Australia news LIVE: Trump expected to set new tariffs within hours; ASIO boss says espionage costing Australians billions every year
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6.54am
Trump envoy to visit Gaza to witness starvation crisis 'first-hand'
By Michael Koziol
US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Gaza to assess what the White House called a 'dire' starvation crisis first-hand, and formulate a plan to deliver more food.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Witkoff and US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee would enter Gaza on Friday, local time, following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.
They would inspect the current food and aid distribution sites and 'secure a plan to deliver more food, and meet with local Gazans to hear first-hand about this dire situation on the ground ', she said.
Following that they would immediately brief Trump and approve a final plan for food and aid distribution to the region, Leavitt said.
6.52am
Albanese's allies work to kill off anti-AUKUS push
By Paul Sakkal and Kieran Rooney
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's allies are scrambling to put a lid on an anti-AUKUS grassroots Labor move that threatens to complicate a US probe into the submarine pact.
The party's Victorian Left faction, led by minister Andrew Giles and who back the prime minister, are lobbying behind the scenes to water down a motion submitted by the anti-US Labor Against War to Labor's state conference on Saturday that slams US President Donald Trump and demands the government 'withdraw' from AUKUS.
The push comes at a time when the Pentagon is reviewing the $360 billion nuclear deal and the US Navy is concerned the country is not building enough nuclear submarines to sell any to Australia in the 2030s without a dramatic increase in production.
6.43am
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:
US President Donald Trump is expected to sign executive orders within hours to set new tariffs on American trading partners, threatening an increase to the baseline 10 per cent tariff levelled at Australian imports. It comes three days after Trump suggested sweeping tariffs of 15 to 20 per cent on all global trade partners unable to negotiate a deal with the US if an agreement was not struck before the August 1 deadline.
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess has revealed espionage is costing Australia an estimated $12.5 billion a year, warning that more than 35,000 Australians have exposed themselves to danger by 'recklessly' boasting their access to sensitive information online. Burgess said ASIO had disrupted 24 major espionage and foreign interference operations in the past three years, more than the previous eight years combined.
Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Gaza to assess what the White House called a 'dire' starvation crisis first-hand, and formulate a plan to deliver more food. Witkoff and US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee would enter Gaza on Friday (local time) before briefing Trump and approving a final food and aid distribution plan.
The Australian sharemarket is expected to fall after Wall Street retreated in response to the White House's demand for 17 pharmaceutical companies negotiate harder with other countries to return extra profits to Americans. Health stocks, including Eli Lilly and UnitedHealth Group, were among the biggest laggards on Wall Street.
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Perth Now
42 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Australia commits to more food, medical aid for Gaza
Australia has pledged an extra $20 million in humanitarian assistance for women and children in war-torn Gaza after more than 100,000 turned out in protest across the country to spotlight suffering in the besieged enclave. The funding will go to organisations able to deliver desperately needed food, medical supplies and other lifesaving support, the federal government said in a statement on Sunday. The new package of support includes $6 million for the United Nations World Food Programme for the provision and distribution of food supplies and $5 million for UNICEF for nutritional support for children at risk of starvation. The International Committee of the Red Cross will also receive $5 million to help those in Gaza meet essential needs, including access to health care. An additional $2 million for relief support with the UK will be donated through an existing partnership arrangement, while $2 million will go to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization to provide medical supplies to support the operation of field hospitals in Gaza. Australia has so far committed $130 million in humanitarian assistance to help civilians in Gaza and Lebanon since October 7, 2023. But the Albanese government has been criticised for not doing enough in addressing what the UN has described as worsening famine conditions in Gaza. About 90,000 people turned the Sydney Harbour Bridge into a sea of Palestinian flags on Sunday while tens of thousands more met at similar protests in Melbourne and Adelaide. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia has "consistently been part of the international call on Israel to allow a full and immediate resumption of aid to Gaza". "The suffering and starvation of civilians in Gaza must end," she said. "Australia will continue to work with the international community to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages and a two-state solution - the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples." Mr Albanese is standing firm against increasing pressure to recognise a Palestinian state after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom would do so unless Israel moved to secure a ceasefire and increase humanitarian aid into Gaza. The UK move comes after France became the first G7 country to say it would recognise Palestine ahead of a UN meeting in September. Mr Albanese said while the world was horrified at Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which resulted in thousands of deaths and some 200 people being taken hostage, the subsequent war had cost too many innocent lives. Gaza's health ministry says 60,000 people have been killed during Israel's subsequent counteroffensive. Israel has restricted food and medical supplies from entering Gaza, where it controls all entry points, to put pressure on Hamas. International pressure is mounting on the nation state to let in more humanitarian aid, as deaths attributed to malnutrition rise. Israel denies there is starvation in the besieged strip despite international human rights groups branding Israel's offensive in Gaza a genocide and attributing deaths to starvation.
