TRANSCRIPT
- More uncertainty for Australian steel producers as Trump promises to double tariffs
- Germany re-thinking arm sales to Israel over Gaza concerns
- Olympic champion boxer Imane Khelif ordered to undergo mandatory sex testing
Donald Trump has vowed to double the tariff rate on steel, a dramatic increase that could put pressure on Australian producers.
The US President has made the pledge during a visit to US Steel's Mon Valley Works in Pennsylvania.
"We are going to be imposing a 25 per cent increase. We're going to bring it from 25 per cent to 50 per cent the tariffs on steel into the United States of America, which will even further secure the steel industry in the United States. Nobody's going to get around that."
Trade law expert Professor Lisa Toohey from UNSW says Bluescope Steel will experience the biggest direct hit, because it exports around 300,000 tonnes of semi-processed steel annually to the US.
Australia has promised to continue to push for the tariff's removal altogether, Trade Minister Senator Don Farrell calling them unjustified.
**
Germany says it is re-evaluating its delivery of arms to Israel.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has told the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that while Germany stood with Israel and had responsibility for its security and existence in light of German history, it was considering restricting sales because of concerns Israel's actions in Gaza may not be consistent with humanitarian international law.
He has previously urged Israel to speed up the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza [[in a press conference alongside his Spanish counterpart during his inaugural visit to Madrid.]]
"The humanitarian situation is unbearable and must be improved quickly, which is why I have once again urged (Israeli foreign minister) Gideon Saar to ensure that more humanitarian aid is allowed into the Gaza Strip.”
**
Richard Marles will call for a stronger arms control network in the Indo Pacific at this year's Shangri-La Dialogue.
The Defence Minister will say the network needs to be made tougher to keep up with growing risks and advances in technology.
His address in Singapore is expected to especially highlight the risk posed by China's rapid nuclear modernisation and expansion program, which he says aims to reach parity with or surpass the United States.
**
A leading advocate says children are being subjected to ongoing "egregious" breaches of their rights in Australia.
Human Rights Commissioner Katie Kiss has referred specifically to the 'tough on crime' approaches being taken in Queensland and the Northern Territory in her remarks during the Mabo Oration in Cairns.
The HRC's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner says that she was troubled by Northern Territory chief minister Lia Finocchiaro and Queensland premier David Crisafulli being unfazed by rebukes on their policies from the chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, Ann Skelton.
**
Gunlom Falls in the Kakadu National Park has officially reopened to the public, six years after its closure.
It had been shut in 2019 after Parks Australia damaged a sacred mens site during a construction project.
Gunlom is one of Kakadu's most cherished attractions, famously featuring in Crocodile Dundee.
**
A Chinese paraglider has been banned from the skies for six months after being accidentally propelled eight and a half thousand metres into the sky.
The Gansu provincial aeronautical sports association says the suspension is because the site and airspace of the incident had not been approved in advance, despite it being regarded as an unforeseen accident.
The paraglider - identified as Peng Yujiang - says he was testing new equipment at 3,000 metres above sea level in China's Gansu province when a rare air current known as a cloud suck pulled him about 5,000 metres up to a height almost equivalent to the summit of Mount Everest.
"The scariest moment was when I tried to pull out of the spiral and failed and when the canopy nosedived. It's still frightening to think about. I'm sure I won't be trying paragliding again anytime soon, and I'm not even sure if I will do it again in the future."
**
To sport, World Boxing have introduced mandatory sex testing following Imane Khelif's gold medal performance at the Paris Olympic Games.
All athletes over the age of 18 will now have to undertake a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) genetic test.
The governing body has singled out Ms Khelif for particular attention, writing to the Algerian boxing federation to say she will not be able to compete in next month's Eindhoven Box Cup or any other women's event under their authority until she has completed the testing.
Khelif was cleared to compete in the last Olympic Games despite being disqualified from the 2023 World Championships [[organised by the International Boxing Association]] for allegedly failing to meet gender eligibility criteria.
