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The federal government is moving to strengthen Australia's fuel reserves, saying the current international crisis has highlighted the risks of relying heavily on supplies from overseas.
The government has begun designing a $3.2 billion strategic reserve to will eventually hold one billion litres of diesel and jet fuel.
It is seeking feedback on where the fuel should be stored across Australia, how quickly the reserve should be built and who should manage it.
Fuel companies will also be required to hold an additional 10 days' supply of petrol, diesel and jet fuel by 2030.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen says Australia has weathered the current disruption, but needs a bigger buffer against future crises.
"We've made it clear that we need to strengthen our own fuel security, liquid fuel security, by holding more fuel in Australia. While we got through the last this crisis well, internationally, it would have been better if we'd had more fuel in Australia.When we came to office we had two refineries when we left office in 2013, there were six. When we came back there were two, and of course our fuel stocks were held in Texas. We've worked to improve that."
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Brazil's presidential election campaign is officially underway, with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva seeking another term amid a deeply divided political landscape.
The campaign is being closely watched for the influence of US President Donald Trump, whose policies and political alliances have had an impact across Latin America.
But analysts caution against viewing Brazil's contest simply through the lens of US politics.
Brazilian political expert Deborah Barros Leal Farias from UNSW tells SBS Portuguese shifts between the left and right have long been a feature of politics across the region.
"Trump ends up being an influence, but I think it's also important to point out that this left-right variation is kind of the norm, right? "It's not a bug, it's a feature" within Latin American politics, right? But despite all the influence of Trump and the Monroe Doctrine, I think we still have to remember that most Latin American countries continue to export to China."
At 80-years-old, Lula's age is also attracting attention, although Professor Farias says it has yet to emerge as a major concern among voters.
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The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has confirmed dates for the first-ever men's State of Origin match in New Zealand next year.
The Commission's chairman Peter V’landys says the Origin match is scheduled for June 16 in Auckland and will be part of a wider rugby league festival in New Zealand's largest city.
He says the bucket-list event gives New Zealand fans an opportunity to lock in their date with Rugby League history and for Blues and Maroons fans across Australia and the Pacific to secure travel plans.
New Zealand’s Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston is welcoming the confirmation as Auckland prepares for hosting duties.
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