In this bulletin;
- Australia imposes new sanctions on Russia, as the world marks three years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine;
- Friedrich Merz claims victory in Germany's election;
- And in cricket, Josh Inglis reflects on his maiden century.
Australia has announced further travel bans and sanctions on Russian individuals and entities three years on from the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In a joint statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Defence Minister Richard Marles, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong say the new sanctions target individuals supporting Russia's annexation of eastern Ukraine and Crimea.
It also targets individuals responsible for conflict-related sexual violence; and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.
The Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, says the support from Australia means a lot.
"And my message is now in the third year of the anniversary is to thank Australia for that support. For us Ukrainians, seeing that support from 50,000 kilometres away is so uplifting. If the aggressors is rewarded for what they've done, it sends a very negative signal that is being sent to different other authoritarian leaders here in the region. And the world is watching because security in Europe will define security in the Indo-Pacific."
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In Germany, Friedrich Merz says the conservative bloc will do everything they can to form a government capable of taking action as quickly as possible.
Projections indicate Mr Merz's conservatives scored 29 per cent. The far-right anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party came in second with just under 20 per cent - a doubling of its result at the last election in 2021.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats is projected to come in third place, with 16.2 per cent of support.
A final official result is expected within coming hours.
Mr Merz says he wants the negotiations to form a governing coalition to happen quickly.
"The main thing is to create a government in Germany that is capable of acting as quickly as possible, with a good parliamentary majority. Because dear friends, the world out there is not waiting for us and it is not waiting for lengthy coalition talks and negotiations. We must now quickly regain our ability to act so that we can do the right thing at home, so that we can be present in Europe again, so that the world realises that Germany is being governed reliably again. That's what the conservatives stand for, that's what we stand for and that's what I personally stand for."
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The major parties are yet to explain who they would fund a $8.5 billion pledge to boost Medicare.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says he would match the announcement made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over the weekend to ensure nine in 10 visits to the doctor will be free within the decade.
The plan includes funding for an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits per year, nursing scholarships, and increased GP training opportunities.
The announcement has been largely welcomed, but the National Rural Health Alliance and the Australian College of Nursing has also called for long-term reform to address workforce shortages, including measures to more fully utilise the skillsets of nurses; and ensuring there are enough local health workers to service demand in regional and rural Australia.
Mr Albanese says the funding pledge is significant.
"That is the largest commitment to Medicare in 40 years. And on top of that, a plan to make sure we deal with the workforce that we have. 2,000 extra GPs. That we provide scholarships for nurses and midwives. A Labor government will always defend healthcare. Healthcare in my personal experience with my mum is what politicised me. And is why I'm here today as the Prime Minister."
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Residents in Queensland are being warned to brace themselves for a week of severe weather.
Cyclone Alfred formed 840km off Queensland's northeast coast as a category-one event on Sunday - and is predicted to drift southeast over the next seven days.
Senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, Angus Hines says it is forecast to become a category-two tropical cyclone - and is expected to impact on weather conditions for coastal residents.
"Alfred will most likely be a category-two tropical cyclone and then become a severe category-three tropical cyclone on Tuesday. While Alfred currently sits a long way away from Australia. It will influence the weather across parts of the east coast, coastal parts of Queensland will get a breezy week with some stiff southeasterly winds, as well as a few passing showers. Strong winds will make for choppy conditions as well as sizeable swell over the Queensland coastal waters throughout the week."
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In cricket, Josh Inglis has described his match-winning century for Australia against his native country in the Champions Trophy as "special" - and he admits the days of him supporting the British in sport "are long gone".
Inglis was born in the northern city of Leeds but relocated to Perth in Western Australian age 14 with his family.
Over the weekend, the 29-year-old smashed an unbeaten maiden ODI hundred to help Australia to a record Champions Trophy chase of 352 runs and a five-wicket win in Lahore.
It is the highest-ever successful run chase in all ODI tournaments.
