The Federal Agriculture Minister has confirmed a second bird has tested positive to the deadly H5 variant of bird flu.

The virus was first detected in a brown skua bird, found on a beach in WA's south -- and now testing on a second bird has since confirmed it's also infected with the H5 variant.

Federal and state environment ministers are meeting today to discuss management of the disease.

It's believed there's no evidence of mass mortalities at this time.

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Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi says "good progress" has been made -- in talks with the U-S, Pakistan, and Qatar aimed at delivering a permanent ceasefire.

High-level negotiations in Switzerland have now ended, with lower-level talks planned for the rest of the week.

Iran and the US have agreed to create a "de-confliction cell" to address fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Pakistan and Qatar say the cell would include the Lebanese government and would ensure all parties adhere to ending military operations in Lebanon.

A grandmother of Gus Lamont says allegations she was involved in the four-year-old's disappearance are "ludicrous".

Gus was reported missing from his family's remote property in outback South Australia last September.

Josie Murray has told Channel 7's Spotlight program she believes the boy was abducted -- and denies police allegations that she may have buried her grandson.And for more news at any time you can follow the ABC Top Stories podcast.

The H5N1 bird flu strain has had a devastating impact on overseas poultry industries resulting in over 200 million chickens either culled or destroyed in the US alone since 2021.

So now that deadly virus has hit Australian shores, what would an outbreak mean for our egg industry and how are farmers preparing?

Defence Minister Richard Marles has announced a 2-point-5 billion dollar deal to export an over-the-horizon radar to Canada.

He says it's the first international sale of the technology and biggest defence export in Australia's history.

Canadian Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr says the technology will allow his country to further its Arctic domain awareness.

The first session of peace talks between US and Iranian officials in Switzerland has ended, after a tense opening ​marked by Tehran's announcement it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz and US President Donald Trump repeating his threats to resume attacks.

In a joint statement, mediators Pakistan and Qatar say the parties have created a mechanism for future technical talks over the next 60 days, including a high level committee to oversee key issues like nuclear and sanctions.

Other major developments include a communication line to avoid incidents and miscommunication to ensure safe passage for ships in the Strait.

Authorities say they're still unsure who's behind Australia's largest-ever cocaine import.

Nearly three tonnes of the drug were found stashed under shipping containers at Londonderry in Sydney's west last Friday.

The tracking operation began a month ago when drifting drug packages first washed up near Mackay in north Queensland.And for more news at any time you can follow the ABC Top Stories podcast.

Auction clearance rates have slipped below 50-per cent, the lowest level since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

What does it mean for those currently in the property market, or knocking on it's door? 

The first round of talks on a permanent ceasefire in Iran have concluded in Switzerland.

Energy market experts say petrol and diesel prices in Australia are likely to fall as supply comes online, even as the Government winds back cuts to the fuel excise.

Federal Opposition leader Angus Taylor has taken a swipe at independents MPs who are reportedly close to launching their own party.

For more news at any time you can follow the ABC Top Stories podcast.

Australia's Chief Vet Dr Beth Cookson says the Government has been preparing for the arrival of H5 bird flu in Australia for years. 

Iran's delegation that was negotiating a permanent ceasefire in Switzerland has reportedly halted talks following renewed threats from the US.

A NSW Independent MP wants the state to follow Germany and the United States and allow human bodies to be composted rather than buried or cremated.

Press the 'Follow' or '+' button on this show page to add us to your playlist, so you never miss an episode.For more news, politics and current affairs podcasts go to ABC listen.

At least 16 dead birds have been reported to authorities after washing up on southern WA beaches, a day after Australia's first case of H5 avian flu was confirmed in a migratory seabird.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is threatening to derail efforts for a broader peace deal between the US and Iran, as talks continue in Switzerland. 

Labor frontbencher Murray Watt says the government expected auction clearance rates to fall after last month's Federal budget.

Press the 'Follow' or '+' button on this show page to add us to your playlist, so you never miss an episode.For more news, politics and current affairs podcasts go to ABC listen.

Independent politicians are in active talks around forming a centrist federal party.

Independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender are said to be leading the push for the new party, and have also approached Senator David Pocock.

But while other independents say forming a political party could help with representation and funding, not all of them are on board with the idea.

So could a new party like this become a political force in Australia?

A devastating strain of bird flu has been confirmed in Australia, sparking serious concerns for conservationists and the agricultural industry. 

American and Iranian officials have been meeting in Switzerland, to try to bring a long-term end to the war in Iran. 

The British Prime Minister is expected to lay out a timetable for his resignation as early as today.

A Four Corners investigation has found logs from Tasmania's state forests are being shipped to Victoria to fill the void created by that state's ban on logging.

Press the 'Follow' or '+' button on this show page to add us to your playlist, so you never miss an episode.For more news, politics and current affairs podcasts go to ABC listen.