Tensions sharpen with Iran as the US says it has total control of the Strait of Hormuz; A One Nation candidate says being gay is a mental illness in a social media video; and in Rugby League, Brian To’o gets Penrith’s blessing for his move to the PNG Chiefs
TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin,
- Tensions sharpen with Iran as the US says it has total control of the Strait of Hormuz
- A One Nation candidate says being gay is a mental illness in a social media video
- And in Rugby League, Brian To’o gets Penrith’s blessing for his move to the PNG Chiefs
US President Donald Trump says the United States has total control of the Strait of Hormuz, warning Iran it will be “blown away” if it challenges American forces.
Washington and Tehran are yet to agree on reopening the key shipping route, with Iran demanding an end to the US military campaign and the release of frozen assets.
The comments come as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard signals it is preparing for more offensive operations.
Speaking on Iranian state television, senior adviser Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi said the Guard must be ready to act when ordered.
Farsi translated to English “Whenever the situation demands and the order is issued, we must be capable of extending operations into enemy territory and conducting missions far from our own land.
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The Colombian Ambassador to Australia says authorities are focused on finding survivors after Monday’s 7.4-magnitude earthquake.
More than 250 people have been killed, around 2,000 injured and about 200 remain missing.
Diego Felipe Cadena Montenegro tells SBS Spanish authorities are continuing to search for survivors of the earthquake.
He says support is also being offered to Colombians living in Australia who are worried about family members back home.
"The families of the Colombian residents in Australia..but we will continue to support all the members of the Colombian community living in this beautiful country and also extend the attention to the families here and also give the information about the situation in the Colombian communities.."
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A Syrian court has sentenced ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and his younger brother to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Syria's nearly 14-year conflict left about half a million people dead.
The sentences are the first against al-Assad or members of his inner circle since the family's five decades in power came to an end 20 months ago.
Rami Abdurrahman, director of the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, tells SBS Arabic many Syrians will be pleased but feel there are others who should face justice.
"It was welcomed by the majority of Syrians even if its enforcement remains unlikely given that al-Assad is in a safe location either in Russia or elsewhere in the Middle East. At the same time is is troubling that some senior ranking officers remain at large in their homes without being referred to the judiciary or referred to trial."
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Japan's Defense Minister condemns the North Korean ballistic missile launch through their embassies in Beijing, ahead of US-South Korean military drills.
Shinjiro Koizumi says the missile is suspected to have reached its maximum altitude of some 90 kilometers and flew around 690 kilometers.
Mr Koizumi says the weapon landed in waters outside its exclusive economic zone, between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
Japan translated to English "This kind of ballistic missile launch violates the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and poses a serious threat to the safety of the Japanese people. We have strongly condemned North Korea for the launch through the channel of our embassy in Beijing. As for the Ministry of Defense, we will continue working closely with America and South Korea, gathering and analysing information and make all-out efforts to conduct vigilance and surveillance activities in order to protect the lives and property of the people."
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A One Nation candidate in Western Australia has described gay people as having a mental illness in a video posted to social media.
Parminder Singh, who is number three on the party’s Legislative Council ticket, also criticised gay pride parades and same-sex marriage.
His profile was removed from the One Nation website after the ABC contacted the party about the comments.
Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson, who is gay, has condemned the remarks, while One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has been contacted for comment.
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Penrith coach Ivan Cleary says Brian To’o leaves with the Panthers’ blessing after confirming he will join the Papua New Guinea Chiefs in 2028.
Cleary says the club wanted the fan favourite to stay, but understands his decision to take up the opportunity with the expansion side.
He says To’o has earned the chance to make the move after being a key part of Penrith’s success.
Cleary says the Panthers also accept established clubs will have to make sacrifices to help new teams succeed.
"I remember when I first played 35 years ago my first coach said to me rugby league isn't fair and I think he was right, I worked that out along the way so - whether it's fair or not that's what the games gone with, I can understand it you know if you're going to bring new clubs in you're going to have to have to make sure they work, so obviously the PNG ones bigger than rugby league so they've got to make it work "
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