Good morning, it’s Akash Arora here with SBS News’ Morning Briefing.
Interest rate expected to rise
More bad news could be on its way for cash-strapped mortgage holders, with the Reserve Bank of Australia expected to increase the interest rate from 1.35 per cent to 1.85 per cent on Tuesday. This would be the fourth consecutive increase since April when the interest rate was at a record low of 0.1 per cent. The move aims to bring inflation — currently at 6.1 per cent — under control. The expected rise would have a knock-on effect on banks, which will most likely increase the cost of their variable-rate mortgage products. when low interest rates were but property prices were high.
Al-Qaeda leader reportedly killed in drone strike in Afghanistan
Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has reportedly been killed in a CIA drone strike in Afghanistan, US officials told Reuters on Monday. . President Joe Biden will deliver remarks at 9.30am AEST. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed in a statement that a strike took place and strongly condemned it, calling it a violation of "international principles".
'Their hearts are broken': Iconic Indigenous centre shuts down
The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern, Sydney, will officially close on 8 August.
US tells China Nancy Pelosi has every right to visit Taiwan
The spat between China and the United States over US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan continues, with . White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters at a press conference in Washington on Monday "the speaker has the right to visit Taiwan". Mr Kirby's comments came just hours after China warned on Monday its military will not “sit idly by” if Ms Pelosi were to visit Taiwan, the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing.
In other news
- A US judge has issued — the longest yet for anyone involved in the US Capitol riots.
- Star Trek actor Nichelle Nichols died over the weekend. .
- The first ship to carry grain from Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion has been heralded as a .
