Rafael Nadal. Zhang Shuai.
Released in 2016, the augmented reality mobile game
that drew criticism for concerns over safety and privacy
was Pokemon WHAT?
Go. Correct.
Stefan Gordy, better known by the stage name of RedFoo,
is famous as one half of which electronic dance music duo?
Flume. LMFAO.
Gastric juice is a mixture of fluids
secreted from the lining of which organ in the digestive system?
Stomach. Correct.
At which Melbourne theatre is a seat
traditionally kept vacant every opening night
for the ghost of opera singer Federici?
Palace? Princess.
In the late 18th century, Scottish engineer William Murdoch
developed a lighting system
from the gas of which non-renewable fossil fuel?
Coal. Correct.
The quokka is a native Australian marsupial
that is only found in the wild...
(BEEPING) ..in which state or territory?
Western Australia. Correct.
And the law states if you don't take a photo of one and put it on Instagram, you go to jail.
That's right.
Um, altogether, you got seven,
which brings your total up to 20.
Well done. Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
And that is the end of the general knowledge round.
So, let's have a look at those final scores.
In fourth place, with 11 points,
is Linda.
In third Place with 14 points and three passes
is John.
In second place with 14 points
and no passes is Greg.
And in first place tonight
with 20 points is Tom.
(APPLAUSE)
A huge congratulations to Tom who has won a spot in our first weekly final.
And that is it from us. Thank you for watching.
I hope you're playing along at home.
And if you want to come join us in the studio,
all you need to do is head to
sbs.com.au/mastermind to apply.
I'll see you again tomorrow
for more Mastermind.
My name has been, and probably will continue to be, Marc Fennell.
Have a good night.
(APPLAUSE)
Captions by Red Bee Media (c) SBS Australia 2021
This program is live captioned by Red Bee Media.
Tonight: Polls have closed in Indonesia's massive elections
in a close three-way race for the country's next president.
The UN warns a military operation in Rafah could lead to a slaughter
in Gaza, as Israel vows to fight on for as long as it takes
to eradicate Hamas.
The head of the UN nuclear watchdog says Iran is not entirely
transparent about its atomic program.
And a polar bear's view of the world.
How cameras are being used to monitor the arctic mammals
and their shrinking habitat.
I'm Janice Petersen. This is SBS World News.
Good evening.
Polls have closed in Indonesia's mammoth elections, the largest
and most complex single-day election in the world.
It's a massive undertaking in the world's third largest democracy.
More than 204 million people are registered to vote
in the country that consists of 6,000 inhabited islands with over
820,000 polling stations.
They will be choosing not only a new president and vice president
but also parliamentary and local representatives.
There are over 2,700 separate electoral contests being held
for more than 20,000 seats.
Joining me now from the capital, Jakarta, is Asia correspondent Aaron
Fernandes.
Polls are now closed in Indonesia.
Vote counting is under way?
Janice, yes, that's right.
Polls closed at 1pm local time this afternoon,
and vote counting has since been under way.
Whoever wins this election, we know that Indonesia
is about to change.
After two terms and 10 years as president, Joko Widodo
was ineligible to run again.
Today Indonesians were asked to decide who they think
should replace him.
7am in Jakarta and voting in Indonesia's election
is under way.
It's 17-year-old Cila's first time casting a ballot.
More than half of all voters in this election are Gen Z or Millennials,
meaning Indonesia's future is in the hands
of its young generation.
Not all students have the same level of education that they're getting.
I hope in the future that our president can fix
the education system, so every child has the right
to the same education.
Election officials, party members
and independent observers watch on, as voters cast
private paper ballots.
Cost-of-living pressure and the accountability
of politicians, among the key issues for voters.
Voting at booths like this one in Jakarta has been very orderly.
Locals come to a specific location at a specific time of day
and dip their fingers in purple ink, to ensure they don't vote twice.
All three leading presidential candidates early at the polls,
casting their votes.
Frontrunner Prabowo Subianto in Bogor.
Anies Baswedan in Jakarta.
Ganjar Pranowo in the city of Semarang.
Outgoing President Joko
Widodo and First Lady Iriana Widodo also at the polls.
Some districts unable to vote due to heavy rains and floods.
TRANSLATION: 90% of the residents' documents were swept away
by the water.
But across the country, many rolling up their sleeves
to help with the votes.
TRANSLATION: I'm proud that I get to be a part of Indonesia's
democracy for one day.
What
What can
What can we expect in the hours
ahead
What can we expect in the hours ahead as though counting continues?
We
ahead as though counting continues? We are expecting early results this
evening
We are expecting early results this evening and we should have a clear
picture
evening and we should have a clear picture in the next 24 hours and
what
picture in the next 24 hours and what we are waiting to see is if any
of
what we are waiting to see is if any of the candidates secure more than
50%
of the candidates secure more than 50% of the boat and at least 20% of
the
50% of the boat and at least 20% of the vote in more than half of
Indonesia's
the vote in more than half of Indonesia's provinces. That's what
candidates
Indonesia's provinces. That's what candidates need to secure the
presidency
candidates need to secure the presidency in this round of voting.
We
presidency in this round of voting. We know from preelection polling
that
We know from preelection polling that Prabowo Subianto was the only
candidate
that Prabowo Subianto was the only candidate with a realistic chance of
securing
candidate with a realistic chance of securing those numbers. If no
candidate
securing those numbers. If no candidate to get there, the
third-place
candidate to get there, the third-place candidate will be
eliminated
third-place candidate will be eliminated and the top two vote
getters
eliminated and the top two vote getters will go to a run-off
election
getters will go to a run-off election to be held in June that
will
election to be held in June that will decide the presidency. Janice.
Thanks,
will decide the presidency. Janice. Thanks, Asia corresponded there are,
Aaron
Thanks, Asia corresponded there are, Aaron Fernandes, updating us from
Jakarta.
There are growing calls for Israel to hold off on a planned ground
assault on the southern Gaza City of Rafah, where 1.5 million people
are sheltering, according to the United Nations.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said any offensive
would have devastating consequences, his aid chief warning it could lead
to what he calls slaughter.
