TRANSCRIPT
- US President Donald Trump signs defence and investment deals with Qatar
- The Prime Minister to meet his Indonesian counterpart in Jakarta
- Matilda's captain Sam Kerr misses more games due to injury
President Donald Trump has signed economic and defence deals with Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani, during the second leg of his Middle East tour.
Qatar agreed to buy Boeing aircraft and military drones, with the company’s CEO present at the signing.
President Trump praised the Qatari Emir as an outstanding man.
"We always had a very special relationship. And we came from Saudi Arabia, where we have another great man over there that's a friend of yours. And you two guys get along so well and like each other, you sort of remind me a little bit of each other, if you want to know the truth. They're both tall, handsome guys that happen to be very smart."
Mr Trump received a red carpet welcome in Doha, with Qatari F-15 jets escorting Air Force One.
Qatar, which hosts the U-S Central Command at Al-Udeid Air Base, is also reportedly offering President Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 as a temporary Air Force One.
While a decision is pending, critics warn it could be seen as an improper gift from a foreign government.
**
United States President Donald Trump also met Syria's president and urged him to normalise ties with Israel.
Earlier this year Israel bombed and occupied parts of Syria following the downfall of former president Bashar al-Assad.
Mr Trump describes the new president - former al-Qaeda insurgent, Ahmed al-Sharaa - as a real leader who has potential.
The US president also says he will drop sanctions on Syria to - as he put it - give the country a chance at greatness.
**
Gaza's health authorities say Israeli strikes have killed at least 80 people across Gaza, including in Jabalia and Khan Younis.
It comes as United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher criticises Israel's plan to shift responsibility for distribution of aid to private companies.
He describes the proposal as a "cynical sideshow", saying it's simply a cover-up, or fig leaf, for further violence and displacement.
Israel has prevented any aid and food going into the territory for more than 10 weeks, and global hunger monitors are warning of famine.
The World Health Organisation echoed these warnings but Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, says it's a lie.
"They have a lot of supply there, after the temporary ceasefire. We also had witnesses speaking about these stocks, including hostages that returned from them. There is no famine in Gaza Strip, it is simply not true."
Israel's military made no immediate comment on the recent air strikes.
**
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived in Jakarta beginning a three-day visit to Indonesia, his first overseas trip since securing a decisive re-election earlier this month.
The official program starts today with a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace hosted by President Prabowo Subianto, underscoring the importance of the strategic partnership between Indonesia and Australia in the Indo-Pacific region.
It’s become customary for new Australian prime ministers to prioritise a visit to Indonesia, reinforcing ties with key regional partners.
Mr Albanese’s Labor Party secured a second term in a landslide win, defeating opposition leader Peter Dutton, who had proposed breaking tradition by visiting Washington first to pursue a better tariff deal with Donald Trump.
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The Greens are to hold a party room meeting today as they prepare to choose a leader to replace Adam Bandt, who lost his seat in the federal election.
South Australian senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Mehreen Faruqi from New South Wales are expected to contest the Greens leadership.
Queensland senator Larissa Waters has also not ruled out running for the role.
The Greens lost three lower house seats and failed to pick up any extras at the election.
The Queensland seat of Ryan, held by Elizabeth Watson-Brown, is now the only electorate still held by the party.
**
To sport now, Matilda Captain Sam Kerr's comeback date remains a mystery after the star striker was overlooked for the Matildas' return to Canberra in a crucial stop on the road to the Asian Cup.
Kerr hasn't played at any level since rupturing her A-C-L at a Chelsea training camp in January 2024.
She was called into the Matildas camp in March and April in a training capacity but was not selected for upcoming friendlies against Argentina.
Canberra United star Michelle Heyman has been named in a 23-player squad to face Argentina in Melbourne and Canberra.
Coach Tom Sermanni says while injuries are unfortunate, they give younger players more opportunities.
"I think it's a fairly mixed squad with a balance of, obviously, sort of, a group of our senior international players but quite a few young players that have been brought into this squad. It's been quite significantly hit with injuries and withdrawals. So the upside of that is it gives opportunities for other players."
