The Australian Government signs a joint statement calling for the immediate end to attacks in the Red Sea. Storm and flood recovery enters full swing in southeast Queensland. David Warner resumes potentially his final innings on day two of the SCG Test between Australia and Pakistan.
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TRANSCRIPT
- The Australian Government signs a joint statement calling for the immediate end to attacks in the Red Sea.
- Storm and flood recovery enters full swing in southeast Queensland.
- David Warner resumes potentially his final innings on day two of the SCG Test between Australia and Pakistan.
The Australian Government has signed a joint statement calling for the immediate end to attacks in the Red Sea, claiming the disruption to trade is threatening innocent lives.
Around fifteen percent of the world's trade passes through the waterway, and vessels linked or destined for Israel have been the target of recent Houthi rebel attacks.
Shipping companies are now redirecting their shipments around the Cape of Good Faith - adding significant costs and time to their journey.
Director of the Freight and Trade Alliance, Paul Zalai, told ABC Radio National about what the blockade means for trade.
"I think what we're going to see, an immediate thing that you will see if you are importing your leather lounges, or your cheeses, or these things, at a minimum you're going to have that extended delay, but you will have increased costs. There'll be surcharges put in for the extra fuel required and we are seeing other fees as well, and increased freight rates. So importers and exporters will definitely be feeling the impact of it, but with the alternate route of going around the Cape of Good Hope, there is an alternate path."
Around 50 Defence Force personnel are expected to arrive in southeast Queensland today to assist in the massive clean-up efforts, following wild weather that hit the area last week.
Rain has finally eased allowing the recovery effort to enter full force, with local SES crew already joined by reinforcements from New South Wales and Victoria.
Queensland Fire Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Kevin Walsh told Channel Nine the cleanup is expected to continue for weeks.
"The good news is today and yesterday the conditions have eased remarkably, and we have some really good conditions coming into the weekend and into the rest of the week. So it gives us a really good opportunity to get on top of the recovery efforts. Pretty much every day since Christmas, we've had storms, torrential rain and flooding, which has obviously impeded our progress. But conditions have eased today, it was good yesterday, and we have good conditions forecast for the rest of the week and into the weekend."
The head of the Ukrainian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee says the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia is very significant.
Oleksander Merezkho said it came as a surprise for Ukraine, adding that it's a huge celebration because it's the biggest swap since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia's defence ministry said 248 military personnel had been handed over by Ukraine, while Ukraine said it had brought home 230 people - 224 soldiers and six civilians.
He told ABC's RN program it's a very encouraging result.
"Our President has said even though it took so long to make this swap, nevertheless, the negotiations never stopped."
The United States is denying any involvement in the two explosions that killed over one hundred people in Iran on Wednesday.
The US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller told reporters that the United States had no involvement in the attacks and says there is no evidence to suggest Israel was involved either.
The two explosions went off during a ceremony commemorating four years since top Iranian commander, Qassem Soleimani, was killed in a U-S drone attack in 20-20.
Matthew Miller answered questions about the attacks during a briefing with the press.
"(Miller) The United States was not involved in any way. And any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous. And number two, we have no reason to believe that Israel was involved in this explosion." (Reporter off camera)"Why not?" (Miller)"We just do not have any information to believe that that's the case."
And in cricket,
David Warner has resumed potentially his final innings on day two of the SCG Test between Australia and Pakistan.
Australian allrounder Mitch Marsh earlier said the third Test against Pakistan is delicately poised heading into day two at the SCG.
Things could hardly have started worse for the tourists yesterday [[3 Dec]] who won the toss but lost 2-4 after both openers went for second-ball ducks.
Captain Pat Cummins (5-61) threatened to explode with the ball once again, dismissing Babar Azam (26) and then Mohammad Rizwan, who posted Pakistan's largest individual score of the series to date (88).
Hunting a 3-0 series whitewash, Australia only faced one over in reply before stumps were called at 0-6.
Warner is sure to be giving it his all in his 112th and final Test for Australia.
