In this bulletin, the US lifts its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, Australia announces a $100 million package to boost Ukraine's defence. And in football, the Socceroos on to the knockout stages of the World Cup if they win on Saturday.
Key Points
- US, Iran sign memorandum of understanding to end war
- Albanese government pledges $100 million to Ukraine defence
- Socceroos through to knockout stage if they beat US this weekend
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TRANSCRIPT
US Vice President JD Vance says the 60-day negotiating period between Iran and US has begun - and the blockade of Iran’s ports has been lifted.
US President Donald Trump and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian have electronically signed a memorandum of understanding to end the war.
Mr Vance says Israel will have to respect the peace process with Iran, adding that attacks in Beirut that kill civilians are "not acceptable".
The vice president said that technical talks on the Iran deal were scheduled to begin this weekend, provided the Iranian team can get to the talks.
"Our plan is to go to Switzerland. I don't know exactly when. The way that we're setting up this technical negotiation is that, obviously, you're going to have the political leadership involved, excuse me, you're going to have people on the ground actually driving the technical talks, the nuclear talks. How do you destroy this highly enriched uranium, all that stuff that you really just have to get into the nitty gritty on. So, you know, I plan to go to Switzerland, exactly when, you know, we thought, we think these technical negotiations are going to start sometime this weekend. That's still the plan."
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Russia is warning Ukraine it will respond with force, to the latest attack by Ukraine on one of its oil refineries.
Dozens of Ukrainian drones have struck a major Russian oil refinery in Moscow overnight, for the second time in a week.
The attack came shortly after Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with EU and NATO leaders, securing more support in the war with Russia.
Mr Zelenskyy has called on allies to increase pressure on Russia to end the war.
Putin is not stopping this war. He insists on continuing it, so the pressure must grow. Every project supporting Ukrainian drones and our weapons production in Ukraine and together of course with you, with partners and every sanctions measure against Russia for this war. All of it must grow.”
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Australia will provide an extra A$100 million to Ukraine for critical military equipment under a new support package.
Australia's ambassador to NATO, former defence force chief Angus Campbell, made the announcement at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting in Brussels.
This brings the nation's overall support for Ukraine to more than A$1.8 billion, including more than A$1.6 billion in military assistance since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
Defence Minister Richard Marles says what happens in Ukraine matters here in the Indo-Pacific and it is important for Australia to continue to stand with Ukraine until they find peace on their terms.
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The uncle of an Indigenous teenager found dead on train tracks in Tamworth almost 40 years ago says he feels vindicated in his long fight for justice.
Deputy State Coroner, Harriet Grahame found racism hindered the investigation into the death of Gomeroi teenager Mark Haines in 1988.
The 17-year-old's body was found on train tracks and an autopsy found he'd sustained a traumatic brain injury but there was little blood at the scene and a folded towel had been placed under his head.
His uncle, Don Craigie, says the family never believed Mark took his own life and has long suspected foul play.
"My journey for over 38.5 years has not been in vain, so what it is saying to me, the circumstances as I and the family have thought, believed happened to Mark way back then has been substantiated today."
The case has been referred back to the unsolved homicide unit for recommended re-examination.
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Alcohol bans in remote Aboriginal communities and town camps in the Northern Territory will be extended beyond 2027.
The restrictions were due to expire in January, but the Territory Government says they are needed to reduce alcohol-related violence and improve community safety.
They make it illegal to bring, possess, consume, sell or supply alcohol in remote Aboriginal communities, town camps and outstations.
Alcohol Policy Minister Steve Edgington says the government is trying to prevent a repeat of what happened when previous restrictions expired.
"Well we've seen from past events under the former Labor government - they allowed the stronger futures legislation to expire back in July 2022 after the expiration of that legislation what we saw was the rivers of grog so to speak flowing through the town camps in Alice Springs that led to serious violence against women, it resulted in just mayhem in the town camps."
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At the World Cup, the Socceroos are among several teams who can secure their spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup, after playing just two matches.
The team goes up against the USA in Seattle tomorrow at 5am AEST.
The eight best third-placed teams from the group stages will progress alongside the winners and runners-up from the 12 groups - meaning two wins from the first two group games will be enough.
The teams who can qualify for the last 32 after two of three group games are Mexico and South Korea in Group A, Scotland in Group C, the USA and Australia in Group D, Sweden in Group F, France and Norway in Group I, Argentina and Austria in Group J, Columbia in Group K, and England and Ghana in Group L.
You can watch all Socceroos matches live on SBS and SBS On Demand. There is also extended coverage with our special World Cup podcast, the 90-plus. Search for 90 and the plus symbol.
