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Ayatollah's son is Iran's new supreme leader | Midday News Bulletin 9 March 2026

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Source: SBS News

The son of the late Ayatollah named as Iran's new supreme leader... oil prices eclipse $US100 per barrel... and in cricket, India beat New Zealand to become the first team to retain the men's Twenty20 World Cup title.


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TRANSCRIPT

Mojtaba Khamenei has been named Iran's new supreme leader.

He is the son of the late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the initial wave of strikes launched by the US and Israel a week ago.

The position gives Mojtaba Khamenei the final say in all matters of state in the Islamic Republic.

A presenter on Iran's state TV confirmed the announcement, saying the nation should unite behind the new leader.

(Farsi then translated into English): "This Assembly, based on the decisive vote of the esteemed members of the Assembly of Experts, appoints and introduces Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third Leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

State media showed images of crowds cheering the announcement of the new leader.

There has been only one other transfer of power in the office of supreme leader since the Islamic Revolution almost a half-century ago.

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US President Donald Trump says he is considering the idea of sending ground troops into Iran to secure the country's stockpiles of enriched uranium, as part of efforts to dismantle Iran's nuclear program.

Mr Trump says preventing Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon is one of his war objectives.

Iran has always denied seeking nuclear weapons and says its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes.

Mr Trump says he is keeping his options open.

"And at some point, maybe we will. It will be a great thing. But right now we're just decimating them. But we haven't gone after it. But it is something we could do later on."

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Oil prices have eclipsed $US100 per barrel [[A$143]] for the first time in more than three-and-a-half years, as the Iran war hinders production and shipping in the Middle East.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says it has warned petrol stations in Australia to not take advantage of the conflict in the Middle East to raise the price of petrol excessively.

The regulator says it will intervene in cases, if instances of price gouging arise.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud says there is a role for federal government to consider legislative measures to reduce the impacts felt in Australia.

"Whether there is a legislative fix then we are open to working with the government (to ensure minimum domestic supply). But they should in the first instance, be working with four big fuel companies to make sure that supply is unlocked for those second tier wholesalers because there is a serious impact on our farmers and regional communities now because it is all being held back for their retail outlets in the capital cities."

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A 15-year-old boy has been charged with possession of violent extremism and child exploitation material.

He had already been charged with alleged torture and indecent treatment offences, after being arrested in September 2025.

The Courier-Mail newspaper is reporting the boy, from the Gold Coast, allegedly sent extremist material to other children online.

Queensland Police say they'll continue to target this type of behaviour.

The teenager has been released on bail, and is expected to appear in a children's court on the 25th of March.

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Adult video platforms have started blocking users in Australia as part of new codes on age verification that come into effect today.

Under the codes, Australian adults are required to verify their ages on adult sites and other services, including AI companion chatbots.

Regulator, the esafety Commissioner, says the codes aim to ensure children aren’t exposed to potentially harmful content such as high-impact violence, pornography; or content promoting suicide, self-harm and disordered eating.

Porn website PornHub had already applied blocks impacting all Australian users from Friday, according to Crikey.

With the Guardian reporting that other websites - including RedTube, YouPorn, and Tube8 - had stopped accepting new account registrations from Australia.

The esafety Commissioner says it will monitor compliance with the new codes, warning that any age check measures must also comply with Australian privacy laws.

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In cricket, India has become the first nation to win back-to-back men's Twenty20 World Cup titles.

India has defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final in Ahmedabad, also becoming the first host nation to win a men's Twenty20 World Cup.

Batting first, India's top three batsmen all scored fifties, giving their side an advantage that was never relinquished.

Player of the Tournament Sanju Samson top-scoring with 89, as India made 5 for 255 from their 20 overs.

In reply, New Zealand could only make 159 - Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah taking four wickets to win Man of the Match.

Indian coach, Gautam Gambhir, says his side's success is based around eliminating the fear of losing.

"The first discussion that we always used to have was that we're not going to fear losing a game of cricket. I think it was important for us to change that mindset, and that's the reason why I say that I think we've created something which all of the people in the dressing room can be really proud of and I'm sure, I think they should be, and their entire country should be proud of all of them."


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