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TRANSCRIPT:
- South Australia goes to the polls
- The UK to allow the US to use its airbases to target Iran
- Brisbane has inflicted another second-half nightmare on the Storm
After a four-week campaign, South Australians head to the polls with the incumbent Labor government a clear favourite in opinion polls as One Nation looks to overtake the Liberals.
If opinion polls are accurate, One Nation would push the Liberals into third place on primary votes.
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.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is telling voters if they want to make a difference they need to vote for Labor.
This swinging voter tells SKY News a political shakeup for South Australia is a good thing.
"It's good to see Pauline's having that opportunity to come into the market, come into the politics. She's had the issues in the past, but at least she's making inroads into the states as it is. But it does also indicates how weak liberal is becoming. Where Labor and Liberal used to be the sort of strengths that you'd vote for, but me traditionally have been liberal, but I've gone Labor. I've got no choice. I think it's time for a change. I think what we've got at the moment isn't working."
**
The British government has given authorisation for the United States to use military bases in Britain to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites that are attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially rejected a US request to use British bases for the strikes on Iran, saying he needed to be satisfied that any military action was legal.
However, Mr Starmer modified his stance after Iran conducted strikes on British allies across the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump welcomed the decision.
"Well, it's been very late from the UK I was surprised because the relationship is so good. But this has never happened before. They were really pretty much our first ally all over the world. First ally and they didn't want us to use the island, the so-called island, which for some reason they gave up rights to it. And I was a little surprised at the UK, to be honest. But they should have...they should have acted a lot faster."
**
Foreign ministers from 12 Arab and Islamic nations have met in Riyadh, urging Iran to halt its attacks and calling for restraint.
The meeting, hosted by Saudi Arabia, included countries such as Jordan, the UAE, Egypt, Türkiye and Pakistan.
In a joint statement, they called on Iran to immediately stop its attacks and respect international law, saying this was key to de-escalation and regional stability.
They also warned against any actions that could disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud condemned Iran’s missile strikes and mounting regional pressure, including threats to Gulf security and energy routes, saying the kingdom reserves the right to respond militarily if needed.
“This pressure will backfire, will backfire politically, morally and certainly as we have stated quite clearly, we have reserved the right to take military actions if deemed necessary and if the time comes, the leadership of the kingdom will take the necessary decision.”
**
The world's top energy agency says Australians should work from home where possible and drive at slower speeds to limit oil demand during the Middle East conflict.
The recommendations come as Australia's energy minister flags further potential releases from stockpiles after dozens of service stations ran out of fuel.
The International Energy Agency released a series of steps that would ease the burden of the global oil price spike.
Recognising 45 per cent of the world's oil demand comes from road transport, the agency urged workers to stay at home where possible and consider public transport if they need to travel.
Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, Dr Fatih Birol says the world is facing it's worst energy crisis.
"It is much bigger than what we had in the 1970s oil crisis shocks. It is also bigger than the natural gas crisis shock we experienced after the Russian invasion and gas. It is not only oil and gas. Fertilisers, petrochemicals, these are all facing major problems."
**
The remote town of Katherine is facing the threat of a second round of major flooding since suffering its worst floods in almost 30 years earlier in March.
The big storm system called Narelle is heading its way after lashing Queensland's Cape York Peninsula as a category four tropical cyclone.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle has weakened after unleashing destructive winds and torrential rain on far north Queensland, flooding roads and isolating communities.
It is due to cross the Gulf of Carpentaria and move into the Northern Territory later today or early Sunday before weakening to a tropical low as it nears Katherine.
**
To sport and in the NRL, Brisbane have inflicted another second-half nightmare on the Storm, roaring back to win their grand final replay 18-14 in Melbourne to secure their first points of the NRL season.
Coming out for the second half, the Broncos were down 14-0 and completing at just 55 per cent, and looked headed for a third successive loss to open the season.
But second-rower Jordan Riki scored twice in 10 minutes and then Kotoni Staggs burst through to score in the 58th minute to put his side in front for the first time, with Reece Walsh adding the extras for a 18-14 buffer.
