In this bulletin;
- Reports Ukraine and the US have agreed on a draft minerals deal;
- A Sydney nurse charged with threatening violence;
- And in cricket, Australia turns it focus to its upcoming Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan.
Ukraine has reportedly agreed to a mineral rights deal, with the decision to be formalised as soon as Friday in a White House signing ceremony.
A senior Ukrainian source has spoken to AFP news agency on the condition of anonymity, saying the deal involves the US jointly developing Ukraine's mineral wealth, with revenues going to a newly created fund.
The source says a draft of the deal includes a reference to "security", but does not explicitly outline the US commitments.
US President Donald Trump confirmed that the deal could be signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington as early as Friday.
"I hear that. I hear that he is coming on Friday. Certainly, it is okay with me if he would like to. He would like to sign it together with me. And I understand that it is a very big deal. It is a very big deal. It could be a trillion dollar deal, it could be whatever. It is rare earths and other things."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended Australia's monitoring of Chinese warships, as government officials faced questions about the timeline on information received on China's live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea.
It was revealed in Senate Estimates yesterday that Australian officials did not know Chinese warships were conducting the drills in the Tasman Sea until a Virgin commercial pilot alerted aviation authorities half an hour after they had begun [[9.58am on Friday]].
Mr Albanese says Australia is working with New Zealand to monitor the Chinese warships.
"One was from the New Zealand vessels that were tailing, we're cooperating, we've been monitoring the vessels in the area by both sea and by air. So that occurred and at the same time, through the channels that occur when something like this is occurring, Air Services got notified as well."
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A Sydney nurse has been charged with federal offences over a video in which she and her colleague allegedly threaten to harm Israeli patients and refuse to treat them.
Sarah Abu Lebdeh has been charged with three commonwealth offences including: threatening violence towards a group, use of a carriage service to threaten to kill; and use of a carriage service to menace/harass/offend.
The 26-year-old has been granted conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on March 19.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb say the charges are a major development in an exhaustive investigation.
She has previously said police found no evidence that anyone at the hospital had been harmed, adding that New South Wales Health is continuing with its own investigation.
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TikTok star Go-Jo has been named as the Australian representative for this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland in May.
The 29-year-old Sydney-based singer-songwriter went viral in 2023 after he uploaded a clip to TikTok of himself performing his song 'Mrs Hollywood' while busking in Sydney.
This year marks a decade of Australia participating in the event, beginning in 2015 with Guy Sebastian and his song, 'Tonight Again'.
Go-Jo says it is a dream to be a part of Eurovision 2025 and he is so proud to be representing Australia.
His song is entitled 'Milkshake Man'.
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In cricket, Australia captain Steve Smith says it is disappointing that rain has meant the Champions Trophy match between Australia and South Africa was called off.
Everything now hinges on the contest between Australia against Afghanistan on Friday in Lahore.
An Australian win over Afghanistan will guarantee their progression to the semifinals, but a defeat could now spell the end of their campaign.
Smith says the team is laser-focused on what needs to be done.
"Our equation is pretty simple now - onto the next one against Afghanistan - and if we win I think we are locked into the top four. Yeah, they're a dangerous side like every team in this tournament. I think that is the beauty of the tournament. The eight best teams coming up against it - anyone can come against it. Anyone can have a good day. So, we're going to have to be on in our next game."
