The Federal Government admits fuel prices are higher than they'd like; residents in Ceuta providing shelter for migrant children; Australia prepares to take on Bangladesh in a five-day cricket test in Darwin.
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TRANSCRIPT
- The Federal Government admits fuel prices are higher than they'd like
- Residents in Ceuta providing shelter for migrant children
- Australia prepares to take on Bangladesh in a five-day cricket test in Darwin
Energy Minister Chris Bowen admits fuel prices are higher than the Government would like - but says it could be worse.
Labor's Fuel excise discount came to an end this week.
That's seen prices surge back over two dollars per litre across the country.
Mr Bowen says the Government made it clear from the start this relief was vital, but temporary, to ensure Australians got through the worst of the international fuel crisis when it comes to fuel prices.
"Of course, petrol is more expensive than we'd like it to be because of the international prices. But prices are about 50 cents less now than at the time that the government took the decision to halve the fuel excise."
Chris Bowen says the Government's other work on cost of living relief continues.
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United States President Donald Trump says the US government will invest $4.2 billion in critical mineral and battery projects as part of a push to strengthen national security.
The investments come as the US attempts to reduce its dependence on Chinese supply chains for critical minerals needed to replenish depleted weapons stockpiles.
While the Trump administration denies reports of significant weapons shortages, defence officials warn replenishing some inventories could take years given existing production constraints.
Mr Trump says part of the investment will go towards educating miners.
"Accredited mining programs in the United States now graduate less than 170 mining engineers each year, while China graduates more than 3,000. And half of our current mining workforce is set to retire within the next three years, wow. That's why my administration is making an unprecedented financial commitment to our nation's mining schools. It's going to keep us nice and young and vibrant."
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The Australian Government is welcoming the Trump administration's announcement of a loan to Sunrise Energy Metals as part of a major investment in critical mineral and battery projects.
The US Government announced it would provide the company with a $566 million conditional loan as it develops a scandium mine in New South Wales.
Resources Minister Madeleine King says the project hosts the world's largest and highest grade known scandium resource, which has a range of aerospace, defence and clean energy applications.
In October last year, Australia and the United States signed an $8.5 billion rare earths and critical minerals deal.
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Residents of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta are providing shelter for unaccompanied minors among migrants remaining in the city following a mass influx last week.
It comes as Spain introduces tougher border controls on Italy, in retaliation for Italy introducing similar restrictions on Spain following the influx of migrants.
The leftist government expects to transfer some migrant minors from overcrowded reception centres in the North African enclave to the mainland within weeks.
Ceuta resident, Bilal Kadur, says they're doing what they can to help.
“What we are doing here is providing accommodation for those who are on the streets, good people are always welcome, not those who are problematic. Always helping, we have been attentive since day one. We haven’t slept, there are people who have stayed alert and taking care of them because not everyone who comes is good, you know.”
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A new joint defence agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan is a sign countries in the region are searching for new regional security partnerships amid mistrust in US guarantees, according to an analyst.
Senior Middle East Research Fellow at Chatham House, Galip Dalay, says it resembles NATO's article 5, with the countries to treat an armed attack against any one of them as an attack against all three.
Türkiye has NATO's second-largest military, while Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state and Saudi Arabia is one of the world's biggest oil exporters.
Galip Dalay says he thinks Iran will take a negative view of the new alliance.
"The fact that this is a collective defence treaty, so it considers an attack on one as an attack on all. Probably now Iran has to think twice, or the Iranian-aligned group has to think twice the next time that they are attacking Saudi Arabia. And that will create quite a lot of dilemmas, not only for Iran, but also for the parties to this agreement as well. So, but definitely, clearly Iran will regard this negatively."
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Australia's mens cricket team is preparing to take on Bangladesh in Darwin from Thursday in the first of two tests this month.
It will be Australia's first red-ball match since they ended the Ashes by winning at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January.
Allan Border medallist Travis Head and Jake Weatherald will open the batting for Australia.
The second test will be played in Mackay.
