Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes Australia’s barley exports to China up, PM pledges support for waning nickel industry, Australia joining Exercise Milan 24, and Canberra celebrating 26 years of the Greek Glendi.
Economy
PM pledges support for waning nickel industry
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that any assistance to Australia’s embattled nickel mining industry would only be short-term as the government continues to weigh up ways to rescue the sector, The Australian reported. Mr Albanese’s statement follows revelations that mining giant BHP is considering closing its Nickel West business due to low prices and rising costs. The company employs over 3,000 people and processes nickel material from smaller miners, who will have few viable alternatives if the BHP business goes. The potential closure of Nickel West has put Australia’s broader battery manufacturing strategy in doubt.
Regional trade
Australia’s barley exports to China up
Bloomberg reports that Australia’s barley sales to China have soared since Beijing scrapped tariffs six months ago, highlighting the power of the vast market as the wine industry Down Under prepares for a possible end to its restrictions. China’s rapid return as the dominant buyer of Australian barley raises questions about the success of Canberra’s push to diversify export markets over the past three years. In 2020, Beijing took punitive trade action on some Australian products in response to then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s call for an international investigation into the origins of COVID-19.
Defence
Australia joins Exercise Milan 24
Hosted by India from 19-27 February in the port city of Visakhapatnam and the adjacent Bay of Bengal, Exercise MILAN 24 will bring together approximately 50 nations and around 20 international vessels and aircraft from across the Indo-Pacific and beyond, Joint Forces.com has reported. Australia’s Joint Force Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Jonathan Ley, said the exercise was important for building international relationships and professional development and for Warramunga’s crew to practise operating at sea as part of a sizeable multilateral fleet.
https://www.joint-forces.com/exercise-news/71213-australia-to-participate-in-exercise-milan-24
Culture
26 years of the Greek Glendi celebrated in Canberra
The Greek community of Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) gathered on Sunday, February 18, to celebrate 26 years of the Greek Glendi, the Greek Herald reports. The annual event has been held since 1998 as part of the broader National Multicultural Festival in Canberra and sees the community indulge in Greek food, experience Greek traditions, listen to live music, and watch modern and traditional Greek dance performances.
https://greekherald.com.au/community/canberra-celebrates-26-years-of-the-greek-glendi/
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