TRANSCRIPT
- Vladimir Putin requests direct White House talks before he can agree to a ceasefire, but says he's open to a deal in principle
- Homeless campers in Meanjin Brisbane are asked to leave before a council-imposed ban comes into force
- The Richmond Tigers stun Carlton by 13 points in their traditional round-one clash
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Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia agrees in principle with US proposals for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but says he has serious questions about the details of the deal.
He says he's willing to discuss further with his, quote, "American partners", suggesting another phone call with US President Donald Trump.
After talks with top US diplomats earlier this week, Ukraine's government says it is ready to accept a 30-day ceasefire.
As Mr Trump pushes for an end to the more than three-year conflict, his special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Moscow to discuss the plan.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says they are closely following the talks.
"We have read the statement adopted as a result of it, which contains various ideas. At the moment, we haven't received any official requests on this matter. For our part, we will be ready to discuss the initiatives outlined there during future contacts with the American side. I can also say that such contacts are possible.”
Mr Trump earlier warned of 'devastating penalties' for Russia should Vladimir Putin choose not to back the ceasefire proposal.
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United Nations experts are accusing Israel of increasingly using sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians.
They also say it's carrying out what they describe as "genocidal acts" through the systematic destruction of maternal and reproductive healthcare facilities.
A report commissioned by the UN's Human Rights Council documents alleged violations, including rape, in Gaza and the occupied West Bank since the Hamas-led October 7 attacks.
It comes as Palestinians, who say they suffered beatings and sexual abuse in Israeli detention and at the hands of Israeli settlers, have testified at the UN this week.
Mohamed Matar, a resident of the occupied West Bank, told the hearing he was captured and tortured when he helped protect a Bedouin community facing settler attacks.
He says he was beaten and sexually assaulted at the hands of security agents and settlers, claiming Israeli police refused to intervene.
"When I pushed him away he became even more furious and continued to hit me for five to ten minutes. As I was screaming he thought my physical condition had weakened. He tried again. He jumped on my back again and tried to use the stick to push it into my anus."
Israel says it categorically rejects all the allegations.
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 . In an emergency, call 000.
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United States President Donald Trump is threatening to put a 200 per cent tariff on wine, cognac and other alcohol imports from Europe.
The threats are in response to EU plans to impose tariffs on American whiskey, which itself was a response to Mr Trump's 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
Alcohol has been a friction point in the trade disputes with Mr Trump, with some Canadian retailers pulling American bourbon from the shelves.
Spirits Europe Director for Trade and Economic Affairs, Pauline Bastidon, says the industry on both sides of the Atlantic will suffer.
“We’re essentially collateral damage in all of this. We're suffering due to a completely unrelated dispute. Our sector is fully united on both sides of the Atlantic. We have EU companies that are heavily invested in the US that produce US whiskey and other US spirits, and we have also US companies that are heavily invested in Europe. So it's not in our interest and it's certainly not in our counterparts’ interests either to see tariffs coming back.”
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Homeless campers living in parks in Meanjin Brisbane, have been asked to leave before a council-imposed ban comes into force.
The city council's Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner, says the crackdown is designed to make parks safer.
Support services however say without fixing the supply and cost of long-term accommodation, many people have to remain on the streets.
Trina Massey is the Greens Councillor.
"What we want to know is why is the Lord Mayor being so cruel. We support people being in houses and accommodation. We know the solution isn't going to be criminalisation."
Mr Schrinner says police and council rangers will be called in to enforce the ban.
There are concerns homeless cyclone survivors are going to arrive in Brisbane from neighbouring Moreton Bay.
The council recently criminalised homeless camping on public land, imposing fines of up to $8,000.
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To sport now, the Richmond Tigers have ended speculation about whether they might win a game this AFL season, stunning Carlton by 13 points in their traditional round-one clash.
Initiating three first-round draftees, Richmond rallied from 41 points down 15 minutes into the second term to win 82 to 69 in front of 80,009 fans at the MCG.
The Blues' huge upset adds to question marks over the quality of their 2025 season.
