Key Points
- European Union negotiating enhanced security ties with Australia
- David Littleproud considering nuclear energy plan
- Max Verstappen wins Italian Grand Prix
TRANSCRIPT
The European Union has proposed strengthening security ties with Australia, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with world leaders on the sidelines of Pope Francis's funeral.
EU President, Ursula von der Leyen, reportedly raised the prospect of closer security ties between the EU and Australia, similar to other arrangements between the trading bloc and Japan and South Korea.
Mr Albanese says negotiations are ongoing.
"We said that we were certainly interested in any further engagement of support. But it's very early stages at this point. So, we should imagine that future discussions may take place either at NATO or on a bilateral basis between Australia and the European Union."
The Prime Minister also met with other leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Nationals Leader David Littleproud has backed the idea of nuclear energy, as the party continues to work with the Liberals to finalise the coalition agreement.
Negotiations between the two parties have been stalled due to the death of Liberal party leader Sussan Ley's mother.
The coalition took a policy to build seven publicly owned nuclear reactors to the last election.
Mr Littleproud told Channel 7 a nuclear policy is still a possibility.
"I think you can't get to net zero without nuclear energy. Now, whether it's specifically the policy that we took around government owned or whether it's simply removing the moratorium, I think you have to be pragmatic. You cannot do an all- renewables approach and keep the economy going. And we're starting to feel that."
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Emergency crews are on high alert in New South Wales, as strong winds and heavy rainfall continue to batter large parts of the state.
At least one person was taken to hospital from eight flood rescues from vehicles in northern New South Wales, with the State Emergency Service responding to more than 250 calls for help across the weekend.
A severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and damaging winds stretches from the state's mid-north coast at Kempsey, to the Central Coast.
Isolated falls of up to 120mm over six hours are possible, leading to flood watch warnings across the same region.
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Israel says it will ease its blockade and let limited amounts of food into Gaza, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a new extensive ground operation in Gaza.
Israel imposed an aid blockade in March, putting Gaza at risk of famine.
The easing of the blockade comes as the Israeli military says it has launched extensive new ground operations in northern and southern Gaza.
Strikes have hit the southern city of Khan Younis, as well as towns in the north of Gaza, including Beit Lahia and the Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 130 Palestinians.
Nasr Nasr, a Jabalia local who witnessed the strikes says innocent people were killed.
“May God have mercy on them and accept them as martyrs. They are innocent people, they have nothing to do with the resistance, they are innocent people. They died while they were hungry, because today all the people of Gaza are hungry. We don’t have food, we don’t have flour, we don’t have bread.”
Israel announced its ground operations after sources on both sides said there had been no progress in a new round of indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Qatar.
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Former U-S President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.
Mr Biden was seen last week by doctors after experiencing symptoms - and he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to the bone.
His office says that while he has an aggressive form of the disease, the cancer could be managed effectively.
The 82-year-old and his family are now reviewing treatment options with his physicians.
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Austrian fans have welcomed JJ home at Vienna airport, after he won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Wasted Love'.
As JJ walked through the gate, hundreds of fans cheered for the classically trained singer, surrounding him and asking for autographs.
Franz Brabletz, a salesman from Vienna, says the win made Austrians proud.
"I got really emotional. Thinking about it this it almost makes me tear up. It was just brilliant. We are so happy and we want to congratulate him that he managed to bring the ESC (Eurovision Song Contest) finally back to Austria."
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In Formula One, Oscar Piastri says he'll live and learn, after being defeated by Max Verstappen at the Italian Grand Prix.
Championship leader Piastri missed out in his bid for a fourth successive triumph, having to settle for third place - behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris - as Verstappen roared to victory in Red Bull's 400th grand prix.
Verstappen edged past polesitter Piastri with a late-breaking manoeuvre at the first turn.
