AAP Rolling News Bulletin for June 15 at 0500
Shark (CANBERRA)
Experts warn there is little evidence shark culls keep ocean-goers safer following the latest shocking encounter at a busy city beach.
A coastal community have been left shaken after a woman, understood to be in her 30s, was critically injured by a shark at Sydney's popular Coogee Beach on Saturday.
A great white shark, which is a protected species, is thought to have been responsible.
It follows a cluster of attacks nationwide, including several bull shark bites in Sydney Harbour.
The latest incident has reignited calls for culls to protect swimmers, which NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty has not expressly ruled out.
Adelaide University program director of environmental science Brianna Le Brusque said harmful encounters with the predators were tragic and cull discussions an understandable response.
Economy (CANBERRA)
A majority of economists are tipping interest rates to remain on hold as the Reserve Bank begins deliberations.
The bank's board will begin two days of talks on Monday to determine whether the official cash rate will remain steady at 4.35 per cent.
Reserve Bank governor Michelle Bullock will announce the board's decision on Tuesday afternoon.
Despite persistent economic pressures from the Middle East conflict and inflation levels above the bank's preferred target range, a hold is considered likely.
A Reuters survey of 45 economists found 42 expected the bank would leave rates unchanged.
If the predictions hold, it will be the first time in 2026 the bank's board has not raised interest rates, following three consecutive increases in the first half of the year.
Tax (CANBERRA)
Changes to the capital gains tax will lower productivity and make Australia less competitive, business groups argue, as the contentious budget measures go under the microscope.
A Senate inquiry into the tax changes will hold its first day of hearings on Monday.
Under the changes, the 50 per cent discount for capital gains tax will be replaced with a rate tied to inflation and a 30 per cent minimum, while negative gearing will be limited to new houses only from July 2027.
In a joint statement issued ahead of the inquiry, business groups warned the changes were being rushed through and would discourage investment.
The statement from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, AI Group, the Business Council of Australia and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia said the changes must be rejected.
Iran (JERUSALEM)
US President Donald Trump has urged no further attacks by anyone after Israel's military said it launched strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut, potentially complicating efforts to finalise a deal to end the US-Iran war.
Smoke rose over the Lebanese capital, and the Civil Defence said it retrieved three bodies and six wounded people from the rubble.
Iran threatened a military response.
Trump reacted on social media: "We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region".
"Let's not blow it!" he said.
The deal in its current form is a deep disappointment to Israel's government, which has been sidelined in negotiations led by Pakistan and others.
The last time Israel struck the Beirut suburbs a week ago, it set off the most serious escalation of fighting between Iran and Israel since the tenuous ceasefire took hold on April 7.
Mideast (DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA STRIP)
The Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 73,000, despite a fragile ceasefire deal reached in October.
Confirmation came from Gaza's Health Ministry, with the total number of deaths since the beginning of the war reaching 73,001.
On Sunday, the ministry said, there were five deaths: two in the southern city of Khan Younis and one in central Gaza, in addition to two who died of earlier wounds.
More than 173,200 people have been wounded since the start of the war, which was ignited by the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
That attack killed some 1200 people and took 251 others hostage.
An Israeli strike on Saturday evening killed two Palestinians in Khan Younis.
The casualties were taken to Nasser hospital, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ukraine (MOSCOW)
Ukraine has targeted industrial facilities across several regions in Russia while British forces have also moved to board a Russian vessel in the Channel.
In the Tula region, south of Moscow, Governor Dmitry Milyaev reported that debris from a downed drone fell onto the site of a chemical plant in Novomoskovsk.
Unconfirmed video footage and reports emerged on social media showing a fire, suggesting that the Asot facility, one of Russia's largest chemical plants, was hit.
The site is important to the Russian war economy. It produces mainly fertiliser, but also components for the production of ammunition in defence industries.
The governor initially gave no details about the extent of the damage or possible health risks to the population.
In the Yaroslavl region, Governor Mikhail Yevrayev spoke of a drone attack on industrial facilities used for fuel storage. A fire broke out, but there were no injuries, he said.
G7 (GENEVA)
Up to 50,000 demonstrators are expected to march through the Swiss border city of Geneva to protest against capitalism, exploitation and a range of other issues ahead of the G7 summit in the French town of Évian.
The protest on Sunday is being organised by a No G7 coalition of several dozen groups.
The demonstration is taking place in Geneva because France declined to issue permits for any protests near the G7 summit venue, the Geneva city government said, criticising the decision.
Geneva lies around 50km southwest of Évian.
