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TRANSCRIPT:
- Iran promises to attack Americans wherever they are, as the UAE intercepts missiles this morning
- Australians are urged not to panic and cancel travel plans as the Iranian conflict widens
- The Matildas beat Iran four nil on the Gold Coast
The United Arab Emirates is defending missiles over its airspace this morning, after an Iranian army commander said the nation will target Americans wherever they are.
Air raid sirens are sounding across Dubai, with debris from drones and interceptors landing in the streets.
Iran has said the Trump Administration will "bitterly regret" launching a torpedo on an Iranian naval ship in international waters, killing more than 140 sailors.
Commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, General Kioumars Heydari, told the country's state television Iran "decided to fight Americans wherever they are."
New York Governor, Kathy Hochul said while the state is on heightened alert for terrorist attacks, there was no imminent danger.
"So we take it very seriously. We're working, hand in hand with NYPD. They are some of the best in the world in dealing with these crises. They've had to deal with it for far more than other cities have. And so, so we are, I would say, concerned but there are no credible threats at this time."
**
The US has asked Ukraine for help defending Gulf allies against Iranian drones.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, writing on the X social media platform, says Ukraine has received a request from the United States for specific support in protection against Iranian-designed missiles in the Middle East region
He says Ukraine would be willing to swap its interceptor drones for more US Patriot air defences to protect against Russian ballistic missiles attacking Ukraine.
"Our request is very straightforward. We would like - with the help of countries we can name and those we cannot - to cover our deficit in Patriot missiles. And in return, we can provide the corresponding number of interceptors."
Meanwhile Russia and Ukraine have announced the exchange of hundreds of prisoners of war, with 500 on each side repatriated.
The swap was mediated by the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
A new round of talks between Russia and Ukraine planned for this week has been postponed because of war in the Middle East.
**
Australians with travel plans are being urged not to panic and cancel flights, despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Another flight from Dubai is expected to land in Sydney today, bringing home more previously stranded Australians.
The first commercial flight to Australia since the outbreak of the U-S and Israeli conflict with Iran arrived late on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he hopes two more flights scheduled to depart Dubai the same day will proceed.
Australian Travel Industry Association chief executive Dean Long says airlines are adapting, with Etihad, Emirates and some Asian carriers continuing to operate normally.
**
New South Wales is considering a change to rules barring cannabis users from being behind the wheel.
Currently the law says it is illegal for motorists to drive if they have any amount of THC in their system, a substance that is a psychoactive component of cannabis.
That rule applies even to those who have a medicinal prescription for cannabis.
But Premier Chris Minns has told a parliamentary budget hearing that he is considering a proposal to change the state's hard-line stance.
"We're seeing hundreds of thousands of people accessing it (cannabis). And we think we need a fit for purpose regime on NSW roads."
**
The Queensland parliament has approved new hate speech laws that it hopes will combat antisemitism.
The phrases "globalise the intifada" and "from the river to the sea" are now specifically outlawed, and their utterance in Queensland is punishable by up to two years' jail.
President of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, Jason Steinberg, has called the passage of the reforms a significant moment for Jewish Queenslanders.
But Labor says it voted against the legislation, with opposition leader Steven Miles maintaining the bill was an attack on free speech.
**
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says travellers may pay higher costs as a result of a nationwide infrastructure building push at airports.
The Commission's latest report says airports around the country have proposed to spend a cumulative 20 billion dollars over the next decade on infrastructure projects.
ACCC commissioner Anna Brakey tells the SBS On the Money podcast that while the projects are needed to increase airport capacity, they will also likely place upward pressure on airport charges that airlines have to pay, and airlines will pass those charges on to customers.
"Twenty billion dollars is a really big capital expenditure amount for the airports to be spending and we do expect that will end up in higher air fares"
**
To sport now. ... The Matildas are now in the top spot in their group of the Asian Cup following a resounding win on the Gold Coast against Iran.
The Australian side dominated, to win four goals to nothing.
The only downside to the night for the Matildas was that Hayley Raso failed to finish the match due to a suspected concussion.
But after the match Matildas veteran Alanna Kennedy said she was glad to see so many of the younger players performing well on the pitch.
"Yeah, it's amazing to see the talent that we have coming through. I mean the next generation, a lot of us have been here a long time but seeing them step up in big occasions in front of a big crowd, it's really great to see and we love to see everyone doing well."
