Welcome to SBS News in Easy English, I’m Biwa Kwan.
A federal government frontbencher has confirmed the Australian Defence Force is preparing plans in case a decision is made to send Australian troops to be part of a peacekeeping force in Gaza.
Health Minister Mark Butler says Australia has not yet received any request from the United States – or any other country – to send Australian military support to the enclave.
Opposition frontbencher Jane Hume says the Coalition would not support the deployment of Australian troops to Gaza in the current situation.
Australia has signed its first-ever tax treaty with Ukraine in an effort to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the treaty will make it easier for businesses from both countries to invest in each other by reducing compliance rates.
“We salute and we support the extraordinary bravery and courage of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression. We support the Ukrainian people and its government militarily. We support them across the board, but today was an important demonstration of our effort to build even closer economic relations between Australia and Ukraine at a time when its economy, for obvious reasons, is under maximum pressure.”
Pope Leo has condemned the use of hunger as a weapon of war.
In a ceremony marking World Food Day, the Pope made an urgent plea for global leaders to end world hunger.
Without naming any specific conflict or nation, Leo says the cruel strategy in today’s conflicts represents an ‘ethical derailment’.
“Today, we can no longer delude ourselves by thinking that the consequences of our failures impact only those who are hidden out of sight. The hungry faces of so many who still suffer challenge us and invite us to reexamine our lifestyles, our priorities and our overall way of living in today’s world.”
King Charles has met with representatives from Australian Indigenous communities in London.
They exchanged gifts. King Charles gave the Anangu traditional owners a gift of slipware pottery.
The monarch was gifted with a painting by Eunice Woods called Ulurunya, which marks the 40th anniversary of the decision to hand back Uluru to its traditional owners.
King Charles visited Uluru with Princess Diana during their tour of Australia in 1983.
In a video message played during the event, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the handing back of Uluru is an important moment.
“It was a milestone in Aboriginal land rights in Australia, and a powerful moment in the story of our continent. Around the world, Uluru is instantly recognised as Australia. In Australia, it stands as a monument to a peoples’ love for country and their determination to see justice done.”
The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra is performing alongside a soloist singing in Yolngu Matha language.
“Nguy Gapu”, which translates to “the ocean”, was written by Yolngu Songman Rrawun Maymuru.
It blends his ancestral Songlines of Arnhem Land with the classical orchestral works of an 18th century European composer.
Rrawun Maymuru has told NITV it is a powerful work.
“For Yolngu, it is a very big understanding, a very deep feeling when we sing about the water. And water is a giver of life – similar to the land. We’re both working at the same system.”
Australia has reached the semi-final of the Womens Cricket World Cup, easily beating Bangladesh by 10 wickets.
Captain Alyssa Healy hit 113 not out off 77 balls, while Phoebe Litchner scored 84 not out off 72, as the team reached 202 without loss.
Bangladesh scored 198 runs and lost nine wickets.
The win extends Australia’s unbeaten World Cup streak to 13 games.
Thanks for listening. That’s SBS News in Easy English.
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