Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, has clarified the nation’s military stance amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly concerning Iran’s recent military actions. During public statements, Wong emphasized that Australia will not engage in "offensive action against Iran" nor deploy ground troops into the country, instead outlining a potential defensive role. Wong explained that Australia has been approached for assistance in protecting nations affected by Iran's hostility, particularly from drone and missile attacks. "Many countries which are non-participants have been attacked by Iran through this. You would anticipate, as a consequence, that we have been asked for... [Continue Reading]
Peadar Tóibín sees Aontú as a party of Government. RTÉ's Editor of Political Coverage Joe Mag Raollaigh looks what we learned from the party's Ard Fheis and how realistic their aims are. [Continue Reading]
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in London this afternoon to protest against ongoing airstrikes in Iran, calling for an end to military actions by the United States and Israel. The protest took place outside the US embassy in Nine Elms, where a significant turnout of around 5,000 participants expressed their dissent, highlighting the rising tensions in the region and their opposition to what they perceive as unjustified warfare. The protesters began their march from Millbank Tower, a prominent site near Westminster, carrying signs with messages such as “Stop Trump’s Wars,” “Stop the War on Iran,” “Stop Arming Israel,” and “No War... [Continue Reading]
In a significant escalation of U.S. policy towards drug trafficking, President Donald Trump has announced the creation of the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition during the inaugural "Shield of the Americas" summit held at his golf club in South Florida. The gathering on Saturday brought together leaders from a dozen politically aligned nations, united by a common goal of combatting drug trafficking in the region. Trump emphasized the unacceptable threat that cartels pose to national security, insisting that military action is necessary to confront these criminal organizations. During his remarks, Trump made a stark declaration regarding the need for military intervention, stating,... [Continue Reading]
In a significant diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump convened the 'Shield of the Americas' summit in Miami, where he gathered twelve leaders from various Latin American nations to address the pressing issue of drug cartel violence in the region. This summit, held at Trump's Doral golf club, comes as part of a broader effort to establish a ‘counter-cartel coalition’ aimed at enhancing regional security and cooperation. During the summit, which took place on a recent Saturday, Trump articulated a stance echoing his administration's focus on combating organized crime, stating, “Just as we formed a coalition to eradicate Isis, we... [Continue Reading]
The upcoming Farrer by-election is already being talked about as a litmus test for the new opposition leader and an ascendant One Nation. It'll also be a measure of major party politics. [Continue Reading]
In a stunning political shift, amateur rapper and former mayor of Kathmandu, Balendra Shah, has unseated ex-Prime Minister Sharma Oli in Nepal's recent general election. Shah's victory, confirmed by the Nepalese Election Commission on Saturday, marks a significant moment in the country's political landscape, as he garnered 68,348 votes, decisively defeating Oli, who received 18,734 votes in their parliamentary race. The election, which took place on Thursday, is particularly historic as it is the first since the violent youth-led protests that led to the downfall of the previous government in September. This election has been characterized by a confrontation between... [Continue Reading]
In Miami, president calls for regional cooperation to counter Chinese economic and political interestsDonald Trump changed the channel from Iran to the western hemisphere on Saturday, convening a gathering of Latin American leaders at his Miami-area golf club to discuss regional interests and establishing what he called a “counter-cartel coalition”.“Just as we formed a coalition to eradicate Isis, we now need a coalition to eradicate the cartels,” he told 12 regional leaders gathered at what the White House called the “Shield of the Americas” summit. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
US President Donald Trump encouraged right-wing Latin American leaders gathered at his Florida golf club on Saturday to take military action against drug trafficking cartels and transnational gangs that he says pose an “unacceptable threat” to the region's national security. [Continue Reading]
The military conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated drastically following the targeted airstrike that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking officials. The strike, which occurred last Saturday morning at Khamenei's complex in Tehran, was reportedly executed by Israeli forces with substantial support from US intelligence capabilities, including reconnaissance and communication intercepts. This marks a significant turning point in the ongoing hostilities between the two nations, which have now intensified dramatically over the past week. Details of the strike indicate it was not an impulsive or isolated attack, but rather part of a broader strategy by the... [Continue Reading]
The United States is reportedly contemplating the lifting of additional sanctions on Russian oil. This consideration comes against the backdrop of escalating energy prices spurred by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, particularly the recent conflict between the US-Israel coalition and Iran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated on Friday that the new measures would not ease restrictions on Russia but would instead apply to supplies already in transit. This potential policy shift reflects the increasing urgency for the US to address soaring global oil prices, which have significantly impacted markets in recent days. On Friday, crude oil prices surged... [Continue Reading]