Israel says Rafah is the last stronghold of Hamas,
which is still holding some 130 hostages.
Talks in Cairo on implementing a truce ended without any sign
of a breakthrough.
Rafah, before the war, it was home to around 300,000 people.
Now, by some estimates, up to 1.5 million are sheltering
here, having been told to move south for their own safety,
as Israeli forces swept into northern Gaza last October.
Now they've been told to move again, with IDF preparations under way
for a ground offensive against Hamas fighters holed up in the city.
Some are leaving while they can.
The United Nations is urging Israel to hold off.
If this military operation is taking place, the question is,
where will the civilians go?
There is absolutely no safe place in Rafah anymore.
The Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, says any ground
offensive would have devastating consequences.
The head of the UN's aid operations went further.
Hopes of preventing a ground assault on Rafah have centred on talks
taking place in Cairo, involving the US, Egypt,
Israel and Qatar.
But they ended without any breakthrough.
The German Foreign Minister said politicians faced what she called
an incredible dilemma.
(GUNFIRE AND EXPLOSIONS)
Israel has vowed to fight on for as long as it
takes to eradicate Hamas.
Top of its wanted list is Yahya Sinwar, who Israel says
is the mastermind of the 7 October attacks that killed
around 1,200 people.
Israel's military has released video of what it says is Sinwar fleeing
Khan Younis with one of his wives and children.
Sinwar started a war with Israel, a war that Israel did not seek,
a war that has caused immense suffering to Israelis
and Palestinians alike.
While the people of Gaza are suffering above ground,
Sinwar is hiding in tunnels underground underneath them,
running like the coward that he is.
The military says the footage was taken days after the 7
October attacks.
It also released video of a compound where it says Sinwar was recently
hiding with his family.
The tunnel had stockpiles of food, including aid provided
to the people of Gaza.
The video, which could not be independently verified,
also showed bundles of cash.
Nick Wells, SBS World News.
And later in the program...
The paramedics in Gaza.
We follow one team's account of what daily life is like there.
Joe Biden has described former US president Donald Trump's suggestion
he'd encourage Russia to attack NATO allies who don't pay their dues
as dumb, dangerous and un-American.
He was speaking after the Senate approved a bill committing tens
of billions of dollars of aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
But it's far from clear if it will be put to a vote in the House
of Representatives, President Biden accusing opponents of playing
into Vladimir Putin's hands.
With Russia on the front foot on the front line and Ukraine
battling ammunition shortages, all eyes in Kyiv have been
on Washington, DC.
Finally, some progress.
The yeas are 70, the nays are 29.
The bill, as amended, passes.
The bill commits USD $60 billion for Ukraine,
$14 billion for Israel, almost $5 billion for Taiwan
and Indo-Pacific nations and $10 billion in humanitarian aid
to regions including Gaza.
Today, we make Vladimir Putin regret the day he questioned America's
resolve and we make clear to others like China's President Xi
not to test our determination.
Praise too from Kyiv.
But there's little confidence the funding package will ever be
considered by the Republican-controlled House of
Representatives.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has indicated he won't put the bill,
as it stands, up for a vote.
Prompting a presidential plea.
For Republicans in Congress who think they can oppose funding
for Ukraine and not be held accountable, history is watching.
History is watching.
Failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment
will never be forgotten.
Some Republicans are against the bill because they want US border
security provisions attached to it.
Nothing for America.
Everything for Ukraine.
That's what this bill is.
Others back Donald Trump's demand any aid is provided as a loan rather
than a gift.
Joe Biden slamming his predecessor's opposition to aid for Ukraine
and his recent comments regarding the NATO in which he suggested
the United States would not protect other members from Russia
if their contributions to the alliance were lacking.
I
I would
I would encourage them to do
whatever
I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You
have
whatever the hell they want. You have got to pay.
No other president of our history has ever bowed down
to a Russian dictator.
Well, let me say this as clearly as I can.
I never will.
For God sake, it's dumb.
It's shameful.
It's dangerous.
It's un-American.
So how likely is a Russian attack on a NATO member?
According to Estonia's spy chief, it's "highly unlikely" but...
In the short-term, but the Kremlin is probably anticipating a possible
conflict with NATO within the next decade or so, that's
from their perspective.
The Kremlin did not respond to the report but has placed
Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on Russia's wanted list
for the destruction of Soviet monuments on Estonian territory.
The Estonian PM says the move is not surprising and is proof she's doing
the right thing by supporting Ukraine.
Ben Lewis, SBS World News.
Rival parties in Pakistan have agreed to form a coalition
government, ending a week of uncertainty following the nation's
parliamentary elections. The Pakistan Peoples Party has
announced it will support former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's party
to form a government.
The coalition prevents the party of former prime minister Imran Khan
taking power, despite candidates loyal to him, getting the most votes
in the election.
Nawaz Sharif's brother, Shehbaz Sharif, has been named
the coalition's sole nominee for prime minister.
Dozens of people are dead and several are missing
after two boats collided on the Congo River.
Horrified residents watched from the riverbank as small boats
raced out in a bid to rescue passengers.
Officials say it's unclear what caused the crash.
And in the US, disgraced former Republican George Santos is set
to be replaced by Democrat Tom Suozzi a special election
in New York.
The shrinking of the Republican's narrow majority comes
as President Joe Biden's top border official has
been narrowly impeached.
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives approved two
articles of impeachement, accusing Homeland Security Secretary
Alejandro Mayorkas of lax policies that encouraged illegal immigration.
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog says Iran is not
entirely transparent about its atomic program.
Rafael Mariano Grossi's warning comes after a former Iranian
official suggested the nation has everything it needs to build
a nuclear bomb.
On state TV show, a profound admission
from a former foreign minister.
He
He also
He also ran the country's nuclear
program.
Iran's nuclear capability long a concern of the international
community, and experts agree the comments are
credible and concerning.
He does have a lot of credibility in terms of anything he says
publicly, but the important thing is that what he says publicly
is deniable by the regime.
