Good morning, it's Tuesday, May 10. Here's what you need to get going today.
One thing to know right now: China and Russia banned from Sydney navy conference
As military relations sour, both nations are off the guest list. Here's the lowdown:
- The Chinese military has been banned from attending a major international naval conference, which opens in Sydney today
- Russia has also been banned following its invasion of Ukraine, but a maritime official from Solomon Islands, which recently signed a security deal with China will participate virtually
- The ABC's defence correspondent, Andrew Greene, says in the past officers from the People's Liberation Army-Navy have attended, but this year Australia has not invited the Chinese because of "deteriorating relations"
One thing you’ll be hearing about today: Wild weather in Queensland
Here's the latest:
- Life-threatening flash flooding is possible in the south-east and on the coast, while Townsville is set to receive five times its average May rainfall totals
- A man in his 20s is "lucky to be alive" after his overnight rescue from floodwaters in the western Queensland town of Mt Isa. Authorities said he was swept 500 metres downstream of the Leichhardt River, and had to cling to reeds along the river for 30 minutes
- And senior meteorologist Laura Boekel said the most intense falls today would be in Queensland's central-west region, including Longreach and Barcaldine, with thunderstorms likely to be added to the mix.
- The rainfall would become more widespread and move to Townsville from Wednesday, before heading south. By Thursday, the Sunshine Coast will be a key area of concern
News while you snoozed
Let's get you up to speed.
- The Queen will "reluctantly" miss the opening of Parliament in the UK. The Palace has said it's due to "episodic mobility problems". Prince Charles will set out the government's agenda instead, with Prince William to attend as well
- Figures released by the Australian Institute of Petroleum show petrol prices are still rising, despite the Morrison government's cut in fuel excise. The national average weekly retail price has risen to 179 cents per litre. Victoria and South Australia are the only states that have seen prices decrease, at around a 170 cents a litre
- The US will send diplomatic staff to the Solomon Islands again in September as it attempts to repair relations with the country, after the island nation signed a security pact with China. Foreign ministers and other Pacific Island leaders are set to meet in the nation today
- Hugh Jackman has been nominated for the Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a musical for his performance in The Music Man. Jackman won the same award in 2004 for his performance as Peter Allen in The Boy from Oz
The news Australia is searching for
- Bongbong Marcos: Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr (the son and namesake of the Philippines dictator deposed in a 1986 uprising), has won the presidential election by a huge margin, according to unofficial results
- Mahinda Rajapaksa: Sri Lanka's PM, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has resigned after weeks of mass protests over the country's economic crisis. Protests had escalated over the past week, with the government imposing a state of emergency and giving sweeping powers to security forces
One more thing: A last-minute switch for Wordle
Ok so this *isn't* a spoiler, Wordle fans.
The New York Times (which now owns everyone's favourite online puzzle) had to scramble to change Monday's answer. Why? It was supposed to be "fetus".
The timing was a touch fraught, given last week's leaked draft Supreme Court decision that would strike down a ruling protecting abortion rights in the US.
The Times' Games section explained it this way:
They said they want the puzzles to be a place for people to "escape" and for its games to remain "distinct from the news".
So you can probably scrap things like "votes" off your guess list...
That's it for now
We'll be back later on with more.
ABC/wires
