TRANSCRIPT
- Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Tuesday's budget measures will help drive down inflation
- Russian authorities says at least nine people have been killed by a Ukrainian airstrike on a residential building in the border city of Belgorod
- Australian George Kambosos loses to Ukrainian Vasiliy Lomachenko in the lightweight world title showdown
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The Federal Treasurer says he cannot influence the Reserve Bank of Australia to mitigate inflation, but Australians should expect significant cost-of-living relief to counter its impact.
Jim Chalmers tells SBS News the federal budget, to be handed down tomorrow, contains billions of dollars in relief and assistance for those doing it tough.
He acknowledged the significant impact of inflation and high interest rates, but says it's important the government respects the independent function of the RBA.
"I don't tell the Reserve Bank how to do its job, and they don't tell me how to do mine. I take responsibility for a budget which puts downwards pressure on inflation rather than upward pressure on inflation, whether it's the way we've got the budget in much better nick, whether it's the way we're providing this cost-of-living help - the budget will be part of the solution rather than part of the problem."
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Russia's Defence Ministry says at least nine people have been killed by a Ukrainian airstrike on a residential building in the border city of Belgorod.
Around 20 more are reported injured, with rescue operations still underway.
It comes as Russian forces launch an armoured incursion on a new front near Kharkiv, with fierce fighting threatening Ukraine's second biggest city.
But Kharkiv's governor, Oleh Syniehubov, says there is no imminent danger to Kharkiv and no need to begin evacuating its roughly 1.3 million inhabitants.
Residents like Liubov Kalashnyk are staying put despite months of relentless rocket, drone and artillery attacks on the city.
"We go for a walk every evening. It is not that we are so courageous. There are moments when there are air raids and we do not quite know where to seek shelter, the basements are not great but we go out all the time, as soon as raids are over we head out."
Both Ukraine and Russia say they do not target civilians, though many civilians have been killed in the war by both sides.
The Kremlin says the attack was 'barbaric', while there has been no immediate comment from Ukraine on the attack.
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Another weekend of protests in support of the Palestinian people has taken place in Australia's major cities as Israel expands its assault on the Gazan city of Rafah and bombs residents and displaced people in Jabalia to the north.
In Sydney, thousands marched from Belmore Park to the Gaza Solidarity encampment at the University of Sydney.
Protesters called for an end to Israel's war in Gaza which has killed close to 35,000 Palestinians since October 7*, as well as an end to Israel's occupation of the Palestinian Territories.
Australian surgeon Aziz Bhimani who has just returned from treating patients in Al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, shared his experiences with S-B-S News.
"It takes my breath away to think about it. The hospitals aren't working, they're overcrowded, it smells of death, they're over inundated with the number of patients. Everyone's working beyond what they could do. Al-Aqsa hospital is one of the two hospitals left standing and everyone's hungry, everyone's displaced - that includes all the doctors. So all the doctors are living in tents."
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Authorities say at least 300 people have been killed, and more than 1600 have been injured from devastating flash floods in northern Afghanistan.
The Taliban-run refugee ministry say thousands of homes were damaged and livestock wiped out, while aid groups have warned of damage to health care facilities and vital infrastructure, like water supply.
Saheb Khan from Baghlan province lost several members of his family to the floods.
"The floods flowed yesterday and destroyed everything, I lost my father, my brother, my sister, and my nephew. My mother is injured as well, I nearly died too. Our house has been completely destroyed, the floods have destroyed our entire life."
Taliban authorities have sent helicopters to try to assist civilians overnight after receiving reports that over 100 people remain stranded.
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In boxing, Australian George Kambosos Junior has declared he's "not finished yet" despite being stopped for the first time in his career in the IBF lightweight world title showdown against Vasiliy Lomachenko in Perth.
Lomachenko controlled Sunday's bout from start to finish in his technical knock-out victory in front of 14,147 fans at RAC Arena.
The fight was brought to a halt with 21 seconds remaining in the 11th round after Kambosos suffered a battering in the corner.
Kambosos had hit the deck seconds earlier following a powerful hook to the body.
When the referee resumed the bout, Lomachenko finished the job with a flurry of punches.
Jim Kambosos, George's father, revealed he was about to throw in the towel just as the referee stepped in to stop the bout.
Post-match, Kambosos says he respected his Ukrainian opponent.
"Look, he's a true champion, he's a legend of this sport. I give him that much respect, I never disrespected him. I always gave him the respect and we knew what we were coming up against. But, I tried my best, I had the best preparation, I gave everything in training camp and unfortunately it wasn't enough today but it is what it is."
