TRANSCRIPT
- The European Commission pauses its trade countermeasures to match the US
- A Brisbane school student charged over alleged terror plot targeting Opposition leader
- Gout Gout breaks the 10-second barrier with the wind at his back
The European Union says it will halt retaliatory trade measures against the United States after President Donald Trump paused the tariff increase he was due to impose.
The EU had been ready to impose counter-tariffs on more than 20 billion Euros' worth of US goods, but these will now be delayed for 90 days.
The European Commission says if those negotiations are not satisfactory, countermeasures will be resumed.
Spokesman Olof Gill says the Commission is satisfied it has pursued the right strategy.
"Our approach hasn't changed. We're preparing for all outcomes, all our instruments are on the table, we want to talk to the Americans, we want to achieve deals that benefit both sides. We've offered them zero for zero on industrial products and goods. We believe we can reach all sorts of beneficial outcomes from both sides that would avoid the types of tariffs that we believe are harmful and counterproductive. So we're continuing all our preparations."
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A 16-year-old Brisbane private school student has been charged over an alleged terror plot targeting Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
Police allege the teen planned to use a drone and homemade explosives in an attack on Mr Dutton’s property north of Brisbane.
The Australian newspaper reports the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested after a joint investigation by federal and Queensland police.
He is accused of researching bomb-making instructions, sourcing explosive materials, and conducting chemical tests.
The offence, preparing for a terrorist act, carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
The alleged planning occurred last year.
At a brief hearing in Brisbane Children’s Court on Thursday, the teen appeared via video link and declined to enter a plea.
No bail was sought.
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Labor is promising a $60 million commitment towards aged care in the Northern Territory as the Prime Minister takes his campaign to the seat of Solomon.
Labor says the funding will help construct a new residential care home in Darwin, delivering at least 120 new residential care beds to address supply shortages.
The announcement also includes $10 million in funding to purchase a plane that will support medical evacuations and transport in the Top End.
The Northern Territory's Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance has welcomed the health and aged care plan.
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The Coalition says it remains committed to the Paris climate accord just hours after appearing to consider a possible exit.
This is how opposition energy spokesperson Ted O'Brien responded [[10 April]] when pressed on whether the Coalition would consider leaving the Paris accord.
"I can commit that we will always act in the national interest and we will be up-front with the Australian people."
He later issued a statement saying the Coalition remains committed to the agreement.
**
MPs and members of the public celebrated with song in New Zealand's parliament after all parties but one joined forces to vote down the controversial Treaty Principles Bill.
The legislation would have represented a sweeping re-interpretation of the country's founding treaty between Māori tribes and the British Crown.
Libertarian MP David Seymour, who authored the bill, has decried what he says are special rights and privileges granted on the basis of race.
But opposition M-P from the Māori political party Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke describes the legislation as an attack on Māori rights.
"This bill hasn't been stopped. This bill has been absolutely annihilated. Mr Speaker Aotearoa New Zealand made it clear to our country, that it does not support this bill. We are not divided, but united with the 90 percent of our country's submissions saying no."
**
Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout has recorded a wind-assisted 9.99 seconds in the 100 metres at the under-20s national atheletic championship.
The 17-year-old posted the time in the under-20s heats, then matched it exactly in the final despite an uneven start from the blocks.
He was bidding to become the second Australian to break the 10-second barrier, more than 20 years after Patrick Johnson ran 9.93.
But the wind assistance means Gout Gout hasn't officially broken the 10-second barrier yet.
