Ukraine grapples with Starlink restrictions as Trump pauses Russian sanctions.

Extract from ABC News

• Topic:War

about 6 hours ago

Interceptors have been unable to stop Russian strikes due to speed restrictions imposed by Starlink, according to President Zelenskyy. (Reuters: State Emergency Service of Ukraine)

In short: 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the country's interceptor systems are ineffective due to speed restrictions imposed by Starlink. 

He said when used in EU territory, the system worked at higher speeds.

It comes as US President Donald Trump pauses incoming sanctions against Russia, after agreeing to purchase diesel from the country.

Ukraine is now unable to use its interceptor systems against Russian drone attacks because of a Starlink speed restriction, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy says.

He said any restrictions would have been set by the US military and US President Donald Trump.

Mr Zelenskyy told reporters in a WhatsApp media chat Ukrainian officials had been told the restrictions were linked to technical issues, adding he was discussing it with US officials.

He said Ukraine had tested Starlink on European Union territory and encountered no such problems there, with the system operating at higher speeds.

Earlier this week Ukraine experienced similar issues, with Starlink owner Elon Musk responding by insisting his firm had nothing to do with the speed limits. 

Starlink is a vital battlefield communications tool and determine the speed at which some of Ukraine's weapons can travel. (Reuters)

Kyiv says Moscow carried out a 'massive' energy strike

President Zelenskyy said Moscow had carried out a massive strike on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, targeting more than 15 sites across the country.

"The sheer scale and unrelenting pace of Russia's strikes, specifically against our energy sector, are unfortunately having severe consequences," he said.

Ukraine's air force said Russian forces launched four cruise missiles and 332 attack drones overnight.

Mr Zelenskyy previously said Ukraine wasn't receiving forewarning of ballistic missile strikes from intelligence partners. (Reuters)

All of the missiles and 289 of the drones had been suppressed or destroyed, it said.

Russia's heavy bombardment of the power grid ahead of winter has been an annual feature of the war, aimed at wearing down Ukraine's appetite for the fight by denying civilians heat and running water. 

Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia is stockpiling ballistic missiles for more attacks in the coming months.

Trump pauses sanctions

President Zelenskyy has also urged supporters to speak out in defence of new US sanctions against Russia, hours after Mr Trump signed an executive order pausing a sweeping package of restrictions targeting the Russian economy.

The White House decision has further raised fears Ukraine could be left exposed to Moscow's escalating assaults.

The relationship between Ukraine and the US has been strained following the announcement the US would buy diesel from Russia. (AP: Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Mr Zelenskyy described Mr Trump's move to put sanctions on hold as unfortunate, but did not directly criticise the US leader despite deepening tensions between Ukraine and Washington in recent days.

North Korea and Russia open first road bridge to deepen ties

Ukraine is worried the road bridge could be used to conceal military personnel and weapons in vehicles, rather than a trade route.

"A decision was unfortunately made in America to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end," Mr Zelenskyy wrote.

He also expressed hope that the new sanctions could be revived. 

"This Act could have helped enormously — and still can! But it needs to actually work, and every voice in support of it matters," he said.

Critics say Trump's decision helps Putin

Named after late South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, the legislation had sought to clamp down more quickly on the flow of financial resources fuelling Russia's against Ukraine.

The bill had sought to sanction Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of tankers that keeps Russian energy moving.

President Trump personally signed the legislation last month, two days before a deadline set in the law itself for its implementation.

The president told Congress that the pause was in the national interest but gave no further details.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, who co-drafted the bill, said in a statement Mr Trump was turning his back on "the majority of Americans, their representatives in both houses of Congress, and our European allies."

"These waivers have nothing to do with our national security, and everything to do with sucking up to Vladimir Putin,"

Mr Blumenthal said.

Mr Trump's unexpected decision comes a week after he stunningly said the US had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia to try to bring down global energy prices, despite that potentially hurting Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Trump's threats to Ukraine

It is hard to see Donald Trump's shifting position on Ukraine as a clear strategic change, and not one driven principally by soaring fuel prices ahead of the US mid-term elections.

Mr Trump said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons "immediately thereafter".

The decision has been pilloried by Republicans and Democrats alike who say it will help Russia execute its war against Ukraine — without making a difference to global fuel prices, which are elevated mostly due to Mr Trump's war on Iran.

AP/Reuters

Colourful photos of unique species show why Darwin is known as the 'city of birds'

Extract from ABC News

• Feel good

By Gemma Ferguson

• Topic:Birds

about 1 hours ago

Darwin is a self-proclaimed "city of birds" with everything from loud curlews to colourful finches, and even a rare all-black kookaburra, calling the region home.

