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Following White House talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders, U-S President Donald Trump says he has spoken again to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, and is already planning a meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders.
Mr Trump says he believes all sides want peace in Ukraine, after a war that's been going nearly three and a half years.
"President Putin wants to find an answer too, and we'll see in that in a certain period of time, not very far from now, a week or two weeks, we're going to know whether or not we're going to solve this or is this horrible fighting going to continue. We'll do the best to get it ended. And, I believe you have two willing parties, and usually that's good news. But two willing parties that want to make a deal."
Mr Zelenskyy has described his talks with Mr Trump as having gone well.
He says they discussed the idea of Europe providing security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a Russia peace deal, with the U-S taking an oversight role.
Russia's leading news agency, TASS, says Mr Putin supports the idea of direct talks with Ukraine after speaking to Mr Trump.
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European leaders says they're pleased with how the talks between U-S President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodomyr Zelenskyy.
Amongst others, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer supported Mr Zelenskyy at the White House.
However, the European leaders warn that Ukraine must be included in any territorial talks, and its remaining land protected.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has officially commenced the government's economic reform roundtable in Canberra.
The three-day symposium has been hailed by Treasurer Jim Chalmers as an opportunity to raise living standards by boosting Australia's weakening productivity.
The first day of the roundtable will focus on building economic resilience.
Other matters set for discussion this week are cutting regulatory red tape, the future role of Artificial Intelligence, and environmental law reforms.
Mr Albanese says it's important to hear the ideas and interests of different sectors across the economy.
"We have an agenda that we're elected on, that's not the limit of our ambition. And one of the things that I hope defines the government that I'm so proud to lead is that we're an inclusive government. We are open to ideas from business, from unions from civil society, from academics, right across the board."
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A freshly-elected senator is quitting his post less than one month after being sworn in.
Warwick Stacey, who won a New South Wales upper house seat for One Nation in May's federal poll, has resigned due to what he describes as personal health issues.
The former solider says voters deserve someone completely dedicated to the role — and his health won't let him do that.
One Nation will announce his replacement in the coming weeks.
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Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Israel's decision to revoke the visas of Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority was unjustified and will undermine aid efforts.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar says the call was in response to Australia's decision to recognise a Palestinian state and refuse entry to a far-right Israeli politician.
Israeli far-right politician, Simcha Rothman, was due to start a speaking tour in Australia but was denied entry after offensive and inflammatory remarks, including one branding all children in Gaza as enemies.
Ms Wong has defended the decision, saying the government has the right to safeguard Australians from hate and harm.
But National Party leader David Littleproud told Sky News he isn't satisfied with the reasons given.
"This is a worrying development that I think Tony Burke, firstly, needs to give the full list of reasons as to why this visa was was cancelled, so that there is transparency for the Australian people. But ultimately, let's not sugarcoat it. The reality is, it's because of the actions of this government that has recognised, wants to recognise a Palestinian state before they're ready."
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Employers are being urged to end the gender pay gap by addressing segregation and workplace discrimination, as data reveals it could still take more than 20 years to close the gap.
Equal Pay Day on August 19 marks the 50 additional days women must work on average to earn the same amount their male colleagues had by the end of the financial year.
Research by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency found the gap is driven by three main factors - gender segregation of occupations and industries, unequal distribution of caring and family responsibilities and workplace discrimination.
Thousands of people have used the agency's pay calculator to work out their equal pay date at their employer.
More than eight in 10 Australian employers - 84.7 per cent - have average gender pay gaps outside the target range of plus or minus five per cent.
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In rugby union, the Wallabies say they're building nicely towards the World Cup they will host in two years' time.
Two good performances- and one victory- to round off the series against the British and Irish Lions, followed by last weekend's victory over South Africa in Johannesburg, have injected fresh life into the sport in Australia.
Heading into this weekend's rematch with South Africa in Cape Town, centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii says the team is trying to balance short and long-term goals.
"It was very disappointing that we didn't win that Lions series. But, the way we played in the second and third games, and our first game against the Springboks, it's all part of a process towards that World Cup. But we're really just focused on each game, and just growing. And I believe we are."
