Australia joins push for 24-hour notice of missile tests after short notice of Chinese launch in July; Ukraine hands US a fresh proposal to end war with Russia; and in Rugby, Tolu Koula targets elite status ahead of 100th NRL game
TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin,
- Australia joins push for 24-hour notice of missile tests after short notice of Chinese launch in July
- Ukraine hands US a fresh proposal to end war with Russia
- And in Rugby, Tolu Koula targets elite status ahead of 100th NRL game
Australia has joined a US-led push requiring countries to give at least 24 hours' notice before launching long-range ballistic missiles.
The move follows China's test of a nuclear-capable missile in the South Pacific in July, shortly after Australia signed a mutual-defence pact with Fiji.
Beijing faced criticism from several Pacific nations over the missile launch, which is believed to have landed near Tuvalu.
Australia is among more than 40 countries backing the new call, alongside New Zealand, Palau and the Marshall Islands.
The joint statement warns missile tests without sufficient notice increase the risk of miscalculation and threaten regional security.
Australian officials have previously said there was not enough notice of the test.
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The Coalition has asked federal police to investigate the reported leak of a diplomatic note from Japan over Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's so-called "melons" controversy.
The issue began with a podcast in July, when Mr Albanese discussed two Crown melons given to him by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and made hand gestures while talking about them.
Media coverage in Australia and Japan prompted Tokyo to send a diplomatic note to Canberra, describing some Australian reporting as sensationalised.
The note was reportedly leaked to several media outlets, and the Coalition wants the AFP to investigate how it became public.
Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth says it's all a political stunt.
"The AFP have got really serious issues to look into. ... I think it is a sad day in this country that you have the Liberal Party pretty much giving up and focusing on such ridiculous matters, and you know we're going to get on as a government, get on with the job of delivering for the Australian people, and that's where our focus is"
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One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is calling for international graduates to leave Australia after completing their studies.
One Nation wants permanent migration capped at 130, 000 people a year, arguing lower migration would ease pressure on housing, wages and infrastructure.
Her comments come as the Coalition proposes reducing net overseas migration to below 180, 000 a year, with shadow housing minister Andrew Bragg saying migration levels need to better reflect the number of new homes being built.
Senator Hanson says as well as international students, the family members who have joined them should also leave, as part of efforts to reduce migration.
"You've got about 250,000 graduates that are staying in the country as well. I believe they should go back to their own countries. They are bringing their families as well. I think we really need to look at the numbers that we have in Australia."
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine has handed a fresh proposal to US negotiators for a plan to end the more than four-year-long war with Russia.
Negotiations have largely stalled since the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East, with US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner last in Moscow in January, and yet to visit Kyiv.
Ukraine has repeatedly called for a ceasefire, and Russia says it wants settlement, but insists the solution must involve Ukraine fully ceding four key regions Moscow claims control over.
President Zelenskyy says he's urging the United States to put more pressure on Russia, but has not provided details of the proposal.
“There was a briefing by the negotiating team. We have conveyed our proposals to the American side. And the United States can help strengthen our defence, first and foremost with air defence, and put pressure on Russia so that its plans are different, to prepare for an end to the war rather than prolonging it."
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In sport,
Manly star Tolu Koula says he wants to become one of the NRL's elite centres as he prepares for his 100th game.
The 23-year-old will reach the milestone in the Sea Eagles' must-win clash with the Dolphins on Friday night.
Koula has previously been considered a potential fullback, but says his immediate focus is establishing himself at centre.
The Tongan international has scored 17 tries since the start of last season and believes he's still improving.
Koula says his next step is getting more involved across the field and using his speed to become an even greater attacking threat.
Manly likely need to win all their remaining four games to keep their finals hopes alive.
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