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Australia works with international countries to co-ordinate response to Ebola | SBS News in Easy English 18 May 2026

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A daily 5 minute news wrap for English learners


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Welcome to SBS News in Easy English. I'm Biwa Kwan.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor has vowed to win back the voters the Coalition is losing to the One Nation party.

Mr Taylor used his budget reply speech this week to outline the Coalition's immigration policies, promising the "biggest cut to migration in Australia’s history".

The plan includes: linking migration to housing completions, reinstating temporary protection visas; and barring non-citizens - including permanent residents - from accessing 17 welfare payments.

The policies have been strongly criticised by migrants and advocates, particularly those from the Chinese and Indian communities who choose to be permanent residents because dual citizenship is not recognised by their birth countries.

They have called the policies unfair and divisive.

Mr Taylor has told SBS, exemptions would apply in compassionate circumstances, but that permanent residents need to make a choice.

"Our very generous welfare safety net should be for Australian citizens. This will all be grandfathered, by the way. So when people come to this country and they don't want to give up their citizenship of another country, that's a choice they make. But there are consequences in choices too, and that will be clear and upfront to people if they want to come to Australia."

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The Australian government government says it is working to co-ordinate a response to the latest outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern" over the weekend, calling for strong global efforts to limit further spread of the disease.

Federal environment minister Murray Watt says Australian health officials will be working with their international counterparts to co-ordinate a response.

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Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda report 246 suspected cases and 88 deaths connected to the Ebola outbreak.

The Bundibugyo strain can kill up to half of those infected and there is currently no vaccine.

The virus has now spread to the major DRC city of Goma - and has also claimed a life in neighbouring Uganda.

Goma was seized by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in early 2025, a conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands.

Resident Alain Bisimwa said people in Goma are really scared.

"In truth, we are truly afraid of this Ebola epidemic. We’ve been hearing about Ebola for several years now, first in Equateur province, then in North Kivu, and now here in Goma, which is truly heartbreaking. We are asking the government to implement measures because we don’t know what to do."

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Amnesty International says global executions last year reached their highest level since 1981, with at least 2,707 people put to death worldwide.

This is more than two-thirds higher than the previous year.

Iran accounted for the vast majority, executing 2,159 people, more than double its 2024 figure.

Amnesty and other rights groups say Iran has intensified executions in 2026, after January protests and the war against Israel and the United States.

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In Bulgaria, hundreds of cheering fans have welcomed Eurovision Song Contest winner Dara upon her return home.

It is the first time Bulgaria has won the song contest.

The winning song 'Bangaranga' explores the challenges of living with anxiety.

Dara, whose real name is s Darina Yotova, says winning the contest marks the beginning of her future international career.

"We just achieved a huge success for Bulgarian music, and I hope this serves as a lesson that Bulgarian performers and everybody involved in creative fields and the arts must be supported. We need your love and support to conquer the world."

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Australia's Eurovision performer Delta Goodrem says she is blown away by the support she has received throughout the competition.

Australia placed fourth - with Israel, Romania, and Italy rounding out the top five.

The UK came in last place.

Speaking to SBS, Delta says she gave it her all.

"You know I got to fly out of a piano. I got to use the smoke and the fire. And again to feel that love and support for my music and me as an artist - that is something that is. It has still be a huge milestone to be part of. And you know the top four, I'm thrilled. It's a variety, spice of life."

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And to sports, in football,

Sam Kerr has played her final game for Chelsea in the Women's Super League, scoring a winning goal against Manchester United.

She leaves the club as the joint all-time top scorer - 116 goals to her name.

The 32-year-old has spent six-and-a-half-years with the club, winning five Women's Super League titles, three FA Cups and three League Cups.


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