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TRANSCRIPT:
- The Coalition considering Labor's proposal for Australian military assistance to Persian Gulf countries;
- The US embassy in Oslo hit by an explosion;
- Korean Australians looking to support both the North and South teams in the Asian Cup.
The Coalition has responded cautiously to the government's proposal for Australia to provide military aid to Gulf countries hit by Iranian strikes.
Opposition Defence minister James Paterson has released a statement saying Australia has a proud history of standing with its allies in times of crisis, and that the Coalition will carefully consider any proposals for military assistance.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has already ruled out any Australian troops being involved in offensive operations.
Mr Paterson says the Coalition has requested a briefing from the government on the issue.
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US President Donald Trump has raised the possibility of the war against Iran ending only once that country no longer has a functioning military or any remaining leadership in power.
Israel and Iran have traded numerous attacks as the Middle East war enters a second week - but Trump has repeatedly said he is not interested in negotiating with Iran at this point.
He says the US and Israeli air campaign could make it a moot point anyway, if all potential leaders of Iran are killed and the Iranian military is destroyed.
Mr Trump says the United States has to be satisfied with whoever ends up in charge.
"We don't want to come back every five years or every 10 years and do this. So we want to pick a president that it is not going to be leading their country into a war."
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The United States embassy in Oslo has been hit by an explosion, causing minor damage but no casualties or injuries.
Eyewitnesses have told local media they heard a loud blast near the embassy in the city's west, and smoke was seen rising from the compound.
The Oslo police department has said in a statement it was not immediately clear what caused the blast, or who could be responsible.
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Floodwaters have reached their highest levels in more than two decades in the Northern Territory.
The river in Katherine has reached its predicted peak of 19.2 metres, the highest flood levels the town has experienced since 2006.
The Bureau of Meteorology says water levels are expected to stay at major flood levels for at least a week, and potentially through to next weekend.
Northern Territory Police Incident Controller, Shaun Gill, says emergency service efforts are now focused on supporting the residents who have been evacuated.
"Everybody from Daly River has been moved into Foskey's Pavilion and everybody from Palumpa is at Murara Stadium. The flow on effect from that is we have an incredibly large welfare and support network that's required to support all this, including feeding medical treatment and the like as well."
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International Women's Day is being marked around the world, with this year's theme a call to 'balance the scales' and advance progress on gender equity.
Croatia's Ambassador to Australia says it is important that the contribution of women is recognised and embedded within politics and diplomatic circles.
The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution in 2000 that called for an increase in the participation of women at decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes.
Betty Pavelich has told S-B-S that these goals are yet to be fulfilled.
"I think UN statistics indicate that even 25 years - 25 plus years - after UN Security Council 13.25 was adopted on women, peace and security, there are only 7 percent of women at negotiating tables, and 14 percent of women in mediations. So you know, it would be useful for some lessons to be learned in that respect."
[[NOTE: ** The link to the resolution the Ambassador mentioned is here: https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/WPS%20SRES1325%20.pdf]]
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The month-long fast of Ramadan has reached the halfway mark on the remote Cocos Islands, 3,000 kilometres from mainland Australia.
Home Island is one of only two inhabited spots in the 27-island archipelago, serving as a unique Muslim sanctuary, where cross-cultural families and outsiders are embraced.
Nek Su is 83 years old, a descendant of the settlers who shaped this island’s Malay Muslim community.
He has told S-B-S that faith has always been central to life on the Island.
"Our shared faith is sacred to us, it provides a moral compass that guides us to treat one another with fairness, respect, and a deep sense of harmony."
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To sport,
Korean Australians are celebrating the chance to support athletes from North and South Korea, as both teams compete in this years Women's Asian Cup tournament.
South Korea will play the Matildas this evening, four years after the Australian side lost to South Korea in the quarter finals stage of the Cup in India.
North Korea has secured its place in the quarter finals after a triumphant 5-0 win over Bangladesh on Friday.
Daniel Han, who runs a supporters group for Korean Australians, has told SBS Korean having both teams in the tournament offers an important chance for unity.
"Sydney is a very special place for Koreans. We live in a multicultural society in Australia, and we wanted to come together to support these athletes, no matter where they come from. We would like to recognise their hard work and efforts, and also promote peace."
