The Government extends the life of Collins-Class submarines amidst the transition to nuclear subs; the US warns Iran more military strikes remain possible despite progress in talks; and in sport, big consequences in English football's spying scandal.
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TRANSCRIPT
- The Government extends the life of Collins-Class submarines amidst the transition to nuclear subs.
- The U-S warns Iran more military strikes remain possible despite progress in talks.
- Big consequences in English football's spying scandal.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles has announced a life-of-type extension for Australia’s six Collins class submarines.
Speaking at the Lowy Institute, Mr Marles says the program will begin at the end of May and is aimed at extending the operational life of the ageing fleet while reducing engineering and scheduling risks.
Life-of-type extensions are designed to keep complex military assets, such as submarines, ships and aircraft, in service for longer.
Mr Marles says the project is crucial as Australia transitions from conventional submarines to a future fleet of nuclear-powered vessels.
"It has the transition to our future fleet of conventionally armed nuclear submarines as a key consideration. It will also involve a detailed engineering assessment period for HMAS Farncomb, as one of the oldest boats with the highest number of sea days.This approach will ensure our Collins class submarines remain a potent and highly capable undersea platform today and for years to come."
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US Vice President JD Vance says Washington and Tehran have made significant progress in nuclear talks, with a proposed deal aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Speaking at the White House, Mr Vance says the agreement would also create a process to stop Iran rebuilding its nuclear capabilities in future, while avoiding a return to military conflict.
He says both sides appear willing to reach an agreement, but warned no deal is guaranteed until it is formally signed.
"So we're in a pretty good spot here. But there's an option B, and the option B is that we could restart the military campaign to ... try to achieve America's objectives. ... But that's not what the president wants. And I don't think it's what the Iranians want either. We have an opportunity here, I think, to reset the relationship that has existed between Iran and the United States for 47 years."
Mr Vance says President Donald Trump wants negotiations to continue in good faith, but says the U-S is prepared to resume military action if necessary.
President Donald Trump had earlier said the U-S may need to strike Iran again and that he had been an hour away from ordering an attack before postponing it.
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The United Nations is stepping up its response to an outbreak of a rare type of Ebola in eastern Congo, where there's been a sharp increase in suspected deaths to 134 and more than 500 suspected cases.
Health experts say the virus spread undetected for weeks after the first known death as authorities tested for a more common type of Ebola, with the results coming back negative.
The strain in question is the Bundibugyo virus which has no approved medicines or vaccines.
United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, says the World Health Organisation is supporting the scale-up of surveillance, contact tracing, testing, clinical care and cross-border preparedness.
"The agency has deployed experts to the field alongside with national responders and sent 12 tons of supplies, including personal protective equipment for frontline health workers. WHO is also working with partners such as the NGOs ALIMA and MSF to set up treatment centers and expand care in affected areas. For its part, the U.N. Children's Fund has mobilized 50 tons of infection prevention and control supplies such as disinfectants, soaps, personal protective equipment, and water purification tablets and water tanks."
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Officials in the Northern Territory have confirmed two deaths from a mosquito-borne virus in Alice Springs.
NT Health says the deaths occurred in April and May as a result of Murray Valley encephalitis, a rare virus that can be potentially fatal after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito.
Transmission in the NT is most frequent between February and June, with most cases occurring between March and May, but significant rainfall this year has increased the risk.
During a 2023 outbreak, eight cases were recorded, including two deaths and two cases resulting in severe neurological impairment.
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Some small business owners are expressing concern over the government's tax changes announced in the federal budget.
The budget proposed reforms of the tax system by removing the discount which meant Australians selling an asset only pay tax on 50 per cent of their profits.
Carlos Cordova is one of several small business owners who has posted a meme on social media depicting the Prime Minister as their new dual business owner, following the changes to the capital gains tax.
The 40-year-old, who launched his Latin American food products nearly eight years ago, has told SBS he was lied to and won't be voting Labor any time soon.
"The humour behind that is real, you know, we just gotta laugh. But I think really you know we just wanted to express our concern. We funded the business with our already taxed money, because you know, you get taxed when you work. And to then feel that we are get triple taxed again, whether we sell the business or not, it's a tough thing to accept."
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In football, Southampton has been expelled from English football's Championship playoff final for spying on their opposition.
Often called the richest game in world football, the playoff final determines who takes the final spot in the English Premier League next season.
Southampton has been expelled after complaints a member of their staff spied on a training session of their playoff semi-final opponent Middlesbrough before that game earlier this month.
Southampton says it will appeal the decision.
If the appeal fails, Middlesbrough will play Hull City in the playoff final on Sunday.