These comments that Iran is about to achieve the level
of enrichment for obtaining a nuclear weapon is particularly
alarming because it suggests Iran now has the breakout capacity
for assembling a weapon in a matter of weeks.
The American-based Institute for Science and International Security
has an Iran Threat Geiger Counter to measures the danger it poses.
This month it raised the threat level to its highest category -
up from 140 to 151 out of 180.
The institute concluding that Iran's nuclear weapons capabilities have
never been greater.
International reaction has been muted although Rafael Mariano
Grossi, the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog,
has accused Iran of a lack of transparency, warning of loose
talk about nuclear weapons.
This is a time of enormous tension in the region and what Salehi has
said adds to that tension.
That tension including a recent
missile strike on neighbour, Pakistan.
Alex Thomas, SBS World News.
Homes have been lost and tributes paid to a dairy farmer killed
in Victoria's wild weather.
The 50-year-old died in South Gippsland during fierce
storms that left more than 500,000 properties without power.
While the weather has eased, firefighters continue to battle
to bring two blazes around
the Grampians National Park under control.
Hurry
Hurry down!
Oh, my God!
Distress for thousands of Victorians, as gusts of up
to 160km/h tore through the state.
The Gippsland town of Mirboo North was briefly inaccessible
and without running water, and also the scene of tragedy,
with a local man killed in the storm after being hit by flying debris.
And we offer our heartfelt condolences to everyone touched
by this loss and I ask the Member for Gippsland to please pass
that onto his electorate.
Tributes also paid to five Ballarat firefighters injured
while fighting blazes.
They were out there responding to the callout, protecting
the Ponomal community, and please know you have the gratitude
of all of us for the selfless work you do.
Dry lightning is said to have sparked the fires,
which were then whipped up by strong winds.
Calmer conditions today have given emergency services some reprieve
as they fight fires around the Grampians.
The focus now turning to recovery after a day of devastating fire,
wind and storms.
Dozens of schools across the state were closed today, while Melbourne's
outer east was hit hardest by ongoing power outages.
The collapse of transmission towers west of Geelong forced
the Energy Market Operator to take drastic measures.
AEMO saying the loss of transmission caused overloading
on other smaller powerlines.
For a period of 30-45 minutes, AEMO instructed OzNet,
the transmission company, to reduce load, and that did affect
around 90,000 customers.
Most affected properties are expected to have power restored
in the next 36 hours.
And just six weeks into the year, the Premier has warned
of more challenges ahead.
We are seeing not just a change in the timing of these events,
but also the extremity of these weather events.
Tys
Tys Occhiuzzi, SBS World News.
Comng up:
From their crops to the capital, tractors trundle towards New Delhi.
Why Indian farmers are protesting.
The defence chief faces questions in Canberra over a controversial
appointment in the Australian Army.
And the Australian state set for an early election.
Why the premier brought the poll forward.
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Indian police have fired water cannon and tear gas at farmers
marching to the capital.
They're demanding the government honour a years-old promise to pay
them more for crops.
Farmers at boiling point again.
Tractor after tractor, they formed a convoy
to drive their message to New Delhi, amassing in their thousands.
But police were prepared.
Concrete and metal barricades, barbed wire, water cannon and tear
gas were deployed to stall their march.
Protesters tried to hit back, with injuries sustained
on both sides.
Police making several arrests.
Farm unions want laws committing to provide minimum price guarantees
for their crops.
Their demands are long held.
In 2020, farmers began a year-long protest against the government's
proposed agricultural reforms that would have dropped subsidies,
forcing farmers to sell produce on the open market.
Thousands camped at the borders of the capital, with many dying
from heat, cold and COVID.
They called off their strike after the government dumped
the proposed laws and agreed to discuss their demands.
But years on, the farmers are back on the streets,
saying little progress has been made.
The movement was one of the biggest challenges
for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
The most recent march comes months before a national election,
and while the PM is out of the country.
Received with adulation at the opening of a Hindu temple
in Abu Dhabi.
But it's unlikely his welcome home will be as warm,
with farmers comprising two-thirds of India's 1.4 billion people.
Catalina Florez, SBS World News.
A special report now from inside Gaza, focusing on first
responders working in a war zone.
The health ministry there says 339 health workers and paramedics have
been killed since the latest conflict broke out.
The IDF telling the BBC, quote, "Any claim that they intentionally
"target Red Crescent or medical workers is baseless and untrue
"and that they act in accordance with international law."
A journalist who lives in Gaza called Feras Al-Ajrami began filming
for BBC Arabic, capturing the lives of paramedics working
for the Palestinian Red Crescent in the north of Gaza.
One of them is Alaa Al-Halaby.
This is his account of life in Gaza - and there are distressing scenes
throughout this report.
The paramedics there in Gaza, and the team in the ambulance
there did survive.
Alaa now works in Rafah, in the south of Gaza and Mohammed
has stayed in the north.
Back here, and Victoria Police are treating the disappearance
of Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy as suspicious.
The 51-year-old has been missing for 10 days
after leaving her home to go for a morning jog.
She hasn't been seen since.
Police Commissioner Shane Patton says the case is unusual
because police haven't been able to find any leads
or trace of the mother of three.
While the circumstances are suspicious,
he couldn't confirm if foul play is involved.
Dozens of volunteers have been helping in the search
for her in and around the outskirts of Ballarat.
The Chief of the Australian Defence Force has conceded
he was not aware
a Fijian military officer given a senior position
in the Australian Army
was accused of human rights abuses and torture.
General Angus Campbell has told Senate estimates he takes
responibility for the appointment and admits the process
was flawed.
Defence officials lining up, confronting a hostile environment.
There won't be any Valentine's Day cards flowing between the Minister
for Defence and his department, will there?
Leaving him second in charge knowing what you now know.
It is unbelievable.
What checks and balances did your division do?
The Coalition seeking answers about suggested tensions
between the Defence Minister and his department.
A closed-door meeting where Richard Marles
reportedly demanded defence lift its game.
