China warns Australia against 'geopolitical games' over Vanuatu pact; Pay rises, tax cuts and super changes for millions, begin tomorrow; And in the World Cup, Brazil and Japan deliver a nailbiter in Houston.
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TRANSCRIPT
- China warns Australia against 'geopolitical games' over Vanuatu pact
- Pay rises, tax cuts and super changes for millions, begin tomorrow
- Brazil and Japan deliver a nail-biter in Houston
China is warning Australia against playing "geopolitical games", after Australia signed a long-awaited economic and security pact with Vanuatu.
The deals bans the establishment of a foreign military base in the Pacific nation.
It also includes a provision that Vanuatu will consult with Australia when it considers third-party engagement in its critical infrastructure, but there is no power of veto as originally proposed.
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun says there is concern that the agreement targets China.
"China has always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, openness, and inclusiveness when carrying out practical cooperation across various fields with Pacific Island countries, including Vanuatu. We hope that cooperation between relevant countries and Pacific Island countries will contribute to the development and stability of the island region, not target any third party or be used as a tool for geopolitical rivalry."
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Millions of Australians will wake up tomorrow to higher wages and lower income tax, as the new financial year brings a range of changes for workers and households.
Around 2.8 million workers on minimum and award wages will receive a pay rise from their first full pay period starting on or after the first of July.
The national minimum wage will increase by almost six per cent to $26.44 an hour, while minimum award wages will rise by 4.75 per cent.
The government's latest tax cuts also take effect tomorrow, reducing the lowest marginal tax rate from 16 to 15 per cent.
Employers will also be required to pay superannuation at the same time as wages instead of quarterly, helping workers receive their retirement savings sooner and reducing unpaid super.
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The United Nations envoy for Venezuela says search and rescue teams are working as fast as they can to find survivors amid aftershocks in the earthquake-hit country.
The UN said up to 6.8 million of Venezuela's nearly 30 million residents may be affected by the earthquakes.
The death toll is expected to rise, with at 1,450 dead. More than 3,000 are injured and over 12,000 displaced.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Venezuela, Gianluca Rampolla Del Tindaro, says teams are working against the clock not only as the critical window for finding survivors closes, but as the country readies for heavy rain in the coming days.
"Since Wednesday last week when we got hit by the two 7.2, 7.5 back-to-back earthquakes, we have had 500 aftershocks. We are beyond the 72-hours critical window, but – and this is one of the miracles of this country – rescuers are still being able to pull out alive people. Yesterday alone, seven persons were pulled out of the rubble alive. Obviously, we are focusing with government on emergency medical care and working rapidly on setting up emergency shelter. There is a tropical wave that is expected in the next hours to reach Venezuela, and this will bring heavy rains."
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The White House says senior US officials will meet Iranian negotiators in Qatar today [[Tue 30 Jul]], despite Tehran insisting no talks have been scheduled.
The talks come after both sides reportedly halted hostilities following several days of trading strikes that threatened to derail a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the war.
The interim deal calls for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and gives both sides 60 days to negotiate a broader peace agreement.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says Washington remains committed to the ceasefire but will use force if necessary.
"The president obviously wants to see the peace process play out, and the Iranians would be best to sign a good deal with the United States of America, because the president has proven he's unafraid to use the might of our military. "
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Six people have been killed in a shooting at a youth welfare facility in the northern German town of Stade.
Authorities have not released the identities or ages of the victims.
Three people, including the suspected shooter, have been detained by police; and officials say there is no further threat to the public.
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To sport, and in the World Cup, Brazil has triumphed over Japan 2-1 in their last-32 clash in Houston.
The team was saved by Gabriel Martinelli squeezing in a shot at the far post in the fifth minute of added time.
But an early scare came from Japan at 29 minutes, when Kaishu Sano fired a low shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Brazil will next play the victor of today's match between the Ivory Coast and Norway, in their quest for a six tournament win.
You can watch game between Brazil and Japan live on SBS and SBS On Demand at 2.30am tomorrow.
There is also extended coverage with our special World Cup podcast, the 90-plus.
