Australia's official arts council has announced it has commissioned an "immediate, independent and external review" into its artistic selection process following its decision to withdraw the artistic team from the 2026 Venice Biennale.

Creative Australia last week dropped its selection of Lebanese Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia's representatives to the major event.

Also, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced an emergency “working meeting” of European leaders on Ukraine’s next steps.

It comes as America's top diplomat — Marco Rubio — played down European concerns about being cut out of the opening peace talks between Russia and the United States.

And a former Director General of Israel's Foreign Affairs Ministry says the 'intent' of genocide could soon be proven if Gazans 'disappear' or are forcibly removed from the strip.

It comes as the Israeli prime minister says Israel and the United States are working together to make US President Donald Trump's vision for Gaza "a reality".   

Meanwhile the Coalition will consider divestiture powers to break up Australia's insurance giants, to help increase competition. 

The plan is in the same vein as laws the opposition has pledged to tackle price-gouging in the supermarket sector. 

Correction: This podcast reports that multiple Creative Australia board members have resigned. At point of publishing, one board member and multiple senior employees had resigned. 

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