There are about 200 species of bush birds, and another 50 to 100 waterfowl, seabirds and shorebirds living in the Northern Territory's Top End.

How stunning is this rainbow bee-eater? It was pictured in full flight on the outskirts of Darwin earlier this month. (Supplied: Matt Campbell)

These crimson finches were spotted at Fogg Dam, with their bright feathers attracting attention. (Supplied: Prashan Basnet)

While magpies aren't common north of Katherine, magpie geese can be found in and around the greater Darwin region. (Supplied: Matt Campbell)

Charles Darwin University ornithology researcher, John Woinarski, says the seasonal climate and sparse local population help make it a safe haven for many species that have been wiped out elsewhere. 

"We share this environment with a whole range of birds that are distinctive, amusing, quirky, interesting, and sort of feel as if they themselves own the place," Professor Woinarski says.

"Compared to most other cities in Australia, they're all native birds — there's not the high densities of birds from Europe that characterise much of the rest of Australia."

Photographed at Victoria River, this purple-crowned fairy-wren is an endangered species. (Supplied: Jo Wu)

Professor Woinarski believes the "in your face" nature of certain colourful and noisy species has also contributed to Darwin's reputation as the "city of birds".

"I think there's global recognition that this is a really interesting part of the world for birdwatchers, or for people interested in environment generally," he says.

"We've got the fortune that so many of these bird species and important sites for them fall on Indigenous lands, and ranger groups are really important for managing those lands."

From the dry red-dirt outback, to tropical wetlands and stone country in the World Heritage-protected Kakadu National Park, Professor Woinarski describes the Top End as a "fascinating patchwork of different sorts of habitats".

"If you were simply to listen to the bird soundscape of Darwin, you could tell what time of year [and season] it was," he says.

John Woinarski describes the bush stone-curlew call as "uncanny" and "sort of eerie", with some Territorians likening it to a baby's cry. (Supplied: Georgina Barbour)

This chestnut-breasted mannikin was spotted at Adelaide River earlier this year, mid-snack. (Supplied: Georgina Barbour)

This unique blue-winged kookaburra has a genetic mutation that makes it more rare than an albino kookaburra. (Supplied: Paul Thomsen)

In one very lucky rural Darwin backyard, an all-black blue-winged kookaburra — more rare than an albino kookaburra — has become a regular visitor.

Professor Woinarski says it's "quite an interesting find" that likely resulted from a mutation in the bird's melanin levels. He describes the genetic anomaly as a total "fluke".

As citizen science project The Aussie Bird Count kicks off this month, we're taking a look at some of the whimsical species recently photographed across the Top End's unique landscape.

"It's an ever-enticing game to try to continue to hone your bird identification skills … every bird that you come to understand gives a different perspective of the world," Professor Woinarski says.

"It's a never-ending quest to try to understand nature and how wonderful it is."

Photographed at Tumbling Waters, near Berry Springs, in September, this rose-crowned fruit dove shows off the stunning colours it is known for. (Supplied: Georgina Barbour)

This northern shriketit was spied near Katherine. (Supplied: Jo Wu)

You can understand how the yellow chat got its name, based on those bright feathers! (Supplied: Jo Wu)

Many of the bird species living in the Top End are recognisable for their brightly coloured feathers, like this little kingfisher. (Supplied: Prashan Basnet)

The red-backed fairy-wren can be found in grasslands, swamps and areas with long grass. (Supplied: Prashan Basnet)

This varied lorikeet was spotted at Lee Point in September. (Supplied: Jo Wu)

A black-necked stork, also known as a jabiru, captured on camera while feeding in Top End wetlands. (Supplied: Matt Campbell)

A forest kingfisher, snapped in March while resting on a tree branch at Casuarina. (Supplied: Prashan Basnet)

This mangrove robin was spotted at Leanyer Swamp, in Darwin's north. (Supplied: Georgina Barbour)

A black kite cooling off in the water at Katherine Low Level Nature Reserve. (Supplied: Jo Wu)

Adelaide River, south of Darwin, is home to plenty of unique birds including this golden-headed cisticola. (Supplied: Georgina Barbour)

A whiskered tern, pictured in August this year as it shakes off water mid-flight at Knuckey Lagoon. (Supplied: Prashan Basnet)

John Woinarski says Darwinites have shown "extraordinary empathy" for the Gouldian finch, an endangered species that lives locally. (Supplied: Prashan Basnet)

This little bronze-cuckoo was photographed at Charles Darwin National Park in July. (Supplied: Prashan Basnet)

A masked finch resting in Pine Creek, south of Darwin. (Supplied: Prashan Basnet)

