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Iran’s military command is warning oil prices could surge to $US200 a barrel if the war in the Middle East spreads further.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, also launched a blistering attack on US President Donald Trump, accusing him of backing Israel and escalating the conflict, calling him a Zionist child-killer.
He warned instability in the region could send global energy markets into turmoil.
"You will not be able to keep oil and energy prices artificially low. As we have already warned, if the war spreads across the region, expect oil to reach $200 per barrel. Oil prices follow the level of security in the region and the source of that insecurity is you."
The Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil supply, lies at the centre of the standoff.
Analysts say oil at $200 a barrel could trigger a global economic shock, sending petrol prices soaring, driving up inflation, increasing shipping and electricity costs, and pushing the price of food and everyday goods higher worldwide.
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Iran has once more attacked Dubai international airport, with strikes falling in the vicinity of the airport and injuring four people.
The regime is escalating a campaign of targeting oil facilities and transport hubs, in response to bombardment by the U-S.
Two drones fell near Dubai's main airport and Bahrain evacuated some planes on Wednesday.
Authorities are searching for three missing crew members from a Thai cargo ship that was also hit by an Iranian projectile in the Strait of Hormuz.
At least 12 incidents have been confirmed involving vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz since the 2nd of March.
The International Maritime Organization says at least seven mariners have been killed.
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Lebanon's Health ministry is reporting 634 people - including 90 children and 47 women, have been killed by Israel's strikes on militant group, Hezbollah.
The new figures were released overnight [[Wed-Thurs AEDT]], with the country's government reporting 800 thousand people displaced from their homes.
Israel’s widespread strikes in Lebanon are intensifying, while Iran-backed Hezbollah vows to keep firing missiles and drones into Israel and refuses to disarm.
Stephane Dujarric, the United Nations spokesperson for the Secretary General, raised the agency's concerns over the escalating conflict.
"The U-N Mission continues to facilitate humanitarian access in support of those impacted by the ongoing hostilities. We urge all involved to avail of diplomatic channels to avoid further escalation and return to the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701."
The latest round of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began earlier this month [[2 March]], when Hezbollah fired rockets and drones on northern Israel after Iran’s Supreme Leader was killed in a joint U-S-Israeli operation.
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The government-appointed Special Adviser to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has quit his role.
Former senior public servant Dennis Richardson was initially appointed by the federal government to lead a review into federal intelligence agencies following the Bondi attack that killed 15 victims.
However, following weeks of pressure, the government eventually introduced the Royal Commission on Antisemitism, and Mr Richardson was appointed as a Special Advisor.
In a statement, Royal Commissioner Virginia Bell has thanked Mr Richardson for his contribution.
The precise reason for his resignation has not been stated.
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Southern New South Wales has recorded a 4.4 magnitude earthquake.
The quake struck around 7pm local time ast night [[wed 11 mar]].
More than 3,400 people have reported they felt tremors, with reports coming from across Central New South Wales, Sdyney, Wollongong and Canberra.
Data by Geoscience Australia shows that the earthquake struck at a depth of 12 kilometres.
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Matildas defender Clare Hunt says the team isn't bothered by any pressure at the Asian Cup.
Australias' magical run to the semi-finals of the World Cup on home soil in 2023 has raised expectations for the team.
But they only finished second in their group at this tournament, setting up their quarter-final showdown against Group B runners-up North Korea in Perth tomorrow night. [[Friday 8pm AEDT]].
Hunt says coping with pressure is just part of the job.
"I think the pressure is always going to be there when you have a home tournament, so I think for us, we're just focusing on our role. To be honest, it's not a big factor in how we prepare. So, yeah, we are just focusing on ourselves."
