TRANSCRIPT
The Defence Department will investigate its capacity to handle disaster recovery work in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
A crash involving two military trucks doing recovery work injured 13 people.
The trucks rolled over in storm conditions.
But, speaking to defence personnel in Lismore [[Mon 10 Mar]], Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says, regardless, the presence of defence personnel has reassured the community at a difficult time.
"People see men and women in uniform, they know that each and every day you - as we've seen tragically - put yourselves at risk in order to assist the community and help others. Our entire nation owes you our thanks today, tomorrow and every day for what you do."
The issue of defence capabilities during disasters was first raised in the recent Defence Strategic Review.
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Queensland's Muslim community has been responding to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred by finding ways to support those in need.
Syed Asghar Naqvi is the President of the Pakistan Australian Cultural Association of Queensland.
He told SBS Urdu, it has been challenging for community members who are experiencing the impacts of a cyclone for the first time.
He says the local community has swung into action to support those in need, with mosques offering shelter; and community volunteers distributing food hampers.
"The Muslim community over here - like the Human Appeal Australia group and the Islamic College of Brisbane did an excellent work yesterday with providing meals to people. The migrants that come over here they are here to help the community. The danger is not over yet and there is going to be further rain."
The Bureau of Meteorology says the rising water level in river systems means the flood risk remains for many coastal communities in both Queensland and New South Wales.
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Former central banker Mark Carney will become Canada's next prime minister, after being elected by the Liberal Party to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mr Trudeau announced his resignation in January and will remain prime minister until Mr Carney is sworn in the coming days.
The 59-year-old easily won the leadership race against three rivals, and will lead the Liberals into the next general election - which must be held by 20 October.
Mr Carney says Canadians cannot allow Mr Trump to succeed in his move to impose tariffs - and he urged Canadians to stand together to protect a strong Canada.
"Right now all Canadians are being asked to serve in their own ways. We are being called to stand up for each other and for the Canadian way of life. So let me ask you: who is ready? (cheers) Who is ready to stand up for Canada with me?"
He says Canada's retaliatory tariffs will remain in place until the US can join Canada in making credible and reliable commitments to free and fair trade.
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine is "fully committed" to having a constructive dialogue with US representatives in Saudi Arabia this week [[Tue 11 Mar local time]] over ways to end the war with Russia.
US President Donald Trump has paused US military aid to Ukraine as well as intelligence-sharing, following a heated exchange at the Oval Office [[28 Feb]] between himself and Mr Mr Zelenskyy.
In a statement, the Ukrainian leader says he wants to see quick and effective progress on realistic proposals for peace.
He says Ukrainian diplomatic and military representatives will attend the meeting with the US team.
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23-year-old Karl Vilips [[Vil-ips]] has made history with his three-shot victory at the Puerto Rico Open professional golf tournament.
Nicknamed 'Koala Karl' by his U-S counterparts, the Australian-born golfer secured the win in what was only his fourth PGA Tour start.
The result gets him into The Players Championship next week and the PGA Championship in May, along with a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.
Vilips has described the win as surreal.
He says he even received a phone call from Tiger Woods to congratulate him on the victory.
"There’s so many memories I have of him, I mean the first big one is him making that putt at Torrey [[Torrey Pines US Open]] to make the big playoff, watching documentaries of him, you know studying to go to Stanford [[University]]. I just try to do what he does, study hard, attend a good school and obviously hard work is going to pay off in the end. But he has been such a huge influence in my golf career."
Vilips has been winning golf competitions since he was seven years old.
At age 15, he beat Tiger Wood's long-standing record as the youngest Junior Orange Bowl winner by eight months.
