Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News in Easy English, I'm Angelica Waite.
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A tanker has reportedly been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions in the region escalate.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency says all crew are safe after the incident north of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
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Donald Trump says the United States will help guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz from today.
Mr Trump has also said on social media that he's unlikely to accept Iran's new peace proposal.
"I will soon be reviewing the plan that Iran has just sent to us, but can't imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
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U-S Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Washington’s blockade of Iranian oil exports and shipping routes is putting intense economic pressure on Iran.
He says the campaign is impacting Tehran’s ability to fund its military.
"We are suffocating the regime, and they are not able to pay their soldiers. This is a real economic blockade, and it is in all parts of government, all hands on deck."
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Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has landed in Australia for her first visit as leader.
Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong has told channel Nine Australia has a close relationship with Japan.
"We have a clear AUKUS plan that is our focus. Having said that, we obviously work will continue to work very closely with Japan, and you might recall that we have engaged with them. Increasingly, you might recall the Mogami frigates which the Deputy Prime Minister announced, so obviously we have a very close relationship across a whole range of domains."
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Cases of a deadly virus called Hantavirus have been reported on a cruise ship.
The ship is now docked near Cape Verde.
The World Health Organisation says three people have died as a result of the virus.
Around 150 passengers and 70 crew members are on board the ship which was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde.
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WARNING: Distressing content and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this story includes the name of an Indigenous person who has passed away.
A Labor politician in Alice Springs has described the death of a 5-year-old-girl Kuminjayi Little Baby as a "heartbreaking loss".
His comments come after police charged 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis with murder for allegedly killing the five-year-old girl.
He is also facing two other charges that cannot be published for legal reasons.
Chansey Paech says people in Alice Springs need to continue to support each other.
"We're able now to move to the next process of letting the justice system begin its job and working again, not losing focus on the role of supporting and helping families through this time of incredible sadness but again echoing the calls for calm and for unity in our local community. People need to come together and not be divided."
** If you or someone you know is impacted by this story, call 800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, call 000.
For culturally appropriate Indigenous support 24 hours a day, call 13YARN on 13 92 76
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Treasurer Jim Chalmers says next week’s federal budget will be his most restrained yet, with savings set to outweigh spending and tax changes.
The government says changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme will result in more than $35 billion in savings.
The Coalition says Australians are already under pressure from the cost of living and has warned against increasing tax.
Mr Chalmers says the budget’s fiscal strategy will be driven primarily by savings, rather than tax changes.
"There are more dollars in savings than dollars in revenue upgrades, there will also be more dollars in savings than dollars in tax reform. So the point that I'm making there is that savings and spending restraint is doing a lot of the heavy lifting in the very responsible budget that Katie and I will hand down eight days from now. "
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In football, Sam Kerr has become Chelsea's top goalscorer of all-time in the Women's Super League.
The Australian scored her 64th goal in the Women's Super League that helped Chelsea achieve its 3-1 win against Leicester.
The result ensures the Blues will be playing Champions League football again next season with third place guaranteed.
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