Would you describe it as a laying down of the law Mr Moriarty?
I wouldn't characterise that.
The minister was very right to suggest that we continue to need
to make strides to make excellence and that is an ongoing challenge.
We're seeing chaos and dysfunction within the department.
And that's a consequence of the Minister being weak.
Defence also probed on the warnings around Taipan helicopters.
Now retired after a fatal crash last year
that killed four army personnel off the Queensland coast.
The department confirming pilots were using software
which caused an increased risk.
They said that the helmet mounted sight display display for that type
-- Taipan helicopter was, and I quote, "a substantial risk
of multiple deaths due to controlled flight into terrain."
The Chief of Army denying suggestions the advice was ignored.
It is absolutely been put into the system and certified
through those multiple authorities to ensure that it was safe
for our people.
Defence leadership also under pressure on a different front over
the appointment of a Fijian military officer to a senior role
in the Australian army.
That elicited a stunning concession from the Chief of the defence force.
At the time you appointed Colonel Naliva were you aware
of the multiple allegations of human rights abuses, indeed torure?
No, Senator, I was not aware.
Colonel Pelioni Naliva was last month named as the Deputy commander
of the Australian Army's seventh Brigade.
It's
It's since emerged he was named in
the
It's since emerged he was named in the United Nations report naming he
was
the United Nations report naming he was involved in a savage beating
during
was involved in a savage beating during the 2006 military coup.
The has been no official complaint or criminal finding
made against him.
I'm the accountable officer for all senior appointments for both
Australia and embedded officers.
So if you find any fault it is with me.
Admitting the vetting process was flawed, relying only on clear
police and national security checks from the Fijian government.
Did you not look into this man, did you not Google him,
We are undertaking a complete review of the process to ensure it doesn't
The colonel now working from home with an investigation under way,
but the defence Chief refusing to stand the officer aside.
I have a recognition of the presumption of innocence.
The Fijian government has said the claims are allegations.
Pablo Vinales SBS World News.
The Immigration Minister Andrew Giles has spent Question Time
defending his approach to the release of convicted
criminals from indefinite detention.
Chief political correspondent Anna Henderson joins me now.
Anna, why is the opposition continuing to pursue the minister's
handling of indefinite detention cases?
We
We have
We have had a Question Time as well
as
We have had a Question Time as well as centre estimates here in Canberra
all
as centre estimates here in Canberra all week and the opposition has
really
all week and the opposition has really been looking for more
evidence
really been looking for more evidence for labour's alleged
mishandling
evidence for labour's alleged mishandling of this issue. Really
one
mishandling of this issue. Really one of the most unprecedented
elements
one of the most unprecedented elements of this is the fact that
the
elements of this is the fact that the opposition has used every
available
the opposition has used every available opportunity in Question
Time
available opportunity in Question Time to put their questions directly
to
Time to put their questions directly to Andrew Giles in relation to how
this
to Andrew Giles in relation to how this has been handled. The
government
this has been handled. The government says the process of
releasing
government says the process of releasing people from indefinite
detention
releasing people from indefinite detention was because of the High
Court
detention was because of the High Court decision and these are very
complicated
Court decision and these are very complicated matters to progress
through
complicated matters to progress through the courts but the
opposition
through the courts but the opposition says Labor made it clear
was
opposition says Labor made it clear was acting on urgency and that does
not
was acting on urgency and that does not seem to be how this is
unfolding.
And the estimates process has also
revealed more detail about the government's stage three
tax cut changes?
What
What is
What is the latest on that? Briefly,
there
What is the latest on that? Briefly, there was discussion today about how
much
there was discussion today about how much spending on the taxpayer dime
was
much spending on the taxpayer dime was going to come forward in
relation
was going to come forward in relation to labour's broken election
promise
relation to labour's broken election promise on the stage three tax cuts
and
promise on the stage three tax cuts and it was revealed that process
that
and it was revealed that process that about $40 million is going to
be
that about $40 million is going to be spent on a public advertising
campaign.
be spent on a public advertising campaign. This is not unusual and
there
campaign. This is not unusual and there are big tax changes but the
opposition
there are big tax changes but the opposition believes that money
should
opposition believes that money should not be spent on a change that
the
should not be spent on a change that the government has made an
opposition
the government has made an opposition is viewed to feel its own
political
opposition is viewed to feel its own political interests. Thank you so
much,
political interests. Thank you so much, and Henderson updating us from
Canberra.
Labor frontbencher Ed Husic says new anti-doxxing laws Must strike
the right balance, between privacy and the public interest.
Labor is fast-tracking legislation to protect people from having
personal details published online without consent After a WhatsApp
chat, with hundreds of Jewish-Australians,
was leaked, with members names and photos circulated online.
Some of the messages critiqued media coverage of the Hamas-Israel war,
including an offer to take a "deep dive" into one writer's
private social media.
It's the second high-profile WhatsApp chat to be made public
recently, another called Lawyers for Israel, revealed a campaign
to pressure ABC management to oust radio presenter Antoinette Latouff,
over her social media posts about the war.
The
The release of people's private
details
The release of people's private details is not on. I do also
recognise
details is not on. I do also recognise that some of those groups,
there
recognise that some of those groups, there was concern with members
within
there was concern with members within that group, will not have
known
within that group, will not have known some of the that was being put
on
known some of the that was being put on ABC on a particular case unless
someone
on ABC on a particular case unless someone from the part of that group
who
someone from the part of that group who thought that maybe instances
that
who thought that maybe instances that was going to far and release
those
that was going to far and release those details.
The ABC has strongly denied it caved in to pressure,
and said Ms Latouff was taken off air for breaching its social media
policy, after sharing a post from Human Rights Watch.
The matter is currently before the Fair Work Commission.
Tasmanians will go to the polls on March 23
after Premier Jeremy Rockliff called an early election.
The only Liberal government in the country has been in minority
since may last year, when two MPs quit the party
and moved to the crossbench.
The Premier is promising stability, but with the parliament increasing
by 10 seats this election, there's a chance of more independent
and minor party MPs.
