TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News In Easy English. I'm Biwa Kwan.
The Greens party says it is concerned that the expansion of the federal government's first home buyers scheme is going to make the housing crisis worse.
The party's housing spokesperson, Barbara Pocock, says she is concerned the expanded scheme is likely to fuel more demand, driving up housing prices - and putting people into deep debt.
Under the scheme, first home buyers can buy a house with a five per cent deposit.
The federal government will guarantee a portion of a first home buyer’s home loan under the scheme, so they can purchase with a lower deposit.
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil says that will reduce the time required to save a deposit.
"This is lifechanging stuff. And a genuine expansion of home ownership opportunities for that generation of Australians who are facing such a different housing market than their parents and grandparents faced. This is just a part of Labor's ambitious homes for Australia program. We have a 43 billion-dollar agenda. We're building more homes. We're getting renters a better deal. And today, particularly we're getting more young people around the country that amazing opportunity to get into home ownership."
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Another ten sunscreens have been pulled from shelves over concerns about their sun protection claims.
Eighteen sunscreens have now been recalled or paused in Australia.
It follows an announcement from the medicines regulator about testing results from Wild Child Laboratories Pty Ltd, the manufacturer of the base sunscreen formulation used by the Ultra Violette SPF 50+ Lean Screen product.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration says testing indicated the base formulation of the product is unlikely to have an SPF greater than 21.
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There are calls for internet and mobile phone data services to be re-connected in Afghanistan, after the Taliban ordered they be taken offline.
More than 43 million people in Afghanistan are now believed to be impacted by the shutdown, which the UN says has left the country almost completely cut off from the outside world.
It has impacted health programs and banking services.
The UN refugee agency has also been unable to reach its frontline aid workers who are helping with the response to the recent earthquakes that killed 2,200 people.
Melbourne-based Afghan community leader Liaqat Khan has told SBS Pashto the shutdown has caused considerable distress amongst the diaspora in Australia.
"This drastic measure triggers the severed critical communication link between Afghans living in Australia, across the globe, and their loved ones back in Afghanistan, causing profound disruption to families and social connections. We view this action as a stark infringement on fundamental freedoms and violation of human rights."
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Life-sized carvings of camels, gazelles and other animals dating back thousands of years have been discovered in northern Saudi Arabia.
The carvings date back around 12,000 years.
Scientists say they are confident they were created using a wedge-shaped rock to create sharp lines.
Archaeologist Maria Guagnin, from the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, says the carvings and engraving tools found at the site show people were living in the area about 2000 years earlier than scientists initially thought.
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To sport, and in women's cricket,
Australia begins its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in India today.
Australia is aiming to win consecutive O-D-I World Cups, which would be a first for Australia - or any country - since 1988.
Phoebe Litchfield told the Willow Talk podcast, she is anticipating a tough game.
"I think for me wherever I bat, I think at the top of the order it's about making the most of the power play. And really, if they give you balls to put it away - you put it away. And kind of get on top of it to then go big throughout the middle - and we have a role to get ourselves in and really go big. Because I feel it is hard to start in India sometimes. Depending on the surface, I guess. But yeah, that's probably where my brain goes."
That was SBS News In Easy English. I'm Biwa Kwan.
