Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin;
- Israel and Lebanon to host talks in the US as ceasefire divisions emerge
- Government rolls out $20m campaign urging motorists to cut fuel use
- Australia leads SailGP in Rio after consistent day one performance
Representatives of Israel and Lebanon will meet for peace talks this Tuesday in Washington DC.
The talks come as the US and Iran hold talks in Pakistan on a possible path to a ceasefire and terms to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel and the US say those negotiations for a ceasefire would not include Israel's targeting of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.
Ahead of the negotiations with Lebanon, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants a "true peace pact", days after his government launched its deadliest attack of the recent conflict there, with Lebanese authorities reporting more than 350 people killed in heavily populated areas.
"In the past month Lebanon turned to us several times to begin direct peace talks. This has never happened to us in history, actually it happened once decades ago, but now they have turned to us, I have approved it but under two conditions we want to achieve the disarmament of Hezbollah, and we want a true peace pact that will last."
Both sides have released conflicting accounts of what the talks will cover, with Lebanon reporting they had agreed to announce a ceasefire, while Israel's Ambassador in the US says Israel had refused to discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
—
Iran and the United States are locked in disagreement over control of the Strait of Hormuz, as talks between the nations enters a second day in Islamabad.
Iranian news outlet Tasnim, is reporting the third round of US-Iran negotiations concluded with "serious disagreements" over the strait.
Iran will reportedly not cede control of the maritime passage and wants to impose tariffs or fees on ships in the waterway.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump said regardless of whether a deal is struck, America "wins".
"Let's see what happens. Maybe they make a deal, maybe they don't. From the standpoint of America, we win. One other thing that's happening is that boats are sailing up and heading out to our country, big, beautiful tankers, and we're loading them up with oil and gas and everything else, and it's a pretty beautiful thing to see."
A spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters later rejected the American claim that its warships had approached or entered the Strait.
The conflicting statements are emerging as talks continue, and days after a ceasefire was achieved between the two countries early Wednesday.
—
One hundred and seventy five Ukrainian service members and seven civilians have been returned home from Russia, following the latest prisoner exchange between the warring countries.
The released prisoners were greeted by their families, arriving at a registration point in northern Ukraine overnight as Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter.
Tamara is the mother of one of the soldiers - most of whom have been held in captivity since 2022.
"We eagerly awaited every exchange, waiting and waiting every time. But this exchange was festive —it really is Easter—and we felt as though our miracle was finally coming, baked an Easter cake for him. The Easter cake and everything else—we prepared it all for him. Finally, we got him back. Oh God!"
The talks are part of the terms of US brokered negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, which so far have not led to meaningful plans for peace.
—
Thousands of New Zealanders have been told to evacuate as the North Island braces for Cyclone Vaianu.
Authorities warn the storm could bring coastal flooding and landslides, with heavy rain and winds up to 130km/h.
Forecaster MetService says Vaianu is expected to hit on Sunday before moving west of the Chatham Islands on Monday.
Emergency declarations are in place in several regions, with evacuations ordered in parts of Whakatane.
Residents there have been told to prepare to be away for at least two days, as officials warn of storm surges, landslides and waves up to 13 metres.
—
From tomorrow, Monday, the Federal Government is rolling out a $20 million advertising campaign, encouraging motorists to conserve fuel and drive less.
Titled 'Every little bit helps', the message will be broadcast across television, radio, online channels, billboards and posters and will provide tips to improve fuel efficiency, from "driving smoothly" to "unloading excess weight".
Nationals MP, David Littleproud, tells Channel 9 the advertisement is a waste of money - because Australians will reduce their consumption based on price.
"You're not spending the money, because you can see the price. The price is constraining how much you can put in the tank. You're only using what you need to, because of the price. The government doesn't need to spend 20 million dollars on an advertising campaign."
—
Australia is leading the SailGP event in Rio after day one, despite not winning a race.
The defending champions posted consistent finishes to sit top of the standings, ahead of the United States and Sweden.
Sweden’s Artemis won the opening race but slipped to third overall after weaker results later in the day.
Spain, Italy and Germany claimed the remaining race wins, while Brazil endured a difficult home debut and sits 10th.
The event will be decided on Monday, with three more races before the final.
