British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Britain and Europe need to "step up" and spend more on defence, warning his country's national security is facing a "generational challenge."

Mr Stamer made the comments ahead of an emergency meeting in Paris, where leaders discussed Europe's role in any ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine.

Also, there's uproar in the Australian arts community over the decision to drop a Lebanese-Australian artist as Australia's selection for one of the world's most prestigious cultural events, the Venice Biennale.

Thousands of creatives have signed a petition calling for artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino to be reinstated by the board of Creative Australia.

And, the Australian Speaker of the House, Milton Dick, believes the Parliament shouldn't be treated as a "ballet recital or cathedral" but it is crucial politicians treat each other with respect. 

It comes after the Coalition's Michael Sukkar sparked controversy during Question Time by attempting to shut down Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus Dreyfus as he spoke about his personal connection to the Holocaust.

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