TRANSCRIPT
Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un are among 26 world leaders attending China's largest-ever military parade, marking 80 years since Japan's defeat at the end of World War Two.
The highly choreographed 70-minute parade features over 10,000 troops, hundreds of advanced weapons, and a 80-gun salute.
It also marks the first time a North Korean leader has attended a Chinese military parade in 66 years.
Chinese President Xi Jinping says the parade marks a major turning point in the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation".
"Comrades and friends. The Chinese nation is a great nation that is never intimidated by any bullies and laways values independence and forges ahead. They fought for the survival of the country, the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and for the justice for the whole humanity."
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Analysts say the military parade in China - the country's largest ever - is also being used as a show of power - and to show an alternative to the traditional Western alliances.
Australia’s ambassador to China, Scott Dewar, reportedly has decided not to attend the event.
The federal opposition leader, Sussan Ley, has criticised Victorian Labor premier Daniel Andrews and former Labor foreign affairs minister Bob Carr for attending, saying it sends the wrong message.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government has a diplomat present at the parade, and he is focused on ensuring Australia plays a constructive role in regional affairs.
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Opposition health spokesperson Anne Ruston says the government's handling of home support for older Australians is unnacceptable.
It follows revelations that that one older Australian is dying every two hours, while waiting for the level of home care they need.
Blown-out waitlists for support at home have been the focus of debate in federal parliament this week, with the government interrogated over decisions to delay reforms by four months.
The Coalition, with support from the crossbench, will push amendments on aged care legislation in the Senate, which would immediately release the packages for 200,000 older Australians.
Health Minister Mark Butler says he will continue to have discussions with Ms Ruston on the matter.
"I've had constructive discussions with Senator Ruston for months and months about our shared commitment to deliver a better aged care system to older Australians and I hope those conversations will continue over the next day or two."
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A Republican-led House of Representatives committee says it has released more than 33,000 pages of files on the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, responding to mounting pressure for more disclosure.
The case has caused a political headache for Republican US President Donald Trump, after many of his supporters embraced conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson told Congress that the victims of Epstein are owed the truth.
"I think we follow the truth where it leads. I think that's the responsibility of Congress. I think we owe that to the victims. And if there are further prosecutions and they need to be brought. No stone unturned. I mean, that's the commitment. And it's bipartisan."
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In cycling, Australian Jay Vine has won his second stage at this year's Vuelta a Espana.
The 29-year-old overtook Spain's Pablo Castrillo with 5 kilometres left on the last climb to finish 35 seconds ahead.
Jonas Vingegaard regained the overall lead.
Vine says he is savouring the win.
"Winning is so so hard and it's such an incredible feeling when it happens. And no, I don't think I'll ever get used to it, winning, because it's just unbelievably hard."
