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TRANSCRIPT
- Israel expands military operations to target Hezbollah, triggering evacuations in Lebanon and Beirut...
- A new investment in Australia's critical minerals, aimed at protecting national supply...
- Champion drivers prepare for a challenge, with sweeping technical changes in play at the weekend Grand Prix in Melbourne...
Australians stuck in Dubai are exploring different ways to leave the region amid widespread flight cancellations across the Middle East.
Thousands of travellers have been affected as various nations close their airspace, forcing airlines to suspend or reroute services through one of the world’s busiest aviation corridors.
One option being discussed among travellers is crossing into neighbouring Oman, where flights may still be available - and travellers are paying upwards of 1500 dollars.
SBS Arabic spoke to Dubai-based cab driver, Omran Khan, who said interest in cross-border trips has increased.
“Small car is 3000 dirham Dubai to Oman airport. A bigger car 4000 dirhams and bigger than that would be 5000 dirham. Australians don’t need to get a visa and are allowed into Oman. I’m not doing Saudi because we’re not allowed."
There are ongoing questions about Australia's role in the expanding conflict, despite the Albanese government repeatedly saying it will not send troops to fight against Iran.
Two Australians were reportedly aboard a U-S naval submarine that launched a torpedo on an Iranian vessel this week, killing more than 140 sailors.
Cabinet Minister Mark Butler has not confirmed the report, but he has told channel 7 Australian troops are routinely on American submarines as part of the AUKUS defence pact.
"We don't give specific details about where Australian navy or where other Australian Defence Force personnel might be when they are deployed with third countries, including the US."
Liberal Senator Jane Hume says the arrangement is beneficial for all partners.
Israel's army has ordered residents of three villages in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa region to evacuate immediately.
The IDF says it will expand its area of control in southern Lebanon, as it targets Hezbollah militants and infrastructure.
Mass evacuations are now underway across the south, highways choked with traffic as thousands head north to safety.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says the impending military operations are necessary.
"We continue to strike targets of the terror regime in Iran and also against the terror elements in Lebanon. The achievements are great, but much work still remains. I want again to thank my friend President Trump for the cooperation between us, and between Israel and the United States. "
Votes are being counted in Nepal's elections - but the Nepalese people could be waiting until next week for the outcome of the high stakes ballot.
It is the first vote since a violent youth-led uprising against the government, in which 77 people died and the Prime Minister was forced to resign.
Bhojraj Pokharel is an independent analyst who is also Nepal's former chief election commissioner, and says the shift to young people is historic.
"This election, all the political parties, whether they are old or new, they are more focused on the youth. That is a great shift in our electoral history.”
The Federal Government is investing 53 million dollars in a new research centre, in a bid to boost Australia’s critical minerals refining sector.
The funding, which will go to GeoScience Australia, comes after Australia and the U-S signed a critical minerals deal.
Industry Minister Tim Ayres says management of these resources is increasingly important in international diplomacy.
"Yesterday Prime Minister Carney was in the parliament, together with senior ministers from Canada, underscoring the very same point. Middle powers working together to deliver, not just supply chain delivery but mutual prosperity."
To sport now and in Formula One,
Oscar Piastri says he's ready to play as a team member for McLaren, declaring that world championships are not won by defying team orders.
The English team's handling of drivers Piastri and Lando Norris dominated Formula One last season, as Norris came from behind to take the championship from his teammate.
Meanwhile, ahead of this weekend's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, rival Red Bull star Max Verstappen has said this year will be a challenge in the face of a host of sweeping technical changes and new rules.
"So it’s definitely been a bit harder (to start) in pre-season testing to get it right. I think you could see that with everyone. So it will be a little bit more complicated to get a decent start. But at least I think the weather is going to be nice so that’s probably what we need in the beginning, just to get off the line normal.'