Tasmania correspondent Kerrin Thomas has more from Hobart.
It's been a topic of speculation in Tasmania for months,
and now it's official.
The Premier this afternoon heading to the Governor to get approval
for an early election.
After about eight months governing in minority,
relying on former-Liberal-now-Independent MPs
John Tucker and Lara Alexander to provide confidence and supply
to the government, he's now declared the relationship unworkable Hoping
heading to the polls can again secure a majority.
Can I say very clearly, this election is about who is best
able to restore stability and certainty so Tasmania can take
action on the issues affecting you, right now.
Labor hinging its campaign on several issues, including
lowering power prices.
Our plan for this state, our plan to make sure we tackle cost
of living, to cap and cut energy prices for Tasmania households,
to repair our health system and to set Tasmania up
for a better future.
The number of MPs in parliament will increase from 25 to 35 seats
this election, which many think could favour the independents
and minor parties.
A YouGov poll released in early January predicts they could receive
as much as 42% of the vote, with the Liberals and Labor both
hovering around 30%.
The Australian share market took a hit today and the Australian
dollar has tumbled.
SBS finance editor, Ricardo Goncalves, joins me
now with more.
Ricardo, this follows higher than expected US
inflation numbers overnight.
Janice, and that has investors pushing back expectations
for when official interest rates will start to fall around the world.
Higher housing, energy and food prices saw the US consumer price
index ease to 3.1% annually - that's still worse than expected.
And what this shows is while inflation seemed to be
falling, as fast as it rose.
The more recent results show some stickiness.
The CPI came in hotter than expected.
And why that is important is because obviously,
inflation expectations have come down so far and the market is priced
in a lot more in terms of Fed cuts than the Fed has even implied.
Meanwhile, in Australia, Treasury officials remain wary
about services inflation.
Which is contributing to the "higher for longer" rates narrative
around the world.
The
The cycle
The cycle and the price of services
tends
The cycle and the price of services tends to lag that in goods and be
more
tends to lag that in goods and be more persistent. Rising more slowly
and
more persistent. Rising more slowly and falling more slowly. We can see
this
and falling more slowly. We can see this in a number of countries with
core
this in a number of countries with core services inflation now being
the
core services inflation now being the largest contributor to headline
inflation.
We'll know more about the economic environment tomorrow -
when the official jobs report is released.
The government says the number of jobs advertised online fell
in January, although it remains near recent highs.
The US inflation report hit the Australian dollar,
which is now half a cent weaker against the US compared with this
time yesterday, it's also down across the other
major global currencies.
And the Australian share market opened lower,
but did claw back some of the early losses thoughout the day.
Investors though - still paring back their rate cut
expectations.
Leading
Leading into it last nights numbers
there
Leading into it last nights numbers there was four to five cuts
expected,
there was four to five cuts expected, now that market pricing is
around
expected, now that market pricing is around three to four cuts sought is
about
around three to four cuts sought is about doing half cuts placed on the
market
about doing half cuts placed on the market in the first card is not
priced
market in the first card is not priced until May of this year. It
was
priced until May of this year. It was going to be interest rates are
expected
was going to be interest rates are expected to be down earlier than
that.
expected to be down earlier than that. In Australia we are expecting
to
that. In Australia we are expecting to interest rate cuts this year,
that
to interest rate cuts this year, that is what you get back to shade
over
that is what you get back to shade over one. We are expecting our first
cut
over one. We are expecting our first cut until September so there has
been
cut until September so there has been a change in terms of market
positioning
been a change in terms of market positioning around interest rates.
The Commonwealth Bank says it expects financial strain
on households and businesses to continue in 2024 -
as the lagged affect of the RBA's previous interest rate rises
works their way though the economy.
Those higher interest rates, it says, are being felt unevenly.
Younger people, those aged under 34 are spending less on discretionary
items - things like eating out and entertainment -
compared with the same time last year.
They're also, saving less.
But older Australians, those over 65 for example
and spending more, and saving more - benefiting from higher interest
rates on deposits.
CommBank CEO Matt Comyn says higher prices and the cost of living
are at the top of minds of customers - and having access to affordable
housing in the right areas - can help alleviate some
cost-of-living pressures.
We
We cannot
We cannot solve many of these
problems
We cannot solve many of these problems by ourselves, it is such an
important
problems by ourselves, it is such an important topic for both governments
of
important topic for both governments of federal, state, financial
institutions,
of federal, state, financial institutions, many parties that need
to
institutions, many parties that need to play a role here in terms of
making
to play a role here in terms of making sure there is no very Strong
and
making sure there is no very Strong and it is not sufficiently strong
supply
and it is not sufficiently strong supply of housing that will be
coming
supply of housing that will be coming onto the market for people
are
coming onto the market for people are looking to purchase also in a
friend.
are looking to purchase also in a friend. That will accommodate in the
infrastructure
friend. That will accommodate in the infrastructure to be able to support
that
infrastructure to be able to support that lack transport.
It comes as Australia's biggest bank posted a half-year cash profit
of just over $5 billion - but that's down 3% on the same
time last year.
It will pay a higher interim dividend.
Margins are being squeezed from competition on deposits
and in home loans - where it's lost market share,
and while it expects an increase in the number of people falling
behind on their repayments, arrears are still below prepandemic levels.
Commonwealth Bank shares fell on the news -
although they have been trading at record highs recently.
AMP rose on plans to return nearly $300 million to shareholders.
But the miners declined on lower iron ore price.
Investors liked a profit update from contracting company Downer EDI
- but not Graincorp.
Shares in Property group Domain fell.
It says the property market is coming off very low listing
volumes, being led by Sydney and Melbourne with growth of over
20%, Queensland and WA is trailing that.
It's also seeing strong performance in premium Sydney and Melbourne
suburbs, but regional areas are struggling.
