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TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin;
- Ben Roberts-Smith says he will use his trial to clear his name over alleged war crimes
- Deputy PM Marles says it's a matter of global urgency to reopen Strait of Hormuz
- And in sport, Manchester City prepare for do or die show-down with Arsenal.
Australia’s most decorated living soldier Ben Roberts-Smith says he will use his upcoming trial to clear his name over alleged war crimes.
The Victoria Cross recipient described his arrest on the tarmac at Sydney Airport as an “unnecessary spectacle” and asked for privacy for his family.
He was granted bail on Friday after being charged with murdering, or ordering the murders of, five unarmed detainees in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
Mr Roberts-Smith has consistently denied the allegations and says he will fight the charges.
"As I have always maintained, I categorically deny all of these allegations , and while I would have preferred that these charges not be brought, I will be taking this opportunity to finally clear my name. I'm proud of my service in Afghanistan. While I was there, I always acted within my values, within my training and within the rules of engagement.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) say they will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the US lifts its naval blockade on the waterway.
Overnight, Iran announced it would shut down shipping in the Strait yet again just a day after it said it would be re-opened to commercial vessels, in response to the ceasefire in Lebanon.
In a statement on its official news outlet, the IRGC said they made the move after the United States violated its commitments under the two-week ceasefire, which took effect on April 8, and didn't lift its naval blockade against Iranian vessels and ports.
IRGC vessels were reported to have fired on oil tankers in the Strait overnight.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says Iran's re-closure of the Strait of Hormuz is "disappointing".
"Obviously that is a disappointing development overnight. Clearly this is a situation which is in flux. We have a fragile ceasefire in place. What we need to see now is every diplomatic avenue being pursued to turn this temporary ceasefire into one that is permanent, to obviously open the Strait of Hormuz, to return the global fuel supply chain to normality and to put events on a pathway to peace."
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Meanwhile, following criticism from Donald Trump for not helping with his naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy have reiterated that that the US has not requested any warships.
Mr Conroy tells Sky News' Sunday Agenda that the only request Australia has received was for the deployment of the Wedgetail airborne early warning platform, to help protect the Gulf States from Iranian missiles.
However he reiterates that Australia's alliance with the US remains in good shape.
"The alliance is stronger today than it has been in a long, long time, it's the bedrock of Australian security. We're committed to increasing our sovereignty and self-reliance but that self-reliance is within the alliance and you saw that in the release of the National Defence Strategy, which was very clear about increasing our sovereign manufacturing capability, partnering with like-minded countries including Japan - the visit by the Japanese Defence Minister was very important, but our alliance with the United States still is the bedrock of our security."
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Vanuatu is to renew its climate justice fight at the United Nations General Assembly with a watered down draft resolution, after pushback from oil-producing nations.
The Pacific island nation is at the forefront of the quest to get financial support for countries suffering climate loss and as they faced a backlash over a proposal for a global register, recording climate change damage.
In 2024, Vanuatu spearheaded the General Assembly's request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the responsibility of states to fulfill their climate commitments.
The world's top court last year ruled that states were obliged to tackle climate change under international law, or pay reparations to vulnerable countries.
A vote is expected in May.
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A 25-year-old man will remain in custody after facing court over an alleged domestic violence-related murder near Newcastle.
Emergency services were called to a residence in Windale, southwest of the city, just after 8pm last night [[Saturday]] following reports of a welfare concern.
Lake Macquarie District police commander Tracey Chapman says upon arrival officers found a 25-year-old man outside the home, before conducting a search of the premises.
"Following a search of the home, police located the body of a female believed to be in her forties. Unfortunately, despite best efforts of New South Wales paramedics, she was unable to be revived. The crime scene was established, and an investigation has been commenced under Strike Force Bobak to investigate the circumstances of her death. The 25 year old man has been subsequently charged with DV homicide."
The suspect, who is the victim's son. was bail refused this morning [[Sunday]], and is due to appear in Newcastle local court on 17 June.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
The Men’s Referral Service, operated by No to Violence, can be contacted on 1300 766 491.
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And in sport,
Manchester City's coach Pep Guardiola says their match against Arsenal is a must win final, saying if they lose it's over.
His comments came ahead of their game tonight (Monday, 1.30am AEST), as both teams are on top of the Premier League standings - with City ahead of Arsenal by six points.
"If we lose it is over. The other two results, knowing that Arsenal didn't win at Bournemouth, we still have games to play. Six games is a lot in our calendar especially."
He stressed there is still a lot to do, although if they lose the match it would effectively end his side's hopes in the Premier League title race.
Guardiola says there's little room for error at the the much-anticipated decisive game at Etihad Stadium, admitting that anything less than three points would leave his team in a difficult position.
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