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TRANSCRIPT:
- The US and Iran hold direct talks, aimed at ending weeks of conflict;
- New shipments see Australian fuel reserves lift by two days, to 31-day supply
- Australia's world champion Molly Picklum has fallen short in the final against Gabriela Bryan
US and Iranian delegations are holding direct talks aimed at ending hostilities in the Middle East.
The U-S team includes Vice-President JD Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, while Iran’s delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
The talks follow weeks of conflict and a fragile ceasefire - the first at this level since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.
However, deep mistrust continues to cloud the talks, casting doubt over any breakthrough, with a Pakistani source stating there were mood swings on both sides and the temperature rose and fell during the meeting.
Pakistan, hosting and mediating, says it hopes for constructive engagement and a lasting resolution, while US President Donald Trump has reiterated what he hopes his delegation will achieve.
“No nuclear weapon, number one. You know I think it has already been regime change, but we never had that as a criteria. No nuclear weapon, that’s 99 per cent of it.”
Talks are continuing.
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Thousands of protesters have gathered in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square, calling for an end to what they describe as Israel’s “forever war”, arguing it has failed to deliver security and is only deepening regional suffering.
Demonstrators say the recent ceasefire has exposed the limits of the campaign, warning the conflict continues to take a toll on civilians across the Middle East, as well as in Israel.
Some protesters like Alon Lee-Green, have also accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the fighting for political and economic reasons, saying it is not in the public interest.
"This is a war that does not bring us any safety, any security. It only harms the people of the Middle East and it also harms the people of Israel. We are here knowing now after the ceasefire that it did not achieve any of its goals. There are still ballistic missiles in Iran. There is still nuclear material in Iran. And still there are those forces that Netanyahu claimed that he's fighting against, they are still on their feet, and I think that we know that Netanyahu keeps these wars alive because he wants to be in a forever war."
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Thousands have taken to the streets of Beirut, protesting against Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s planned negotiations with Israel.
Demonstrators gathered near the Grand Serail, burning portraits of Mr Salam and waving Hezbollah flags, accusing him of being a Zionist and betraying national interests.
Amid the unrest, Mr Salam postponed a planned visit to Washington, citing the domestic situation.
Hezbollah supporter Fidaa Hashem is among those protesting the talks which are scheduled for later in the week in Washington DC.
“We are here because we don’t accept what is going on about the direct negotiations between Nawaf and the Israelis. We will never leave here until they stop the negotiation.”
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Back here in Australia, a total of 57 fuel tankers are heading to Australian ports, as the federal government reports stronger diesel reserves despite ongoing supply shocks.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen says Australia now has 31 days of diesel - up by two days - while jet fuel has dropped by two days and petrol by one.
"So for the next month, we have 4.1 billion litres of fuel locked in confirmed for Australia. That's up on 3.7 billion litres from our last update. "
He says fuel levels are comparable to those at the start of the Iran conflict, but warns risks remain.
Around 173 service stations across the country have run out of diesel, about 2.2 per cent of the national network.
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A seven-year-old girl has drowned at a popular swimming spot on the Brisbane River in Brisbane's south-west.
Emergency crews, including helicopters and divers, searched for the child at Colleges Crossing in Chuwar, after she went missing around 5pm yesterday.
Her body was recovered from the river at about 10:30pm and she was declared dead at the scene.
Police are preparing a report for the coroner.
Royal Life Saving says there were 81 drowning deaths across Australia over the 2025–26 summer.
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And in surfing, Australia's world champion Molly Picklum has fallen short in the final against Gabriela Bryan.
After a runner-up placing in 2023, her best-ever finish at the famed Victorian surf break, Picklum was desperate to ring the bell only to be out-surfed by her Hawaiian rival in the title decider on Saturday.
Fellow world number one Yago Dora also lost his top dog status, going down against Brazilian countryman Miguel Pupo in the men's final.
Bryan got off to a flying start to grab the initiative in the World Surf League showdown with an opening score of 7.83.
New South Wales Central Coast gun Picklum fell on her first wave and struggled to find her rhythm after that.
