Afternoon Update: Australia to release nearly 20% of fuel stockpile; Bluesfest cancelled; and Hollywood’s unsettling new look
Albanese government makes second move on nation’s fuel supply in as many days
Good afternoon.
The Albanese government has made its second move on the nation’s fuel supply in as many days amid a doubling in demand for petrol and diesel across Australia.
Fuel companies have been directed to release nearly a fifth of their reserve petrol and diesel supplies as part of the world’s largest-ever coordinated release of oil reserves, ordered by the International Energy Agency on Wednesday.
The energy minister, Chris Bowen, acknowledged fuel supplies could face further pressure but ruled out a cut to the fuel excise or rationing fuel purchases.
The move comes after the world energy watchdog warned oil markets are facing the “largest supply disruption in history” as the war in Iran continues to block tankers from shipping millions of barrels of crude each day.
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In pictures
In the Weekly Beast, Amanda Meade looks at the case of the incredible vanishing home affairs minister, Tony Burke, in a News Corp paper’s coverage of the asylum offer to five members of the Iranian women’s football team.
What they said …
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“I honestly don’t know how long I have left. But I do know I will fight to my last breath and will be surrounded by the love and support of my people.” – Mel Schilling
The Married At First Sight dating expert has revealed that she has terminal cancer just weeks after announcing she would step away from the show for health reasons.
Full Story
Newsroom edition: Labor is walking a tightrope as the politics of war hits Australia
As the second week of the war with Iran draws to a close, any suggestion that Australia’s involvement would be limited to in-principle support has evaporated.
Jo Tovey sits down with Gabrielle Jackson, Mike Ticher and Ben Doherty to discuss the tests Labor faces back home as Australia’s involvement in the war escalates.
Before bed read
For a long time Hollywood operated a fairly coherent beauty ideal that, however unattainable, was at least legible. But this awards season some stars have hit the red carpet looking severely underweight and unwell, overly cosmetically enhanced, or all of the above. Brigid Delaney shares her thoughts on the two converging phenomena that are producing a new aesthetic in Hollywood.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: PAD. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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