Australia news LIVE: Liberal Party net zero debate rages on; Trump threatens to sue the BBC; Delhi car blast kills eight, injures 20

Good morning and welcome to our national news live blog for Tuesday, November 11. My name is Emily Kaine, and I’ll be helming our coverage throughout the first half of the day. Here’s what is making headlines this morning.

• The debate over net zero continues to rage on in the Liberal Party, with three more key members of Ley’s party threatening to quit the frontbench if she dumped her support for net zero. Yesterday, frontbenchers Tim Wilson, Anne Ruston and Maria Kovacic opened the door to and resigning from the frontbench if the net zero by 2050 target was axed.
• The BBC is facing a billion-dollar legal fight with US President Donald Trump after he threatened to sue the public broadcaster over an edited video that has ignited claims about its left-wing bias and poor editorial standards. Trump has vowed to seek $US1 billion ($1.5 billion) in financial damages from the iconic British broadcaster unless it issues a “full and fair retraction” of the 2024 documentary at the heart of the dispute.
• And staying with Trump, the US president has pre-emptively pardoned his former lawyer Rudy Giuliani, his former chief of staff Mark Meadows and numerous conservative activists accused of supporting his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
• At least eight people have been killed and 20 injured after a car exploded near the historic Red Fort in Delhi, India’s capital, police said. The blast occurred at around 12.30am AEDT, and “all angles” were being investigated, Federal Home Minister Amit Shah said.

Opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor has this morning batted down rumours that he plans to challenge Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s position.

Speaking to Seven’s Sunrise this morning, Taylor insisted a leadership challenge wasn’t his focus, but refused to decisively rule out the possibility.

“It’s not something I’m focused on. I’m focused on what I just described. I’m focused on making sure Australians have what they need to have an affordable life, a better standard of living,” Taylor said.

Opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Appearing alongside Taylor was Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth, who used the opportunity to hit out at the unresolved net zero dispute plaguing his party.

“Quite frankly, squabbling over whether or not climate change is real or not is not actually a policy, that’s just an internal fight and really a stalking horse for leadership,” she said.

Rishworth labelled Taylor’s assertions that he would not be challenging Ley “unconvincing”.

At least eight people were killed and 20 injured when a car exploded near the historic Red Fort in India’s capital, police said, a rare blast in the heavily guarded city of more than 30 million people.

“All angles” were being investigated and security agencies would come to a conclusion soon, Federal Home Minister Amit Shah said.

Mangled bodies and the wreckage of several cars could be seen on a congested street near a metro station in the old quarter of Delhi, as police poured into the area to secure it and push back gathering crowds. Major train stations across India were put on high alert.

Security officers inspect the scene of a car explosion near the historic Red Fort in New Delhi, India.Credit: AP

“A slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged,” Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said.

He said the blast occurred just before 12.30am AEDT.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to those who had lost loved ones. “May the injured recover at the earliest. Those affected are being assisted by authorities,” he posted on X.

Reuters