National news live: Latham denies abuse allegations, Albanese’s China visit, Trump gives Putin 50-day deadline….
Latham Denies Abuse Allegations:
Mark Latham has publicly denied fresh abuse allegations that surfaced overnight. The former One Nation NSW leader described the claims as “baseless and politically motivated.” The allegations, reportedly stemming from his time in state parliament, are under preliminary review by legal authorities, but no official investigation has been launched yet. Latham insists he will cooperate fully if required and called for respect for due process.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed dates for his long-anticipated diplomatic visit to China. This trip, scheduled for later this month, will focus on trade normalization, regional security, and the release of detained Australians. The visit marks a crucial step in thawing Australia-China relations after years of tension, especially over tariffs and geopolitical disputes. Albanese is expected to meet with President Xi Jinping.
Trump’s Putin Ultimatum:
In a surprising statement during a campaign event, Donald Trump claimed he would give Russian President Vladimir Putin a “50-day deadline” to end the war in Ukraine if re-elected. Trump did not detail what would follow if the deadline is missed but warned of “severe consequences.” The Biden administration dismissed the statement as “reckless posturing with no diplomatic foundation.”
