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TRANSCRIPT:
- US ramps up pressure on Iran, deploys additional carrier strike group
- Anthony Albanese seeks answers over police conduct at Sydney protest, criticises organisers
- Injured snowboarder Cam Bolton to be medically transported home to Australia
The United States continues to put pressure on Iran to sign its nuclear deal, as it prepares to send another aircraft carrier strike group to the region.
Two US officials speaking on anonymity to Reuters, said the US military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Trump orders an attack.
The United States is looking to prevent Iran from seeking a nuclear weapon - something Iran continues to deny plans for - following talks last week in Oman.
US President Donald Trump says regime change in Iran would be the best outcome.
"For 47 years they've been talking and talking and talking. And in the meantime, we've lost a lot of lives while they've been talking - legs blown off, arms blown off, faces blown off, it's been going on for a long time. So let's see what happens. In the meantime, we have tremendous power has arrived, and additional power as you know and other carriers going out shortly. So we will see, if we can get it settled once and for all that would be good."
Speaking to US troops on Friday, President Trump said instilling fear in Tehran would be necessary to secure a nuclear deal.
During his address Mr Trump also referenced the US bombing of Iran's nuclear sites last June.
**
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticised protest organisers for failing to adhere to a court ruling on demonstrations against the Israeli president, but says he wants an explanation for police actions which interrupted a group of Muslim men praying.
Speaking to The Age's podcast Inside Politics, the Prime Minister criticised the actions of some pro-Palestinian protesters, while also acknowledging the hurt felt in the Muslim community.
The NSW police watchdog will investigate the conduct of officers after violent clashes erupted at a Sydney protest opposing the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
It comes as NSW Police admitted orders were breached on Monday night as officers violently disrupted Muslim worshippers praying, and calls for a public apology from police mount.
The Prime Minister says everyone has a right to practice their faith.
"Now, I also as I said want to see an explanation, I'm very empathetic about the hurt that's being felt by the Muslim community. I think that's an issue that needs addressing, because I think people need to have a right to practice their faith in peace."
**
The ousting of Sussan Ley as Opposition leader has set up a by-election for her seat of Farrer, which could further impact the opposition's parliamentary numbers.
Angus Taylor moved a leadership spill on Friday, winning the support of the party room 34-17.
Ms Ley's seat of Farrer, a large rural electorate in New South Wales along the Victorian border, faced a strong challenge from an independent candidate, while One Nation won just over 6% of the primary vote.
The seat is also surrounded by Nationals-held seats, making it an immediate leadership challenge for Taylor.
Director of the Australian Studies Institute, Mark Kenny, spoke to ABC's Breakfast program.
"I think a very high chance that the Liberal party won't hold onto that seat. Even if the Nats win and stays in Coalition hands, it could be a loss for the Liberal party. And that won't be a good way for Angus Taylor and Jane Hume to start their leadership."
**
French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the importance of a strong and independent Europe, speaking at the Munich Security Conference.
The war in Ukraine was one of the key agenda items at the conference, as well as the United States' nuclear deal with Iran, and tensions with China.
French President Macron said while he fully supports President Trump's efforts towards a negotiated peace in Ukraine, its vital Ukraine isn't pressured to submit to Russia's demands.
"And we have our own European interests to defend in this, especially when it comes to the future of strategic stability on our continent. And this is, for me, the second challenge ahead of us. How will we, in the future, coexist in Europe with an un-reconstructed aggressive Russia on our borders. And we have to discuss this issue now."
Ukraine, Russia and US delegates have failed to reach a peace deal despite making some progress at trilateral talks in recent weeks.
**
And in sport, injured snowboarder Cam Bolton will be medically transported home to Australia from Italy for further treatment after fracturing his neck and back in training before his Olympic race.
The Australian team issued a statement on Friday, updating Bolton's prognosis after the 35-year-old crashed before competing in his fourth Games.
Bolton suffered a crash on Monday while training for the snowboard cross event but woke up with worsening pain in his neck the following day and after scans revealed two fractures he was airlifted from Livigno in the Italian alps to a Milan hospital.
The injury rocked the men's team, with his long-time room-mate Adam Lambert bowing out in the opening round despite entering the Games on the back of a World Cup win.