And
And so
And so you are seeing the impacts of
cost-of-living
And so you are seeing the impacts of cost-of-living pressures, of high
interest
cost-of-living pressures, of high interest rates and mortgage
affordability
interest rates and mortgage affordability is some levels of
uncertainty
affordability is some levels of uncertainty around economic
activity,
uncertainty around economic activity, job security and the like
playing
activity, job security and the like playing into those markets. You see
that
playing into those markets. You see that even at a micro level, really
strong
that even at a micro level, really strong performance in apartments
performance
strong performance in apartments performance and houses. That is
because
performance and houses. That is because the supply side of it as
being
because the supply side of it as being deeply restricted.
Domain posted a half-year net profit
of around $38.5 million, down 28%.
Global television and streaming provider -
Paramount, plans to reduce its workforce by about 3% or 800
jobs across the world, as it looks to cut costs.
It comes just two days after its CBS network broadcast the Super Bowl -
to the largest US television audience, since the moon landing,
according to Nielson data.
Paramount owns Network 10 in Australia.
And don't forget, you can head to the SBS On the Money Podcast
to listen to my interview with CommBank boss Matt Comyn,
in full, Janice.
Thank you.
Coming up: The Valentine's Day gesture of a different kind -
every bit the gift from the heart.
And: Australia promises all out attack in the women's test
against South Africa.
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As sea ice continues to shrink, Polar bears are having to spend more
time on land.
To understand the impacts - a team of scientists from the US
Geological Survey strapped cameras to polar bears in northern Canada.
Their study finding that the apex predators are unlikely to adapt
to longer summers.
A polar bear's view of the world.
This remarkable footage was captured with collar cameras that scientists
fitted to 20 polar bears during three summer weeks in Arctic
Canada.
The bears foraged...
..Swam...
..and socialised.
But what this glimpse into their lives during the summer
months where there's no sea ice to hunt from and the polar bears
spend their time inland is that they're unable to find
enough to eat.
The camera collars showeded that bears exhibited a diversity
of behaviours when they were summering onshore,
including some bears spending the entire time resting and other
bears primarily being active and looking for food
like berries and birds.
But 19 of the 20 bears still lost weight.
The research folk used on one of the most southerly points
in a polar bear's range.
A part of Arctic where temperatures are rising much more
quickly than elsewhere.
So scientists say it's a snapshot of a warming future.
This large male bear was lucky enough to stumble across a dead
whale and gained weight during the study.
The other 19 bears, though, lost about 1kg every day.
These are predators that specialise in hunting on the sea ice.
They use it as a platform to pounce on seals.
On land, there's just no food that contains as much fat
as their favourite marine prey.
And as they face longer summers without that ice,
scientists say they'll struggle to feed themselves.
Incredible footage.
Victoria Gill with that report.
Valentine's Day is being marked across the country today
with Aussies expected to splash almost $500 million on gifts
for their loved ones.
But it isn't just about red roses and chocolates,
with many people expressing their love and affection
in other ways.
For this couple, February 14th is now a special day
for many reasons.
Hello, I'm Nathan.
And I'm Johanna.
We just got married today in a very short but special ceremony
and what better day to do it on than on Valentines Day.
They're one of 33 couples who tied the knot today under
the world-famous sails of the Sydney Opera House.
Taking part in affordable wedding ceremonies offered
by the New South Wales Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
We know that the average cost of a wedding in Australia
is about $36,000.
That is a huge amount of money.
This is another option here for people that's not only cost
effective but still quite an important celebration of the day.
Others shared the love in their own way.
In Sydney's west, dozens of refugees rolled up their sleeves
to donate blood.
Giving back to the community in a country they hope to one
day, call home.
They've said, instead of giving red roses on Valentine's Day,
why not give some red blood cause that is more useful.
I understand that each donor would be saving three lives
with just one blood donation.
Many of the donors here are refugees who've spent more than a decade
on temporary visas.
They say while they give blood, they hope the government
will reciprocate with kindness.
I keep fighting for that and myself and for other people as well.
Lily is a Australian citizen but her husband is still not
a permanent resident, despite them being married
and having two kids together.
Me and my husband decided to come on Valentine's Day to donated
the blood together.
Just want them to have a life, a safer life.
Not to be nervous.
Not to be like oh one day I have to deport from Australia.
For us, our children can go to school, they can plan next year,
we can plan what we're going to be doing in three or five years.
Refugees can't.
And this is for years and years and years.
Swapping passion for compassion.
Mahnaz Angury, SBS World News.
The Australian women's cricket team has promised fans they will go
into tomorrow's historic Test match against South Africa in Perth
with an attacking mindset.
While a draw would see the Australians win the multiformat
series, captain Alyssa Healy says her side will go all out
to get a result.
Preparing for a rare red ball encounter, the home side have been
testing out their footy skills.
But it will be all business tomorrow at the WACA.
The girls are really excited for that.
They're chomping at the bit.
They thoroughly enjoy bowling with the red ball in the nets
yesterday so hopefully we can put it all together come tomorrow.
The Australians go into the match full of confidence after winning
the 1-day and Twenty20 series against South Africa,
but they have been pushed by the tourists.
That won't stop the home side from going for a result in the test.
If we're in a position where we want to go for the win
and it might come at a cost then so be it.
But at the end of the day we want to see a result
and hopefully we're at the right end of it.
But if we are on the back foot we'll fight our way out of it.
Last night the West Indies men's side finished their tour
of Australia with a consolation 37-run victory in the T20 series.
Andre Russell putting on a batting clinic,
smashing 71 runs off just 29 deliveries, including a hat-trick
of sixes off Adam Zampa.
Gets him again - fourth six in the over from Andre Russell.
Chasing 221 for victory, Australia went down swinging.
David Warner going out in style with 81 runs off 49 deliveries
in his final appearance for his country on home soil.
It's time for the youngsters to come through and showcase their talents
and we've got extreme talent here and a lot of the guys
here from Perth that are in this team at the moment and we're
in good stead.
Australia's young guns have flexed their muscles in the pool
at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha this morning.
18-year-old West Australian, Iona Anderson, powered home to win
a silver medal in the 100m backstroke.
Anderson swam a personal best to finish just behind another
youngster, 19-year-old American, Claire Curzan.
