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TRANSCRIPT
- Donald Trump says talks with Iran in Pakistan could resume in the coming days.
- Anthony Albanese to try and leverage Australia's food exports to secure better long-term fuel supply.
- AFL star Zak Butters fined for abusing an umpire- but that may bot be the end of the story.
US President Donald Trump says talks with Iran could resume in Pakistan over the next two days.
Gulf, Pakistani and Iranian officials have also said negotiating teams from the US and Iran could return to Pakistan later this week, but one senior Iranian source has told Reuters no date has been set.
Mr Trump claims no ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours, after the collapse of negotiations over the weekend prompted a US blockade on all Iranian ports.
The president says at least six merchant vessels complied with US direction to turn around and re-enter Iranian ports.
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Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon have ended in Washington, with Israel’s envoy Yechiel Leiter calling the meeting a wonderful exchange; and saying both nations are united against Iran-backed Hezbollah.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who mediated the discussions, says they are a historic opportunity to build a lasting peace after decades of tension.
"We understand we are working with decades of history and complexities, that have led us to this unique moment and the opportunity here, I know some of you are shouting questions about ceasefires, this is a lot more than just about that. This is about bringing a permanent end to 20 or 30 years of Hezbollah's influence in this part of the world."
However, prospects for an agreement seem slim, with Hezbollah opposing the talks, and launching rocket attacks on Israeli towns soon after they began.
The conflict has escalated since March, with Israeli strikes killing thousands in Lebanon.
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The International Monetary Fund is warning of a possible global recession, as conflict in the Middle East continues to impact energy prices and the economic growth outlook around the world.
In its latest World Economic Outlook report, the IMF forecasts the Middle East and North Africa region is expected to have sharply slower growth this year, as key oil-exporting countries grapple with the fallout from the war.
The region's real GDP growth forecast was slashed to 1.1% in the IMF's latest World Economic Outlook, 2.8 percentage points lower than its January projection.
The IMF says damage will be limited if hostilities cease quickly and the Strait of Hormuz opens, but the longer the war continues, the worse the economic outlook gets.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will today meet with the Sultan of Brunei to try and further shore up Australia's long-term fuel supplies.
Mr Albanese says he'll try and leverage Australia's food exports to improve the situation, in his talks with one of the world's wealthiest men.
"I'm very much looking forward to meeting with his Majesty the Sultan of Brunei and having the opportunity to reinforce what is a very constructive and positive relationship betwen our two nations. One where Brunei is an important supplier of fertiliser and of 9 percent of our diesel to Australia, and Australia is a reliable supplier of food and othe prroducts here in Brunei as well."
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Artisans in the Iranian city of Isfahan are grieving over US-Israeli strikes that damaged a historical heritage area and has left their businesses without customers.
The square, also known as Naghsh-e Jahan Square, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The centuries old structure dates back to the Safavid dynasty and was damaged on March 9 during US-Israeli attacks.
Handcraft seller Mohsen Ghrehkhani says the blast left the windows of neighbouring shops broken.
"There is no client and people are not shopping, so we have no income. And then mentally also has some impacts. You know, imagine, any time of the day you want to come outside of the home and you think of yourself what if there is an attack right next to you or on the crossroad you are walking or waiting for a taxi to come? What if there is an attack?"
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In the AFL, Port Adelaide say they continue to stand by superstar Zak Butters, despite him being found guilty of abusing an umpire.
Port are yet to say whether they will appeal the decision, which has seen Butters given a $1,500 fine.
Umpire Matthew Foot claims Butters asked him "How much are they paying you" after he awarded a free kick against Port Adelaide in Sunday's game.
Butter denies that is what he said, or that he was impugning the umpire's integrity.
The AFL will release the reasoning behind the verdict today.
