A deadly explosion near a cafe in central Moscow has killed at least three people, with another 15 injured, Russian authorities say. The blast occurred at Kudrinskaya Square, prompting a major emergency response and the closure of nearby roads and metro entrances. The cause is under investigation.
Ukraine hit by missile and drone barrage
At least nine people have been killed and 22 others injured after Russia launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones at the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Emergency services reported two deaths and eight injuries, including two children, after a five-storey apartment building was damaged in the Solomianskyi district, where 35 residents were evacuated.
In the Darnytskyi district, seven people were killed and 14 injured as the attack sparked fires and damaged homes and vehicles. Firefighters also extinguished a blaze at a non-residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district.
Israeli strikes hit Gaza, destroying medical warehouses
Israel has carried out fresh strikes in Gaza, killing two Palestinians and destroying warehouses holding medical supplies near a hospital. Palestinian health officials say the deaths occurred in an air strike on Gaza City, while Israel says it targeted Hamas militants. In a separate strike, two medicine warehouses at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah were destroyed. Israel says it hit a Hamas weapons site, but Gaza officials say the warehouses contained essential medical supplies.
Pearson renews call for federal control of remote Indigenous affairs
One of the architects of the Voice to Parliament, Noel Pearson, has called for a new path forward for Indigenous affairs, speaking at the Garma Festival. The Guugu Yimidhirr lawyer reflected on the referendum’s defeat three years ago, saying many remote communities that most need economic and social development had backed the Voice, but the national result had stalled progress.
Pearson is urging the federal government to take direct administrative and funding responsibility for remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. “It would stop Indigenous Affairs being the black hole for state and territory government budgets,” he said. “A direct funding relationship between the Commonwealth and the organisations representing and serving these blue dot communities will enable development agencies to make progress with Closing the Gap.”
Fiona Jose, co-chair of Cape York Partnership, is proposing a legislated education guarantee, calling it “Australia's version of the GI Bill”. “We can close the gap by 2050,” she said. “We need legislation to set in place the framework for action over the next 21 years.”
FIFA president under pressure
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing mounting pressure after two major football bodies questioned his leadership. UEFA says FIFA’s leadership has lost its confidence, while CONCACAF is demanding a full review after the collapse of plans to sell private investors a stake in the World Cup. Football Australia has welcomed the back-down but says FIFA must rebuild trust through transparency and consultation.
The fallout has cast doubt over Infantino’s re-election bid next March. SBS football commentator David Basheer said his position is “virtually untenable now”, adding: “I don't think he has got any alternative but to resign.”
Australia wins cycling gold at Commonwealth Games
Leigh Hoffman has claimed gold in the men’s sprint at the Commonwealth Games, defeating Trinidad and Tobago’s Nicholas Paul in straight heats at Glasgow's Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. Fellow Australian Tayte Ryan took bronze, beating England’s Harry Ledingham-Horn. Matt Richardson, who switched allegiance from Australia after the Paris Olympics, withdrew after a crash in the keirin earlier this week in Japan.
