Australia aims to mediate US-China trade tensions under second Trump administration; Australia-Indonesia flights disrupted due to volcanic ash; In tennis, Alex de Minaur’s ATP Finals hopes fade.
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin;
- Australia aims to mediate US-China trade tensions under second Trump administration;
- Australia-Indonesia flights disrupted due to volcanic ash;
- In tennis, Alex de Minaur’s ATP Finals hopes fade.
Australia believes it can help mediate trade tensions between the United States and China under a second Trump administration, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed trade was a topic in his recent call with the president-elect.
Donald Trump's election has stirred diplomatic concerns, with fears that his protectionist policies and tariffs could impact Australia's economy by billions.
Mr Albanese, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference told ABC Radio that Australia will advocate for stronger trade relations and collaborate with global partners to promote economic growth.
"I pointed out that Australia has, or the United States has, a trade surplus with Australia. So it's in the United States interest to trade fairly with Australia, but it's also obviously in Australia's interest the United States is a major investor here in Australia, that investment creates economic activity, creates jobs."
Mr Trump's election comes as APEC leaders from 21 major economies meet to boost trading relationships in the region and promote economic growth.
—
Three Australian airlines have cancelled flights to and from Bali after a volcanic eruption near the popular Indonesian destination created a hazardous ash cloud.
Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin Australia have grounded flights, leaving passengers stranded.
The disruption began on Sunday when Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted, sending an ash column nine kilometres high in East Nusa Tenggara, about 500 kilometres from Bali.
The eruption killed nine people and forced the evacuation of over 15,000 residents.
—
Over 50,000 nurses and midwives are striking for 24 hours across New South Wales public hospitals, demanding a 15 per cent pay rise.
This action, despite a previous court agreement to avoid disruptions to patient care, is expected to delay 600-700 surgeries, according to New South Wales Health.
Nurses and midwives argue they deserve this increase following recent pay rises for teachers, paramedics, and police officers.
However, ministers warn such a hike would cost billions and push wages far above levels in Queensland, Victoria, and other states.
A similar 12-hour strike in September postponed 520 surgeries.
—
The Biden administration has concluded that Israel is not impeding aid to Gaza and is not violating US law, though the humanitarian situation remains dire.
This conclusion follows a 30-day deadline given to Israel to improve conditions in Gaza.
On 13 October, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin provided Israel with steps to increase aid or face cuts to US military assistance.
State Department spokesman Vedant Patel says progress must continue, and Israel must adhere to international humanitarian law and the provision of aid.
"We are going to continue to watch how these steps that have been taken, how these are being implemented. How that they can be continued to be expanded on. And through that we will continue to assess their compliance with U.S. law."
The deadline coincides with a warning from the independent Famine Review Committee, which indicated a strong likelihood of imminent famine in northern Gaza due to Israel’s military actions against Hamas militants.
—
Alex de Minaur's ATP Finals debut looks to be over with one match left, following a dominant defeat by a reinvigorated Daniil Medvedev.
The Russian, who had earlier voiced frustration after losing to Taylor Fritz, defeated the Australian Number One 6-2, 6-4 in just 78 minutes of high-intensity tennis.
Though de Minaur didn’t play poorly, he had little opportunity to compete, as Medvedev hit 24 winners and lost only two points on serve in the second set.
To have any chance of progressing, de Minaur must now win convincingly against Fritz in his final match and hope for a heavy Medvedev loss to Jannik Sinner.
However, if Fritz wins even one set against Sinner, de Minaur's run will end.