How cute is this rufous whistler? (Supplied: Georgina Barbour)

A white-bellied sea eagle, pictured earlier this month at Buffalo Creek. (Supplied: Matt Campbell)

These azure kingfisher photos were captured at Casuarina, in Darwin's northern suburbs. (Supplied: Prashan Basnet)

This beach stone-curlew was spotted at Buffalo Creek earlier this year. (Supplied: Jo Wu)

Kakadu is home to a variety of unique bird species, including this nankeen night heron. (Supplied: Jo Wu)

Header image: A genetic mutation related to this blue-winged kookaburra's melanin levels are behind its all-black colouring. (Supplied: Paul Thomsen)

At least three killed by Russian drones in Ukraine which cut power to 370,000.

Extract from ABC News

• Topic:War

about 9 hours ago

Russian drones have hit areas of Ukraine, including in the Rivne region. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine via Reuters)

In short:

At least three people were killed by Russian drones in Ukraine overnight, the strikes also cut power to around 370,000 people.

Russia appears eager to publicise a Ukrainian strike on a an oil refinery, after Donald Trump declared an energy ceasefire.

What's next?

EU Leaders rallied around Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a summit in Brussels, extending support to cover Ukraine's budget gap.

At least three people have been killed by Russian drones in Ukraine, with strikes also hitting two shopping centres and key energy grid infrastructure.

Two people died and 12 more were wounded in attacks on three districts of the eastern city of Kharkiv, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. He had earlier put the death toll at three.

In the north-western region of Volyn, which borders Poland, a drone strike on a food-processing facility killed one person and wounded eight others, according to Governor Roman Romaniuk.

The attacks on Ukranian energy grids cut power to around 370,000 in the north-west after strikes on the energy grid, officials said.

More than 370,000 people in Ukraine lost power after Russian strikes. (Reuters: Gleb Garanich)

Crews set out to repair damage to the grid in Volyn and had reconnected about 100,000 people by later in the morning, Mr Romaniuk added.

The blackout could last for at least 24 hours in Volyn's regional capital, Lutsk, Mayor Andriy Razumovskyi said on Facebook.

Other attacks hit at least two shopping centre, one in the northern city of Sumy, which sits close to the front line, and one in the neighbouring region of Rivne, officials said.

The strikes in Sumy were the latest in a spate of Russian assaults on malls and markets.

Seven people were wounded by drones that hit a major shopping centre and other sites in Rivne, regional governor Oleksandr Koval said.

Russia publicises refinery strike

Russia publicly acknowledged a Ukrainian drone strike on a major oil refinery this week and broadcast images on state media, breaking its usual practice in order to highlight the attack that US President Donald Trump branded a "disgrace".

President Donald Trump announced the energy ceasefire despite neither Moscow or Kyiv confirming their involvement. (AP: Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Ukraine has frequently struck Russian oil refineries in attacks that officials typically describe as hits on "industrial enterprises".

The target of Thursday's attack in Ryazan was immediately identified by the regional governor as one of Russia's largest refineries.

For the first time since the start of the war, state TV showed the aftermath of the Ryazan refinery attack.

In a brief report, the Rossiya-24 channel showed the plant with a relatively small plume of black smoke rising from the sit, no fire was visible.

Russia is eager to publicise the incident, which took place four days after Mr Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv, which neither side confirmed they had agreed to.

Ukraine said it paused such attacks for three days in deference to Mr Trump, but resumed because Russia had continued to pound its thermal power plants and other energy infrastructure.

European Union heads back Ukraine

European Union leaders rallied around President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a summit in Brussels on Friday.

The support is off the back of Mr Trumps remarks on Ukraine's strikes on Russia, a recent diesel deal signed between Russia and the US, and allegations the US is withholding critical intelligence from Ukraine.

Diesel deal unlikely to lower prices

US President Donald Trump says his deal with Russia will drive down the cost of fuel but experts say its effect will be minimal.

"We want to end this war as quick as possible. We don't see now signals from the Russian side that they are ready for this, to end this war. That's why we have to prepare for the winter," Mr Zelenskyy said as he arrived at the summit, hugging many of the leaders as he met them.

"The winter package is not only energy, it's also air defence and funding."

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the EU would probably have to provide a new loan to Ukraine to help cover its budget gap for next year.

"Last winter was already hell, this one will be once again like hell," he said.

"We have a lot of gaps to fill, and this is a European mission to fill the gaps that Ukraine needs. Because always, at the start [and] at the end of every conversation.

"People need to be reminded that we are sitting in a warm room, lights are on, heating is on, the coffee is warm, and we cannot get tired of the war in Ukraine, because they are fighting … for us."

Reuters/AP