Australia news live: Penny Wong warns Middle East ceasefire is ‘fragile’; Albanese heads to Singapore after Brunei talks

• Sudan is currently experiencing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, which some observers describe as the gravest of recent times. • The crisis is characterized by widespread mass starvation, with 825,000 children specifically facing severe acute starvation.

• A rare convergence of voices, including India’s RSS leadership, Kashmiri figures, and over 100 eminent citizens, has created a potential opening to reset India–Pakistan relations. • The article argues that current Track II talks must evolve into a structured dialogue to move beyond temporary diplomatic pauses.

• The White House has appointed Harvard astronomer and cosmologist Avi Loeb to lead a new scientific advisory council investigating the national security risks posed by UFOs. • Loeb, a former head of Harvard’s astronomy department known for his controversial theories on alien visits, will lead the study into mysterious orbs reported by military personnel.

• Col. Saikat K. Bose argues that the United Nations' value is often underestimated because critics focus on its failure to prevent major wars. • The author highlights that the UN's true strength lies in its routine, less visible functions, such as providing global coordination, legal frameworks, and trust to prevent smaller crises from escalating.

• A growing number of "UN Sceptics" are questioning the continued relevance of the United Nations due to its perceived inability to stop global violence. • The organization's helplessness is highlighted by the ongoing bloodshed and instability in Gaza, Lebanon, and the invasion-shattered regions of Ukraine.

• The UN Secretary-General introduced the preliminary report from the Independent Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and welcomed the General Assembly's decision to reform the organization's financial rules. • In Lebanon, thousands of displaced people continue to rely on humanitarian aid, with UN agencies and first responders providing food, water, emergency shelter, and psychological support.

• The UK government is facing accusations of failing to prevent the UAE from supplying weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during the ongoing conflict in Sudan. • Evidence including satellite imagery, leaked documents, and on-the-ground footage has been used to trace the movement of arms into the region.

• UN relief chief Martin Griffiths has sounded an alarm regarding the escalation of violence in Sudan's North Kordofan region. • He emphasized that humanitarian workers must be granted safe, unimpeded access to reach vulnerable populations affected by the conflict.

San Francisco jury fails to reach verdict on more serious felony conspiracy charge over April 2024 demonstrationSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailSeven protesters who blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge during a 2024 anti-war demonstration have been found guilty of misdemeanor charges in a case that became yet another flashpoint over how governments and major institutions respond to pro-Palestinian protests in the Trump era.The jury, which deliberated for a total of seven days, was deadlocked on the most serious charge: felony conspiracy. If convicted of that charge, the defendants would have faced a potential sentence of 15 years in prison. Continue reading...

Liz Murrill accused of trying to intimidate officials who opposed GOP-enacted law to overhaul local courtsLouisiana’s Republican attorney general was indicted on Thursday on criminal charges by a grand jury in New Orleans, accused of trying to intimidate local officials who fought a law enacted by GOP legislators to overhaul the local courts.Liz Murrill, the attorney general, told eight New Orleans officials, including Helena Moreno, the mayor, and Jason Williams, the district attorney, that they could face removal from their jobs because of their opposition to the law. Continue reading...

Former Fox News host further said he doesn’t ‘want to be a candidate’ for president and aired frustration with TrumpTucker Carlson, the rightwing broadcaster, wants to help build a new political party in the United States, he said in an interview – though he gave scant detail about the party, and did not indicate whether he was referring to a concrete project or merely musing.In the same interview, Carlson dismissed the idea of running for office as part of that new party. “I don’t want to be a candidate,” he said. Continue reading...

Derrick Callella admitted he called and sent texts to Guthrie’s family, demanding a bitcoin transactionA California man is facing up to two years in prison or a $250,000 fine after pleading guilty to sending Nancy Guthrie’s family a phoney ransom note, federal authorities announced on Thursday.Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on 31 January at her residence outside Tucson, Arizona. Inside the home, authorities observed her cellphone, medication and other basic essentials. Law enforcement also found drops of her blood near the porch. Continue reading...