Vance to meet Zelenskyy amid push for NATO allies to step up defense spending

Vance is to meet with Zelenskyy amid concerns over U.S.-Russia talks to end the war in Ukraine.

Source: CBS News

Tasmania fires destroy huge swath of wilderness and could ‘burn for weeks’

Around 90,000 hectares of remote country in the state’s north-west have been razed after fires sparked by lightning strikes

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Source: The Guardian

Ukraine and NATO allies fear being left out of potential Trump-Putin peace talks

President Trump is pressing ahead with his plan for trying to end the nearly 3-year-old war in Ukraine. At the White House, Mr. Trump said U.S. and Russian officials will …

Source: CBS News

Air force colonel shot dead by hitmen in Ecuador

Police said Colonel Porfirio Cedeño, who led an air force special operations unit, was the passenger in a van when more than 20 shots were fired.

Source: CBS News

Mapped: Russia’s and Ukraine’s competing visions for peace

As Washington seeks to resolve the war in Ukraine with peace negotiations, these maps show what each side in the conflict is pushing for.

Source: Washington Post

Pope to be admitted to hospital for bronchitis

The Pope has had bronchitis symptoms for several days leading to other officials reading his speeches.

Source: BBC

Trump’s call with Putin alarms Europe and shocks Ukraine

The announcement of the Trump-Putin call made no mention of Europe or of much of a Ukrainian role, playing into fears that their interests will fall by the wayside.

Source: Washington Post

Deadly fire tears through South Korean hotel construction site

Firefighters used a helicopter to rescue people who had fled to safety on a rooftop after a fire broke out at a hotel resort construction site in South Korea. At …

Source: NBC News

Russian drone hits Chernobyl reactor but radiation normal, Ukraine says

Ukraine said a Russian drone crashed into the containment structure, starting a fire, but so far radiation levels have stayed constant.

Source: Washington Post

Education minister accused of ‘political interference’ over review of funding for prominent pro-Palestinian academic

Jason Clare has asked Australian Research Council board to investigate $870,000 grant to Randa Abdel-Fattah, who has faced criticism for controversial comments

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Source: The Guardian

Gaza plans put Egypt-US relations to tough test

After decades of close ties, what happens to Gaza could put Egypt-US friendship at risk.

Source: BBC

Japan releases 200,000 tonnes of emergency rice stockpile as prices soar

Agriculture minister says rising prices have ‘had a significant impact on people’s lives’ amid record heat, surges in demand and distribution problems

Japan is to flood the market with almost …

Source: The Guardian