A Voice in the Wilderness of War: Who Still Dares to Speak Truth While Empires March There are moments in history when the world suddenly accelerates toward disaster, moments when anyone who has studied history can feel the temperature rising even before the explosions reach their peak. The current escalation in the Middle East is one of those moments. According to the facts we now see unfolding, the United States and Israel made the unilateral decision to attack Iran without the approval of the United Nations, without a global coalition mandate, and without the support of most of the international... [Continue Reading]
The ‘Red Alert’ series warned in 2023 that Australia needed to be ‘ready to fight in just three years’ – and Keating has again taken his fight to the newspaper groupFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPaul Keating has again accused the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age of misleading the public with their “irresponsible prediction” three years ago of a Chinese attack on Australia.The former prime minister took the opportunity of the third anniversary of Nine newspapers’ Red Alert series to repeat his disdain for the reporting... [Continue Reading]
Recusal application against district court judge Penelope Wass yet to be determined amid row with DPPFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew South Wales’ top prosecutor has been given the green light to continue her fight to get a senior judge removed from a historical sexual offences trial on the grounds of apprehended bias.The ruling from the NSW supreme court is the latest development in a long-running row between the director of public prosecutions, Sally Dowling SC, and district court judge Penelope Wass. The dispute went before the... [Continue Reading]
Several sites now state they are ‘not currently accepting new account registrations in your region’ when accessed from AustraliaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA number of adult websites have begun blocking users in Australia in preparation for new codes requiring age verification from Monday.Guardian Australia has confirmed RedTube, YouPorn, and Tube8 all had notices on their sites when visited from an Australian IP address on Friday stating they are “not currently accepting new account registrations in your region”. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
A coalition of Iranian Kurdish groups who oppose the regime say they are preparing to enter the war and have amassed thousands of fighters near the border with Iraq. [Continue Reading]
Anthony Albanese confirms ADF members were on vessel but says ‘no Australian personnel’ took part in attacks on IranMiddle East crisis – live updatesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has confirmed that three Australians were on a US submarine that sank an Iranian warship, after the Labor government earlier refused to comment on reports that emerged on Thursday.The prime minister said the Australian defence force personnel were on the submarine as part of an Aukus training program. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Moreton Bay council’s clearing of tent city breached human rights, supreme court rules Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastHomeless people living in tents in a park were “not treated as humans” while being evicted by a Queensland council, with the supreme court ruling it an unlawful breach of human rights.A group of residents who had been living in a park off Goodfellows Road, Kallangur, challenged eviction notices issued against them by the City of Moreton Bay last year. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
BoM issues flood watch covering most of Queensland while NT authorities warn houses and roads could be inundated Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastQueensland and Northern Territory towns are being warned to prepare for major flooding as multiple tropical lows across northern Australia unleash a deluge.The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood watch covering most of Queensland, with major flood warnings in place across several river catchments including the Flinders, Georgina and Thomson rivers and the Eyre and Cooper creeks. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
A coalition of 24 Democratic attorneys general and governors has initiated legal action against former President Donald Trump, aiming to block a newly proposed 15% tariff on all imports. This move follows a Supreme Court ruling that declared Trump's previous tariffs illegal, leading the White House to announce plans for the new tariff to take effect shortly. The lawsuit, spearheaded by New York Attorney General Letitia James, asserts that Trump lacks the authority to impose these tariffs and demands the federal government refund the states for the costs incurred from prior tariffs. The legal challenge reflects growing frustration among state... [Continue Reading]
This blog has now closedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew Israeli ambassador to Australia says war with Iran will continue ‘as long as we need’Israel’s new ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, said the conflict between the country and Iran will continue “as long as we need” to achieve multiple objectives, including removing the threat of Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile programs.The people of Iran must decide their future. We’re not deciding for them their future. It’s their choice. But we’re trying to remove the fear barrier. The people do want to change. They want to... [Continue Reading]
