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TRANSCRIPT:
- More calls for stronger action against Russia at the Munich Security Conference
- An aid group suspends operations in a major Gaza hospital
- A third gold medal makes the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics Australia's most-successful ever
European leaders are calling for stronger military aid and tougher sanctions on Russia, as discussions on ending the war in Ukraine intensify at the Munich Security Conference.
At a Ukrainian lunch event, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says Ukraine cannot win without greater weapons deliveries, financing, and sustained economic pressure, warning Russia is unlikely to come to the negotiating table otherwise.
"You cannot win a war with one of your arms on the back. So, I mean, if we want to win this war, I think we need to give Ukraine what they need when it comes to capabilities and weapons, financing.. ... Russia will not come to the table unless we do what we have to do."
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New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are in the regional town of Orange for the state Labor conference today [[February 14]], where renewable energy policy is a key focus.
The gathering comes a day after a Liberal leadership spill on Friday [[February 13]] saw Angus Taylor elected party leader, with Mr Taylor signalling he will not adopt Labor’s Net Zero policy.
Addressing delegates, Mr Minns said Labor’s approach to renewable energy prioritises delivering benefits for regional communities while avoiding delays to major projects.
"Like anyone in my position, we want fair outcomes. But we are on a deadline here. And delay and more bureaucracy, more red tape, is not one of the options available to us. The Labor party can't make cheap promises and stop these projects. What we can promise is that we will genuinely work with communities and make sure that we get good outcomes for regional communities so everybody can share in the bounty, the changes, the revolutions that's coming with these energy change."
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Members of the Iranian community in Australia have rallied in Sydney and Melbourne, joining a global day of action against Iran’s government and showing solidarity with protesters inside the country.
Mass demonstrations have spread across Iran since January, with authorities imposing a strict internet shutdown as part of a broader crackdown.
Opposition figure Reza Pahlavi called for February the 14th to be marked as a global Day of Action, urging the Iranian diaspora to take part in protests worldwide.
Poultry Sadr, a 29 year old Iranian Australian who attended the Melbourne rally, tells SBS News the internet restrictions have left families overseas fearing for loved ones.
"My father lives in Iran and those days that the internet was cut out, he had no idea how it had been through, I know there are other people that have families in Iran, and that's really hard that you cannot understand what's going on with your family, are they alive or are they dead, that's very bad."
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Exiled Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi says Iran's leadership is at its weakest point, claiming public unrest has pushed it towards collapse.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, the son of Iran’s last shah is urging Western governments to support what he describes as a growing revolt, while insisting Iranians will continue their struggle regardless of outside action.
His remarks come as two US officials say the American military is preparing contingency plans for possible extended operations against Iran if US President Donald Trump authorises strikes.
Mr Pahlavi says international backing could shorten the conflict and reduce casualties.
"It's a matter of time before this regime goes. My point, however, is that the world needs to understand, including the US administration. Now whether or not the Western world intervenes, our fight will continue and the regime will collapse anyway. The only question is at what price do the Iranian people regain their freedom?"
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Aid group Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, is suspending non critical operations at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital after reports of armed, masked men inside the facility.
MSF says suspicious activity has increased since the US brokered ceasefire in October, including intimidation, arbitrary arrests and suspected weapons movement, warning the decision will severely affect medical care in one of Gaza’s few remaining functioning hospitals.
Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of operating from hospitals, an allegation Hamas denies.
Gaza’s Hamas run Interior Ministry says it is committed to preventing armed presence in medical facilities and will take legal action against anyone found carrying weapons inside.
**
Australia is having its most successful Winter Olympics ever, claiming another gold medal.
Freestyle skierJakara Anthony has won gold in the first-ever women's dual moguls event at Milan-Cortina in Italy.
She's now Australia's most-successful-ever Winter Olympian, going past snowboarder Scotty James.
Australia has now won four medals at these games- three gold, and a bronze.
The nation had never previously won more than three medals, or two golds, at a Winter Games.
