US resumes strikes after Iran fires on ship in Strait of Hormuz; Venezuela seeks release of assets held abroad to fund post-earthquake reconstruction; England through to the semi-finals in the FIFA football World Cup
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TRANSCRIPT
- US resumes strikes after Iran fires on ship in Strait of Hormuz
- Venezuela seeks release of assets held abroad to fund post-earthquake reconstruction
- England through to the semi-finals in the FIFA football World Cup
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Iranian officials say the Strait of Hormuz is officially closed after it fired on a vessel that travelled along an unapproved route.
The US military says it's launched a new round of strikes against Iran in response, after Iran warned any retaliation over the incident will be met with a "severe response".
The new round of strikes comes after a ceasefire between Iran and the US was abandoned and the US demanded Iran publicly pledge to keep the strait open without tolls.
This third recent round of strikes threatens to further complicate negotiations between the US and Iran on a peace deal.
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US Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna says he was detained by armed Israeli settlers in a recent trip to the occupied West Bank.
In a post on social media, the California Democrat wrote 'Israeli settlers, brandishing American made M4s, detained me and other Americans on my trip to Palestine'.
A photographer for the New York Times was also present on the trip and says he witnessed the incident, reporting the settlers were then assisted by IDF soldiers who continued their detention.
A spokesperson for the municipality where the alleged incident occurred, Yaser Alkam, says the settlers’ intentions are clear.
"You don't know what they are doing but their purposes is to intimidate, is to threaten, is to drive people out of their land"
An Israeli military spokesperson disputed its soldiers had participated in the incident and says it will review the identity of the armed civilian involved.
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Shadow energy minister Dan Tehan is criticising the Federal governments uranium deal with India, saying the resource should be used at home instead.
The deal allows Australian companies to sell uranium ore to the rapidly expanding Indian market.
Before becoming Labor leader, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese campaigned to prevent the sale of uranium to countries who were not signatories to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
India is a nuclear-armed non-signatory and the deal's been met with strong opposition from the Coalition, Greens and nuclear disarmament campaigners.
New uranium mines are banned in multiple Australian states and Dan Tehan tells Sky News if Australia wants to export uranium it must take advantage of the resources at home.
"Well, how can Anthony Albanese sign that agreement with a straight face? He's saying to India, "You go ahead and you use Australian uranium to develop a civil nuclear energy facility or multiple facilities, and yet we're not going to do the same here in Australia. We're not going to lift the ban to even give us the opportunity."
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Authorities in Venezuela are looking towards reconstruction efforts following devastating twin earthquakes, asking for the release of assets held abroad.
The death toll stands at almost 4,500 with almost 17,000 injured.
President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, says almost 1.3 million metric tons of rubble will be mostly re-used in reconstruction projects.
He says President Delcy Rodríguez is seeking the release of Venezuelan assets held abroad, including gold in England, to fund the reconstruction.
"The president sent a letter—I believe she is sending a letter today to the King of England—and she is also sending letters to other countries where assets belonging to Venezuela have been illegally withheld. This is so that this gold can, through a direct fund, be dedicated solely to the reconstruction process.”
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England are through to the FIFA World Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 extra-time win against Norway in Miami.
Jude Bellingham scored both goals for England including the deciding goal in extra time, after Norway had taken an early lead.
"It's 2-1 England, Bellingham there once again, on the follow up ... two goals in Mexico in the Azteca and two in Miami for Jude Bellingham, two on England."
Norway made its return to the World Cup stage after 28 years away, knocking out five-time world champions Brazil to make it to the quarter finals, with striker Erling Haaland playing a key role.
The last quarter final between Argentina and Switzerland is underway now, with England to face the winner of this match.
Spain will play France on Wednesday in the other semi-final.
