Key Points
- Australia pushing for removal of United States tariffs
- White House reporting Israel has backed a new Gaza ceasefire plan
- New South Wales takes the Women's State of Origin shield
TRANSCRIPT
- Australia continues to push for removal of US tariffs, following a court ruling;
- Israel reportedly signs off on the latest US ceasefire proposal for Gaza;
- The Blues win the shield for the Women's State of Origin after game three.
Australia will continue to push for the removal of American tariffs, as the Trump administration appeals a court decision that blocked the policy's implementation.
Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell says the government is examining the ruling closely.
Australian goods are subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff, while all steel and aluminium imports to the U-S have been hit with 25 per cent tariffs.
The White House immediately lodged an appeal after it was ruled US President Donald Trump overstepped his authority with the measures - but former chief economist of the Australian Trade Commission Tim Harcourt says the court process could be lengthy.
"You don't know with appeals, do you? Because I imagine they appeal to this court and then an appeal to the Supreme Court. So, it could take a long time. I mean, if it does, I mean courts move pretty slowly. So perhaps, whilst there's a lull and no tariffs, perhaps some deals can be done globally and we can get a bit of relief and have people see the folly of their ways."
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The Israeli government has signed off on the latest United States ceasefire proposal for Gaza, but the White House says it has no knowledge of whether Hamas has accepted the plan.
US President Donald Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff presented the deal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his advisors – before the Hamas militant group.
Some Israeli media is reporting Mr Netanyahu told some returned hostages that he has accepted a 60-day truce proposal.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt says the situation is evolving, and discussions are ongoing.
"I can also confirm that those discussions are continuing, and we hope that a ceasefire in Gaza will take place so we can return all of the hostages home. And that's been a priority from this administration from the beginning. I won't comment further as we are in the midst of this right now."
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Parents of the victims of the Bondi stabbing tragedy have detailed their grief and anger as the five-week inquest into the attack winds down.
Parents of the Chinese international student Yixuan Cheng, have told the coroner’s court that their daughter was "the treasure" of their lives.
Elizabeth Young has also testified of her daughter Jade's tragic fate, saying that she was angry and aggrieved for what she had lost.
She has described seeing footage of her daughter's lifeless body being worked on by paramedics broadcast globally.
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Vanuatu's Prime Minister has stressed that action against climate change will be the key pillar of his country's upcoming bilateral agreement with Australia.
The two countries have gathered to finalise the Nakamal Agreement, which covers issues of regional security, trade, labour mobility and First Nations connections.
Jotham Napat says a component of the Nakamal Agreement is about Vanuatu's survival.
"The subject on the Paris Agreement must be mandate. One of the discussions I had with Foreign Minister Penny Wong, in fact they admitted that they still support the Paris Agreement, and they are very focused on looking at the climate issues as one of their core, or one of the priorities."
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Australians can expect a warmer winter with above average rainfall in the country's east and southwest.
That's according to Australia's fire and emergency services' latest assessment.
It also indicates South Australia and Victoria will face higher risk of fires this winter due to record low rainfall.
But Bureau of Meteorology's climatologist Dr Stephanie Jacobs says people can still expect some cold days from June to August.
"While we enter a cooler time of year, temperatures this winter are very likely to be above average nationwide. There is an increased chance of unusually warm days and nights across Australia. However, cold belts and frosts are still possible."
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Traditional Owners in Western Australia have launched legal action against the approval of Woodside energy's massive project extension in the state.
Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper has launched a second legal bid to stop the project.
Woodside must still accept conditions on heritage and air quality at the project on W-A's Burrup Peninsula, home to ancient rock art, before the approval is official.
Australian Conservation Foundation's First Nations' Lead Josie Alec says it's unlikely to protect some of the oldest art in the world.
"This extension and all the industry that sits here, you've seen how devastating it is to this country, to the petroglyphs that have already been moved. It's quite a disgrace that we think that industry and culture can coexist, especially if industry aren't playing by the rules."
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To sport, and the Blues have lifted the shield for the Women's State of Origin, despite losing to the Queensland Maroons in the third game in Newcastle.
The Maroons snatched the final match by 18 to 14, leaving the Blues unable to create a 3-0 clean sweep.
New South Wales coach John Strange has praised the team for their passion and performance.
Queensland captain Ali Brigginshaw says team put up a tough fight, despite several key injuries within the team.
