Australia news LIVE: Albanese to introduce cheaper medication bill; European Union reach 15 per cent trade deal with Trump

Sydney Morning Herald

10 hours ago

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6.43am
Britain warns on China, backs Australia
By David Crowe
Britain has vowed to 'fight together' with Australia if needed in flashpoints such as the Taiwan Strait, as it steps up its warnings about threats from China, including repression, espionage and hybrid attacks.
UK Defence Minister John Healey said Britain and Australia would deter enemies together by being more ready to fight, in some of his most assertive remarks about the risks to global security.
The declaration to the British media came days after Healey signed a $41 billion defence treaty with Australia to accelerate the construction of the AUKUS nuclear submarines, seen as essential to countering future trade and military threats.
6.37am
Australians 'frosty' on Trump and want distance from US: new polling
By Matthew Knott
Australians are voicing a strong desire for the country to assert more independence from the United States amid Donald Trump's turbulent presidency, with most voters saying they do not blame Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for failing to secure a meeting with the US president.
The latest Resolve Political Monitor survey of more than 2300 people, conducted for this masthead, found that most Australians continue to have strongly negative views of Trump six months after he re-entered the White House.
Fewer than one in five Australian voters believe Trump's election was a good outcome for Australia.
6.33am
What's making news today
By Daniel Lo Surdo
Hello and welcome to the national news live blog. My name is Daniel Lo Surdo, and I'll be helming our live coverage this morning.
Here's what is making news today:
The Albanese government will continue work to execute its election promises this week, with legislation to cap the cost of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medicines at $25 on the agenda in the sitting second week of the new parliamentary term. Labor also plans to pass legislation to reduce student debts and enact childcare reform this week, after the respective draft laws were introduced in the first sitting week since the government's thumping election victory in May.
The European Union have accepted a trade deal with US President Donald Trump that will impose a 15 per cent tariff on billions of dollars in exports, in an agreement that appears set to lift prices for American consumers and hurt sales for European exporters. The deal will also see the EU purchase $US750 billion worth of energy from US in the years ahead, in a move to reduce its reliance on Russian gas.
Israel's military carried out airdrops of aid in Gaza on Sunday after Israel said it would establish humanitarian corridors for United Nations aid convoys amid international pressure over mounting reports of starvation-related deaths in Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it would introduce 'tactical pauses' to allow for aid to be distributed, and halt activity in Muwasi, Deir al-Balah and Gaza City from 10am to 8pm every day until further notice.
Australian Oscar Piastri has extended his F1 championship lead after winning the Belgian Grand Prix in a rain-interrupted race at Spa-Francorchamps overnight. Piastri started second on the grid but overtook McLaren teammate Lando Norris early in the race and held his nerve to finish atop the podium. Norris and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc joined Piastri on the dais in Belgium.