TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News In Easy English. I'm Catriona Stirrat.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his government will not impose reciprocal tariffs on the United States, despite import levies on Australian steel and aluminium entering force today.
Mr Albanese says the US tariffs are "not a friendly act" and he is disappointed to see a close ally imposing import levies but Australia will continue to seek an exemption.
He points out that steel and aluminium exports to the US make up less than 0.2 per cent of the total value of Australia's exports.
The Prime Minister says Australia will "continue to diversify markets for our products" but that a trade war won't help anyone.
"Tariffs and escalating trade tensions are a form of economic self harm and a recipe for slower growth and higher inflation. They are paid by the consumers. This is why Australia will not be imposing reciprocal tariffs on the United States. Such a course of action would only push up prices for Australian consumers and increase inflation."
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World leaders have welcomed the news of a US agreement to work with Ukraine towards a 30-day pause in fighting with Russia.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Ukraine's agreement a "remarkable breakthrough".
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the progress and echoed US assertions that the ball is now in Russia's court, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the EU is "ready play its full part, together with its partners, in the upcoming peace negotiations".
The proposal would still require agreement from Russia, and US President Donald Trump says he plans to speak to President Vladimir Putin soon.
"I think it's a big difference between the last visit you saw at the Oval Office and this. So, that's a total ceasefire. Ukraine has agreed to it, and hopefully Russia will agree to it. We're going to meet with them later on, today and tomorrow, and hopefully we'll be able to wipe out a deal. But I think the ceasefire is very important. If we can get Russia to do it, that'll be great. If we can't, we just keep going on and people are going to get killed, lots of people."
In the hours since the ceasefire proposal emerged, Russia has launched air attacks on the Ukrainian capital.
The mayor of Kyiv says air defence forces engaged in repelling the strikes.
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An Israeli air strike killed four Palestinians in Gaza on Tuesday, as the United States met with Arab mediators in an attempt to repair a splintering ceasefire agreement.
The Israeli military said its air force attacked "terrorists who were engaged in suspicious activity on the ground in central Gaza" while medics and relatives said the four killed were civilians.
This comes as Israel sent a delegation to the Qatari capital, Doha, for more ceasefire talks, and Hamas leaders ended a round of talks in Cairo earlier this week.
There has been no sign yet of a breakthrough to resolve the disputes that threaten a return to armed conflict.
Israel has cut aid flows of food, medicine, fuel and electricity this month, aiming to pressure militant group Hamas in ceasefire talks.
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Australia will not bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Glasgow will host a pared-down event next year, salvaging the Games after Victoria withdrew as the host due to contentious cost increases.
The Games' organising body is now seeking expressions of interest for hosting the 2030 edition, but Australia won't bid.
Commonwealth Games Australia chief executive Craig Phillips says it's realistically not on Australia's radar.
That was SBS News In Easy English. I'm Catriona Stirrat.
