TRANSCRIPT
- An accident at a popular Lisbon tourist attraction kills at least 15 people ...
- Federal government due to lay out progress on defence suicide rates
- Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe in the T20 in Harare.
At least 15 people have been killed and others injured Portugal's capital, Lisbon, when a funicular popular with tourists derailed and crashed.
Three people are gravely injured.
Footage from the site showed the tram-like funicular all but destroyed and emergency workers pulling people out of the wreckage.
Media reports described passengers jumping out of its windows to escape.
The Gloria funicular carries people up and down a hillside in the Portuguese capital and is a popular landmark.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says there is a chance to end the war in Ukraine via negotiations "if common sense prevails," an option he says he'd prefer, but that he is ready to end it by force if that was the only way.
Speaking in China at the end of a visit there, President Putin said that he perceived an end to the war given what he said were sincere efforts by the United States to find a settlement to the conflict.
The comments come as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will press for stronger pressure on Moscow as he meets allies in Denmark and France after Russian forces launched a sweeping air attack on Ukraine, damaging energy and transport infrastructure.
Russia launched more than 500 drones and dozens of missiles, hitting infrastructure at 14 sites across the country and injuring four railway workers, Ukrainian regional and military officials said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the presence of former Labor premier of Victoria Dan Andrews at China's military parade, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Former Foreign Minister Bob Carr was also invited to attend the parade that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two and Japan's formal surrender, but he's reported to have missed the parade and instead used the time for speaking engagements in Beijing.
Mr Andrews and Mr Carr are in China in a personal capacity.
Australia's ambassador to China wasn't present at the parade, but other embassy officials were sent to attend the event.
Mr Albanese says Mr Andrews has no intention of meeting with Mr Putin or Mr Kim.
"He's not meeting them, as I said, the last time around 10 years ago, Minister Wong also went as the government representative."
Only a fraction of more than 100 recommendations made by a defence and veteran suicide royal commission have been delivered.
The federal government is due to lay out its progress on implementing the inquiry's final report today almost a year after it was handed down.
Nine recommendations had been completed, with work under way on a further 110, Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh will tell parliament.
Labor provided its response in December, accepting the overwhelming majority of the 122 recommendations.
Police say the wife of alleged gunman Dezi Freeman could also face potential charges for obstructing police.
Dezi Freeman allegedly shot two police officers - and injured another - in Porepunkah in northeeast Victoria, after the police officers attempted to execute a warrant for historical sex offences.
Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly says Amalia Freeman has been interviewed; and has told police she was present at the time of the shooting.
Amalia has previously called for her husband to turn himself in.
Mr Kelly also thanked members of the public for providing information to help with their investigation.
"Victoria Police is very pleased in terms of the community assistance we received to date. We have received hundreds of phone calls, and the community is providing information. The associates of Mr Desmond Freeman are also providing information. What I like to appeal to is that the community continue to contact police."
And in cricket...
Kamindu Mendis has scored an unbeaten 41 to drag Sri Lanka to victory as they beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in the first of their Twenty20 series at Harare Sports Club.
Mendis hit four sixes and a four as Zimbabwe's quicks struggled bowling in the final overs.
The second T20 international is also at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
