US-Iran conflict widens beyond military targets; Australian government adopts key recommendations to combat Islamophobia; Wallabies warned not to underestimate Italy.
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TRANSCRIPT
- US-Iran conflict widens beyond military targets as attacks spread across the Gulf
- Australian government adopts key recommendations to combat Islamophobia
- The Wallabies warned not to underestimate Italy.
The conflict between the United States and Iran has escalated further, with both sides widening their targets beyond military sites.
Washington says it has struck bridges and military logistics infrastructure in southern Iran, while Tehran says it has responded by targeting a power and desalination plant in Kuwait, a US radar station in Oman, and US military facilities in Bahrain, Jordan, and for the first time, Syria.
The United States disputes the Syria claim.
Iranian officials say recent US strikes have killed dozens of people and wounded hundreds.
Meanwhile, CBS News reports several American service members were injured in Iranian attacks on two bases in Jordan over the past week.
The United Nations is urging both sides to return to diplomacy.
Secretary-General spokesperson Farhan Haq says attacks on civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and reiterates there is no military solution to the conflict, which is increasingly centred on control of the Strait of Hormuz.
"The Secretary-General is particularly concerned about attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran and across the region. He reiterates his firm conviction that there's no military solution to this conflict and calls for stepped up diplomatic efforts towards a peaceful and durable settlement."
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The federal government has accepted 35 of 54 recommendations from a landmark report on tackling Islamophobia.
The measures include a review of the national school curriculum to better reflect Muslim Australians' contributions, public education campaigns to counter misinformation, and almost $42 million dollars to improve security at mosques, Islamic schools and other Muslim faith-based institutions.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says there is no place in Australia for anti-Muslim hatred or racial intolerance, describing the response as practical action to strengthen social cohesion.
"Every Australian deserves to be safe, respected, and at home in our country. And what we have seen is a rise in Islamophobic attacks and abuse directed at Muslim Australians. Hate directed at one community hurts us all, because our diversity is one of Australia's great strengths, and we won't as a nation let hatred divide us. It's clear that we need to do more."
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says Islamophobia remains significantly under-reported.
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At least eight Palestinians have been killed and 20 wounded in an Israeli airstrike during a funeral in central Gaza, according to local health officials.
The strike hit mourners in Nuseirat attending the funeral of a person killed in an earlier attack.
Gaza health officials say at least four other people were killed in separate Israeli strikes elsewhere in the territory.
Hamas has condemned the attacks and called on mediators and the United Nations to intervene.
Mahmoud Labad, whose children were injured in the strike, says there does not seem to be a ceasefire in place.
"They say we are in a truce... where is this truce they are talking about? This is not a truce, this is a war. Blood is bleeding from everywhere – from a child, from a tree, from a boy, from absolutely anything, blood is just pouring down. They haven't spared a tree, they haven't spared a piece of land, they haven't spared a child, they haven't spared a home ... they haven't left anything."
The Israeli military says it is looking into the incidents.
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And now to sport.
Wallabies winger Harry Potter says Italy are no longer a team Australia can afford to underestimate.
Italy claimed their first-ever win over the Wallabies in 2022 before backing it up with a 26-19 victory in Udine last year.
The Italians have continued their rise this season with wins over England and Scotland in the Six Nations.
Potter says the Wallabies still have plenty of bad memories from last year's defeat and know Italy are now a genuine force in world rugby.
Australia heads into the match having lost nine of their past 10 Test matches.