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
100,000 march in Melbourne and Sydney to protest Israel's bombardment of Gaza
As the crowd approached the police line, organiser Mohammad Sharab called on protesters to 'prove to the world that this is not a movement that will clash with police' and told them to stay back or sit down. 'We are sitting here for Palestine … peacefully,' he said. 'We need to calm down, show everybody who we are. We have women, children, vulnerable people. We are responsible people. 'They are holding their guns, their weapons, against people who are protesting peacefully. Shame on Victoria Police, shame.' One woman wearing a keffiyeh approached the police line to say 'keep our children safe' and another protester told the heavily armed officers the police blockade was a 'waste of taxpayer dollars'. Protest marshals formed a line to keep distance between the police and protesters. Demonstrators chanted 'Free Palestine' and 'Not a target'. 'Thank you for blocking the bridge. You did our job for us!' one masked protester shouted at the police. Standing on the bridge a few metres from the police line, Kevin Bracken said he had attended most protests and all had been peaceful. 'It's right over the top, isn't it?' he said. 'It's sending the message, who runs Victoria? They couldn't stop it in NSW, but the politicians here are puppet masters. This is about what's happening in Gaza. This is about starving children.' After the larger protest dispersed about 3pm, a small spin-off group stopped traffic and started burning an Australian flag and spray-painting 'Abolish Australia' on Spencer Street. When asked whether they represented the broader protest movement, one person in a grey hoodie and black mask shook her head and walked away. 'We're just concerned citizens,' said another. 'No group.' They chanted 'Too many coppers, not enough justice' and 'Free Palestine' before police arrived and the crowd of fewer than one dozen people dispersed. Earlier in the day, former Greens candidate for Wills Samantha Ratnam addressed the crowd to roaring applause and clanging pots, a symbol of food shortages in Gaza. She said Labor was feeling pressure amid rising calls for Israeli sanctions and greater scrutiny on contracts for military parts. 'The more they minimise us ... the more and more they're being overwhelmed [by the] community telling them they're on the wrong side of history,' she said. Rally organiser Mohammad Sharab said the protests were about peace and humanity, criticising the media and politicians for calling the protesters 'extremists'. 'We stand for justice ... We are not ashamed of it. For those who call us extremist and antisemitic for standing against genocide, these extreme comments make you the extremist. That's my message to [Premier] Jacinta Allan,' he said. Palestinian activist Basil El Ghattis held up pictures of children aged from six months to 17 years old, suffering severe malnutrition from the aid blockade in Gaza. 'The starvation of Palestinians today is a page out of the colonial playbook,' he said. 'We must hold our government to account.' Earlier, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said the force repeatedly engaged with Melbourne protest organisers to persuade them not to gather on the King Street Bridge, but rally plans had not changed. She said officers would have a visible presence in the city on Sunday, with additional police brought in from outside metropolitan Melbourne. Police confirmed there were no arrests, but they were following up a report that an egg was thrown at a person during the protest Organisers from the Free Palestine Coalition said the police decision to bring in hundreds of additional officers was a waste of resources for a peaceful protest. 'Gaza is suffering from an ongoing forced man-made famine and ongoing bombing of civilians,' the coalition said. 'This is exactly why organisers are holding the protest to King Street Bridge ... to let the good people of the city of Melbourne know that there are atrocities happening in Gaza, and that we as a community have an opportunity to change the status quo, and bring about change.' Loading The Israeli government has denied claims of genocide and starvation in Gaza, claiming the war is an act of self-defence. Premier Jacinta Allan warned protesters there would be consequences for anyone who caused chaos in the CBD. 'There are strong operational arrangements in place for today. Those are in place to support people's safety,' she said at a press conference on Sunday morning before the protest. 'Anyone who breaks the law, anyone who compromises community safety will be dealt with swiftly by Victoria Police.' Opposition Leader Brad Battin said it was vital that rallies had to receive a permit to go-ahead and police were given powers to 'move on' protesters, to avoid circumstances where major roads were closed. '[The state government] hasn't brought the legislation in to ensure we've got registration of protests here in our state … to keep the community moving and keep the community safe,' he said. Last week, Police Chief Commissioner, Mike Bush, ruled out introducing protest permits in Victoria, saying they had not been a game-changer in other states. On Sunday, Battin urged the chief commissioner to reconsider, suggesting a stance against protest permits was the wrong message for Victoria. 'The chief commissioner has been here for a short period of time, not for all 92 of these protests that have happened in the city ... But the reality is, the legislation lies with the government.' The Victorian government last year announced it would criminalise face masks at protests and the use of glue, rope, chains and other devices that cause disruptions, but it is yet to bring the bill to parliament.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Russian, Chinese navies hold drills in Sea of Japan
