- Seismologists warn of aftershocks after Queensland records largest mainland earthquake in five decades
- No deal struck on ending war in Ukraine after high stakes meeting in Alaska
- Tributes for former Australia cricket captain Bob Simpson
TRANSCRIPT
Seismologists are warning of aftershocks, following a 5.6-magnitude quake that struck near the Queensland town of Kilkivan this morning.
Tens of thousands of people say they felt the tremor, which Geoscience Australia says was the strongest earthquake to hit the state's mainland in five decades, and the third and strongest to hit Australia in recent days.
Premier David Crisafulli says no one in Queensland expected to wake up to that.
"Things falling off mantelpieces. People have told me they thought that their partner was out the back with a jack hammer. There's been some amazing stories that have come through and we obviously are waiting to see damage and we hope everyone is okay. This is obviously just all unfolding now, but it's certainly not what we expected in Queensland this morning that's for sure."
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No agreement to end the the war in Ukraine has been reached, after a meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was excluded from the almost three hour meeting.
Mr Trump and Mr Putin took no questions from reporters during the post-meeting press conference - the first face-to-face encounter between the leaders in six years.
Mr Trump says he is feeling good about the meeting, even though no deal was reached.
He told Fox News, he expects a future meeting to take place between Mr Putin and Mr Zelenskyy.
"And it (the Alaska meeting) was very extensive. And we agreed on a lot of points. But there is not much. There is one or two (outstanding) pretty significant items. But I think they can be reached. Now it is really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done. And if they like, I will be at the next meeting. They are going to set up a meeting between President Zelenskky and President Putin. And myself, I guess. I didn't even ask about it. Not that I want to be there. But I want to make sure, it gets done."
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An important milestone in Aboriginal land rights movement is being marked today.
It is 50 years since then prime minister Gough Whitlam poured a handful of soil into the hands of Gurindji Elder Vincent Lingiari - marking the official return of a portion of land in the Northern Territory to the traditional owners.
For many years leading up to that point, the Gurindji people had demanded the return of their traditional lands, including through actions like the historic 1966 strike at Wave Hill station.
In a statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the iconic photo of the red earth trickling from the hands of Mr Whitlam to the hands of Mr Lingiari is an enduring tribute to the courage and solidarity of the Gurindji people, which provides inspiration for the journey ahead.
The Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation says the upcoming annual Freedom Day festival next week (22-24 Aug) will honour the half century milestone, its national significance - and the legacy of Vincent Lingiari.
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The Consul-General of Japan in Sydney, Osamu Yamanaka says the co-operation of nations in working towards a world free of nuclear weapons remains an urgent mission.
World leaders are marking 80 years since the end of World War Two, when Japan surrendered after the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The events marked the world's first wartime use of a nuclear bomb.
At a commemoration event in Sydney, Mr Yamanaka says the work must continue towards the complete elimination of nuclear weapons globally.
"Looking at the current situation, with the international security environment having become more severe and more complex - the international community is more divided over approaches to nuclear disarmament and the risk of the use of nuclear weapons continues to rise. Therefore, it is more important than ever that Japan and Australia work together to take the path towards a world without nuclear weapons."
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In sport, former Australian men's Test cricket captain Bob Simpson is being remembered as a legend of the game - and an era-defining coach.
The former player, captain and coach has died in Sydney at the age of 89.
One of only seven Australians to make a triple-century, he also coached the national team to win the 1986 Cricket World Cup, several Ashes series, and the Frank Worrell Trophy in 1995 when Australia beat the West Indies in the Caribbean.
Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird says Simpson "was one of the greats of Australian cricket", while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted his extaordinary service, describing him as an "era-defining coach" who set the highest of standards for himself and the champions he led.
