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TRANSCRIPT:
- Five players from Iran's women's football team are under Australian protection
- World leaders take action to curb effects of surging oil prices
- The Matildas to play North Korea in the Asian Cup quarter finals
Five members of Iran’s women’s national football team are seeking help from the Australian government after breaking free from their delegation and coming under Australian Federal Police protection.
Government sources confirmed the development to SBS News on Monday night.
The team had been staying under tight Iranian security at a Gold Coast hotel during the Women’s Asian Cup.
Concerns for the players’ safety grew after they refused to sing Iran’s national anthem before their opening match against South Korea, in what was widely seen as a silent protest.
It remains unclear which players are seeking asylum in Australia and the Australian Federal Police and Queensland Police have declined to comment.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has reportedly travelled to Brisbane to meet the players.
**
G-7 nations have discussed surging crude oil prices and fuel security but have agreed not to release strategic reserves for now.
Finance ministers said Europe and the United States are not currently facing supply shortages, but warned they are prepared to act if the situation worsens.
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil says the option of releasing national oil reserves remains on the table.
“You saw the French declaration that we are now also keeping open the option of drawing on national oil reserves. Now is not the right time, but we, including Germany, are open to doing so in a coordinated process at the appropriate time.”
Strategic oil stockpiles in Western economies are coordinated through the Paris-based International Energy Agency.
**
Human Rights Watch have accused the Israeli military of unlawfully using artillery-fired white phosphorus munitions in populated areas of southern Lebanon.
The Rights group have issued a statement saying they have verified several images showing the chemical substance being deployed over a residential part of the town of Yohmor on March 3.
White phosphorus can set homes, agricultural areas, and other civilian objects on fire, and Human Rights Watch says its use in populated areas does not meet legal requirements to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian harm under international humanitarian law.
The group says it's use in southern Lebanon highlights the need for stronger international law on incendiary weapons.
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Lawyers for one of the men accused of carrying out the Bondi terror attack have sought a court order to prevent the media from naming his family, citing safety concerns.
Naveed Akram's lawyers requested the names of his immediate family be suppressed, as well as their home address and places of work and schooling.
Magistrate Greg Grogan extended an interim suppression order until next month, citing media interest in the case, which is expected to return to court briefly next week.
Police allege Mr Akram and his father Sajid opened fire on a Jewish Hanukkah event in December last year, killing 15 people.
**
The Federal Government has urged increased investment in renewable energy, amid concerns over Australia's energy stability.
Australia's energy security has been questioned as war in the Middle East continues to cause oil and gas prices to rapidly rise.
One Nation Senator Barnaby Joyce has pointed to Labor's climate policies as the cause for Australia's fuel vulnerability.
But Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the shift to renewables will better position Australia.
"We've done a lot of work to ensure that we have enough petrol and diesel to get us through and we've done that work and it's there. But it remains the case that the one form of energy which Vladimir Putin or a Middle Eastern crisis cannot interrupt is the flow of sun and the flow of wind. That cannot be interrupted. And that is one of the reasons why we entered this crisis better prepared than before."
**
The Matildas will play North Korea in the Asian Cup quarter finals, after North Korea lost to China in Sydney on Monday night.
North Korea had the better start against China, scoring first just after the half hour mark through Kim Kyong-Yong.
But that shock goal stung China into action, firing back a quick reply and then nailing a crucial go-ahead goal to secure the 2-1 victory.
Ahead of the Matilda's game against China on Friday, defender Ellie Carpenter says her team has learnt from mistakes made at the same tournament four years ago.
"I think we have that in the back of our mind and we felt the disappointment four years ago when we did get knocked out in the quarter final. And I think also knowing that a World Cup qualification spot is also on the line on Friday night, I think that's also a big thing. Obviously the tournament as well. So I think Friday, for me, it's the do or die game. We have to win that. It's the most important game of this tournament."
