Morning News Bulletin 25 August 2025

8 hours ago

European leaders will join a White House meeting aimed at ending the war in Ukraine ... A man is dead after being shot outside a Sydney hotel ... The Tigers keep their N-R-L finals dreams alive. European leaders say they will be joining a key meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U-S President Donald Trump at the White House today. The meeting about the Ukraine war will be attended by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as well as leaders from the U-K, France, Finland and Germany. It follows Mr Trump's face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, which ended without achieving a ceasefire. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says the meeting was still a positive step, suggesting progress was made on the issue of security guarantees. "I think it is a really great progress that America is prepared to give such security guarantees together with us Europeans, but the major work on a peace agreement, if there is no ceasefire now, the major work on such a peace agreement now lies ahead of all those involved and not behind us." On Sunday, a separate meeting was held with Mr Zelenskyy and the leaders of countries that have pledged to support Ukraine through the so-called 'coalition of the willing'. Members of the Australian Ukrainian community have expressed outrage over the meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting in Alaska excluded Ukrainian leaders and while failing to reach a deal, reportedly included discussions of Ukraine potentially giving up land to Russia. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the dialogue between the U-S and Russian presidents is 'a good thing', he stressed that Russia should not be rewarded for the invasion. Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, told SBS World News that Mr Putin is not a trustworthy figure. "We haven't seen anything from Russia, that Russians were actually serious about ending this war, they've actually stepped up their attacks. They have brought in more people to Ukraine, and they have sent more missiles and drones to destroy and kill more Ukrainians, so that's what we have seen. Vladimir Putin is a war criminal, he's indicted by the International Criminal Court and we hate the guts of him." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed nationwide protests demanding an end to the Gaza war. Demonstrators say a ceasefire is needed to bring back the hostages Hamas is still holding in the Gaza Strip. In response, Mr Netanyahu defended the Israeli security cabinet's decision to expand its military operations and occupy Gaza City. "Our continued security control over the Strip is just one of our conditions for ending the war, conditions that Hamas refuses to accept. We insist not only that Hamas be disarmed, we also insist that Israel enforces the demilitarisation of the Strip over time by taking continuous action against any attempt to arm and organise any terrorist element." Meanwhile Hamas has issued a statement describing Israel's plans to relocate civilians out of Gaza City as a "new wave of genocide and displacement". Health authorities in Gaza say Israel has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023. One person has died and another is being treated for gunshot injuries after a shooting outside a hotel in Sydney's inner west on Sunday [[17 AUG]]. Emergency services were called to a hotel on Ross Street in Forest Lodge at 6.40pm following reports of a shooting. Police say two people had been shot multiple times by unknown attackers before fleeing in a car. One of the victims died at the scene; another was taken to hospital in a serious condition. Police have established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the incident. Tasmania's minority Liberal government has announced an independent review into the salmon farming industry as it seeks to appease crossbenchers ahead of a critical week in parliament. Premier Jeremy Rockliff says the review will ensure the industry maintains its social licence while meeting environmental expectations. "This is not something that the industry should fear. It's actually something that the industry should embrace, and embrace the fact that we are wanting to support the industry (to) become better. To sport now and in the N-R-L ... Manly's attack has misfired again in a fierce blow to their NRL finals hopes, while Wests Tigers kept theirs alive with a dominating 26-12 win. Tries in the first and 79th minutes on Sunday at Allianz Stadium took Manly's tally to just 32 points in their past four games, all losses. It was a dagger blow to Manly's finals hopes, with the Sea Eagles now likely needing to win all three remaining games to be a top-eight chance. The Tigers' hopes were officially over if they lost on Sunday, but, improving to 9-12, they moved level on 24 points with Manly to remain alive. West Tigers head coach Benji Marshall says he's happy with how the team played. "Just the effort and the fight we showed today I thought, obviously a desperate Manly team on the points they are, needing to probably win to make the semis, you know, I thought we toughed out and played some pretty high quality footy, but just the attitude towards the way we want to play this week, they trained accordingly."

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European leaders to join Zelenskyy at White House for Trump meeting

