In this bulletin;
- US and Ukrainian officials travel to Saudi Arabia, as talks loom on ending Russia's war.
- Shane Patton resigns as Victoria Police chief commissioner.
- And in sport, Chile's Joaquin Niemann wins LIV Golf Adelaide 2025.
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A Ukrainian delegation is visiting Saudi Arabia in preparation for a possible visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The meetings come at a time of uncertainty for the Ukrainians, with upcoming talks planned between the US and Russia about Russia's war on Ukraine.
Andriy Yermak, a top adviser to Mr Zelenskyy, says there is no possibility of Ukrainian and Russian representatives meeting directly in the immediate future.
Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko says the Ukrainian delegation's focus is on strengthening economic ties, as Ukraine prepares to sign important economic agreements with countries in the region.
Meanwhile, White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz have confirmed they are travelling to Saudi Arabia for talks on how to end Russia's war on Ukraine.
Following a phone call between U-S President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin last week, Mr Trump says their teams are working to start negotiations on ending the war.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has knocked back a draft deal proposed by the Trump administration which would have given the United States ownership of half the country's critical minerals.
It comes as President Donald Trump prepares to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin, days after declaring Ukraine should not join NATO and the US won't provide peacekeeping troops.
Mr Zelenskyy originally suggested the minerals deal but says this draft did not provide adequate security protections.
"In Ukraine these are investments - and this should be stated legally in a proper and correct way. And this is an investment, and you can think about how to distribute profits from it - if it is all connected with security guarantees, and I have not yet seen this connection in the document."
Meanwhile, European leaders have called an emergency summit amid fears that Russian aggression is being rewarded.
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the international community to stop the flow of weapons into Sudan and end what he called the "bankrolling of bloodshed".
On the ground, the fighting has been escalating in recent weeks, with the army claiming significant gains in its push to reclaim the capital Khartoum.
Over the weekend, intense fighting has been reported around a major bridge connecting the capital's east and south.
Jonas Horner, from the European Council on Foreign Relations, says the fighting in Sudan is reaching a decisive moment.
"Around the turn of the year, the Sudan Armed Forces, which had been pushed out in the first year of the war, have been able to recoup a lot of that territory, taking a lot of the agricultural heartland to the south of the capital Khartoum, and then pushing into the capital - starting to dislodge key sections of the Rapid Support Forces who they're fighting against.”
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Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has resigned from the role, following an overwhelming vote of no confidence from officers.
Despite expectations Mr Patton would continue into a second five-year term, the no confidence vote follows a lengthy pay dispute between police and the state government.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has thanked Commissioner Patton for his service and leadership, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent will act in his role until a permanent replacement is selected.
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Greens spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather has downplayed recent polling suggesting the Greens could lose three Brisbane seats.
A YouGov poll released over the weekend shows a national two-party preferred swing toward the Coalition of 3.2 per cent.
The model is not a forecast of the election result, but gives an indication of voters' preferences at this point in time.
Mr Chandler-Mather says the polling won't capture the full picture of voters' views in a local electorate.
"So they're not asking people in these electorates what they think of the fact that in Griffith for instance we run four weekly breakfasts funded out of my salary, they don't ask people in this area what they think of mps who have secured $3.5 billion for public and community housing in negotiations with Labor. We feel confident that a lot of people are pretty fed up with the two major parties and they want the Greens in the balance of power."
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In sports, Chile's Joaquin Niemann has won LIV Golf's Adelaide tournament.
Niemann carded a stellar seven-under 65 at the Grange golf club to pip Mexican Abraham Ancer by two shots.
Marc Leishman was the best-placed Australian, finishing three under and tied for 21st.
Niemann says he feels at the top of his game.
"I am trying to get better. And I feel like these moments right now are big moments of learning where I can improve my game. The way I play today I feel like it reflects how hard I have been working. How I have been practising. Being able to see those steps forwards every time is always satisfying and it makes me have more energy to go out tomorrow and get better again."
