Iran says a ceasefire agreement remains out of reach; The Liberals seek to rebuild at this weekend's Federal Council meeting; And in sport, Tennis Australia's incoming CEO on the challenges he will be tackling first.
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- Iran says a ceasefire agreement remains out of reach
- The Liberals seek to rebuild at this weekend's Federal Council meeting
- Tennis Australia's incoming CEO on the challenges he will be tackling first
TRANSCRIPT:
US President Donald Trump says he will make a final decision on a possible deal with Iran today.
Mr Trump posted on social media that Iran must abandon efforts to develop a nuclear weapon, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, remove sea mines, and allow the United States to remove and destroy its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of any deal.
However, Iran's Foreign Ministry says Tehran will not accept demands from Western countries, with spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei arguing that the language of "must" ended with Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
"We said goodbye to the language of 'must' 47 years ago. None of the Western parties, when speaking about the Islamic Republic of Iran, can use the language of 'must'. We make our own decisions based on the interests and rights of the Iranian nation."
He says discussions with the United States are continuing but no agreement has been finalised, adding that Iran remains focused on ending the conflict and is not yet discussing the details of its nuclear programme.
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The United Nations says humanitarian access in Lebanon remains under pressure, as hostilities continue.
The UN says strikes have reportedly damaged a key road used for emergency medical evacuations, aid deliveries and access to essential services, while aid agencies continue to face severe constraints on the ground.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric says peacekeepers support efforts to secure a lasting end to the fighting.
"The general heading UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), General Diodato Abagnara stressed that a political and diplomatic path remains the only viable solution to the conflict, adding that UNIFIL remains committed to supporting the parties and restoring the cessation of hostilities and creating the conditions for a permanent ceasefire.”
Meanwhile, Lebanon's Health Ministry says the death toll from Israeli strikes has risen to more than 3,300 since March.
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The Liberal Party is hoping to rebuild its identity as a viable alternative government during a key national meeting of party leaders and power-brokers.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor will front the Liberal Party Federal Council meeting in Melbourne later today.
Former Liberal Party leader Alexander Downer has told the federal council that the party must put itself into a winnable position at the next federal election.
"For the Liberal Party to revive, the party has to win the battle of ideas. And I think over the last few years, we have been losing that battle of ideas to the progressive left as they describe themselves. We have to define ourselves. And we have to sell our ideas in that battle of ideas."
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A 14-year-old from California has won the Scripps National Spelling Bee, after correctly spelling 32 words in a lightning-round final.
Shrey Parikh beat 247 other contestants in the US competition, held at Constitution Hall in Washington.
"Pohutukawa P-O-H-U-T-U-K-A-W-A, monadnock M-O-N-A-D-N-O-C-K, emeute E-M-E-U-T-E, nannofossil N-A-N-N-O-F-O-S-S-I-L, tongkang T-O-N-G-K-A-N-G, Natchitoches N-A-T-C-H-I-T-O-C-H-E-S."
His winning word was Bromocriptine, a drug that mimics the activity of dopamine.
The eighth grader takes home the Scripps Cup trophy and 50-thousand US dollars in prize money.
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More than one thousand people have attended the Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards in Sydney, making it the event's biggest turnout since it began in 2011.
The event recognises organisations and individuals advancing inclusion in Australian workplaces and communities.
Deutsche Bank was recognised as a Platinum Employer, placing it among the country's leading organisations for workplace inclusion.
Speaking on stage after receiving the award, chief executive Glenn Morgan says the business case is clear.
"It's good for business and in-fact Deutsche bank and some other recently commissioned a report by open for business which found a very strong link between LBGTQ+ inclusiveness and financial performance and in fact the most inclusive firms are 2.3 percent more profitable than the least inclusive firms, it's good to have some science around it, it makes it easy to rebut some other arguments."
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Incoming Tennis Australia CEO Andrew Abdo says he considering an organisational redesign that might see the role of Australian Open tournament director taken on by someone other than himself.
His predecessor Craig Tiley has held both roles as Tennis Australia CEO and tournament director since 2013.
Abdo says he will be looking to tackle a number of challenges as the new CEO.
"Thinking about talent development is critical. And of course, we want our major events. And the AO, as I said, the team have done a phenomenal job. It is the players' and fans' favourite slam. But how do we make it and keep making it that and beyond. A truly global iconic event, not just a sporting event. These are real challenges right? This is what the job is."
