US envoys meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow in a fresh push to end the war in Ukraine; Veterans urged to speak out ahead of an inquiry into military sexual violence; A winner in the outback's Melbourne Cup.
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TRANSCRIPT
- US envoys meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow in a fresh push to end the war in Ukraine
- Veterans urged to speak out ahead of an inquiry into military sexual violence
- A winner in the outback's Melbourne Cup
US envoys have met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, as Washington launches a fresh push to end the war in Ukraine.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are carrying a new peace proposal from President Donald Trump, with talks held at the Kremlin.
Russia and Ukraine have also agreed to pause strikes on each other’s capitals during the diplomatic push, with Moscow ordering a three-day halt on attacks targeting Kyiv.
The US envoys are also expected to travel to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as President Trump talks up the chances of a breakthrough.
"We have an idea for peace. Look, I settled eight wars. Most of them were supposed to be, in my opinion, more difficult than Russia, Ukraine. There's a personality problem in Russia, Ukraine. You have (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy and (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin, they truly hate each other."
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US forces have struck three Iranian oil tankers after Iran fired ballistic missiles at two American navy ships.
US Central Command says one of the tankers was hit near Kharg Island, close to Iran’s key oil export hub.
The head of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, says the strikes were intended to impose a higher economic cost on Iran.
Iranian media says four US missiles hit one tanker near Kharg Island, with no casualties reported.
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Veterans and defence force personnel are being urged to share their experiences of military sexual violence ahead of an official inquiry later this year.
Deputy commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja says many people may still not have come forward, pointing to Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission estimates that up to 60 per cent of cases go unreported.
The former senator says some people have endured traumatic experiences and may have been re-traumatised by the system.
But she hopes the inquiry will provide a sensitive, respectful and, where needed, confidential environment for people to tell their stories.
If you or someone you know wants to talk about sexual assault or harassment, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. Also contact Open Arms 1800 011 046.
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Two people have been found alive in Nepal, 10 days after devastating floods swept through the country.
A Chinese worker was pulled from a tunnel at a hydropower project, where rescuers had already found two other survivors.
In a separate rescue, a 64-year-old woman was found alive inside her mud-covered house and flown to Kathmandu for treatment.
Thousands of people are still missing, as search crews continue to work through flood-hit communities.
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Israel has seized control of a ridge in southern Lebanon that it says is a key site for Hezbollah.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says Hezbollah fighters in tunnels beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge have been removed, while a Lebanese military officer says troops have seized the southern entrances.
The U-S had wanted Hezbollah to hand over the hill to the Lebanese army as part of larger plan to disarm the militant group and dismantle its infrastructure.
Bassem Mroue from the Associated Press says the site has been one of the most hotly contested areas in the Israel-Hezbollah war, despite a ceasefire announced in June.
“The capture of the Ali Taher hill is a major setback for the militant Hezbollah group as it opens the way to the southern city of Nabatiyeh and nearby villages as well as to the Apple Province, where Hezbollah has major strongholds.”
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Summer heat has arrived early across much of eastern Australia, with unusually high temperatures recorded across the weekend.
Sydney has experienced some of its warmest early-September conditions on record, with temperatures well above average for the start of spring.
Southern Queensland is also seeing unseasonable heat, with temperatures climbing into the mid-30s.
The Bureau of Meteorology says whlie the eastern seaboard can expect cooler weather from Sunday, it predicts above-average temperatures for much of the country over coming months.
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The Birdsville Races in Queensland, which remains one of the biggest weekends on the outback calendar, has raised funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
It began in 1882, when a group of 150 owners, managers and stockmen came together on the South Australian and Queensland border for the first – and unofficial – event.
This year's race has been run and done, with New Zealand gelding Raetihi taking out the Melbourne Cup of the outback, claiming the title from Hello World who won the Akubra Big Red Cup on Friday.
Wangkangurru Yarluyandi elder and long-serving national park ranger Don Rowlands has attended every race since 1996.
"I was only telling someone yesterday about when we only had furlong posts and a greater reel to show the horses where to gallop around the race track."
