TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News in Easy English, I'm Camille Bianchi.
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Australian writer Yang Hengjun is again asking Australian leaders to convince Chinese authorities to release him from prison.
He is facing life in prison after he was found guilty of spying charges in 2019.
His family says he has been tortured hundreds of times.
In a letter, Mr Yang thanked the government for its support.
He writes that he deeply loves Australia and defends its values.
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Northern Territory opposition leader Selena Uibo says the latest Country Liberal Party record crime-fighting budget of $1.5 billion, did not address the cause of crimes.
Treasurer Bill Yan says the focus will move from offender rights to victims' right to feel safe.
However, Ms Uibo says that when governments fail to invest in intervention and rehabilitation, crimes continue.
"The CLP has missed the mark on addressing the root causes of crime and serious issues within our justice system that are fuelling repeat offending. Territory Labor has been very clear, if you pose a risk to the community, you should not be granted bail, but being on bail and serving a sentence, should not be a pathway to future offending."
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Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russian representatives will have peace talks today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Turkey.
Mr Putin has not said he will attend.
It comes as the European Union approves more penalties on Russia, targetting oil exports and more Russian officials.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz says more penalties could come after Russia did not agree to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukraine.
“We are waiting for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's agreement and we agree that if there is no real progress this week, we want to work together at the European level for a significant tightening of sanctions."
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Ten Eurovision Song Contest competitors have made it past the first semi-final.
Norway, Albania, Sweden, Portugal, the Netherlands and Ukraine will join the six other countries who have already qualified for the final.
10 other acts will compete tomorrow.
Belgium, Slovenia, and Croatia are out of the competition.
Australia's entry, a musician called Go-Jo, told SBS he can't wait to perform in the second semi-final.
"It's so surreal and looking up at all the chairs and knowing how it's going to be filled up, it's very surreal feeling, and it's very honourable as well. I see the postcard playing and it says I'm going to be representing Australia. Everything about it just lights me up and it makes me feel very warm and excited."
You can watch that performance tomorrow at 5 am on SBS.
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And in sport, in the lead-up to the Asian Cup, the Matildas have not included Captain Sam Kerr in games against Argentina.
The star striker has not played competitive football since an injury in January last year.
Coach Tom Sermanni says while Kerr's injuries are unfortunate, younger players can step up.
"I think it's a fairly mixed squad with a balance of, obviously, sort of, a group of our senior international players but quite a few young players that have been brought into this squad. It's been quite significantly hit with injuries and withdrawals. So the upside of that is it gives opportunities for other players."
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