TRANSCRIPT:
- Concern that inflation could rise when the latest figures are released today;
- Ukraine and the US seek agreement on a 28 point peace plan;
- Sydney Swans footballer Zippy Fish claims the A-F-L-W's rising star award.
Australia's latest inflation numbers are due to be released today - and it's expected to spike to its highest level in 16 months.
Economists at Westpac have forecast today's monthly consumer price index will rise for the month of October, which would result in the annual figure shooting up to 3.9 per cent - the highest level since June 2024.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics traditionally releases inflation data every quarter - and has since 2022 adopted a monthly metric that has partially updated information.
From today, the A-B-S says they now have the ability to provide what they call a complete monthly update, which includes more comprehensive tracking of the changing prices of various goods.
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US negotiator Dan Driscoll is on his way to Ukraine for more talks on a peace plan after the two reached what has been called a common understanding on a peace deal.
US and Ukrainian officials have been trying to narrow the gaps between them over Trump's plan to end Europe's deadliest and most devastating conflict since World War II.
Washington’s 28-point peace plan, presented last week, had earlier caused alarm because it heavily aligned with Russia's demands.
But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is ready to meet with US President Donald Trump and discuss some of the more "sensitive points" of the proposal.
"Ukraine has the framework developed by our teams in Geneva. That framework is on the table, and we’re ready to move forward together – with the United States of America, with personal engagement of President Trump, and with Europe, with leaders, and with all partners who have the strength and capacity to help."
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Paris prosecutors have announced four more arrests in connection with a heist at the Louvre Museum in October.
The suspects are two men and two women.
The prosecutor's statement has not said what role the four are suspected of having played in the October 19 theft.
But French media have reported that one of those arrested is believed to be the fourth member of the team thought to have carried out the daring daylight robbery and is from Aubervilliers, a suburb north of Paris other suspects have connections with.
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An environment group and traditional owners are taking legal action against the Northern Territory government's Mataranka water allocation plan.
Environment Centre NT and First Nations elders want the Northern Territory Supreme Court to invalidate the decision by Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne to declare the plan.
The 10-year framework more than doubles the amount of water that can be extracted from an aquifer that feeds the world-famous Mataranka Springs and neighbouring communities.
Traditional Owner Jocelyn James says the impacts of this would be devastating.
"Brought my team with me up here in Darwin... it's all about this water. And about farming. It makes me cry when I go everyday up and down...going seeing country like that it makes me cry because we are the Elders. We are Elders now today. I don't know what would be happening afterward."
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Authorities in New South Wales have raised bushfire alerts to their highest levels in more than two years.
More than 20 public schools across central New South Wales will remain closed today due to the catastrophic fire danger, the first such alert since September 2023.
The warnings of increased bushfire danger come as the country is still reeling from a deadly start to bushfire season, when Country Fire Service member and 30-year firefighter Peter Curtis died on Sunday while battling a scrub fire on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
Another bushfire in northeast Tasmania has burned since Saturday, with authorities advising people in the Curries River Reservoir area to monitor conditions.
Miriam Bradbury from the Bureau of Meteorology says hot conditions are likely to persist over the next couple of days.
"Now for New South Wales and Sydney we are also seeing a lot of heat being drawn down across the stat. Day time and night time temperatures are sitting 6-10 degrees above the November average, particularly in the north and northeast. So we're seeing day time temperatures in the low to mid 30s in many areas, but high 30s to low 40s across the northern inland of New South Wales. Very little relief is expected over the next couple of days for the Sydney area as well."
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To sport now,
First Nations footballer Zippy Fish has taken out the AFLW's rising star award.
The proud Larrakia Noongar Wongi and Wirangu woman polled an incredible 50 votes to win the award - more than double the points of the runner up.
In a standout season for the Sydney Swans - she averaged more than 21 disposals a game - picking up votes in every match she played.
