Donald Trump denies US weapons shortages as the Iran war continues; Penny Wong in Fiji for a meeting of Foreign Ministers meeting; And in sport, European countries continue FIFA boycott, despite apology for plan to sell stakes in the World Cup.
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TRANSCRIPT:
- Donald Trump denies US weapons shortages as the Iran war continues
- Penny Wong in Fiji for a meeting of Foreign Ministers meeting
- European countries continue FIFA boycott, despite apology for plan to sell stakes in the World Cup
US President Donald Trump is denying reports the country is running short of weapons and ammunition during its war with Iran.
The reports suggest the United States has used much of its supply of long-range precision missiles, while the administration says more munitions are being manufactured.
Vice President JD Vance says efforts to end the conflict are also moving slowly because of divisions within Iran’s political system.
He says Washington will continue using military, economic and diplomatic pressure to reach a resolution.
"It seems like we're making progress and then it seems like we're not. The reality, is that number one, the Iranians are extraordinarily difficult people. Number two, they have a fractured system. So there are people within their system who want the war to be over. There are also people within the system who are crazy radicals who want war to continue."
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The United Nations is calling for an immediate de-escalation in fighting between Moscow and Kyiv after a wave of Russian missile and drone strikes this week killed at least 17 people in Ukraine.
It also criticised recent Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia, saying the conflict is increasingly affecting civilians on both sides.
UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq says the fighting is taking an unacceptable toll.
"These latest series of attacks follow an alarming pattern of escalating strikes against populated areas, reportedly resulting in a record-level increase in numbers of civilian casualties and widespread destruction of residential and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, as well as increasingly in the Russian Federation. Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are a clear violation of international humanitarian law and must stop immediately."
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A US Senate committee has voted to hold former top health official Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress.
The party-line vote followed his refusal to answer questions about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times during a hearing last week.
Republican committee chairman Rand Paul says Dr Fauci should have been required to answer because he had received a sweeping federal pardon.
"The chair directed Anthony Fauci to answer. He refused again. That is what we were voting on today, not his opinions, not his policies. Not anything he said from a podium six years ago. We are voting on whether a witness who has received the benefit of a sweeping federal pardon can be ordered by this committee to answer questions and then defy that order without consequence."
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Foreign Minister Penny Wong is in Fiji to attend the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting.
The visit comes a month after Australia and Fiji signed both the Vuvale Union and the Ocean of Peace Alliance, aimed at strengthening security and diplomatic ties.
It comes ahead of the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau next month.
Ms Wong says now is a crucial time for the region.
"We want a stronger region. We want a region which is able to deal with the very large challenges which we know we are experiencing. Whether they are the health challenges that we're discussing today, the economic challenges which we know about, or the the geopolitical reality, which is we live in a much more uncertain world. You see, regionalism is one of the ways we can assure peace and security and stability in our region, which is, of course, the platform for stronger economies and healthier communities."
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One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says her party has plans for a mass deportation of around 75,000 people she claims have overstayed their visas.
Ms Hanson says between 75,000 and 100,000 people are in Australia illegally, but has not provided any evidence to support these figures.
The One Nation leader also says her party would cut permanent migration to 130,000 people per year, compared to the government's current intake of 185,000, telling the ABC she doesn't care if these cuts negatively impact businesses.
Speaking on Sky News, Ms Hanson says she's also not concerned about those her party would deport, claiming her focus is on Australian citizens.
"I'm a representative for the people of Australia first and foremost. Clean up our own backyard first, then we may be able to look at bringing in the right people into the country. I'm not against migration, never have been. But we've got to bring in people who are going to make the country prosperous, that they have something to offer, that they want to be Australian."
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In sport, European soccer's governing body says its threat to boycott FIFA competitions remains, despite an apology over a failed plan to sell stakes in World Cup.
UEFA says a boycott of the World Cup by European countries remains in place.
The comments came hours after FIFA indicated under-fire president Gianni Infantino still has its "full support".
UEFA says conditions to withdraw its boycott threat have not been met, including assurances such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.
The English Football Association has also withdrawn its support for Infantino's re-election.
