Good morning, it's Wednesday, March 30. Here's what you need to get going today.
One thing to know right now: Ukraine and Russia have made progress in peace talks
Here's the lowdown:
- The two sides haven't come to a final agreement yet, but there was optimism after the Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Istanbul, Turkey overnight
- Ukraine put forward a framework under which the country would declare itself neutral, with its security to be guaranteed by several other countries
- Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin said his county had decided to "fundamentally ... cut back military activity in the direction of Kyiv and Chernihiv" as an act of good faith to keep the negotiations rolling
- It's unclear exactly what this military cutback will mean but, following the talks, the US Department of Defense said it had seen a "small number" of Russian troops leaving Kyiv for redeployment further north
- However, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby stressed this was more of a repositioning of troops rather than a withdrawal, saying "it does not mean that the threat to Kyiv is over"
- Those comments came after a government building in Mykolaiv, a Black Sea port city east of Odesa, was torn apart by a Russian strike, killing at least seven people
- Ukrainian and Russian delegates will meet again for another round of peace talks later today
Another thing you’ll be hearing about today: The federal budget
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg handed down the federal budget in a 35-minute speech in Parliament last night. Here's a few of the key points from his speech:
- People on welfare will be given a one-off "cost-of-living payment" of $250
- There will be a "cost-of-living" tax offset for low and middle income earners of $420
- The fuel excise will be cut from 44.2 cents per litre to 22.1 cent — but only for six months
- There will be changes to the Paid Parental Leave scheme. Instead of offering two separate payments — two weeks of "Dad and Partner Pay" and 18 weeks of "Parental Leave Pay" — the two will now be combined, meaning parents can choose to split the leave between them in whatever way they'd like
- There will be an expansion of the first home buyers scheme, which includes a dedicated regional housing scheme
Follow our budget reactions live blog
News while you snoozed
Let's get you up to speed:
- Flooding in NSW: The SES issued a new flood evacuation order for Lismore's CBD and Lismore Basin as well as low-lying parts of East Lismore and Girards Hill early this morning — that's after residents were given the all-clear to return with caution yesterday afternoon
- Adam Zampa took four wickets and Travis Head scored a century as Australia claimed an 88-run ODI victory over Pakistan in Lahore
- A Russian missile strike has ripped apart a government building in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. Seven people were confirmed dead
- Adelaide was rattled by a small earthquake for the second time this month. GeoScience Australia reported the magnitude-2.8 tremor around 7pm with the epicentre around Mount Barker, in the Adelaide Hills
- Russia says military activity around the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Chernihiv will be significantly decreased, following peace talks
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Outgoing Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells has used a speech to the Senate to launch a scathing attack on Prime Minister Scott Morrison
The news Australia is searching for
- Prince Philip: Queen Elizabeth II made her first public appearance of the year at a service of thanksgiving for her late husband. The 95-year-old British monarch made her way to her seat at Westminster Abbey with the help of a walking cane and son Prince Andrew, making his first public appearance since last month settling a civil sex assault lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre
- We Don't Talk About Bruno: So there was a performance of the banger of a song from Encanto in The Oscars broadcast, but it wasn't the original version — it was remixed especially for the event. Young fans of the film were not happy:
One more thing: Shane Warne's memorial service will be held this evening
It's being held at the MCG.
The gates will open at 5.30pm for a 7pm start, and the state memorial service is scheduled to run for about two hours.
It'll include performances from Elton John, Chris Martin, Robbie Williams and Ed Sheeran.
Coverage will begin on ABC News Channel and on iview from 6:30pm AEDT.
That's it for now
We'll be back later on with more.
ABC/wires
