Key Points

• The Australian dollar has fallen below 61 US cents for the first time since early in the COVID-19 pandemic after US President Donald Trump announced major import tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China.
• One person has died in North Queensland amid heavy rain and flooding emergencies in the region.
• The Department of Agriculture in the Philippines has declared a food security emergency to lower the price of rice.
• Filipino community groups to participate in the National Multicultural Festival on February 7-9 in Canberra.