Good morning. It’s Wednesday 25 May, and here are the latest headlines.
Labor on track to win majority government
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson looks like she will retain her Senate spot for Queensland, but billionaire Clive Palmer will not win a Senate seat.
Russia continues efforts to seize Donbas region
The Russian military is attempting to seize the Donbas region of Donestsk and Luhansk, and trap Ukrainian forces in a pocket on the main eastern front.
housands of people have fled the Donbass, a region in the east of the country. Credit: Europa Press News/Europa Press via Getty Images
The battle could determine the success or failure of Russia’s main campaign in the east, after Ukrainian forces successfully pushed Russia out of artillery range of Kharkiv, as they did from the capital Kyiv in March.
The success of the Kharkiv defense has led authorities to consider reopening the city’s underground metro, where thousands of civilians have been sheltering for months.
NSW residents urged to get flu jab
Queensland is already providing free flu vaccinations as part of a pre-emptive strike against the virus, with influenza A cases in the sunshine state already more than doubling from those identified last week.
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But Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant says the extent of influenza already in the community means no-one should be waiting to get the flu jab.
China sends congratulatory message to prime minister
“I have received now a letter of congratulations from Premier Li as I have from other leaders and I have welcomed that. We will respond appropriately in time when I return to Australia,” Mr Albanese said.
Li Keqiang reportedly sent a congratulatory message to Anthony Albanese. Source: Getty
Australian officials have said China has blocked talks at ministerial level between the two countries since 2020 – but the election could
But Anthony Albanese has not indicated what direction his government will take with respect to China.
131 cases of monkeypox confirmed outside Africa
There are a further 106 suspected cases that have been reported since the 7 May when the disease was detected beyond the African countries where it is usually found.
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Dr Rosamund Lewis, from the WHO Emergencies Program, says transmission may be being driven by a change in human behaviour.
New photographs show Boris Johnson drinking at Downing Street party
The prime minister had previously told Parliament that he was “sure” the rules had been followed “at all times” when asked about reports of a party at his Downing Street residence during coronavirus restrictions.
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He said the pictures do not change anything, with the facts already well established by the police investigation and Sue Gray’s report.
