TRANSCRIPT
- Israel boycotts ceasefire talks in Cairo
- Southeast Asian leaders arrive in Melbourne for a special ASEAN summit
- Alex de Minaur celebrates his first title defence
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the special ASEAN leaders' summit will be an important opportunity to address regional challenges on security and the economy.
The three-day event in Melbourne is being attended by leaders from the ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste.
It will also mark the 50th anniversary since Australia became ASEAN's first Dialogue Partner.
Mr Albanese says coming together to find solutions and chart future directions is critical in the current environment.
"What that is about is particularly taking the work that Nicholas Moore identified, his Southeast Asia economic strategy to 2040. That outlines the opportunity that is here in Australia. From engagement with Indonesia, with the Philippines, with our neighbours in order to create jobs here. (There are) benefits for Australia, in terms of our economy but also in our uncertain world, our national security."
Philippines President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr says he is looking forward to the summit.
"The summit will be an opportunity to thank Australia, ASEAN's oldest dialogue partner for its unwavering support for the rule of law, for the 1982 UNCLOS (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and 2016 arbitral award. Through timely statements of support - as well as capacity-building. I look forward to the opportunity to meet with the Filipino community in Melbourne."
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Israel has boycotted Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo after Hamas rejected its demand for a complete list of hostages still alive, according to Israeli media.
A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo for the talks, which had been billed as the final hurdle before a six-week pause in fighting.
But Israeli newspaper Ynet reports that no Israeli delegation had been dispatched, quoting unidentified Israeli officials who said Hamas had refused to give clear answers.
US officials had earlier said the proposal was approved by Israel and awaiting sign-off from Hamas.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a Russian drone attack whose multiple victims included an infant and a two-year-old could have been avoided if Ukraine was not facing delays to weapons supplies.
Seven Western leaders have signed 10-year security agreements with Ukraine in the last two months, as Ukraine fights to plug a big hole in stockpiles with a vital package of US military assistance stuck in Congress and facing months of Republican opposition.
In his nightly video address, Mr Zelenskyy says Ukraine needs more support in the form of weapons and equipment.
"The world knows that terror can be opposed. The world has enough missile defense systems, systems to protect against Shahed drones and missiles. Delaying the supply of weapons to Ukraine, missile defence systems to protect our people, leads, unfortunately, to such losses and to the constant growth of the list of children whose lives Russia takes away constantly grows."
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Indigenous university student Bailey Myers has completed 17.5 kilometre of his journey to walk from Perth in Western Australia - to his home town of Newcastle in New South Wales.
The Worimi man who is studying engineering has decided to undertake a 6,000-kilometre trek to raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
He says while he has done some 100-kilometre walks in the past, he has never done anything on this scale, which he expects to take at least six months.
All his gear and supplies will be stored in a three-wheel pushcart for the journey.
In preparation, he spoke with the first woman to walk all 17,000 kilometres around Australia, Terra Roam.
He tells NITV News, he wanted to do something to inspire others - and also to highlight the importance of literacy and education.
"I would really implore every Australian to understand that courage is the first step in just any significant action in life. It is (Australian writer) Robyn Davidson who also said that he courage to take that first step is the most significant courage you will ever need. Everything from then on is just going through the motions. So I would encourage everyone to really take action in their lives where they can. And really try to act on their lives in some way, to live it how they really want to live."
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In Tennis, Alex de Minaur has become the first man to retain the Mexican Open title in 12 years.
Following his top-10 breakthrough at the start of the year, the top-ranked Australian defeated Casper Ruud 6-4 6-4 in his first title defence.
It is his eighth ATP singles trophy.
De Minaur says immediate plans to celebrate will need to be put on hold as he travels to San Diego where his girlfriend Katie Boulter of Britain will play in the[San Diego Open final against Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.
Speaking after the match on the Tennis Channel in both Spanish and English, de Minaur says he has great respect for his competitor, Ruud.
"I want to tell Casper - great stuff, not only this week, (but also) last week. And not only for the tennis you play but the type of competitor you are, the type of player you are. You are very respected on the Tour for your values and how you go about competiting every single week. And that is something I really admire about you."