Lawsuit says president does not have authority to impose levies and demands refunds from federal governmentA coalition of Democratic attorneys general and governors across 24 US states are suing Donald Trump to block his latest round of tariffs.The White House is planning to enact a new 15% tariff on all imports after the supreme court declared Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs illegal. The tariffs have yet to go into effect, though the White House said the new rate would start this week. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Voters in Nepal have cast their ballots in a pivotal general election, marking the first such poll since the nation's youth-led protests resulted in the government’s resignation last September. The polls closed Thursday evening amid a climate of cautious optimism, with voters eager to make their voices heard. Preliminary results are expected as early as Friday, though full results may take several days to finalize. This election comes on the heels of significant political upheaval, which saw widespread demonstrations against the ruling government last year. These protests were fueled by public dissatisfaction regarding governmental performance and economic conditions. In a... [Continue Reading]
The conflict in the Middle East is intensifying, with recent military actions drawing significant international attention. Six days after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, reports indicate escalating tensions, marked by explosions in Iran, Qatar, the UAE, and Lebanon. Amid these developments, Israel has issued warnings to residents in southern Beirut, advising them to evacuate as military operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah appear imminent. This escalation reflects a complex mixture of geopolitical ambitions and national security concerns that are reverberating across the region. As the situation unfolds, Israel's military has directed residents in Hezbollah-controlled areas of Beirut to... [Continue Reading]
Exclusive: Member of working group behind questionnaire had no idea it would eventually be underpinned by ‘ridiculously simplistic’ algorithmFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne of the people involved in the development of the federal government’s controversial aged care assistance tool says she’s now too scared to use it, saying she never wanted needs to be determined by algorithm.As fellow advocates warned people’s care and funding needs were being underestimated, Lynda Henderson – who sat on the expert advisory group to develop the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) –... [Continue Reading]
Albanese government won’t confirm if Defence personnel involved, but more than 50 Australian sailors and officers serving across US attack submarine fleetFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian government has refused to disclose whether Australian sailors or officers were onboard the US attack submarine that torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, killing at least 87 people.More than 50 Australian sailors and officers are serving across the US attack submarine fleet, a training regimen that is part of preparations for Australia to command its... [Continue Reading]
In a developing incident, Iran's Armed Forces have officially denied allegations that they fired a ballistic missile towards Turkiye. This statement comes following claims from Turkiye’s Ministry of National Defence that a missile, originating in Iran, was intercepted by NATO air and missile defence systems over the eastern Mediterranean. The event raises significant concerns regarding escalating tensions between these nations, particularly given the missile's trajectory through Iraqi and Syrian airspace. On Wednesday, Turkiye's Defence Ministry reported that a ballistic munition was detected while traversing through Iraqi and Syrian territories before entering Turkish airspace. The ministry confirmed that NATO’s defensive capabilities... [Continue Reading]
New South Wales premier faces questions over what he told MPs who attended demonstration opposing Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s visitFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has labelled pro-Palestine protest organisers “a pack of communists” as he continues to blame them for violent clashes with police last month, amid ongoing dissent among Labor MPs about the government’s response.Minns faced questions at NSW budget estimates on Thursday about what he told members of the government about attending pro-Palestine rallies, after four Labor backbenchers... [Continue Reading]
Soulore Solaris charged with manslaughter of Jarrad Antonovich, who died of a perforated oesophagus after taking psychedelicFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA man has been charged with manslaughter more than four years after his spiritual retreat client died after consuming psychedelics and a frog toxin.Soulore Solaris, 52, was arrested and charged on Tuesday morning over the 2021 death of a man at the Arcoora retreat he ran in Collins Creek, about 60km from Byron Bay in northern New South Wales. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
As thousands more students head to private schools, advocates hope new government funding deals might draw families back to public sectorFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIn Sharryn Brownlee’s experience, it’s when their kids reach the final years of primary school that a lot of parents start to ask one another the same question.“Where are you going to send your kids to high school? Public or private?” she said. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Wilkinson was turned away by police while seeking help four days before she was murdered, Queensland coroner’s court toldFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastKelly Wilkinson was turned away from Southport police station and told to “cool off, give Brian a break” while seeking help just four days before her estranged husband, Brian Earl Johnston, burned her to death in 2021, an inquest has heard.The allegation was made in an extraordinary 11th hour submission by the lawyer acting for her family as they successfully applied to adjourn the... [Continue Reading]
