TRANSCRIPT:
- Captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro lands in New York
- The Prime Minister supports a peaceful and democratic transition in Venezuela
- Alex de Minaur suffers a setback at the United Cup in Perth
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has landed in New York where he is expected to face criminal charges after being captured with his wife during US military strikes on the capital Caracas.
President Donald Trump announced the operation after large explosions hit several sites including military installations.
He says the United States will run Venezuela until what he calls a safe and orderly transition can be achieved.
He also says the US firms will move on Venezuela's oil industry.
"We're going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go and spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country. And we are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so."
**
Venezuela's highest ranking remaining member of the government says the US operation is an unprecedented military aggression.
Vice-president, Delcy Rodriguez, states the Trump administration has long had its eyes on her country's petroleum resources.
"We had already warned that an aggression was underway under false excuses and false pretexts, that the masks had fallen, and that it had only one objective: regime change in Venezuela. That regime change would also allow for the seizure of our energy resources, our mineral resources, and our natural resources."
**
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has responded to the situation in Venezuela, urging all parties to support dialogue and diplomacy.
He says Australia has long held concerns about human rights and fundamental freedoms in Venezuela ... and will continue to support a peaceful and democratic transition.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley says the Coalition welcomes news that Nicolas Maduro has been taken into custody, saying the country has endured years of repression and corruption... and supporting free and fair elections.
**
Globally, the US military action in Venezuela has drawn widespread condemnation and expressions of concern.
Brazil's President Lula da Silva says the operation crossed an "unacceptable line", and was joined in criticism by the leaders of Colombia, Cuba, China, Iran and Russia.
But the strikes were welcomed by the conservative administrations in Nicaragua, Argentina and Italy.
French President Emmanuel Macron says the transition to a new government must be peaceful, democratic, and respect the will of the people.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres labelled the developments a "dangerous precedent".
**
More than 60 Australian sports stars have signed a letter calling for a Commonwealth royal commission into the Bondi terror attack which killed 15 civilians.
The letter was organised by Olympians including swimmers Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett, and ex-athlete and hockey player Nova Peris.
Other signatories include Olympic canoeist Jessica Fox, NRL commentator Brad Fittler and several AFL stars and coaches.
The call for a royal commission has been backed by the Human Rights Commissioner, families of the victims, business leaders and the Catholic Bishops Conference.
**
A teenage boy has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a ride-share driver with a machete in Sydney's west.
Police were called to Blacktown shortly after midnight to find the 31-year-old driver in his car with a cut to his arm.
He was treated at the scene and taken to hospital in a stable condition.
The 17 year old boy was arrested at his home in Toongabbie two hours later.
Police allege he stabbed the driver after he refused to let the teen connect his device to the vehicle’s Bluetooth.
He's been charged with wounding person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
**
And in tennis, Alex de Minaur has been beaten by Casper Ruud during Australia's opening United Cup victory against Norway in Sydney.
De Minaur delivered eight double faults as he ceded the match 6-3, 6-3, but says the loss will not derail his preparations for the Australian Open.
After defeating Malene Helgo in the women's singles as a last-minute replacement for Maya Joint, Australian veteran Storm Hunter joined John-Patrick Smith in the mixed doubles to snare a 2-1 win over Norway.
