TRANSCRIPT
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government will provide 50 million dollars to industries affected by the latest U-S tariff announcement.
It comes after U-S President Donald Trump promised to impose 10 per cent tariffs on multiple Australian exports.
Mr Albanese has responded saying the government will provide financial help through bodies such as the National Farmers Federation, to secure and grow new markets for Australian products.
Labor will also impose an anti-dumping regime to safeguard steel and aluminium from duties ... and establish a one billion dollar economic resilience fund to provide interest free loans to firms to capitilse on new export opportunities.
Mr Albanese says the tariffs are unwarranted.
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Opposition leader Peter Dutton says he backs the government's funding support for local industry in response to U-S tariffs, but says the Prime Minister needs to do more to stand up for Australia's interests.
Mr Dutton says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has failed to leverage Australia's mining and defence capabilities to negotiate harder with U-S President Donald Trump.
He also criticised the P-M for not being able to secure a third phone call with the President.
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Widespread rain is set to finally ease in inland Queensland but the threat of flooding persists.
Parts of south west Queensland received more than 100 millimetres of rain yesterday but the wet weather is expected to move to the north and east of the state today.
However, flooding in many creeks and rivers is not expected to ease for days and could move into part of north west New South Wales next week - with warnings communities could be isolated for six to 10 weeks.
Flood waters in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Dianne have covered a size roughly the size of New South Wales, with Queensland Premier David Crisafulli saying the recovery could take months or even years.
Assistance grants of up to $75,000 have been announced by the state government for affected primary producers.
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The United Nations has again rejected the idea of any territorial or demographic change in the Gaza Strip, including any actions that reduce the territory.
It comes after Israel announced a major expansion of military operations unless militant group Hamas returns the remaining hostages, disarms and leaves the territory.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz overnight [[Wed-Thurs AEDT]] revealed plans to seize large areas of the enclave and displace many Palestinian residents.
U-N Secretary General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric is condemning both the recent escalation of the Israeli offensive in Gaza AND the latest declaration by Israel.
Israel ended a ceasefire in March and has cut off all food, fuel and humanitarian aid to Gaza for the past month.
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Russia says peace talks with the United States over a settlement in Ukraine are continuing.
A Russian envoy is expected in Washington this week for talks with members of U-S President Donald Trump's administration.
Last month Ukraine said it was willing to accept a FULL 30-day ceasefire but that deal was rejected by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesperson Dimity Peskov says the Russian President is serious about engaging in a peace process and is blaming Ukraine for the failed proposal.
Overnight, Russia and Ukraine accused each other of launching new strikes against each other's energy facilities, in violation of a truce on energy infrastructure attacks, agreed to by both sides last month.
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And in football...
Liverpool have re-established their 12-point lead at the top of the English Premier League with a 1-0 victory against Everton.
Diogo Jota scored his first league goal since mid-January, ensuring second-placed Arsenal remains a safe distance behind on the ladder.
It also ended Everton manager David Moyes' nine-match unbeaten league run since taking over in January.
