TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News in Easy English, I'm Biwa Kwan.
Major construction is now complete at Sydney's new 24 hour airport in Badgerys Creek, ahead of its opening in 2026.
The airport is only the second to be built in Australia in the past 50 years, and was first promised in 1946 and then again in 1986.
Western Sydney International Airport CEO Simon Hickey says testing will now begin on the runway to ensure it is ready for passengers and cargo freight next year.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is confident the project will be completed smoothly and become a major draw card for economic growth.
"What we know is that the centre of population is here in Western Sydney. And what this airport will do - not just a runway or terminal, but the aerotropolis that will grow around with it the Bradfield city - is to be a catalyst for economic activity. And for Sydney to look out - not just in. And that is why this is vision is so important."
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Qantas has announced it is closing down Jetstar Asia by the end of July, following years of financial losses.
It says 13 planes used by Jetstar Asia will be redeployed across Australia and New Zealand, creating 100 jobs.
An estimated 500 jobs will be lost in the closure.
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Australia has joined the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in announcing financial sanctions and travel bans for two Israeli government ministers.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed the sanctions apply to Israel's National Security Minister and Finance Minister.
She says they have encouraged extremist actions that have led to grave human rights violations against Palestinians.
Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, says the action is outrageous - and the government has set a special meeting for early next week to decide how to respond.
The US has also condemned the sanctions.
Former Palestinian Ambassador to Australia Izzat Abdulhadi told SBS Arabic he welcomes the announcement from the Albanese government - and thinks it should go even further.
"I call on the Australian government to impose sanctions on Israeli government not just those two members of the government. Also, I call on the Australian government to recognise the state of Palestine immediately in the forthcoming peace conference to be held in New York frm 17th to 20th June of this year."
World leaders and diplomats will meet in in New York later this month to discuss the issue of Palestinian statehood.
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Austria is mourning the victims of a school shooting.
The city of Graz has already held a memorial service for the 10 people killed by the 21-year-old gunman, identified by Interior Minister Gerhard Karner as a former pupil at the school who had not completed his studies.
Three days of mourning have been declared in Austria.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is among the world leaders to express their shock over the mass shooting.
"Today, my thoughts are with the families of the dead and injured, with their friends and relatives. Schools are symbols of hope in the future and youth. It's very hard to bear when schools become the scene for violence and death. I mourn today with Austria."
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In football, the Socceroos have achieved automatic World Cup finals qualification for the first time in 12 years.
The team beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in Jeddah.
Exactly a year before the start of next year's finals in the US, Canada and Mexico, Australia qualify in the second automatic spot - behind Japan and ahead of Saudi Arabia.
Coach Tony Popovic has said he is happy with the team's result, but won't let them get complacent.
"It's not easy. And to show that character and resilience and then quality to come back and take the lead and win the game, so I'm delighted, and you know, we've built a good foundation now and we want to really get better and get better and kick on and try and do something special at the World Cup."
Thanks for listening. This is SBS News in Easy English.
