A suspected gunman shot dead near the White House; a mission to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as officials indicate progress in talks to end the war in Iran; Socceroos star Riley McGree World Cup hopes impacted by injury.
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
- A suspected gunman shot dead near the White House
- A mission to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as officials indicate progress in talks to end the war in Iran
- Socceroos star Riley McGree World Cup hopes impacted by injury
The US Secret Service says officers fatally shot a person who fired at them near a security checkpoint close to the White House.
The man was transported to hospital where he later died.
The agency says Secret Service officers were not injured and President Donald Trump was not harmed.
The incident triggered a 40-minute lockdown for reporters at the White House who were told to seek shelter inside the press briefing room.
A law enforcement official says a bystander was struck, but says it wasn’t clear whether that person was hit by the suspect's initial bullets or those fired by officers.
The incident comes less than a month after a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, forcing reporters and Trump administration officials to take cover.
.
Britain says it's ready to start clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz in partnership with 40 other countries, once a peace deal is reached between the US and Iran.
An estimated 6,000 ships have been blocked from passing through the waterway since the conflict began - and it's expected higher prices for oil, fertilisers, food and crops will be felt for months to come.
It's not known how many or the type of mines used by Iran in the Strait, but the clearing mission will use special sensors - including sonar - to detect and identify mines.
Britain's Armed Forces Ministe, Al Carns, says some mines are expected to be on the sea bed while others could be suspended on cables.
"Some of them (mines) have been blown up. I'm sure some of them have, I am sure some have broken their tethers and floated away, but the commercial insurance companies need absolute certainty if we're going to get 120 vessels flowing again through the Straits of Hormuz. That's what this capability will provide. Once that's up and running, the commercial and economic value of the Middle East both coming out and going in can get up going and we can get it back to normality."
Earlier, Iranian and US officials indicated progress in negotiations to end the conflict, with parties finalising a 14-point memorandum of understanding.
.
Police in Queensland have shot dead an alleged domestic violence perpetrator in Brisbane.
Police say the man was armed with a gun and was making threats before an officer shot him.
Officers immediately conducted first aid and resuscitation, but the man died at the scene.
The state's ambulance service says paramedics assessed one patient in a life-threatening condition; and three people were also taken to hospital in stable conditions.
.
Pope Leo has called out companies who he says seek dizzying profits at the cost of environmental pollution.
He made the remarks while visiting an area near Naples, in southern Italy, known as a site for illegal dumping of toxic waste.
There he met with families who lost loved ones to illegal toxic dumping.
The first US-born Pope urged the world to reject temptations of power and enrichment linked to practices that pollute the land.
"I have come first of all to gather the tears of those who have lost loved ones, killed by environmental pollution caused by unscrupulous people and organisations who have been allowed to act with impunity for too long".
The visit came on the eve of the 11th anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark document on climate change, the encyclical is entitled 'Laudato Si' or Praised Be.
Commentators say the timing of the visit indicates Pope Leo's commitment to carry on his predecessor’s environmental agenda.
.
Romanian director Cristian Mungiu has won the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or prize for the second time for his film 'Fjord'.
The Norwegian-set drama explores cultural differences in raising children.
Mungiu says his film is a plea for tolerance, inclusion and empathy.
"My feeling is that today the society is split, it's divided, it's radicalised. And if you want, this film is a pledge against any kind of fundamentalism. It's a pledge for these things that we quote very, very often, like tolerance and inclusion and empathy. These are lovely words, and we need to apply them more often."
.
In sport, Socceroo hopeful Riley McGree is hoping his World Cup run isn't over, after limping off with a hamstring injury in Middlesbrough's Championship play-off final defeat to Hull City at Wembley.
He and fellow Socceroo Sammy Silvera, were left shattered after the Championship playoffs ended with a 1-nil loss.
McGree played for 76 minutes before coming off with a left hamstring issue.
Australia's first World Cup match against Turkiye is just three weeks away.
McGree is considered one of Australia's most creative and explosive attackers.
