Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will participate in a crucial phone call with world leaders on Saturday night to discuss the potential deployment of a peacekeeping force to war-torn Ukraine. This call, initiated by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, will bring together leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and New Zealand, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to deliberate on this critical issue.
Internal Liberal Party polling suggests female voters are returning to the Coalition, with leader Peter Dutton seen as more palatable to women than his predecessor Scott Morrison. However, Labor remains the favored major party with female voters, and some within the Liberal Party remain unconvinced that the party has truly changed its approach to women's issues.
Belgian authorities have arrested multiple individuals suspected of involvement in a corruption scheme within the European Parliament, allegedly involving Chinese company Huawei bribing EU lawmakers to promote its interests. The investigation, which follows a similar scandal in 2022, raises concerns about the vulnerability of the EU Parliament to corruption and the potential influence of foreign actors.
Residents in southwest Queensland face skyrocketing insurance premiums of up to 300%, forcing many to forgo coverage and raising concerns about affordability and fairness in the insurance market. The region's councils argue that insurers are not factoring in their investments in mitigation structures, while the industry blames escalating natural disaster costs and outdated flood maps.
Energy ministers have urged the Australian Energy Regulator to reconsider its proposed power price hike, citing concerns about the impact on cost-of-living pressures and the need to scrutinize retailer costs before passing them on to consumers. The ministers believe further investigation is necessary to ensure the price increase is justified and does not unfairly burden households.