☕️ Trump's new steel tariffs, explained

Well, the beginning of the June/July Europe season has started with a bang. Literally.

Overnight, Italy’s Mount Etna erupted. If you’re not familiar, Mount Etna is on the east coast of Sicily and is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Since it is so active, it’s rare that its eruptions cause significant injuries or damage.

“The defence will call Erin Patterson.”
Defence lawyer Colin Mandy SC, calling Erin Patterson to the stand to give evidence in her triple murder trial. In July 2023, Patterson hosted her in-laws and her husband’s aunt and uncle for lunch. Patterson served beef Wellington, which she said contained dried mushrooms. Following the meal, all four guests became critically ill, and three died.

9,500
The number of O-type blood donors Lifeblood are calling for in the next seven days, as the organisation’s levels of both O positive and O negative have dropped to their lowest point since 2023.

The longest a person has intentionally stayed awake is 453 hours (18 days 21 hours). In 1986, Robert McDonald broke the scientifically documented record for having intentionally gone without sleep not using stimulants of any kind. The record is no longer attempted or recorded by the Guinness World Records due to the health issues it causes.

Federal police are investigating a suspected terrorist attack in the U.S. state of Colorado, after a man threw a flamethrower into a crowd that had gathered to call for the release of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza.

Six people were taken to nearby hospitals to be treated for burns.

A 45-year-old man is in police custody.

U.S. police are warning against intensifying violence spilling into the streets over the war in Gaza, after two Israeli embassy staff were shot dead in the U.S. capital two weeks ago.

Dozens of people gathered in the Colorado city of Boulder on Sunday (local time) to call for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, who have been held captive by Hamas since October 2023. 58 hostages remain held in Gaza.

Police described the street march as “peaceful”, with Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn saying he “wouldn’t even call it a protest”.

During the march, the FBI said a man set off a “makeshift flamethrower” and threw Molotov cocktails at the crowd of around 30 people.

A Molotov cocktail is an improvised explosive made of a glass bottle, flammable liquid, and a rag soaked in alcohol. When set alight and shattered, it sparks flames.

Six people, aged between 67 and 88, were taken to hospital to be treated for burns. Two of the injured were then airlifted to a specialist hospital unit in the Colorado city of Aurora.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed it’s investigating the suspected terror attack.

Providing an update at a press conference, FBI special agent Mark Michalek said a 45-year-old man has been detained. The FBI said the man yelled “free Palestine”.

Police have sealed off the streets in central Boulder and the FBI said it’s continuing to interview eyewitnesses.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the “hate-filled” attack.

Michalek noted: “Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country.”

Two weeks ago, two employees of the Israeli embassy were shot dead after attending an event at the Jewish Museum in Washington DC.

The 35-year-old suspect also yelled “free, free Palestine” while police arrested him.

Reporting by Harry Sekulich.

Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump doubled the tariffs imposed on imported steel and aluminium from 25% to 50%.

Australia exports hundreds of millions of dollars of steel and aluminium to the U.S. each year.

In response, Australia’s Trade Minister Don Farrell has said these tariffs “were not the act of a friend.”

The tariffs will come into effect on Thursday.

A ‘tariff’ is a tax on imports. It’s applied to foreign-made goods brought into another country, and paid by the importer.

For example: Country A and Country B make the same product. Country A wants its citizens to buy its own version of the product, not Country B’s, so it applies a tariff.

Importers in Country A now pay the tax when they bring in B’s product, and pass on the cost to consumers, making this version of the product more expensive to buy.

On 10 February, Trump announced he would impose a 25% tariff on aluminium and steel, repeating a move from his first presidency.

Steel is used in many heavy industries, such as car manufacturing and construction. Aluminium is also used in car manufacturing, and in household items including pots, pans, and foil.

In 2024, the U.S. imported around $US270 million of Australian aluminium, and about $US400 million of Australian steel.

On Saturday, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social that he will double the steel and aluminium tariffs.

It followed a speech he gave at a steel plant in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, where he said tariffs will “ensure that all steelworkers will keep their jobs and all facilities in the United States will remain open and thriving.”

Government data shows steel prices have risen by around 16% since January, when Trump took office.

The new tariffs will come into effect on 4 June.

Trade Minister Don Farrell told Australian media on Saturday that the tariffs were “unjustifiable and not the act of a friend.”

“[Tariffs] are an act of economic self harm that will only hurt consumers and businesses who rely on free and fair trade.”

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull successfully negotiated to avoid Trump’s previous planned tariffs in 2018.

Shadow Trade Minister Kevin Hogan said the Government “needs to double its efforts to protect our steel industry and local jobs for our steel workers.”

The Coalition said it is “imperative” for Albanese to meet with Trump during the G7 summit this month in Canada “to develop a personal rapport” and “protect Australian industries.”

Reporting by Annabel Whitehouse.

Are you aged 18-35? Become a life-saving donor today

Every 27 minutes, someone in Australia is diagnosed with blood cancer. For many, a stem cell transplant is their only hope – and 70% will rely on a stranger to save them. That stranger could be you. 

By joining the stem cell donor registry, you could be the match that gives someone a second chance at life. It’s easy to register with a simple cheek swab. If you’re a match, donating is a bit like a longer blood donation – safe, straightforward, and life-saving.

One small act. One big difference. You could save a life.

🍊 Simon Yates’ career defining moment. This is what he said.
🍊 Who is the Matildas new coach? Find out here.
🍊 The second fastest Australian… ever.
🗞️ Also in today’s Sport Newsletter: cricket, soccer, and more…

Parents involved in the study were asked to record their baby’s moods over a four week period to investigate the emotional impact of singing. Researchers found that parents “who sang more frequently rated their babies’ moods significantly higher,” suggesting a “simple, low-cost way to support infant well-being.” Dr Samuel Mehr, Director of the collaborative research institute behind the study, said the findings show that singing, which he called an “instinctive behaviour” has “real emotional benefits for infants, which can positively affect the entire family.”

Want more good news? Sign up to our weekly Good Newsletter here - we promise it’ll make your week better!

Reporting by Annabel Whitehouse.

A man has damaged two of China’s iconic terracotta warriors after jumping over a guardrail at the museum where they are held. 

The warriors are made out of clay and were positioned around Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s grave in 221 B.C. to protect him in the afterlife. 

Security officials told international media the man “climbed over the guardrail and the protective net and jumped” into a section of the museum, damaging two statues.

Reporting by Annabel Whitehouse.

You may remember that the Government promised to take 20% off student loans if they won the election. So, why did everyone’s HECS debts just increase?

In today’s podcast, we’ll explain how HECS works, why it exists, and when the Government will be able to take action on its discount promise.