Australia news live: Speakman quotes Mark Twain and digs in as NSW Liberals inch towards leadership spill; NT cyclone intensifies

At COP30, President Lula of Brazil is attempting to mediate between negotiating countries as scientists emphasize the urgent need for emissions reductions to prevent widespread suffering. Indigenous leader Nazaré Oliveira highlights the spiritual connection to nature, advocating for a positive mindset towards environmental decisions. The conference is marked by heightened militarization and ongoing protests, reflecting the critical stakes involved in climate negotiations.

Turkey will host the Cop31 climate conference after Australia withdrew its bid to hold the event in Adelaide. This decision comes despite Australia's extensive efforts over three years to secure the conference. The event is set to take place in Antalya, Turkey, over a fortnight.

Meta has announced it will block access to Instagram, Facebook, and Threads for users under 16 in Australia. This decision aligns with new regulations aimed at protecting minors online.

Under-sixteens in Australia will be banned from major social media platforms starting December 10, as part of a new regulation. Instagram has begun notifying affected users that their accounts will be deactivated in compliance with this ban.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with Turkey's president and is scheduled to meet US Army officials in Kyiv later this week. Reports indicate that Washington is secretly exploring peace conditions with Russia. Angela Diffley of France 24 welcomed Scott Lucas, a Professor of American Studies & International Politics at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin, for in-depth analysis.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Turkey to discuss reviving peace efforts to end the ongoing war with Russia. Meanwhile, Axios reports that the Trump administration is secretly collaborating with Russia to draft a new 28-point plan aimed at resolving the conflict. Dr. Alexandra Filippenko, a political analyst, provides insights into the situation.

UN aid chief Tom Fletcher has described el-Fasher in Sudan as a 'crime scene' following the takeover by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). He emphasized the need for accountability for those responsible for attacks on civilians in the western Darfur region, urging that they must 'face justice.' The ongoing violence has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the area.

Tropical cyclone Fina has intensified to a category two storm and is expected to approach the Northern Territory coast of Australia on Friday. If it makes landfall, it would mark the earliest cyclone of the season to do so since 1973. The Bureau of Meteorology reported that Fina is currently located about 370km northeast of Darwin and is projected to turn southward.