Lara Smit
Lara Smit is a digital journalist for ABC News in Brisbane. She has also freelanced for several English and Dutch platforms. She joined the ABC in 2022.
Latest by Lara Smit
Meet your 2024 Trailblazer winners determined to make a difference
A comic writer, an Indigenous artist and an app developer are just some of the inspiring young Australians who have won this year's Heywire Trailblazer competition.
Coming out as trans can be tough in regional Australia. Here's how these three teens did it
Coming out can be a nerve-racking experience, but Adam, Eliott and Rowen did it and managed to find connection and community along the way.
British teenager Alex Batty, who was found after going missing six years ago, says he left France for a better future
British teenager Alex Batty, who was found in France after going missing six years ago, has revealed he returned to the UK for a better future.
No major reports of bombing or rocket attacks during start of temporary Israel-Hamas truce — as it happened
Various media correspondents on the ground have reported no signs of Israeli air force activity or Palestinian rocket attacks since the four-day ceasefire began.
Far right, anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders wins massive victory in Dutch elections
Dutch anti-EU far right populist Geert Wilders will start looking for coalition partners on Thursday after a massive election win that is set to have wide repercussions in the Netherlands and Europe.
Hostage release delayed until Friday, Israel government says, as ceasefire timeline unclear — as it happened
The deal, which was originally believed to be scheduled for Thursday morning local time (7pm AEDT), has loved ones anxiously awaiting its arrival.
Biden praises 'humanitarian pauses' in Gaza fighting, but Netanyahu declines to confirm 'stoppages' — as it happened
Israel has not yet officially confirmed a daily four-hour humanitarian pause, which the US says it agreed to, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying safe passages for evacuation will be facilitated for "a few hours here or a few hours there".
'Israel cannot reoccupy Gaza': US's top diplomat outlines vision for Palestinian rule in Gaza — as it happened
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Palestinians must be able to self-govern in Gaza, as well as the West Bank, under a unified Palestinian Authority after the war, saying it's "clear that Israel cannot reoccupy Gaza".
Second aid convoy crosses into Gaza as death toll there passes 4,600 — as it happened
Israeli missiles reportedly strike the two main airports in Syria, as the US says it is sending more air defences to the Middle East.
Australian murdered by Hamas farewelled as Israel says it aims to end its responsibility for the Gaza Strip — as it happened
Family pay tribute to Galit Carbone, the only Australian to be killed in the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel. Look back on our coverage of the Israel Gaza war.
Sunak stresses importance of providing aid to Gaza during Israel trip, as Dutton calls on Albanese to visit — as it happened
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says Palestinians are victims of Hamas's attack and stresses the importance of providing humanitarian access. Look back on our live coverage.
US president meets with war cabinet in Israel as second repatriation flight touches down in Sydney — as it happened
US President Joe Biden says he is "saddened and outraged" by an explosion at a hospital in the Gaza Strip, as families are reunited at Sydney airport.
Jordan and Egypt unwilling to accept Palestinian refugees as organisations call for urgent access to deliver aid to Gaza — as it happened
Look back on the latest updates as King Abdullah II of Jordan says neither Jordan nor Egypt are willing to accept any Palestinian refugees.
Egypt-Gaza border to reopen, Australians 'strongly encouraged' to move quickly — as it happened
The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza will be reopened to allow foreign nationals out of the embattled Palestinian city, according to the US Secretary of State.
Israeli army 'waiting for political decision' on Gaza invasion as Netanyahu convenes emergency cabinet — as it happened
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes Israel's expanded emergency cabinet for the first time, saying the national unity on display sends a message at home and abroad as the country gears up to "demolish Hamas" in Gaza.
AEC rejects suggestions of interference at remote polls, as Indigenous leaders start 'week of silence' — as it happened
The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council is holding "a week of silence" to mourn the outcome of the referendum, as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are lowered to half-mast.
Israel Defense Forces warn over 1 million Gazans to relocate to the south — as it happened
Israel tells civilians living in northern Gaza to head south, warning them the military will operate "significantly" in Gaza City in the coming days.
'Hamas should be crushed': Netanyahu wants sanctions against any nation who meets with terror group — as it happened
Displaced civilians in Gaza say after mosques and schools were hit by Israeli air strikes, they have nowhere to find safety, while Israel recruits advocates for the country online.
'Combat activity' around Gaza as IDF shuts down wide perimeter — as it happened
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu will form a unity government with key opposition figure Benny Gantz, as Gaza's only power plant shuts down and aid agencies plead for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor.
Barrage of rockets launched from Gaza towards Israeli city of Ashkelon — as it happened
The Israeli defence force reports sirens sounding across the country, as Hamas fires a fresh barrage of rockets.
'We are going on the offensive': Israel to blockade Gaza as reservists called up en masse — as it happened
Since Saturday's surprise assault, Israeli aircraft have been pounding Gaza targets while its ground forces have battled to retake control of border villages and towns overrun by Palestinian gunmen.
'Super predator': New study shows animals fear humans more than lions
Lions have long been seen as one of the world's most fearsome predators, but according to a new study, wildlife's fear of humans surpasses that of the big cats.
EU considering proposal to make phone apps less addictive. These are the features that could be restricted
The European Union is considering a proposal which would force tech companies to make their apps less addictive.
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is standing trial in Manhattan for fraud. Here's how it's unfolding
Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried's trial has begun in Manhattan. He could face decades in prison after being accused of stealing billions of dollars in FTX customer funds to plug losses at his hedge fund, Alameda Research.
Who's who? Here's the Murdoch family tree to bring you up to date
Media magnate Rupert Murdoch has announced that he is stepping away from the empire he created, saying he will turn over the reins to his son Lachlan.