Key Points
- Australia continues negotiations with Turkiye to host COP31 summit
- UN Security Council removes sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa
- NFL Germany opens interactive experience to encourage next generation of fans in Berlin
TRANSCRIPT
Energy Minister Chris Bowen says Australia has overwhelming international support for their COP31 bid in Adelaide, as it continues to try to secure hosting rights.
Australia is still yet to secure an agreement from Turkiye.
United Nation rules require the assent of the fellow bidder to secure those rights.
When asked about the $7 million bid, Mr Bowen has confirmed that talks are underway with the Turkish government.
"'I've been talking to my counterpart Minister Murat Kurum, Penny Wong's been talking to her counterpart Mr Fidan, Anthony Albanese has been talking to his counterpart President Erdoğan."
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The United Nations Security Council has removed sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is due to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House.
The US-drafted resolution has also lifted sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.
The former Islamist fighter linked with al Qaeda led a rebel offensive against Syria's former president Bashar al-Assad, toppling the regime in December.
Until now, his rebel group HTS has been on the UN Security Council's al Qaeda and Islamic State sanctions list - but US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz says removing that listing is an important step to allow a new Syria to flourish.
“With the adoption of this text, the council is sending a strong political signal that recognizes Syria is in a new era. There is a new Syrian government in place led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa that is working hard to fulfill its commitments on countering terrorism and narcotics, on eliminating any remnants of chemical weapons and promoting regional security and stability.”
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Sussan Ley maintains the Liberal Party is united on common values despite tensions on energy policy leading to speculation over her leadership.
The internal rift over emissions targets and a series of dire polls have supercharged suggestions Ms Ley's days as opposition leader are numbered, with Liberal senator Sarah Henderson stopping well short of endorsing her.
Senator Henderson is saying openly that things aren't going well in her party.
She says the state of the Liberal party is the worst she has ever seen.
"Things are dire at the moment, and I can't pretend that things are going well. And I would be - I would not be speaking the truth... I would not be authentic... if I tried to pretend that things were going okay.. What I can say is that I commend Sussan for bringing us together to resolve our net zero policies."
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US company, Open AI, is facing seven lawsuits that claim its flagship program, Chat GPT, has driven people with no prior mental health issues to suicide.
The claims have been made on behalf of six adults and a teenager by the Social Media Victims Law Centre and Tech Justice Law Project, who allege the company is implicated in wrongful death, assisted suicide, involuntary manslaughter and negligence.
The California lawsuits claim OpenAI knowingly released a version of Chat GPT - GPT-4, despite internal warnings the bot was dangerously sycophantic and psychologically manipulative.
A teenager who is the subject of one claim, reportedly began using Chat GPT for help.
If you or someone you know is impacted by the issues raised, crisis support is available on Lifeline 13 11 14.
In any emergency, call Triple Zero.
More information and support with mental health is available at beyondblue.org.au and on 1300 22 4636.
Embrace Multicultural Mental Health supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
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The four people killed in a devastating Emerald house fire have been named as 20-month-old Maddison Symons, her five-month-old brother Desmond, a teen girl, and a family friend Mathew Chilly.
In a further blow to the family, it has been revealed that the father of two infants killed in the fire was undergoing treatment for cancer when he learned what had happened to his babies.
The devastated father has posted loving tributes to his children, writing of his son that he had "so many things" he wanted to show him, and wanted to watch him grow.
While family and friends have rallied around the grieving father, locals have told Nine News it's also a tough time for the whole community.
"I think it's hit the community pretty hard. Like I said, we're pretty strong here. We know everyone. There's not many people that we don't know. I think it's devastated everyone."
"Cameron was like the sweetest girl you know. Like she always had a small on her face, she'd never like be sad or anything. She was always energetic at school, roam around like she owned it."
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To sport and in NFL, a new NFL experience centre is opening in Berlin this weekend, as a new generation - and culture - embraces the American sport.
The city's most recognisable landmark, the Brandenberg Gate, has been transformed into a football field.
Visitors are invited to take part in hands-on activities in the latest push by German NFL to accelerate the sport's growth in western Europe.
Similar exhibits have been held in Frankfurt and Munich in recent years and NFL Germany General Manager Alexander Steinforth says Berlin was on obvious choice for the latest event.
"Germany is probably the biggest growth market for the NFL internationally. We have over 20 million fans here in Germany and keep on growing. (We have a) fantastic set of media partners, commercial partners, but most important, the passion from the fans over here is really unique. We see it every time we're playing a game here, but also throughout the season. So, it's a really important market for us."
