The US launches a new round of strikes at Iran as Tehran warns of a red line; calls for temporary protections on data centre projects before new national rules take effect; France to play England in the World Cup’s third-place playoff.
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TRANSCRIPT
- The US launches a new round of strikes at Iran as Tehran warns of red line
- Calls for temporary protections on data centre projects before new national rules take effect
- France to play England in the World Cup’s third-place playoff
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Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is a 'red line', warning that if the US carries out threats to attack infrastructure, it will strike infrastructure across the Gulf region.
The spokesperson for the Iranian military’s central command, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, says Iran will under no circumstances permit the US to interfere with the Strait of Hormuz.
In a fifth night of attacks, the US military says it inflicted a six-hour wave of strikes in multiple locations to "degrade Iran's ability to threaten innocent mariners" in the Strait of Hormuz.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says she believes Iran is desperate to make a deal.
"Iran very much continues to talk to the United States of America and express that they want to make a deal with us because they are suffering devastating blows, on behalf of our United States military."
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Yemen's Houthis have warned they will target Saudi Arabia's oil facilities and other infrastructure, if conflict escalates between the two sides.
The Iran-backed Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of attacking Sanaa airport on Monday, in the most significant escalation between the foes since a 2022 truce.
Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi says oil facilities in Saudi Arabia could be targeted, if things escalate.
"All Saudi oil facilities and vital facilities are targets for our missiles and our drones if they embroiled themselves in the comprehensive aggression against our country and has moved toward escalation instead of respecting themselves and ending his siege, and end this vile and insolent interference in all of our affairs"
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Calls are mounting for immediate action to prevent data centre firms from rushing projects through before national rules take effect.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has outlined new legal standards for artificial intelligence and data centres, setting up a framework to manage the rollout of the emerging technology, which will be introduced in early 2027.
The government plans to require data centre operators to cover the cost of new energy generation - in response to concerns from communities about the environmental impacts.
But advocates are urging the government to introduce temporary protections in the immediate term, after Mr Albanese conceded the regulations would only target new centres.
This would allow developers to seek approval under the current patchwork of state and territory rules until the national regulations take effect.
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The antisemitism Royal Commission has been told a university student whose family members were killed in Gaza was asked for their death certificates to get an exam extension.
Counsel for the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network Yasser Bakri has told the inquiry a supervisor said the student needed to obtain proof of each death before being given more time.
ANU acting provost Joan Leach has described that as an inappropriate response, lacking in empathy.
Leach: "That is very unfortunate if that is the case, and that should not have happened."
Yasser Bakri, Counsel for Australia Palestine Advocacy Network: “On my instructions that is precisely what occurred. Are you aware of that?"
Leach: "I am not."
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Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has announced proposed changes to strengthen Australia's Modern Slavery Act.
Under the changes, large companies with annual revenue over $100 million dollars could face criminal charges for failing to prevent modern slavery.
The Walk Free Global Slavery Index estimates Australia has more than 41,000 people trapped in forms of modern slavery, including those working as forced labourers.
CEO at human rights organisation International Justice Mission Australia David Braga has told SBS the changes would improve accountability.
"The current obligations for large companies with over $100 million dollars turnover under the current act, is only to be able to report on their view of modern slavery and human trafficking in their supply. That's good, but it doesn't actually address the real-world problems that we see. This announcement is very welcome. It gives us the potential to actually transform the way companies need to look at the problems of their supply chain and look to take some real-world steps."
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And in World Cup news, France and England will meet in the third-place playoff on Sunday.
France's attacking quality has been a feature throughout the tournament, while England will look to respond after Argentina’s late comeback win.
England player Jude Bellingham and captain Harry Kane will be key to England's hopes, while France’s captain Kylian Mbappé remains the country’s biggest player.
Meanwhile, Spain will face Argentina in the final - with the spotlight on Spain’s 19-year-old Lamine Yamal and Argentina's Lionel Messi.