The
The thing
The thing has returned home let me
city
The thing has returned home let me city made a winning return of
Manchester
city made a winning return of Manchester United conquerors FC
Copenhagen
Manchester United conquerors FC Copenhagen has been unable to repeat
they
Copenhagen has been unable to repeat they were not home sale against Pep
Guardiola
they were not home sale against Pep Guardiola side Real Madrid also went
away
from
from home
from home lipstick. All Copenhagen
have
from home lipstick. All Copenhagen have already been wanting to
Manchester
have already been wanting to Manchester and the Champions League
this
Manchester and the Champions League this season the city are an
altogether
this season the city are an altogether different challenge and
after
altogether different challenge and after 10 minutes of 1-way traffic,
showed
after 10 minutes of 1-way traffic, showed why. Kevin is not paid much
of
showed why. Kevin is not paid much of the season, city are better team
with
of the season, city are better team with him in it. I want to break but
this
with him in it. I want to break but this was Copenhagen's first game in
over
this was Copenhagen's first game in over two months a silver had their
heads
over two months a silver had their heads being in. Had the makings of a
long
heads being in. Had the makings of a long night for the home side. Give
it
long night for the home side. Give it away here. Until opportunity came
their
it away here. Until opportunity came their way and they seized it in
style.
their way and they seized it in style. It's in! City was stunned but
not
style. It's in! City was stunned but not for long, was sick of silver
spirit
not for long, was sick of silver spirit sent the momentum back in
their
spirit sent the momentum back in their favour. Just a city back in
front.
their favour. Just a city back in front. After the break city when
searching
front. After the break city when searching for more but found a man
in
searching for more but found a man in a mask and superhero mode. But
even
in a mask and superhero mode. But even he could only hold back the
tide
even he could only hold back the tide for so long. Fulton! As Phil
Foden
tide for so long. Fulton! As Phil Foden struck with virtually the last
kick
Foden struck with virtually the last kick of the game city now have kick
stopping
kick of the game city now have kick stopping them from taking something
special.
All
Coming up, the weather and:
The stingray, the shark and the unexplained pregnancy.
The marine mystery stunning scientists.
What is wealthy?
To some, it's this. The house, the pool.
Mmm...tiny pastries.
To others, it may be this.
Whoa!
Because wealthy feels different to everyone.
(EXCLAIMS)
AMP knows it's all about what's important to you.
So, whatever wealthy you want
AMP is here to help you get there.
Hey fellas. Hi. You know there's a door.
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To the weather forecast.
Showers and storms across Queensland and New South Wales's
north and central-east.
A shower or two in Canberra.
Sunny in Melbourne.
Partly cloudy in Hobart.
Sunny in Adelaide.
Partly cloudy in Perth.
Showers and a possible storm in Darwin.
And a shower or two in Brisbane.
Looking further afield, thunder in Nadi.
Cloudy in Papeete.
Partly cloudy in Noumea.
Windy in Wellington.
In South-East Asia, partly cloudy in Bangkok and Kuala
Lumpur.
Thunder in Singapore.
Drizzle in Jakarta.
Further north, clear skies in Beijing.
Rain in Seoul.
Cloudy in Tokyo.
Partly cloudy in Hong Kong.
Rain in Hanoi.
Heading west, rain in Beirut and Tehran.
A few showers for Baghdad.
Partly cloudy in Islamabad.
Fog in New Delhi.
To Europe, snow in Moscow.
Cloudy in Berlin.
Rain in London.
Fog in Rome.
Showers in Athens.
In Africa, partly cloudy across Casablanca,
Cairo and Dakar.
Drizzle in Addis Ababa.
Thunder in Johannesburg.
In South America, cloudy in Caracas and Bogota.
A few showers for La Paz.
Thunder in Rio de Janeiro.
Sunshine and 32 in Santiago.
And for North America, showers in Vancouver.
Snow in Toronto and Chicago.
Partly cloudy across Washington, Los Angeles and Mexico City.
A stingray has left scientists in the US puzzled, after becoming
pregnant without a mate.
Charlotte has lived in a North Carolina aquarium
for years without a male companion.
the
the suggestion she was impregnated
by
the suggestion she was impregnated by a bamboo shark that shared her
enclosure
by a bamboo shark that shared her enclosure but it is more likely that
she
enclosure but it is more likely that she experienced pathogenesis when
offspring
she experienced pathogenesis when offspring developed from
unfertilised
offspring developed from unfertilised eggs.
Charlotte is expected to give birth to one to four pups
within the next two weeks.
That's the world this Wednesday.
If you missed some of tonight's bulletin you can catch up
Liz Maddock we'll be back with our next bulletin at 10:35.
Captions by Red Bee Media. (C) SBS Australia 2024.
BEN FOGLE: Over 800 islands dot Britain's coastline.
Some of the most spectacular can been found off Scotland.
These islands have been a sacred destination for centuries.
Christian missionaries arrived here 1,500 years ago
to spread a new faith.
And amid this breathtaking beauty,
their legacy still lingers today.
My name is Ben Fogle.
Over two decades ago,
I was marooned on a remote Scottish Island for a year
for a TV show called Castaway.
Like those early pilgrims, I have a deep connection to these islands
and their religious and spiritual heritage.
This is so peaceful...
In this series, I'm setting out to explore
how sacred traditions still survive in island communities today...
Islands just have a special spiritual energy...
..and experience the power of these landscapes
to inspire wonderment and faith.
WOMAN: I just know, that I can walk along the beach
and feel the presence of God...
My journey this time will take me through the southern islands
of the Inner Hebrides...
This is pretty dramatic landscape.
This is my kind of landscape.
..where I'll find wisdom in a very unexpected place...
I think this is the deepest conversation
I've ever had in a tuk-tuk!
I'll discover a uniquely island spirit.
MAN: There's a wee bit of strength in most island people, you know.
There's a hardness in them. They can stand a lot.
..and experience the places that have inspired people for centuries.
This is my spiritual home.
I mean, look at it.
