Australia to advocate for Melbourne man charged by Russia after fighting for Ukraine

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Oscar Jenkins reportedly faces 15-year jail term on charges of fighting as ‘mercenary’

Australia will use “whatever avenues” it can to help Melbourne man Oscar Jenkins, who faces a 15-year jail term in Russia for fighting with Ukrainian troops.

The prime minister said on Saturday that the government would “continue to make representations to the reprehensible regime of Vladimir Putin” to release Jenkins, 33, a former teacher who fought with Ukraine’s armed forces against Russia’s invasion.

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Man in custody after late-night chase in Bondi that saw police car allegedly rammed and shots fired

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An officer fired at the car but there were no injuries, police say

A man has been taken into custody after allegedly ramming a police vehicle with a stolen Audi in Sydney’s eastern suburbs after an early-morning pursuit during which police fired at the car.

Police officers patrolling in Bondi began following a “suspicious” dark-coloured Audi A1 about 4am and a pursuit began, but ended the chase a short time later due to the speed, detective superintendent Jodi Radmore said.

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Iranian minister says nuclear deal possible if US does not make ‘unrealistic demands’

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Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will resume talks in Rome on Saturday

Iran’s top negotiator believes reaching an agreement on its nuclear programme with the US is possible as long as Washington is realistic, as the two sides prepare to resume talks in Rome on Saturday.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, and the US Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, will begin indirect negotiations through mediators from Oman, after their first round in Muscat, which both sides described as constructive.

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Congo boat fire: Death toll rises to 148, reports say – DW

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  1. Congo boat fire: Death toll rises to 148, reports say  DW
  2. Congo boat disaster death toll rises to 148, with more than 100 still missing  The Guardian
  3. At least 148 people die after boat catches fire in Congo, media reports say  NBC News
  4. At Least 50 Dead, Hundreds Missing After Fire Causes Boat to Capsize on Late Night River Voyage  People.com
  5. DR Congo boat fire toll revised down to 33  El Paso Inc.
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Four centuries later, Easter’s date remains divisive. Some church leaders want that to change – AP News

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  1. Four centuries later, Easter's date remains divisive. Some church leaders want that to change  AP News
  2. Easter's shifting date keeps clergy members counting  WRGB
  3. Theophilos III: Dialogue is the only way to unity and peace  Vatican News
  4. Catholic-Orthodox families prepare with joy to celebrate shared Easter date  Catholic News Agency
  5. For the first time in almost 10 years, Christians of all kinds will celebrate Easter on the same day  The Salt Lake Tribune
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As Famine Rages in Sudan, U.S. Aid Remains Scarce – The New York Times

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  1. As Famine Rages in Sudan, U.S. Aid Remains Scarce  The New York Times
  2. The Guardian view on Sudan’s third year of conflict: a war against civilians | Editorial  The Guardian
  3. “Need the World to Pay Attention”: Sudan Faces World’s Worst Displacement Crisis After 2 Years of War  Democracy Now!
  4. Sudan rebels declare rival government on anniversary of brutal 2-year war with army  CNN
  5. After two years of war in Sudan, the world can no longer plead ignorance  Al Jazeera
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Big Gaps in Intelligence on Iran’s Nuke Program Threaten Push for Quick Deal – WSJ

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  1. Big Gaps in Intelligence on Iran’s Nuke Program Threaten Push for Quick Deal  WSJ
  2. Hopes for Iran nuclear talks tempered by threats and mixed messages  BBC
  3. With his promises of peace unmet in Gaza and Ukraine, Trump may find Iran just as tough  Reuters
  4. A Nuclear Deal With Iran Is Possible—but Only if the U.S. Learns From History  Foreign Policy
  5. Trump team's Iran divide: Dialogue vs. detonation to end nuclear threat  Axios
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Albanese claims victory in Vegemite fight as Canada concedes spread poses ‘low’ risk to humans

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Prime minister said his government had lobbied Canada to reconsider ruling that cafe could not import Vegemite

Anthony Albanese has claimed victory in Australia’s “Vegemite-gate” trade stoush with Canada, which has relented and allowed a Toronto-based cafe owner to sell the spread after initially ruling it did not comply with local food laws.

Speaking at a press conference in Sydney on Saturday morning, holding up a jar of Vegemite, the prime minister declared he had achieved a “win for Australian industry” after his government’s discussions with the Canadian government.

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Israeli strikes kill at least 25 in Gaza and Huckabee makes first appearance as US ambassador – AP News

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  1. Israeli strikes kill at least 25 in Gaza and Huckabee makes first appearance as US ambassador  AP News
  2. LIVE: Israel kills at least 70 people as homes, tent camps bombed in Gaza  Al Jazeera
  3. Five Palestinians reportedly killed in overnight strike near Khan Yunis  Haaretz
  4. Israel Strikes Area With Tent Camps for Displaced Gazans  The New York Times
  5. Israeli strikes hit dozens of targets in Gaza as ceasefire efforts stall  NBC News
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China and Cambodia agree on financing for a 94-mile canal linking the Mekong to the Gulf of Thailand – AP News

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  1. China and Cambodia agree on financing for a 94-mile canal linking the Mekong to the Gulf of Thailand  AP News
  2. Cambodia and China Strengthen Ties as US Imposes Tariffs  The New York Times
  3. Xi Jinping visits Phnom Penh on anniversary of U.S. humiliation  Nikkei Asia
  4. 'Resist protectionism,' China's Xi tells Cambodia as Phnom Penh seeks loans  Reuters
  5. China’s Xi Jinping arrives in Cambodia to wrap up 3-nation Southeast Asia tour  NPR
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Dutton pledges tax breaks for business startups and meets alpaca who sneezed on King Charles

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Opposition leader also says his migration plan would prioritise tradies and not yoga teachers

The Coalition says it will introduce tax offsets to help an extra 350,000 small businesses get going if it is elected.

On Saturday morning, the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, announced an “entrepreneurship accelerator” which would see new businesses receive tapered tax offsets and tax deductions for tech upgrades.

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