In this bulletin, US and Iran wrap up first round of nuclear talks, the government says it's ready to tackle avian flu. And in sport, Spain bounces back with a 4-nil World Cup win over Saudi Arabia.
Key Points
- US, Iran conclude first meeting in Switzerland
- Australia prepares in the face of bird flu risk
- Spain secures convincing win over Saudi Arabia at World Cup
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TRANSCRIPT
The first round of talks between the United States and Iran has wrapped up in Switzerland, with both sides agreeing to continue technical negotiations.
The rare face-to-face meeting focused on Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions and wider regional security, as diplomats try to ease tensions across the Middle East.
Key sticking points include sanctions relief, Iran’s frozen assets and security concerns around Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.
US Vice President JD Vance says Washington is seeking a reset in relations with Tehran if Iran abandons its nuclear ambitions and support for regional instability.
"This is a historic meeting. Never before, outside of Islamabad and here—so outside the last few months—never before has the Iranian and American leadership met at such a high level. What the President has asked us to do is turn over a new leaf, to transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and to extend an outstretched hand that says to the people of Iran that if your leadership is willing to give up being a driver of regional instability, if they are willing to give up nuclear weapons ambitions for the long term, then the United States is willing to fundamentally transform our relationship with that country."
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Russian authorities are reporting four people have been killed and 28 injured in a Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian-controlled peninsula of Crimea.
Ukraine has also confirmed a strike on an oil transport facility in Russia's Krasnodar region, which has killed one person.
It is the latest bid by Ukraine to limit Russian oil production to incentivise the Kremlin to end its war with Kyiv.
Russian Installed Governor of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov told the public motorists can't buy fuel in Crimea for the near future, in a bid to manage supply.
"The fuel stations in Crimea will stop selling fuel for cash and non‑cash payments, as well as through coupons to both legal entities and individuals. The fuel will be distributed only to the state agencies that ensure daily functioning and safety of the Republic of Crimea."
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Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says Australia is prepared for the deadly H-5 avian flu virus, after the first case of the highly pathogenic bird flu in Australia was confirmed.
The virus was found on a brown skua seabird in Western Australia.
The bird died while in isolation.
Mr Marles says while the case is concerning, the government is working closely with agencies to investigate the virus.
"The flu of course, is on every continent around the world, we are the last continent to be touched by it. We are investing $113 million into seeing Australia be prepared for it, we are concerned obviously, we are taking every precaution we can here and doing everything went can to mitigate this and to try to contain it. But we would be working with agencies around the country, including the Centre for Disease Prepared.
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Fuel cost relief will continue for another month but at a reduced rate after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a limited extension of the fuel excise relief but reduced it to 16 cents from 32 cents
US President Donald Trump has been touting an imminent peace deal with Iran, although officials in Tehran have been more circumspect.
NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury has treated the president's comments sceptically, saying they are unlikely to have much of an impact on global fuel prices at this stage.
In the meantime Mr Khoury says the reduced excise means essential work on Australian roads is being delayed.
"Now what we saw in the federal budget was the spending on roads in real terms actually dropping. We were paying about 79 per cent of the net amount of the excise back into land transport. A big chunk of that is fixing our roads. That has now dropped to 70. So we are heading in the other direction to where we should be when it comes to using that excise that they should be collecting for roads."
Iran has recently announced a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which in peacetime carries roughly a fifth of the world's oil supplies.
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under serious pressure to quit, with senior Labour figures now urging him to name his exit date.
It follows Andy Burnham’s by-election win in Makerfield, clearing the way for a possible leadership challenge.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle says Sir Keir is now considering the political realities facing him, after a brutal few weeks for Labour.
Even Donald Trump has weighed in, saying Starmer “will resign” and attacking his record on immigration and energy.
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To the World Cup, Spain has bounced back from its shock draw against Cape Verde, beating Saudi Arabia 4-0.
Centre-forward Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice in the first half of the game, in Atlanta.
Lamine Yamal, making his World Cup debut, also scored.
Today's matches also see Iran and Belgium meet in Los Angeles, Uruguay and Cape Verde face off in Miami, and New Zealand takes on Egypt in Vancouver.
