Australia news live: Marco Rubio says Australia should not ‘forget who the real enemy is’; NSW surgery waitlist blows out

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing tough questions after the UK economy shrank by 0.3%, a setback she admits is "disappointing." In interviews, she’s defending her spending plans while dodging—or at least sidestepping—speculation about potential tax hikes later this year. The morning show grilling highlights the pressure she’s under to explain how Labour will steer the economy forward.

Editor’s Note: Economic growth stalling is always a headache for any government, but it’s especially awkward for a new chancellor trying to establish credibility. Reeves’s handling of this moment could shape public trust in Labour’s economic strategy—and whether voters start bracing for tighter budgets ahead.

Nvidia is making a big play for Europe’s AI market, announcing plans to build 20 AI factories across the continent and a new "industrial AI cloud" in Germany. This push comes as the company faces shrinking revenue in China due to stricter U.S. export controls. CEO Jensen Huang pitched the move as a way to supercharge European manufacturing with AI, but it’s also a clear pivot to offset losses elsewhere.

Editor’s Note: Nvidia’s European bet isn’t just about growth—it’s a strategic shuffle. With China sales drying up, the chip giant needs new markets to keep its dominance in AI hardware. For Europe, this could mean faster adoption of AI in industries like auto and robotics, but it also highlights how geopolitical tensions are reshaping global tech supply chains.

A stunning nude portrait by famed Art Deco painter Tamara de Lempicka, titled La Belle Rafaëla, is heading to auction at Sotheby’s with an estimated price tag of £6m–£9m. The painting depicts Rafaëla, a young sex worker whom Lempicka met in Paris and later described as "the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." The piece captures both the artist’s bold style and the intimate, controversial relationship between the two women.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another high-profile art sale—it’s a snapshot of queer art history and the rebellious spirit of the 1920s. Lempicka’s work, especially this piece, blurs lines between eroticism, power, and artistic brilliance. The auction could set a new benchmark for her legacy, while also sparking fresh conversations about how marginalized figures (like Rafaëla) are remembered—or overlooked—in art.

The UN General Assembly is gearing up to vote on a resolution demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, just days after the US blocked a similar move in the Security Council. Meanwhile, tensions are flaring as Israel accuses Hamas of killing at least five aid workers in Gaza, calling it a "cold-blooded murder" in a social media post. The 193-member assembly is expected to pass the resolution, but the real question is whether it’ll change anything on the ground.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another UN vote—it’s a high-stakes moment that could either ramp up pressure for peace or highlight how powerless diplomacy is in this war. With the US already vetoing a ceasefire call, the General Assembly’s vote (which isn’t legally binding) might end up being more about global opinion than actual change. Meanwhile, the accusation against Hamas over aid worker deaths adds fuel to the fire, making it even harder to see a path to de-escalation. For civilians trapped in the middle, every delay costs lives.

Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating is urging the country to take a critical look at the AUKUS defense pact, suggesting a U.S.-led review might be an opportunity for Australia to reconsider its involvement. Meanwhile, ex-PM Malcolm Turnbull and former foreign minister Bob Carr are pushing for a swift reassessment of Australia’s defense strategy, arguing the country should rethink its commitments.

Editor’s Note: AUKUS has been a divisive issue in Australia, with supporters seeing it as crucial for security and critics calling it costly and risky. Now, high-profile figures are amplifying doubts, framing the U.S. review as a chance to back out. This isn’t just bureaucratic shuffling—it’s a debate over whether Australia is locking itself into a shaky long-term bet or securing its future. Either way, the pressure’s on for the current government to justify its stance.