Geneva airport will also serve as the arrival point for the leaders attending the summit and their delegations on Monday, as it is the nearest airport to the venue.
Geneva's city centre has been in a state of emergency for days: Hundreds of luxury shops and banks, as well as hotels and supermarkets, have boarded up their facades and shop windows with plywood panels out of fear of unrest.
Shark (SYDNEY)
The latest shark attack that critically injured a woman in front of shocked swimmers has reignited calls for culling as a community reels from the incident off a popular beach.
And the NSW government is not ruling out the measure.
The attack happened about 20-30 metres from shore and between the flags at Sydney's popular Coogee Beach about 11am on Saturday.
The woman, believed to be in her 30s, was airlifted to hospital after being brought from the water by an off-duty lifeguard.
It has prompted strong calls by NSW independent MP Rod Roberts to cull sharks for the sake of community safety.
Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty did not rule it out on Sunday.
"Nothing is off the table in terms of how we keep the community safe," she told reporters.
In finance ...
Economy Preview (CANBERRA)
Mortgage holders could get a brief reprieve from further interest rate hikes, but economic uncertainty in the Middle East will still loom for the Reserve Bank.
Economists are tipping the central bank to keep the official cash rate on hold at 4.35 per cent when it meets on Tuesday.
Should the predictions hold, it would be the first time the Reserve Bank has kept rates steady since the start of 2026.
Despite inflation levels remaining above the Reserve Bank's target band of two to three per cent, economists expect it will consider the impact of consecutive hikes.
Westpac economists Luci Ellis and Neha Sharma said the mixed data on inflation and the labour market supported the case for a pause.
In entertainment ...
Royals Harry (SAN ANTONIO)
Prince Harry has made a surprise appearance at the NBA Finals in San Antonio.
Harry, 41, was spotted in the crowd at game five of the finals series between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks on Saturday.
He attended the match with US Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient JP Lane and sat beside NBA Commissioner Adam Silver a few rows back from the court.
The duke was already in Texas for the Warrior Games - an event for wounded, injured or ill military personnel organised by the US Government.
Other recognisable faces at the match included Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney attended with boyfriend Scooter Braun, actor Timothee Chalamet and Ben Stiller.
Neither Meghan nor the couple's children were in attendance at the game, which ended with the New York Knicks claiming their first NBA title since 1973 on the back of a 94-90 win.
Pacino
Oscar-winner Al Pacino says it is a "profound honour" to be the recipient of the Sam Wanamaker Award, which recognises his connection to the works of William Shakespeare.
The award was established by Shakespeare's Globe in 1994 to honour the work of individuals who have increased the understanding and enjoyment of the celebrated playwright.
Pacino, 86, is known for his starring roles in films such as Scarface and the Godfather trilogy, as well as celebrated performances in many of Shakespeare's plays.
These include as Shylock in The Merchant Of Venice, Mark Antony in Julius Caesar, and the title role in Richard III.
"Throughout my life, the theatre has given me a sense of purpose and belonging, and Shakespeare has always been a guiding force in that journey," Pacino said.
In sport ...
WC26 aust (VANCOUVER)
Take a bow, Tony Popovic.
The Socceroos boss is the toast of Australian coaching after turning in a selection and tactical masterclass to deliver a 2-0 upset win over Turkey.
Popovic dropped skipper Maty Ryan for young goalkeeper Patrick Beach and midfielder Jackson Irvine for Paul Okon-Engstler, while backing dynamo Nestory Irankunda from the outset.
"They were maybe shocks for a lot of people, but not shocks within our playing group or staff," Popovic said.
"Because we're all working together every day, and we can see the quality of these young boys. We've got Mo Toure, Nestory, Junior Okon, Patrick Beach, and many more.
"It's a team selected to perform well. You never know the result, of course - we're at a World Cup.
Ten Aust (LONDON)
Alex de Minaur's bid for a confidence-boosting title grab ahead of his looming Wimbledon campaign ended in heartbreak after slumping to Kamil Majchrzak in the final of the ATP's Dutch grass-court event in s-Hertogenbosch.
The Australian No.1 had opted to use the tournament in s-Hertogenbosch to rebuild his shattered confidence after his French Open setback when bowing to out Jakub Mensik in the third round last month.
But despite staging a gritty fightback to draw level with Majchrzak in the climax to the Rosmalen Championships on Sunday, De Minaur eventually lost out in a final-set tie-break to succumb 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5).
The 27-year-old had looked in great shape this week when returning to his favoured grass surface after the clay of Paris, culminating in a resounding straight-sets victory over another previous winner in Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in Saturday's semi-finals.
Ends Bulletin
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