Hello, it's Wednesday, August 3. Here's what you need to get caught up on today's news.
One thing to know: the government's climate bill is set to become law
The Greens have agreed to support Labor's 43 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030 after initially calling for a 75 per cent reduction target.
The party's support now gives the government enough votes to legislate its target.
Greens leader Adam Bandt said his party would now push to amend the safeguard mechanism which penalises big polluting companies that go over a set carbon emissions ceiling.
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen shut down any prospect of a coal and gas moratorium being introduced through the mechanism.
But Mr Bandt said his party would do everything it could to stop new coal and gas projects, saying: "This is round one, there are three years of this parliament."
We heard a lot about Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan
Here's the lowdown:
- The US House Speaker arrived in Taiwan this morning after flying an extra long route from Malaysia to avoid the South China Sea
- She was met by Taiwan's Foreign Minister and released a statement saying Taiwan's democracy was under threat from China
- The trip was seen as controversial in China, where the government lodged an official protest with the US ambassador in Beijing, calling the move an intentional provocation
- As Ms Pelosi landed in Taipei, Beijing announced its fighter jets were flying through the Taiwan Strait, and China announced military drills in six areas surrounding Taiwan
- Ms Pelosi met with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, who is also a regular target of criticism from China's government, and also addressed the parliament, saying she wanted to improve ties between Taipei and Washington
"The story of Taiwan is an inspiration to all freedom-loving people," she said.
“Now, more than ever, America’s solidarity with Taiwan is crucial, and that is the message that we are bringing here today.”
The news Australia is searching for
Mark Buddle: A Darwin judge has approved the extradition of Comanchero boss Mark Buddle to Melbourne after the 37-year-old was arrested by the Australian Federal Police earlier today. He is accused of importing more than 160 kilograms of cocaine into Australia last year.
Nina Kennedy: Nina Kennedy has taken Australia's first athletics medal of the Commonwealth Games, winning gold in the women's pole vault. Kennedy cleared 4.6 metres to claim the gold, but was unable to clear in three attempts to break the Commonwealth Games record in the event.
Eddie Betts: AFL champion Eddie Betts has opened up in his book about a notorious Adelaide Crows camp, revealing he lost passion for football after the "weird" and "disrespectful" experience. Betts accused camp organisers of misusing personal and sensitive information.
One more thing: Batgirl has been canned
Warner Brothers has made an 11th-hour decision not to release Batgirl, even though the film had reached the post-production stage.
Batgirl — starring Leslie Grace, Michael Keaton and Brendan Fraser — was due to be released on streaming platform HBO Max.
But Hollywood sources report Warner Brothers predicted the film wouldn't earn enough money to cover its budget.
The New York Post, which broke the news, cited a source who said the film's budget had exceeded $US100 million ($144.15m) and the film had tanked during audience tests.
A Warner Brothers statement said:
"The decision to not release Batgirl reflects our leadership’s strategic shift as it relates to the DC universe and HBO Max.
“Leslie Grace is an incredibly talented actor and this decision is not a reflection of her performance."
That's it for now
We'll be back tomorrow with more.
ABC/wires
