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SBS News in Easy English 9 March 2026

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TRANSCRIPT

Mojtaba Khamenei has been named Iran's new supreme leader.

He is the son of the late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the initial wave of strikes launched by the US and Israel a week ago.

The position gives Mojtaba Khamenei the final say in all matters of state in the Islamic Republic.

A presenter on Iran's state TV confirmed the announcement, saying the nation should unite behind the new leader.

State media showed images of crowds cheering the announcement of the new leader.

Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment will likely draw the ire of US President Donald Trump, who said on Sunday [[8 Mar]] that the US should have a say in the selection of Iran's supreme leader.

There has been only one other transfer of power in the office of supreme leader since the Islamic Revolution almost a half-century ago.

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US President Donald Trump says he is considering the idea of sending ground troops into Iran to secure the country's stockpiles of enriched uranium, as part of efforts to dismantle Iran's nuclear program.

Mr Trump says preventing Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon is one of his war objectives.

Iran has always denied seeking nuclear weapons and says its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes.

Mr Trump says he is keeping his options open.

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Federal government minister Tanya Plibersek says the situation facing the Iranian women's football team needs to be handled delicately.

Iran's team lost its last group match at the Women's Asian Cup [[with a 2-nil loss to Philippines]] and are now due to return to Iran.

An online petition [[on the Change.org website]] - organised by the Australian Iranian Council - has collected more than 51,000 signatures urging the Australian government to give refuge to the team.

It calls on Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to ensure the team does not depart Australia while concerns for their safety remain.

Those concerns have grown after a presenter om Iran's state TV criticised the players for refusing to sing Iran's national anthem during their game against South Korea last week.

The players union FIFPRO had previously called on the Asian Football Confederation and global football’s governing body, FIFA, to uphold their human rights obligations and undertake all necessary steps to ensure the safety of Iran's squad.

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Oil prices have eclipsed $US100 per barrel [[A$143]] for the first time in more than three-and-a-half years, as the Iran war hinders production and shipping in the Middle East.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says it has warned petrol stations in Australia to not take advantage of the conflict in the Middle East to raise the price of petrol excessively.

The regulator says it will intervene in cases, if instances of price gouging arise.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud says there is a role for federal government to consider legislative measures to reduce the impacts felt in Australia.

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A 15-year-old boy has been charged with possession of violent extremism and child exploitation material.

He had already been charged with alleged torture and indecent treatment offences, after being arrested in September [[2025]].

The Courier-Mail newspaper is reporting the boy, from the Gold Coast, allegedly sent extremist material to other children online.

Queensland Police say they'll continue to target this type of behaviour.

The teenager has been released on bail, and is expected to appear in a children's court on the 25th of March.

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Adult video platforms have started blocking users in Australia as part of new codes on age verification that come into effect today [[Mon 9 Mar]].

Under the codes, Australian adults are required to verify their ages on adult sites and other services, including AI companion chatbots.

Regulator, the esafety Commissioner, says the codes aim to ensure children aren’t exposed to potentially harmful content such as high-impact violence, pornography; or content promoting suicide, self-harm and disordered eating.

Porn website PornHub had already applied blocks impacting all Australian users from Friday, according to Crikey.

With the Guardian reporting that other websites - including RedTube, YouPorn, and Tube8 - had stopped accepting new account registrations from Australia.

The esafety Commissioner says it will monitor compliance with the new codes, warning that any age check measures must also comply with Australian privacy laws.

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In cricket, India has become the first nation to win back-to-back men's Twenty20 World Cup titles.

India has defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final in Ahmedabad, also becoming the first host nation to win a men's Twenty20 World Cup.

Batting first, India's top three batsmen all scored fifties, giving their side an advantage that was never relinquished.

Player of the Tournament Sanju Samson top-scoring with 89, as India made 5 for 255 from their 20 overs.

In reply, New Zealand could only make 159 - Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah taking four wickets to win Man of the Match.

Indian coach, Gautam Gambhir, says his side's success is based around eliminating the fear of losing.

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Rugby League star Zac Lomax is jumping ship to rugby union, in a boost for the Wallabies ahead of next year's World Cup on Australian soil.

Lomax has signed with Super Rugby side the Western Force on a two-year-deal.

The 26-year-old outside back has played for both New South Wales and Australia in rugby league.

His attempted defection to the proposed R-360 (three sixty) rugby union competition last year caused a schism with his rugby league club side, the Parramatta Eels, that could not be fixed.

He attempted to move to fellow N-R-L side the Melbourne Storm, but this was blocked in court.


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