You've got to be inspired by it, haven't you?
Join me on an epic pilgrimage
across 12 of Scotland's magical sacred islands.
I'm beginning my journey at Tayvallich,
on the Mull of Kintyre.
It's already been a three-hour drive from central Scotland to get here
and now I'm boarding a small passenger ferry
to take me to my island destination.
Travelling down the length of Loch Sween,
it will take me 1.5 hours by water to reach my first stop - Islay.
It's the southernmost island of the Hebridean chain.
I'll then hop across to nearby Jura,
before heading north to the uninhabited isles of the Garvellachs.
The thing I love about island-hopping is that you're forced to slow down
and keep a look out.
Apparently, there's minke whales
so I'm hoping I'm gonna catch a glimpse.
My route from Kintyre is inspired by the Irish saints
who landed there in the 6th century.
Islay and Jura were at the crossroads between Ireland and Scotland,
where cultures met and new faiths arrived.
They became the stepping stones
from which to spread Christianity throughout Scotland's isles.
So I'm just arriving in Islay.
It's been quite a journey, to be honest.
You have to put in a lot of effort to get here.
And I'm wondering how that moulds and shapes the people that live here.
Islay is the fifth largest of Scotland's islands,
and home to around 3,000 people.
It's best known for the whisky that's made here,
having been introduced by Irish monks 700 years ago.
Today, you'll find more distilleries than churches.
As I follow the trail of those early missionaries,
I want to understand what brought them here
and how their legacy is reflected today.
My first stop is to the far west side of the island
and to its most beautiful beach, Machir Bay.
The locals prefer to call it Kilchoman Beach,
in honour of Saint Coman
who arrived here from Ireland in the 6th century
to establish one of the island's first churches.
He sailed the 30 miles or so across those open waters
in nothing more than a boat made from animal skins.
The monks were highly skilled seafarers.
But it's said that some cast off without oars,
putting themselves at the mercy of God.
I've always found it quite difficult to relate
to those pilgrims coming across from Ireland.
But...when you're standing on the beach
and you're looking at that horizon,
I can't help but feel more of a connection.
They were the adventurers, the explorers of their time.
And I'm hoping that by coming to these islands,
I'll get a sense of that pioneering journey
that still exists in the islands today.
I don't think they had weather like this!
The pilgrimage across the desert of the sea
was part of a long Christian tradition
of leaving the material world and home comforts behind
to lead a more basic life, closer to nature and God.
I wonder what they thought of Islay,
seeing this wild and foreign land for the first time.
To get my own bearings, I'm heading inland and upwards.
Or at least as much as I can
on an island that's more moorland than mountain.
Today is Sunday, when the island falls a little quieter,
offering me the chance to explore.
I've been offered a tour of the roads less travelled
by a man who knows the island well.
Jump in. Great. We're off.
I was warned not to bring too much baggage.
Originally from Glasgow, Callum runs tuk-tuk tours for visitors
and so-called 'whisky pilgrims'
who come to experience the island and its nine famous distilleries.
Callum, I wasn't expecting to be picked up in a tuk-tuk.
Where did the idea come from?
2018, I was in Sri Lanka
and I was kinda looking at the quality of the roads
and thought do you know quite a lot on the roads on Islay and Jura
are in worst condition. (LAUGHS)
And I bet tuk-tuks will do really well.
And I was right, they're brilliant for missing potholes,
which there are plenty of here.
But it seems to make people quite happy.
Everybody smiles and waves when they see the tuk-tuk.
You can't help but smile in a tuk-tuk, can you?
No, you can't.
Wow!
This is incredible, isn't it? This is wild.
It's pure wilderness. It really is.
It's one of my favourite roads, the Glen Road.
Erm, takes you to the sort of highest vantage point by road
on Islay.
As well as driving the tuk-tuk,
Callum has a background in social work and mental health care.
It might be an assumption that mental health workers
aren't necessary on islands
but I suppose everyone struggles, wherever they are.
Absolutely, Ben.
I think that's a real common assumption that's made
about places of beauty.
You know, why would anybody feel depressed or lonely or sad
or have any sort of mental health problems
and the reality is as long as there are people,
there will always be social problems.
One of the parts of my journey, Callum, is trying to understand maybe
why faith has always been so important for islanders.
I think the church have provided
a lot of emotional and financial support for people over the years.
And a lot of guidance and counselling
in some respects as well.
I have had my own thoughts
about the increase in mental health difficulties
for many years now
and actually thinking about the decline in belief
about how the country has become much more secular.
Mm-hm. And you know,
did it make a difference when people had something to believe in?
So I understand what you're saying,
perhaps one of the reasons in the increase
in mental health difficulties for people
is that there isn't a common unifying belief
or something common that we can all share.
Yeah, we've all become quite fragmented
and disconnected from each other.
Churches were a way of bringing people together
and finding commonalities and shared causes.
And I think in smaller places like Islay,
there is still a prevalence of good will
that's shown through community groups.
But it's quite difficult to take that into a modern age.
I think this has been the deepest conversation I've ever had
in a tuk-tuk. (BOTH LAUGH)
It's like our Sunday service, isn't it?
It's a compelling thought
that a community sharing a common belief or cause
might bring us individual benefits.
But the shared causes of island life needn't be necessarily religious.
As I explore Islay,
I'm keen to discover the other forms of community
that are so important to quality of life here.
The Glen Road has taken me north to an area of the island
popular with visitors who want to enjoy its beautiful landscapes.
Ballygrant Loch is a pleasure spot
known for its bike trails and boating during the summer tourist season.
Oh, wow look at these.
Got it. There we go.
On the shores of the loch this morning,
a unique event is starting.
It's the first activity day of its kind on Islay.
It's being run by Sidekick, a new fledgling charity
that supports people with disabilities on Islay
and neighbouring Jura.
Their aim is to help those of all abilities
to enjoy the landscapes of the island that many of us take for granted.
David and his dad, Charlie, are the first islanders
to use these specialist dual control bikes.
Costing £10,000 each, the bikes have been borrowed from the mainland