The Russian and Chinese navies are carrying out artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan as part of scheduled joint exercises, the Russian Pacific Fleet says. The drills are taking place two days after US President Donald Trump said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in "the appropriate regions" in response to remarks by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. However, they were scheduled well before Trump's action. Interfax news agency quoted the Pacific Fleet as saying Russian and Chinese vessels were moving in a joint detachment including a large Russian anti-submarine ship and two Chinese destroyers. It said diesel-electric submarines from the two countries were also involved, as well as a Chinese submarine rescue ship. The manoeuvres are part of exercises titled "Maritime Interaction-2025" which are scheduled to end on Tuesday. Interfax said Russian and Chinese sailors would conduct artillery firing, practise anti-submarine and air defence missions, and improve joint search and rescue operations at sea. Russia and China, which signed a "no-limits" strategic partnership shortly before Russia went to war in Ukraine in 2022, conduct regular military exercises to rehearse co-ordination between their armed forces and send a deterrent signal to adversaries. Trump said his submarine order on Friday was made in response to what he called "highly provocative" remarks by Russia's Medvedev about the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries. Russia and the United States have by far the biggest nuclear arsenals in the world. It is extremely rare for either country to discuss the deployment and location of its nuclear submarines. Trump's comments came at a time of mounting tension with Moscow as he grows frustrated at the lack of progress towards ending the Ukraine war. The Russian and Chinese navies are carrying out artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan as part of scheduled joint exercises, the Russian Pacific Fleet says. The drills are taking place two days after US President Donald Trump said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in "the appropriate regions" in response to remarks by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. However, they were scheduled well before Trump's action. Interfax news agency quoted the Pacific Fleet as saying Russian and Chinese vessels were moving in a joint detachment including a large Russian anti-submarine ship and two Chinese destroyers. It said diesel-electric submarines from the two countries were also involved, as well as a Chinese submarine rescue ship. The manoeuvres are part of exercises titled "Maritime Interaction-2025" which are scheduled to end on Tuesday. Interfax said Russian and Chinese sailors would conduct artillery firing, practise anti-submarine and air defence missions, and improve joint search and rescue operations at sea. Russia and China, which signed a "no-limits" strategic partnership shortly before Russia went to war in Ukraine in 2022, conduct regular military exercises to rehearse co-ordination between their armed forces and send a deterrent signal to adversaries. Trump said his submarine order on Friday was made in response to what he called "highly provocative" remarks by Russia's Medvedev about the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries. Russia and the United States have by far the biggest nuclear arsenals in the world. It is extremely rare for either country to discuss the deployment and location of its nuclear submarines. Trump's comments came at a time of mounting tension with Moscow as he grows frustrated at the lack of progress towards ending the Ukraine war. The Russian and Chinese navies are carrying out artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan as part of scheduled joint exercises, the Russian Pacific Fleet says. The drills are taking place two days after US President Donald Trump said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in "the appropriate regions" in response to remarks by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. However, they were scheduled well before Trump's action. Interfax news agency quoted the Pacific Fleet as saying Russian and Chinese vessels were moving in a joint detachment including a large Russian anti-submarine ship and two Chinese destroyers. It said diesel-electric submarines from the two countries were also involved, as well as a Chinese submarine rescue ship. The manoeuvres are part of exercises titled "Maritime Interaction-2025" which are scheduled to end on Tuesday. Interfax said Russian and Chinese sailors would conduct artillery firing, practise anti-submarine and air defence missions, and improve joint search and rescue operations at sea. Russia and China, which signed a "no-limits" strategic partnership shortly before Russia went to war in Ukraine in 2022, conduct regular military exercises to rehearse co-ordination between their armed forces and send a deterrent signal to adversaries. Trump said his submarine order on Friday was made in response to what he called "highly provocative" remarks by Russia's Medvedev about the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries. Russia and the United States have by far the biggest nuclear arsenals in the world. It is extremely rare for either country to discuss the deployment and location of its nuclear submarines. Trump's comments came at a time of mounting tension with Moscow as he grows frustrated at the lack of progress towards ending the Ukraine war. The Russian and Chinese navies are carrying out artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan as part of scheduled joint exercises, the Russian Pacific Fleet says. The drills are taking place two days after US President Donald Trump said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in "the appropriate regions" in response to remarks by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. However, they were scheduled well before Trump's action. Interfax news agency quoted the Pacific Fleet as saying Russian and Chinese vessels were moving in a joint detachment including a large Russian anti-submarine ship and two Chinese destroyers. It said diesel-electric submarines from the two countries were also involved, as well as a Chinese submarine rescue ship. The manoeuvres are part of exercises titled "Maritime Interaction-2025" which are scheduled to end on Tuesday. Interfax said Russian and Chinese sailors would conduct artillery firing, practise anti-submarine and air defence missions, and improve joint search and rescue operations at sea. Russia and China, which signed a "no-limits" strategic partnership shortly before Russia went to war in Ukraine in 2022, conduct regular military exercises to rehearse co-ordination between their armed forces and send a deterrent signal to adversaries. Trump said his submarine order on Friday was made in response to what he called "highly provocative" remarks by Russia's Medvedev about the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries. Russia and the United States have by far the biggest nuclear arsenals in the world. It is extremely rare for either country to discuss the deployment and location of its nuclear submarines. Trump's comments came at a time of mounting tension with Moscow as he grows frustrated at the lack of progress towards ending the Ukraine war.