SBS Australia

20 minutes ago

SBS Australia

European leaders to join Zelenskyy at White House for Trump meeting

Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts . European leaders are preparing to join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a highly anticipated meeting with United States President Donald Trump. The UK, Italy, Finland and France will attend the meeting with Ukraine's President- in which an end to the war in Ukraine is expected to be discussed. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who will also attend the meeting at the White House, says robust security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe will be key. "First, we must have strong security guarantees to protect both Ukraine and Europe's vital security interests. Ukraine must be able to uphold its sovereignty and its territorial integrity. There can be no limitations on Ukrainian armed forces." It's a position echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who says Europe is united in backing Ukraine. He says the outcome of the meeting cannot be one that rewards Russian President Vladimir Putin for his invasion of Ukraine. FRENCH THEN ENGLISH VO "If we are weak today with Russia, we will be preparing the conflicts of tomorrow... So no weakness. Ultimately, what we are saying is that we want peace... But we want a robust peace, a peace that in no way can be a capitulation. A peace that in no way can be at the expense of the security of Europeans." It comes as Ukraine faces pressure from the United States to accept a peace deal, after Mr Trump's face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended without achieving a ceasefire. The US President emerged from the meeting more aligned with Moscow on seeking a peace deal instead of first establishing a ceasefire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says a lasting peace deal is the preferred outcome. "Who would be against the fact if tomorrow we came to you and said, we have a full peace deal and it's done, I think that's the best way to end the war. Now, whether there needs to be a ceasefire on the way there, well, we've advocated for that. Unfortunately, the Russians as of now have not agreed to that. But the ideal here, what we're aiming for here, is not a ceasefire. What we ultimately are aiming for is an end to this war.' While the talks were seen by some to have produced little movement in negotiations, Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, says the meeting made important progress on potential security guarantees for Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ruled out Ukraine becoming a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. But Mr Witkoff says the peace deal discussed with Russia could include guarantees similar to Article 5 of the alliance's charter, which obliges NATO members to defend a fellow member from attacks. "It means that the United States is potentially prepared to be able to give Article 5 security guarantees, but not from NATO, directly from the United States and other European countries. That is big. I mean, really big.' Mr Macron says the substance of peace-deal security guarantees for Ukraine will be more important than whether they are given an Article 5-type label. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, meanwhile, says such a guarantee suggests the US is serious about finding a security deal that benefits Ukraine. GERMAN THEN ENGLISH VO: "I think it is a really great progress that America is prepared to give such security guarantees together with us Europeans, but the major work on a peace agreement, if there is no ceasefire now, the major work on such a peace agreement now lies ahead of all those involved and not behind us." Mr Zelenskyy has welcomed Trump administration's comments regarding a defence agreement, but says bolstering Ukraine's army must also be a part of any security guarantee. UKRAINIAN THEN ENGLISH VO:"A strong army is the only thing that can provide security guarantees. Only Ukraine can provide this. I believe that only Europe can provide funding for this army, and weapons for the army can be provided by our domestic production and European production, but there are some things that are in short supply and are only available in the United States of America." In a statement issued after the meeting with Mr Trump, Mr Putin said Russia would like to move on to resolving all issues by peaceful means. Sources briefed on Russia's thinking have told Reuters the US and Russian leaders discussed proposals for Russia to relinquish small pockets of occupied Ukraine, in exchange for Ukraine ceding a swathe of fortified land in the east, and freezing the front lines elsewhere. Top U-S officials have also hinted the fate of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region — which incorporates Donetsk and Luhansk, and which is already mostly under Russian control — may be on the line. Mr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has reiterated his reluctance to cede land to Russia. "Russia is still unsuccessful in Donetsk region. Putin has been unable to take it for 12 years and the constitution of Ukraine makes it impossible. Impossible to give up territory or trade land. Since the territorial issue is so important, it should be discussed only by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia and the trilateral Ukraine, United States, Russia. So far, Russia gives no sign that trilateral will happen." The hope from European leaders is that their presence at the meeting will at the very least help Mr Zelenskyy avoid a repeat of his last meeting in Washington in February, which saw Trump and his vice president JD Vance give the Ukrainian leader a public dressing-down, accusing him of being ungrateful and disrespectful.

SBS Australia

20 minutes ago

SBS Australia

SBS News in Easy English 18 August 2025

Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts . Welcome to SBS News in Easy English, I'm Camille Bianchi. One man has died, and another is in hospital with serious wounds after a shooting outside a pub in Sydney. Ambulance and police were called to the Harold Hotel, where police say two people were shot been shot multiple times by unknown attackers. One witness spoke to Channel Nine. "When I walked around the corner, I saw the guy that had been shot, one of them was lying on the ground so I ran up to him and then, probably 30 seconds later, some doctors, some other ladies that were inside the Harold Hotel came out." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed nationwide protests demanding an end to the Gaza war. He is defending his government's decision to bring more soldiers into Gaza and occupy Gaza city. "Our continued security control over the Strip is just one of our conditions for ending the war, conditions that Hamas refuses to accept. We insist not only that Hamas be disarmed, we also insist that Israel enforces the demilitarisation of the Strip over time by taking continuous action against any attempt to arm and organise any terrorist element." Several people have spray painted the pavement outside New South Wales parliament, as part of a rally against the state's protest laws. The group says want the Premier to change the laws they say limit people's ability to protest. "No to genocide, no to ecocide, yes to protest, now now now." "We are here today to call on Premier Chris Minns to respect the role of protests in our democracy. We are calling on him to tear up his repressive anti-protest laws." Five hundred robots from 16 countries - have competed at the World Humanoid Games in Beijing. The robots ran, played soccer, and boxed over three days. They didn't beat human records, but Gao Yuan, from China's Unitree Robotics company, says the event showed what they can do. 'We participated in these games not (just) to win a gold or silver medal. Our biggest win is not (being) the champion but showing everyone the charisma of our mass-produced robots. What matters the most is keeping up the healthy development of our industry.' That's the latest SBS News in Easy English.

Tony Burke bans Israeli politician from Australia as senior MP Simcha Rothman slapped with three-year ban

Sky News AU

an hour ago

Sky News AU

Tony Burke bans Israeli politician from Australia as senior MP Simcha Rothman slapped with three-year ban

An Israeli politician has had his visa cancelled by the Albanese Government, just a day before he was set to arrive for events with the Jewish community. Current Israeli politician, Simcha Rothman, who is part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling Coalition, has been banned for three years from visiting Australia. Rothman, who holds the senior position of Chair of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, applied for a visa which was approved about two weeks ago. He was set to speak at synagogues, in Jewish schools and hold meetings with the Jewish Community. The Australian Jewish Association's chief executive, Robert Gregory, said this now a pattern of behaviour where guests invited by Jewish organisations are having their visas cancelled at late notice. 'The purpose of his tour was to show solidarity with the Australian Jewish community that has been experiencing a wave of antisemitism,' he said. 'We'd organised visit to see the burnt synagogue of Addis in Melbourne. 'People in Israel are very worried about the situation for Jews in Australia, that's why he wanted to come.' Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke's office was contacted for comment.