The federal government to extend fuel measures through September; The UN blacklists Israel and Russia over conflict-related sexual violence; And in tennis, Australia's French Open run ends as Sabalenka defeats Kasatkina.
Listen to Australian and world news and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT:
- The federal government to extend fuel measures through September
- The UN blacklists Israel and Russia over conflict-related sexual violence
- Australia's French Open run ends as Sabalenka defeats Kasatkina
Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the temporary relaxation of Australia's Minimum Stockholding Obligation for petrol and diesel will be extended for three months.
The measure ensures bulk importers and refineries maintain a baseline level of stock at all times to safeguard against any increase in geopolitical tensions.
The extension will effectively allow suppliers to keep 20 per cent less diesel and petrol in reserve as long as they commit to delivering more fuel into the domestic market until the end of September.
"We continue to work in an uncertain international environment. We continue to work in a situation where we need to be agile and I've reached a judgment that it's best to provide that ongoing flexibility, uh, while we are still currently way above our minimum stock obligation holdings, uh, requirements just to keep that flexibility for fuel companies to be able to get fuel out to regional Australia in particular if and when necessary."
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Business Conditions and Sentiments reveals fuel prices and supply have adversely affected 72 per cent of businesses across the country.
.
(WARNING: This story contains references to sexual assault and violence.}
The United Nations has added Israel and Russia to a UN blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence for the first time.
According to the report, Israeli forces engaged in documented patterns of abuse against Palestinian detainees in Gaza and the West Bank.
The UN also cited 310 verified cases of sexual violence by Russian forces against Ukrainian prisoners of war and detained civilians.
The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on violence in conflict, Pramila Patten, says both Israel and Russia have hampered attempts to investigate the allegations.
"Since last year's notice, both the patterns of sexual violence and the denial of access have persisted. As a result, UN human rights monitors continue to face severe access constraints, which significantly impede their capacity to document cases in a timely manner."
Israel's foreign ministry has denied the allegations and says it will sever all ties with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, while Russia's envoy says the report attempts to portray Russia as a villain.
The UN had previously added Hamas to the conflict related sexual violence report after the October 7 attack.
(If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.)
.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US is ready to resume attacks on Iran if a deal cannot be reached.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Mr Hegseth has said Donald Trump is committed to reaching a strong deal that ensures Iran does not have the capacity to gain a nuclear weapon.
Earlier President Trump claimed the US was close to reaching a deal, but Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says no agreement had been finalised.
Mr Hegseth has warned Washington has the capacity to restart the war if it wants to.
“Our ability to recommence, if necessary is, we are more than capable. Our stockpiles are more than suited for that both there and around the globe because of how we balance exquisite and more plentiful munitions. So we're in a very good place.”
.
The World Health Organization is urging international support for the Democratic Republic of Congo as the country battles its latest Ebola outbreak.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has met with officials in the DRC, where authorities are trying to tackle more than 1,000 suspected cases.
The African nation's health minister, Samuel Roger Kamba says he is confident the nation's outbreak can be contained and is calling on nations to keep their borders open.
Mr Ghebreyesus is equally confident.
“I think the name of the game is together and solidarity is our best immunity, and especially at the centre should be community ownership, of course, with the leadership of the government, so working with the communities closely, listening to them, understanding the problems they raise, and working to address those. I think will help us to stop this outbreak.”
.
To sport and in tennis, Australia's French Open campaign is over, with Daria Kasatkina becoming the last Australian eliminated at Roland Garros.
Kasatkina, the only Australian to reach the third round, was beaten 6-0 7-5 by world number one Aryna Sabalenka in Paris.
After a one-sided opening set, Kasatkina mounted a stronger challenge in the second, briefly taking a 2-0 lead and staying level at 5-all before Sabalenka closed out the match in 76 minutes.
The victory sends Sabalenka into the fourth round, where she will face Naomi Osaka.
