Donald Trump threatens Oman with military action over Hormuz negotiations with Iran; Government faces crucial Senate vote on gambling advertising; Australia resists calls for major changes after its shock Test loss to Bangladesh.
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TRANSCRIPT
- Donald Trump threatens Oman with military action over Hormuz negotiations with Iran.
- Government faces crucial Senate vote on gambling advertising.
- Australia resists calls for major changes after its shock Test loss to Bangladesh.
US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Oman as a 60-day deadline for the US and Iran to negotiate an end to the war expires without a deal.
Speaking on Fox News, Mr Trump says the U-S would bomb Oman if it gets in the way of American efforts to broker a deal to re-open the Strait of Hormuz.
The threat comes as Iran and Oman work to finalise an agreement on managing shipping through the waterway.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei says the two countries have agreed on a proposed transit route and are working on a joint statement.
"Talks between Iran and Oman are proceeding with determination. Both sides are actively exchanging views on the joint statement to reach a consensus that addresses the interests and concerns of both nations, while ensuring compliance with international shipping considerations."
The U-S is demanding the Strait fully reopen before it ends its blockade of Iranian ports.
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United States special envoy to the Middle East Jared Kushner has held talks with Israeli Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
Israel says agreements have been reached on steps toward disarming Hamas and implementing a US-backed road-map for the Gaza strip post-war.
Prime Minister Netanyahu's office says both sides have agreed there would be no reconstruction of the Gaza strip until Hamas disarms completely.
Hamas says it's asked the Board of Peace to "compel" Israel to accept the peace plan, after Kushner held rare talks with its representatives in Egypt over the weekend.
Displaced Gaza city resident Ibrahim Abu Marsa says he hopes this latest set of talks will mean tangible progress toward peace.
“We hope that Kushner’s visit to the region will bring an end to the war on Gaza Strip because we have been suffering for three years from strikes, displacement, forced evictions, and the closure of border crossings. Today, in Gaza, we are exhausted. We want a dignified life.”
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A Senate Inquiry Report into Gambling Reform has been handed down ahead of a looming vote on the proposal.
The inquiry heard damning evidence against the gambling industry, including allegations betting companies offered illegal drugs and sex workers to keep problem gamblers betting.
The report's release follows a pledge from Labor to create a new opt-out register for gambling ads, falling short of calls for a complete ban on online advertising.
In order to pass the Senate, the bill requires support from either the Greens, who say reforms must go further, or the Coalition, who are yet to confirm how they'll vote.
Independent Senator David Pocock, who opposes the bill, tells SBS the government's latest changes don't go far enough.
“This is an admission from the government that what they propose isn't going to work. It's not going to protect Australian children, and it's not going to stop the inundation of ads that Australians are seeing. And this last-minute sort of Hail Mary (desperate attempt) , in the hope that the Australian public will look at a government and say, "Well, at least they're doing something." It just doesn't cut it."
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Research from the Australia Institute warns proposed cuts to the NDIS will lead to the loss of 94 million paid hours of work for disability support workers.
The think tank says the cuts will not reduce the care needs of Australians on the scheme but instead push those responsibilities onto the families of those who lose coverage.
Changes to the scheme are expected to pass this week amid widespread concern and uncertainty in the disability community.
Chief economist at the Australia Institute Greg Jericho tells SBS fraud in the system is not the biggest cost factor.
"The cuts and moves that the government is making are only going to raise $900 million over the next four years from fraud measures. So it's clear that fraud is not the actual problem. The problem is that the system, which has been designed on the advice of the Productivity Commission, incentivises private for-profit operators to fatten their profit margins off the back of disability, care, and need. And this bill doesn't address that."
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In cricket, Australian coach Andrew McDonald says the team won't be panicked into making changes to the lineup for the second Test match against Bangladesh.
Australia's shock defeat to the Bangladeshis in the first Test match has sparked calls for big changes.
But McDonald says Australia will consider their selections for the second Test, which starts in Mackay on Saturday in their usual way.
"I don't think it's going to be like- oh, we've lost this Test match, so then suddenly, immediately, we shift things. we will weigh up, work through what we normally work through to come to conclusion for the best eleven that goes out there. So, we're not emotional around change in terms of, if we lose a game, we need change."
Australia has picked a squad of 13 players for the two Tests against Bangladesh.
However, McDonald says Australia will bring in players from outside that 13 if they deem it necessary.
