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TRANSCRIPT:
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaks with her US counterpart on the war in the Middle East
- Donald Trump calls NATO allies cowards
- The Matildas make final preparations for tonight's AFC Asian Cup final
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has told her United States counterpart she does not want to see the war in the Middle East continue to escalate.
Ms Wong spoke with US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Friday, discussing the conflict in the Middle East and Iran's retaliatory action in response to initial strikes by the US and Israel in February.
The pair discussed how the choking of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for around a fifth of the world's oil and gas exports on Iran's southern border, was impacting the global economy and energy security.
In a statement Ms Wong says she and Mr Rubio agreed that the international community must keep working together to ensure free passage through critical waterways.
**
United States President Donald Trump has lashed out at NATO allies, calling them cowards, and accusing them of failing to support the US Israel war against Iran and refusing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
In a social media post, he wrote: "Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz ... COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!”
Mr Trump says reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route, would be a simple step to ease price pressures.
Germany, Britain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada have pledged to support in what they say are appropriate efforts to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait.
However, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says any involvement depends on an end to fighting, while French President Emmanuel Macron insists de-escalation remains the priority, with no appetite across Europe to enter the war.
**
More than 100 service stations in New South Wales have reported running out of diesel, as the country's energy minister flags further potential stockpiles releases if the war in the Middle East continues.
The Latest figures from NSW showed of the state's roughly 2500 service stations, 42 have no petrol and the number without diesel has risen from 80 to 107.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has said the government is willing to release more fuel from the strategic reserve if it becomes necessary to do so, but at this stage supply is stable.
**
South Australians are set to head to the polls today ((Saturday 21)), in an election seen as a litmus test of One Nation's rise in the opinion polls.
A Newspoll survey conducted for The Australian newspaper has put primary support for Labor at 40 per cent, followed by One Nation at 22 per cent, ahead of the Liberals on 16 per cent.
Premier Peter Malinauskas' landslide 2022 election win was built on a promise to bring down ambulance ramping, which the Liberal party says Labor has failed to deliver.
As part of his final pitch to voters, the Premier has defended his party's response to the persistent problem.
"While we haven't got ramping down as much as what we would've liked, it is also true to say that we have got ambulances rolling up on time. This time four years ago, people were dying waiting for an ambulance because the ambulance was getting their late two out of three occasions for a life-threatening emergency. Now we've completely turned it around so that they're rolling up two out of three occasions on time."
**
A First Nations community on the Northern Territory island of Groote Eylandt is bracing for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
While the weather system weakened over the Cape York Peninsula on Friday after making landfall, it's likely to re-intensify as it tracks towards the west across the Gulf of Carpentaria in coming days.
Cyclone Narelle is expected to impact Groote Eylandt and other areas of the eastern Top End, likely causing very destructive winds, heavy rain, flooding, large waves and a dangerous storm tide.
Kupa Teao, the chief executive of Anindilyakwa Land Council, has told SBS many resources have been directed into preparing for the cyclone, but there’s still a sense of uncertainty within the community.
"No one knows what's going to happen when the storm suddenly hits the island, but I guess we're directing a lot of our resources and have a lot of communications into the planning, the prep work."
**
Actor Chuck Norris, best known for Walker, Texas Ranger and martial arts classic The Way of the Dragon, has died at the age of 86, his family has confirmed.
His family released a statement confirming his death saying he was a symbol of strength and the heart of our family.
Before his rise in Hollywood, Mr Norris was a highly decorated martial artist, winning multiple championships and building a reputation that would define his on-screen persona.
He went on to become one of the most recognisable action stars of his generation, with Walker, Texas Ranger cementing his legacy on television.
**
To sport, and in women's football, the Matildas are making final preparations for their showdown against Japan at tonight's AFC Asian Cup final.
Japan has been undefeated on their journey to the final, and are hoping to complete a hat-trick of Asian Cup titles.
The two teams have been up against one another in the final twice before, both times Japan coming out on top.
Matilda's Vice-Captain Ellie Carpenter says she's hopeful Australia will be celebrating their first win at the tournament since the 2010 games in China.
"It's been 16 years since we've lifted that trophy. I've been in this team for 10 years and haven't lifted a trophy with the team yet. So yeah, tomorrow's an amazing opportunity for us to hopefully do that. And I think it'll be a cherry on top for most of the girls could be their last tournament with this team. So yeah, it's a big one."
