TRANSCRIPT
The Prime Minister says Australia will fund the defence capability it needs after a U-S push for spending to increase by tens of billions of dollars.
On the sidelines of the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore, U-S Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth made the request directly to deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
The U-S requested that Australia increase its defence budget to 3.5 per cent of its gross domestic product, which would reportedly amount to around $40 billion more per year.
Anthony Albanese says Australia has made significant investments in defence going forward.
"What you should do in defence, is decide what you need, your capability, and then provide for it. That's what my government is doing, investing in our capability, and investing in our relationships."
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Migrant workers who have been blinded or lost limbs at work say they fear they will deported if they seek medical treatment.
Examining the risks of modern slavery in rural areas, a New South Wales parliamentary inquiry is investigating the extent of forced labour, violence, sexual servitude, labour trafficking and wage violations.
The inquiry has been told that workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme are particularly vulnerable due to strict visa conditions.
Josh Strutt, the chief executive of the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre, says workers on this scheme face extra restrictions.
"One of the things that we have noticed is the portability rights that given to other temporary visa holders aren't afforded to PALM workers so they are really chained to their employer. They are really forced to stay with their employer and it's really difficult to leave, an risk visa cancellation if they do."
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The government is committing an extra $2 million in funding for the Rural Financial Counselling Service, giving more farmers and rural business access to free and independent support.
The additional funding enables the service to employ more financial counsellors and deliver more support to people on the ground.
Demand for financial counselling is growing in a number of regions because of extreme weather.
Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins says the funding will ensure more people can access the payments they're eligible for.
"This announcement today is further support for farmers on the ground, that is critically needed on top of, of course what the South Australian government and the Victorian governments have recently announced in terms of drought assistance on the ground. We know that farmers in those drought areas have been doing it tough. We also know that farmers, whether they be northern New South Wales, or earlier in the year in Queensland have also had a tough time. "
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Karol Nawrocki will be Poland's next President.
The 42-year-old pro-Donald Trump conservative has won a tight runoff election against the mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski
Mr Nawrocki got slightly less than 51 per cent of the vote; Mr Trzaskowski got slightly more than 49 per cent.
Mr Nawrocki will serve a five-year term, and hold broad powers.
He is a Euro-sceptic who campaigned on promises to ensure economic and social policies favour Poles over other nationalities, including the exclusion refugees from neighbouring Ukraine.
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Russian and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Istanbul for discussions on plans to end the three-year-war.
The talks come as Ukraine claims it struck dozens of strategic bombers at airbases deep inside Russia.
The strikes are one of Ukraine's most brazen and successful attacks inside Russia, with Kyiv claiming it has damaged some 40 bombers.
The first round of the talks saw the biggest prisoner exchange of the war - but failed to reach consensus on how to halt fighting.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine is committed to lasting peace.
UKRAINIAN THEN ENGLISH VO: "Today, I held an extended meeting with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the head of my office, the heads of our intelligence agencies, and military leadership. We discussed our expectations for the meeting in Istanbul on Monday. We continue to propose a full and unconditional ceasefire, along with all dignified and rational steps that could lead to a lasting and reliable peace."
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Over 25,000 people have been evacuated from three Canadian provinces as dozens of wildfires continue to burn.
A state of emergency was declared in Manitoba last week, with around 17,000 evacuated from there since Saturday, along with 1300 in Alberta and around 8000 from Saskatchewan.
Smoke is worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada, with some air pollution even reaching into U-S states along the border.
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson says hotels should open up to take in the evacuees.
"It's really sad to see our children having to sleep on floors. People are sitting, waiting in hallways, waiting outside."
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Football Australia interim Chief Executive Heather Garriock has defended the drawn-out search for a new Matildas coach, saying it has been a case of waiting for the right person.
55-year-old Australian Joe Montemurro has been unveiled as the new coach, ending a controversial and drawn-out ten-month worldwide search.
Montemurro has signed a three-year deal that takes in next year's Asian Cup, the 2027 World Cup, and the 2028 Olympics.
Interim coach Tom Sermanni will sign off with tonight's friendly with Argentina in Canberra.
Garriock says Montemurro will take the team back to the upper echelons of international football.
"There were many considerations and many moving parts, as you know, but I'm glad we are finally got our man, the right man who will take this team to the next level. I am sure. This moment is now and Joe is the coach. "
