Australia news LIVE: Albanese speaks to Trump in ‘warm’ phone call; World leaders pledge Ukraine military safeguards

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7.08am

Andrews’ parade attendance ‘very concerning’, says Le

By Daniel Lo Surdo

Independent MP Dai Le has said the attendance of former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews at the Beijing military parade commemorating 80 years since the conclusion of World War II is “very concerning”, saying that former high-ranking politicians “hold a very high esteem” in international circles and that his attendance will invite questions about his influence in China.

Andrews stirred controversy after posing for a photograph with Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and two dozen other world leaders at the military parade on Wednesday, where China displayed its military might while the rest of the world watched. The Albanese government has sought to distance itself from Andrews’ decision, reiterating that he attended in a private capacity and not as a representative for Australia.

Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews poses for a photo with political leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un, ahead of a Chinese military parade in Beijing on Wednesday.

“I think it’s very concerning,” Le told Nine’s Today.

“As we all know, former premiers, former prime ministers hold a very high esteem position within the world stage, and as we know Dan Andrews and the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are close … so I think there is going to be some reading into this, despite the fact that he’s a private citizen, I would argue that he’s still a very prominent figure in our political space.”

6.47am

Military safeguard for Ukraine pledged by world leaders

By Michael Koziol and David Crowe

Global leaders have pledged to send troops and other forces to Ukraine to guarantee its security in a potential peace deal with Russia, with 26 nations backing the plan in a move to intensify efforts to end the war.

French President Emmanuel Macron described the military commitment as a “reassurance force” after he emerged from talks with dozens of leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in a “coalition of the willing” to help Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday.

But US President Donald Trump highlighted the responsibility of major European nations to do more to stop the fighting, telling them to stop buying Russian oil and to place more pressure on China over its funding of the Russian war machine.

6.43am

Albanese and Trump stage ‘warm and constructive’ call

By Michael Koziol

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone overnight night in what the Australian leader described as a “warm and constructive” call that canvassed economic and security interests, including the supply of critical minerals.

It marked the fourth time the two leaders have spoken since Trump was re-elected, and comes ahead of a long-awaited potential meeting in person at this month’s United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, or in Washington.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump have spoken on the phone in what the Prime Minister described as a “warm and constructive” call.

According to the Australian summary of the call, Albanese and Trump discussed economic co-operation and “opportunities to work together on trade and critical minerals in the interests of both nations”.

6.37am

What’s making news today

By Daniel Lo Surdo

Hello and welcome to the national news blog. My name is Daniel Lo Surdo, and I’ll be helming our live coverage this morning.

Here’s what is making news today:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a “warm and constructive” conversation with US President Donald Trump overnight, marking Albanese’s fourth call with Trump since the American leader was re-elected. Albanese discussed the US-Australia “trade and economic relationship” and shared security interests with Trump. It comes as the PM prepares for a trip to New York to recognise Palestine at the UN later this month.
World leaders have pledged to send troops and other forces to Ukraine to ensure its security as part of a potential peace deal with Russia, as part of a plan backed by 26 nations moving to end the war. French President Emmanuel Macron said the military commitment would represent a “reassurance force” following talks with dozens of world leaders, including Anthony Albanese who did not pledge troops. Donald Trump urged major European nations to do more to stop the fighting.
Legendary Italian designer Giorgio Armani has died aged 91, the eponymous fashion group has announced. Armani had “worked until his final days” before dying peacefully at home, with the company saying it felt “the void left by the one who founded and nurtured this family”. Julia Roberts, Morgan Freeman and Anna Wintour are among those leading tributes for Armani this morning.