| Australia’s plan to cap international student numbers looks set to be blocked after opposition politicians decided to vote against the proposed laws, even after they had repeatedly urged cuts to migration. The government hoped to limit foreign student commencements at 270,000 for 2025 under the new laws. BHP Group’s Australia chief said the nation can’t rely on its traditional mining export markets and is unprepared for a new era of lower-cost competitors. Australia’s already lost its nickel industry to Indonesia. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lowered its forecast for Australia’s economic growth in 2025, pointing to likely “negative spillovers” from the incoming Trump administration’s expected increase in tariffs on China.  Caroline Kennedy, US ambassador to Australia and cousin to incoming Trump appointee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Photographer: Eric Lee/Bloomberg US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy described her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s views on vaccinations as “dangerous.” He’s about to head up America’s health department.
Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund will invest A$40 million to boost mining equipment manufacturing in the state of Queensland, the billion-dollar vehicle’s first investment since being set up by the Labor government in 2023. | 
