In this bulletin;
- Donald Trump pauses Ukraine peace talks after meeting with Zelenskyy
- Labor promises it will freeze beer excise for two years if re-elected.
- New research finds over half of Australians experienced or witnessed racism in community sports.
A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ended with accusations of disrespect and threatening warnings.
Mr Zelenskyy has reportedly left the White House meeting early, with Donald Trump stating talks can resume once his Ukrainian counterpart is ready for a peace deal.
The pair clashed during the meeting, with Zelenskyy challenging Trump's softer approach to Russia and Trump warning Ukraine's leader that he is "gambling with World War three."
While Mr Zelenskyy says Ukraine won't make compromises with Russia's leader, Mr Trump says he needs to make a deal, or the United States is out.
"It's not a question of alignment. I have to, I'm aligned with the world. I want to get the thing set. I'm aligned with Europe. I want to see if we can get this thing done. You want me to be tough? I could be tougher than any human being you've ever seen. I'd be so tough, but you're never going to get a deal that way. So that's the way it goes. "
The meeting took place prior to an event in which they were expected to sign a deal for US participation in Ukraine's mineral industry.
The negotiated agreement will open Ukraine's vast mineral wealth to the US, but does not include explicit US security guarantees for Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia has officially declared that Ramadan will begin today, following the sighting of the crescent moon in various astronomical centres across the country.
The Supreme Court confirmed the decision on Friday, in line with the traditional lunar calendar, where the start of Ramadan depends on moon sightings.
The announcement was made on Saudi television.
"The Royal Court through its statement says the Supreme Court has decided that tomorrow, Saturday is the first day of the holy month of Ramadan. Season's greetings, and we ask God to accept (your worship) during this holy month."
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred period of worship, reflection, charity, and good deeds for Muslims.
It also brings families and friends together for meals to break their fast.
While Saudi Arabia has confirmed the start date, the beginning of Ramadan may vary in other Muslim communities due to different moon sighting methods and declarations by Islamic authorities worldwide.
Pub-goers could soon lock in the price of their pint for two years under a proposed freeze on beer taxes.
From August, draught beer tax increases will be halted for two years under a plan put forward by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Beer excise duties, which rise twice a year with inflation, currently range from $10 to $43 per litre, depending on container size and alcohol content.
Mr Albanese says the freeze will help ease cost-of-living pressures, adding that freezing the excise on draught beer is a common-sense move that benefits drinkers, brewers, and pubs alike.
The Senate has heard from one of Australia's most remote local councils, about the disadvantage of its residents.
The Barkly Shire Council takes in a large area around Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory within the marginal federal electorate of Lingiari, which is currently held by Labor.
Barkly Regional Council Mayor Sid Vashist says while the Federal and NT government set visions for many parts of the territory, the region where his council oversees is often ignored.
"We've got all these critical minerals, agricultural opportunities, but at the same time, we have to leverage the industry that's been talked about. We are benefiting and having social impact for the people, that's Indigenous people on the ground."
A new study has revealed over half of all Australians taking part in community sport have witnessed or been the target of racism.
Researchers at Monash University found 30 per cent of participants had directly experienced racism, with 26 per cent of them say they have witnessed racism.
Among those targeted by racism, 20 per cent of them reduced or changed their participation in sport.
Centre for Multicultural Youth and CMSport CEO Carmel Guerra says the figures are concerning.
“This research has really given us the impetus to engage the sports in thinking about what this is like and to do it in a systemic way, but it really is impacting on young people and families from actually participating in sport. So that’s our concern we want to get young people playing sport and we want them to feel safe.”
