Fuel price cuts extended in Australia; Australians mark the winter solstice around the country; and in football, Germany advance to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 2014.
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TRANSCRIPT
- Fuel price cuts extended in Australia
- Australians mark the winter solstice around the country
- Germany advance to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 2014
Cost relief at Australia's petrol stations has been extended for another month, although the savings won't be as substantial.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a limited extension of the fuel excise, making petrol and diesel 16 cents per litre cheaper than the full price in July.
The current saving is 32 cents a litre after it was cut three months ago, following the outbreak of war in the Middle East and the ensuing strangulation of global oil supplies.
The PM has told Sky News Agenda the decision is a recognition that despite the recent drop in the price of petrol, people are still under pressure.
"And we also know that the impact of this conflict on the other side of the world will have a long economic tail to it. There's still some uncertainty. The oil price has come down this week. We want to see that flow through, but it will take some time."
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US Vice President JD Vance has left for Switzerland to join peace talks with Iran.
Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior aide Jared Kushner are already there, along with the Iranian delegation including Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
The talks to finalise an interim deal on peace could be complicated by Iran's decision to once again close the Strait of Hormuz, citing what it called Israeli crimes in Lebanon and a US violation of commitments to establish a ceasefire.
US Central Command says 55 merchant ships had already transited the strait on Saturday, and that US forces would ensure the flow of ships continued.
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Experts say the risk to human health from the H5N1 strain of bird flu remains low, after Australia recorded its first case of the disease in a migratory bird in Western Australia.
Globally, H5N1 bird flu has now been detected on all continents, and has caused millions of deaths in wild birds and marine mammals.
Agencies like the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organization say the risk to the human population from the virus remains low.
Infectious diseases specialist Sanjaya Senanayake - at the Australian National University - has told SBS, members of the public should still heed the advice to avoid contact with sick or dead birds, and to report unusual animal symptoms to authorities.
"We have seen a few cases, but it is not easy for a human being to get this. It is typically from infected poultry to humans. In the US we have seen it go from cattle to humans as well. But human cases with this particular strain of bird flu are not common. And most cases tend to be mild."
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Australia is marking the winter solstice today.
Events have been held around the country - and in Antarctica - to celebrate the point at which Australia experiences its least daylight hours of the year.
More than 100 Australians are currently stationed over the long winter months in Antarctica and on Macquarie Island, and some have taken part in the traditional Midwinter swim to mark the occasion.
Station Leader Dave Buller from Mawson Station - in Antarctica - says the participants essentially take a dip in a hole that is cut in the ice.
"And the water down below - it's about one and a half metres of sea ice. The water down below is around minus two degrees. So we're going to have a great time. Fantastic work by all the team here and what a beautiful place to be on Midwinter 2026."
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And to sport, in football, Germany has shaken off the ghosts of two World Cup pasts with a 2-1 win against Ivory Coast.
The 2014 champions crashed out in the group stage in the last two editions of the Cup.
But substitute Deniz Undav scored twice to earn the team a spot in the knockout stage.
German fan Mats Kaeur says he is overjoyed with the result - but says trying to practice the art of sparsamkeit - or being frugal - has proved a challenge.
"The beer prices both in Canada and in the US are much more expensive than in Germany. In Germany, we pay about $6-$7 a beer, but here it is about $10 to $14, and in the stadium, it is $17. That is ridiculous."
