Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update.
Anthony Albanese has pushed back on isolationism and issued a veiled criticism of Donald Trump’s rejection of climate science, warning the UN that leaders who walk away from big challenges risk being trusted by no one and calling for countries to recommit to international cooperation, to end wars and save the planet from dangerous climate change.
“If we resign ourselves to the idea that war is inevitable, or relegate ourselves to the status of disinterested bystanders, if our only response to every crisis is to insist that there is nothing we can do, then we risk being trusted with nothing,” Albanese told the chamber.
The PM also resurrected a bid for Australia to win a temporary seat on the UN security council in 2029-30 and called for the organisation to undergo sweeping reforms. If successful, it would be the first time since 2013-2014 Australia has sat on the council.
The prime minister wrapped up a week of meetings at the UN with the set-piece speech, telling countries Australia was doing the right thing by recognising Palestinian statehood.
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In pictures
From August until October the wildflowers of Western Australia put on a vibrant show, much to the delight of photographer Pamela Jennings, who has been shooting them annually for almost a decade. She says some reappear each year, other patches are new – each spring is different.
What they said …
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“I feel real pain when I hear your president saying global warming is a great big con.”
Australian mining magnate and executive chair of the mining company Fortescue, Andrew Forrest (above), spoke to a climate conference in New York City where he urged the US president, Donald Trump, to come and see the affects of climate change first-hand after discounting the science behind a warming world.
Full Story
Xi, Putin, Kim and a big parade: are we seeing a new world order?
Tens of thousands of spectators packed the stands to witness Xi Jinping’s military parade marking 80 years since the defeat of Japan in the second world war. And watching from above, alongside the Chinese leader, were some of the world’s most powerful men – including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un.
The parade follows diplomatic meetings with other non-western leaders, including India’s Narendra Modi. Helen Davidson talks to Nour Haydar about why Xi has invited some of the world’s most powerful men to China – and how these alliances are reshaping our world.
Before bed read
With tickets to the Cats v Lions AFL showdown all sold out, one of the best ways to get in on grand final fever is to invite a few friends over to watch this weekend’s historic Geelong v Brisbane match from the couch. Ahead of first bounce at 2.30pm, why not prepare a spread of handheld snacks such as Rachel Roddy’s pizze fritte or air-fryer chicken wings?
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: BLOC. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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