TRANSCRIPT
- European leaders meet in London to discuss plans to end the war in Ukraine
- Residents in Queensland warned to prepare for Tropical Cyclone Alfred
- The Asian Football Confederation congratulates Australia on winning their first Under-20 Asian Cup title.
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Ukraine's European allies say they are ready to bolster their defence spending, after meeting in London for an emergency summit on the matter.
The summit comes after an explosive public meeting between Ukraine's President and US President Donald Trump, casting doubts over future US support for Ukraine.
After the summit, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new $3.2 billion deal to allow Ukraine to purchase 5,000 air defence missiles.
Also speaking after the summit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says a halt in fighting could be the starting point for peace talks.
Mr Starmer says 'Europe must do the heavy lifting' in securing peace for Ukraine.
"We are at a crossroads in history today. This is not a moment for more talk. It's time to act. Time to step up and lead and to unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace."
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UN secretary general Antonio Guterres has called on Israel to end its suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza immediately.
Israel says it took the action because of Hamas' refusal to extend phase one of the ceasefire agreement.
The six-week first phase of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas officially ended on Sunday.
Israel says it wants to extend the first phase to cover the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover.
Hamas says it wants to see a move towards phase two of the agreement.
It has accused Israel of trying to derail the existing ceasefire deal - and called the decision to cut off aid "cheap extortion" and a "blatant attack".
Udi Goren is the head of Knesset desk at the Hostages Families Forum.
He says he's concerned Israel is not fulfilling its obligations.
“I’m incredibly concerned about what’s happening right now. At this point, we were supposed to be hearing all about the second phase and how Israel and Hamas and the mediators are planning to bring all the hostages back including my cousin and all we’re hearing right now is that we are going back to war, that Hamas is reluctant to continue, that Israel is not necessarily abiding by every part of the deal.”
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Pope Francis is in a stable condition, as he receives treatment for double pneumonia in hospital.
The Vatican says the 88-year-old pontiff's condition has stabilised, following an isolated breathing crisis.
In a statement, the Vatican says the night was peaceful and the Pope is still resting.
The Pope is being treated at Rome's Gemelli hospital, after being admitted there more than two weeks ago.
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Thousands of people are on high alert as tropical cyclone Alfred heads towards Australia.
Alfred is expected to hit as a category-two system on Thursday.
More than four million residents in communities from Bundaberg to the Gold Coast have been warned to expect intense winds, life-threatening flooding and very heavy rainfall.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has urged residents in the state's southeast to prepare.
"I'm asking people to take every opportunity to stay connected across whatever platform you can and it might be speaking to your neighbour, it might be going on to the official government website, it might be staying vigilant and keeping your phone on you and having back up batteries to charge if you were to lose power and having adequate food and water. All of those things preparations are something people can do before the event."
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A Royal Australian Navy ship is expected to search the Coral Sea, after a Lithuanian man rowing from San Diego to Brisbane called for help.
The rower, Aurimas Mockus who started his quest to row across the Pacific Ocean solo in August activated his emergency beacon on Friday night.
Mr Mockus was travelling solo on the rowing boat from the Californian city to Brisbane.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority says he was battling heavy seas and winds of 80 kilometres per hour when he reached out.
A Cairns-based Challenger jet didn't spot the vessel but managed to make contact with Mr Mockus, who says he was tired.
An aircraft was sent from Royal Australian Air Force Base Edinburgh near Adelaide, and another has been dispatched to maintain communications.
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In sports, the president of the Asian Football Confederation has congratulated Australia on winning the Under-20 Asian Cup.
Australia defeated three-time winners Saudi Arabia 5-4 on penalties to win the tournament for the first time in its 66-year history.
Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa says he conveys his heartfelt congratulations to Australia on winning the coveted Continental crown.
The win earns Australia a spot in the Under-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
