US envoys in Switzerland for Iran talks as the Lebanon ceasefire faces another test; farmers groups on alert amid concerns of the impact of H5 bird flu on local species; and in football, the Netherlands beat Sweden to top Group F in the World Cup.
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TRANSCRIPT
- US envoys in Switzerland for Iran talks as the Lebanon ceasefire faces another test
- Farmers groups on alert amid concerns of the impact of H5 bird flu on local species
- The Netherlands beat Sweden to top Group F in the World Cup
Top officials from the Trump administration are on the ground in Switzerland for negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.
US Vice President JD Vance says Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are working through some of the technical details, but that they have clear instructions from Donald Trump on what to accomplish.
"Of course is to get the enriched stockpile of uranium to ensure that we make it effectively impossible for the Iranians to rebuild their nuclear program, even over a very long period of time. The program is destroyed, but we're of course trying to take away as many of the cards where they may try to rebuild it if they don't behave under this agreement."
The beginning of the negotiations on nuclear issues comes as Iran once again said it had closed the vital Strait of Hormuz on Saturday over Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
Israeli strikes have killed at least 10 people in Lebanon hours after a truce took effect, with Israel saying it was reacting to attacks from Hezbollah and the Iran-backed group saying it will not allow Israel freedom of movement in the country.
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Farmers are being encouraged to review biosecurity measures and report any sick or dead birds or animals to authorities following the detection of the deadly H5 strain of avian influenza on the Australian mainland for the first time.
The discovery has fuelled fears among scientists, conservationists and agricultural groups, who point to mass mortality events and species-level population reductions in overseas outbreaks.
Seabird researcher Dr Lauren Roman, at the University of Tasmania, says there is good reason to worry about the risk to Australian wildlife.
"So this is a real concern if it does get into sea lions in Australia, which is a possibility if we get outbreaks in the country. It has also hit surface nesting seabirds really heavily as well. So birds like pelicans, cormorants, boobies, gannets, terns. So in some countries you have had hundreds of thousands of birds dying over a space of months."
The Victorian Farmers Federation says the risk to human health remains very low and there is no evidence of infection in poultry, but that the virus could have significant impacts on agriculture if it becomes established in Australia.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins says the government knew it would not be bird flu-free forever, and has developed more than 100 plans for important natural sites and susceptible species.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says recent incidents involving politicians have highlighted the need for a more respectful political debate in Australia.
His comments come days after protesters disrupted Pauline Hanson's address to the National Press Club by unfurling a banner inside the venue.
There have been several recent prosecutions involving alleged threats against public officials.
The prime minister has also defended the independence of the Australian Federal Police after Senator Hanson claimed her security protection was reduced following the 2022 election.
He says such decisions are made by law enforcement, not politicians.
Mr Albanese says disagreement is a healthy part of democracy but political differences should never escalate into hostility or intimidation.
"We need to turn the temperature down. We can have respectful political disagreement without recourse to hateful vilification and incitement. Our democracy depends upon people being able to participate."
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To football, and at the World Cup,
The Netherlands have moved to the top of Group F after defeating Sweden 5-1.
Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo scored two goals each, before Crysencio Summerville sealed the win with a goal in the 90th minute.
The win means that The Netherlands top Group F with four points while Sweden stay on three after two matches.
Sweden coach Graham Potter says the team will keep moving forward.
"We played against a good team. They hurt us in the wide areas. First goal was from a long ball that we didn't deal with very well. I thought we got off to not a great start in the first period and then cambe back into it in the second part of the first half with what I thought was a better team. And then we just started badly in the second . Well, actually, we started well but then we lost the ball; and then all of a sudden two goals, and the game has gone away from us. The boys kept going. In fairness to them, they kept going. But it was one of those things we'll learn a lot from."
