Bulgaria's President Iliana Iotova narrowly led the first round of presidential elections, according to exit polls. She took between 35 and 36.5 per cent of the vote, ahead of banker Andrey Gyurov on 32.2 to 32.5 per cent. The two will contest a runoff on 1 November. Turnout was about 20 per cent. Iotova favours dialogue with Russia and opposes military aid to Ukraine. The vote was held amid security concerns after four vessels were struck off Bulgaria's coast this month, with 21 people missing.
Security agencies will review safety precautions for MPs' homes and offices after numerous federal politicians reported growing worries about threats. The review follows an alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines, who has lost both legs but remains in stable condition in hospital, her husband has said. Separately, Vladimir Putin ordered the release of an American from a Russian jail while meeting US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Former child detainees have also described abuse they allege they suffered within the youth detention system.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old US citizen held in Russia since 2022, has been freed. He made the announcement during a meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg. Mr Hubbard, a retired schoolteacher from Michigan, had been serving a nearly seven-year sentence after being convicted of mercenary activity. Russian state media reported he pleaded guilty, while his lawyer said he denied the charges. Mr Witkoff thanked Mr Putin for the gesture of goodwill.
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Ukraine's ambassador told a conservation conference in Hobart that scientist Leonid Pshenichnov has been held in Russian detention for more than a year. Ukraine says Mr Pshenichnov, aged 71, has serious health concerns. He was arrested in Russian-controlled Crimea in September last year and accused of treason over Antarctic research that promoted conservation measures. An arrest document seen by the ABC said those measures would have undermined Russia's krill fishing. Ukraine has urged the commission to demand his immediate and unconditional release.
The World Health Organization has released a report on the death of a Russian infectious disease researcher earlier this month. The agency says Russia has not yet confirmed the cause of death, so it cannot assess the risk. The WHO has seen no evidence of ongoing spread. Russian authorities later said the lab worker died of severe pneumonia of undetermined cause, after tests for several high-threat pathogens came back negative. Media reports named the researcher as 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, who worked at the Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Russia interfered in the 2016 vote for Britain to leave the European Union. In excerpts from a podcast released Sunday, he said he had been given a clear answer to his question about interference. He did not explain how the interference happened or provide evidence. Burnham also said he discussed possible links between Russia and Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Russia has long denied meddling in other countries' elections or referendums.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit vote. He made the claim in an interview with The Rest Is Politics podcast, saying he had received a clear answer that yes, there was interference. Burnham did not explain how Russia interfered or what evidence supported his statement. Russia has previously denied meddling in the vote. Former prime minister Boris Johnson said in 2020 there was no evidence of such interference. Burnham also warned voters in France and Germany about Moscow-backed efforts to influence their politics.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has ruled out Australia taking Russian diesel, saying the country does not need or want it. His comments follow reports that US President Donald Trump struck a deal with Moscow to supply diesel, which Mr Trump says will deliver 300,000 tonnes immediately. Mr Bowen said Australia has arrangements with trading partners to stop Russian fuel reaching the country, and that policy will not change. He said Russia should not be rewarded for its invasion of Ukraine. Mr Bowen also said Australia has enough fuel supply for the current period.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has ruled out buying Russian fuel as the Middle East conflict continues. Asked about a fuel trade deal between Russia and the United States, he said Australia does not need or want Russian fuel. He said Vladimir Putin should not benefit from the war and that Russia should not be rewarded for its invasion of Ukraine. Bowen also said Australia has 43 days of petrol, 31 days of diesel and 30 days of jet fuel, with 51 ships on the way.
Russian health authorities say the cause of a lab worker's fatal pneumonia remains unknown, but deny any risk of further outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking more information from Russia. Australian experts say there is no threat of a global health crisis or an outbreak in Australia, but more information is crucial. The Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to assess it as further information becomes available.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is no indication of a broader threat to the United States after a woman died in Russia from severe pneumonia of unknown origin following a lab accident. The World Health Organization says the public health risk to the general population is very low. Russian authorities have said contact tracing has not yielded any signs of dangerous pathogens spreading. The woman reportedly broke a test tube at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute in Siberia, and her coworkers were isolated.
