the community every 17 seconds, including through clothing, emergency accommodation, meals or family violence assistance to Australians in need.

The charity is trying to raise $38 million this year in the Red Shield Appeal and has enlisted the country's top official to help.

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"My mum used to say there's always someone worse off than yourself. It was one of those sayings mums have, she was always prepared to help," Albanese said.  

"You know that the Salvos value every dollar and will make a difference to the people who are receiving it."

A recent survey by the charity showed the bleak reality of the cost of living crisis for the 1500 participants.

A total of 43 per cent were unable to afford heating and cooling, while another 61 per cent said they were unable to afford medical, dental and eye care.

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A massive 69 per cent said they went without food so their children could eat.

Salvation Army state leader Kim Haworth said the charity provided both financial and emotional support. 

"Yes we provide good professional services but we also provide community, we also provide people to walk alongside and to take the journey and that makes all the difference," Haworth said.

The Salvation Army has been operating for more than 60 years. 

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Our cartoonist Guy Body shares his view on current events.

Australian passengers who were on the "traumatic" Singapore Airlines flight that was hit by severe turbulence, causing it to suddenly drop mid-air, have begun returning to Australia.

The first passengers arrived at Sydney Airport this afternoon and were greeted by tearful family members who said they were grateful to have their loved ones home.

Passenger Beverly Mayers told 9News she experienced "sheer terror" when the plane suddenly dropped by 6000 feet in five minutes.

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"Sheer terror and such shock," Mayers said.

"The whole plane was shuttering, and you think it's going to land in the water.

"Great pieces (of the plane) were cracking off and dropping on the floor, people were getting hit in the head, one lady was lying on the floor and when they tried to get her up she was screaming, it was awful."

"I think we all thought the plane was going to fall apart..break in half.

"It wasn't until I got off the plane when I couldn't stop crying."

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Passenger Ramiza Bukharn also returned to Sydney with her husband Ali.

The pair saying they were left "traumatised."

"It was hard to process what was happening, one minute we were getting ready for breakfast the next minute the plane just dropped," Ramiza said.

"At the moment we didn't know it was turbulence, I had no idea what was happening.

"Every slight bit of turbulence (after that) it was a sinking feeling…it has left us traumatised."

Teandra Tukhunen had been sleeping when the seatbelt sign turned on.

"When they put the seat belt sign, pretty much immediately straight after I was flung to the roof before I had time to put my seat belt on, it was so quick (there was) no warning whatsoever," she told 9News earlier via video.

The Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 took off from London Heathrow on Monday night (early yesterday AEDT) but was diverted to Bangkok where it landed yesterday afternoon.

A passenger from the UK, Geoffrey Kitchen, died during the incident from a suspected heart attack.

A total of 211 people were on the flight, including 56 Australians. 

Passengers are expected to keep arriving in Australia over the next 24 hours. 

There are still eight Australians being treated in Bangkok Hospitals.

Their conditions are unknown.

A judge described the case as “quite literally a cover up”.

Police say no injuries have been reported at the scene.

Daniel Johnstone has been sentenced to home detention and ordered to pay reparations.

A man accused of murdering his partner's daughter feared he would go back to prison if the girl did not return to Queensland, shortly before she went missing, a jury has heard.

He had earlier been found digging for "treasure" by a neighbour.

"It seemed strange," the neighbour told a court today.

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Justin Laurens Stein, 33, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of nine-year-old Charlise Mutten in January 2022.

The girl was reported missing from the Mount Wilson property in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney where she was staying with Stein and her mother Kallista Mutten.

The neighbour who came across Stein digging in the bush near their properties after his german shepherd took an interest said it looked like he was hiding, lying face down in a culvert, before he asked Stein what he was doing.

"His answer to me was he was digging for treasure," the neighbour said, telling the court he agreed not to tell anyone.

"I thought it was weird but I didn't think it was dangerous."

Eventually, the neighbour did tell police when they showed up looking for Charlise the next month.

The neighbour had previously attended a dinner with his wife and mother-in-law, where Stein, his mother, Charlise and her mother were also present.

He recalled conversation about custody of the girl, who had been living on the Gold Coast before visiting her mother.

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"(Stein) said that if anything happened and the child didn't go back to Queensland that he would end up in prison again," the neighbour said.

The jury has heard Stein had been jailed for drug-related offences and was being treated for addiction as well as schizophrenia.

He met Charlise's mother while she was in prison for dangerous driving occasioning death.

Charlise's body was found in a sand-filled barrel on the banks of the Colo River four days after she was reported missing.

Stein claims he was in a shed on the property when he heard a gunshot, emerging to see the nine-year-old's mother Kallista Mutten shoot her daughter a second time.

The pair had allegedly stolen guns from a property months earlier.

Senior Constable Graeme Gray allegedly found those guns buried off a fire trail near the property in February, after Charlise had been found dead.

They were under a mound rising about 10 centimetres above the rest of the ground, covered in sticks, with a sliver of blue tarpaulin sticking out.

"This did not look like it belonged," Gray told the court.

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Wrapped in that blue tarpaulin, buried only centimetres under the ground, were the two guns and ammunition.

There was also a small piece of silver.

"I describe it as in the shape of a 'C'," Gray told the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday.

A rifle Gray found was brought into the Parramatta courtroom as it became evidence in Stein's trial.

Justice Helen Wilson reassured the jury the gun was unloaded and could not do any damage before jurors passed it between themselves.

Pictures of the buried guns were previously shown to Stein's mother at Katoomba Police Station, the jury heard on Tuesday.

Stein, speaking to his mother on the phone from custody, told her he needed her to retrieve something he had dumped in the bush.

"I've got a feeling that they might already have them," Annemie Stein told her son.

Neither identified specifically what they were talking about in the recorded call.

The trial resumes on Thursday.