Iran denies direct talks as Trump issues a final warning; Significant wildlife losses expected as bird flu spreads; And in sport, Perth gears up for an Italian football showcase.
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TRANSCRIPT:
- Iran denies direct talks as Trump issues a final warning
- Significant wildlife losses expected as bird flu spreads
- Perth gears up for an Italian football showcase
Donald Trump says Iran is facing its last chance to reach a deal and avoid an escalation of US military strikes.
The US president says talks are already under way, after again holding off threatened attacks to allow more time for diplomacy.
But Tehran says it is not negotiating with Washington and is instead holding talks with Oman over a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Mr Trump has rejected Iran’s denial, insisting negotiations involving the United States are already taking place.
((Reporter)) "Are the talks with Iran now off? - ((Trump)) No they're on and they're going on right now, it's an amazing thing, we have a little problem with Iran because we have many talks and we say we have or we don't have, you know we're straight about it - but they're not denying it, they just put out a statement- not denying it."
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The Refugee Council of Australia is calling on state and federal governments to extend essential homelessness services to everyone, regardless of visa status.
The council says temporary visa holders, including people seeking asylum, make up a growing proportion of those sleeping rough.
This Homelessness Week, they are campaigning for a change to policy settings which exclude temporary visa holders from accessing things like rent assistance, bond loans and other housing support.
Senior policy officer at the Refugee Council of Australia, Dr Shaheen Whyte, says there are practical solutions both state and federal government can implement, such as granting asylum seekers work rights.
"The government should also make the Status Resolution Support Service, which is a federal government program for temporary visa holders, more accessible. So at the moment, there's strict eligibility rules and complex administrative requirements, which mean that people in genuine crisis cannot access the service. At the state level, governments can extend practical housing support, such as making rent assistance and bond loans accessible for temporary visa holders who are currently in crisis."
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Authorities are expecting significant losses of wildlife as H-5 bird flu spreads, after CSIRO lab testing confirmed the virus' first mass mortality event in a local bird population.
Tests were conducted on dead and sick birds from Balden Rocks off Cape Jaffa in South Australia, confirming all were infected with H-5 bird flu.
Threatened Species Commissioner, Dr Fiona Fraser, says there is a risk to local wildlife, including seagulls who are highly mobile and can spread diseases over long distances.
Dr Fraser says while the virus spread can't be contained, work is being done to make native wildlife more resilient.
"That includes activities such as habitat enhancement, water management, but also the removal of invasive species in particular. That includes animals such as pigs, foxes and feral cats to best manage the pressures that these bird species face at the moment."
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The 2026 Garma Festival has been described as transformative by attendees.
The four-day event is Australia's largest Indigenous gathering and took place in remote northeast Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.
This year's theme was Bukmak, which means "everyone" in the local Yolŋu language.
Tanya Farha is the CEO of inTouch, a group supporting migrant and refugee women who have experienced family violence.
She tells NITV, she has emerged from the festival with important lessons she intends to apply in her work.
"The launch of the education forum was really interesting for me. When the elders were saying it was really important they teach what they know before they go, so that the ways of knowing and being are kept alive. That really resonated with me, because I remember my mum used to say that a lot about our Lebanese culture. You know, it is really important that you remember this."
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And to sport, Italian football clubs Inter Milan and AC Milan have arrived in Perth, ahead of their game on Wednesday.
The fixture forms part of a week of Italian football in Australia, with AC Milan, Inter, Juventus and Palermo all travelling to Perth for a series of high-profile pre-season matches.
It is Inter’s first visit to Australia.
Player Yann Bisseck says he is enjoying the reception he has received in Perth.
"Me, I have always liked getting around and travelling and stuff. And if you look at the history of my career, I have played in a lot of countries, I have been exposed to a lot of cultures. But for me it is always a great experience because if you meet a different set of people with a different mindsets and they have different values, I think it makes you grow as a person."