A British F-35B fighter jet successfully shot down an Iranian drone in Jordanian airspace, marking the first operational kill for the aircraft in active operations. This incident underscores the escalating tensions in the Middle East, where British forces are increasingly engaged in defensive actions against Iranian aerial threats directed at various Gulf nations. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the operation, indicating that RAF Typhoons and a Voyager air-to-air refueling aircraft supported the F-35B during the engagement. The strike on the Iranian drone follows an uptick in cross-border hostilities, particularly as Iranian drones have targeted locations in neighboring countries. Earlier in... [Continue Reading]
In a rapid escalation of hostilities, Iran has increasingly drawn in regional countries as countermeasures against ongoing military actions by Israel and the United States. Reports indicate that military engagements are now taking place not only on Iranian soil but also threatening US assets in Saudi Arabia, oil infrastructure across the Gulf, and even French military installations in Abu Dhabi. Analysts highlight that Iran's use of low-cost drones marks a distinct shift in its retaliatory strategy, aimed at disrupting key economic sectors and deterring tourism amidst the backdrop of what it perceives as an existential threat following targeted strikes that... [Continue Reading]
A recent escalation of military conflict in the Middle East has raised alarm over potential economic ramifications, particularly in Europe. Reports indicate that a coalition of U.S. and Israeli forces has intensified its military actions against Iran. This situation has become increasingly volatile, particularly with Israel's military actions in Lebanon and Iran's retaliatory missile strikes across the Gulf region, affecting countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. The repercussions of this conflict are already being felt globally, particularly in energy markets, with oil prices witnessing an over 10% surge. Confirming these developments, European Central Bank (ECB)... [Continue Reading]
The recent death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has triggered significant geopolitical turmoil, resulting in a marked escalation of military activities involving the United States and Israel. Reports indicate that this development has compounded existing tensions, leading to a series of missile strikes and international condemnation, particularly from China. As a result, the situation in the Middle East has reached a critical juncture, with casualties mounting and global stock markets reacting negatively to the volatile climate. According to multiple sources, the ongoing violence includes a series of US-Israel military operations focused on Iran. In the immediate aftermath of... [Continue Reading]
The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East has dramatically shifted following the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The incident ignited a series of military operations led by the United States and Israel against Iranian assets, aiming not only to destabilize Iran's government but also to prevent its missile and nuclear capabilities. US President Donald Trump, in a public address, called on Iranians to reclaim their nation, underscoring ambitious objectives accompanying military efforts. The killing of Khamenei has left Iranian officials scrambling to manage repercussions. Reports indicate that many US intelligence officials harbor doubts regarding the likelihood... [Continue Reading]
A British RAF base in Cyprus, known as RAF Akrotiri, was targeted by a suspected drone strike recently, as announced by the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD). The attack occurred around midnight local time, approximately 22:00 GMT. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties from the incident. The MoD confirmed that their force protection in the region remains at the highest level and that the base has activated its defensive measures in response to the strike. The drone strike comes shortly after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer declared that the UK would permit the United States to utilize British military... [Continue Reading]
Recent military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran have thrown the Middle East into turmoil, with significant repercussions felt globally. As hostilities escalate, thousands of Australians find themselves stranded in international airports across the region, as flight services have been heavily disrupted. The unannounced airstrikes, which occurred on a recent Saturday, prompted multiple country closures of their airspace, severely impacting travel routes. According to the Australian Travel Industry Association, the sudden cessation of commercial flights and subsequent cancellations have affected an estimated 115,000 Australians currently in the region. Affected areas include major international transit hubs in countries... [Continue Reading]
The United States military confirmed that three American service members have died and five others sustained serious injuries during ongoing military operations targeting Iran. This announcement marks the first confirmed casualties since the commencement of Operation Epic Fury, a strategic initiative launched in conjunction with Israel aimed at dismantling aspects of Iran’s governance. The operations began less than 48 hours prior and have resulted in intensified military strikes, reflecting a significant escalation in the conflict. The identities of the deceased soldiers have not yet been released, pending notification of their next of kin. According to a statement from the US... [Continue Reading]
In a tense escalation of hostilities triggered by ongoing attacks from the US and Israel, Iran launched retaliatory strikes affecting airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The assault resulted in the death of one individual and injuries to eleven others, marking a significant turn in regional dynamics. The attacks occurred as Iranian state media confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which has further intensified the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. Details emerging from the aftermath indicate that a drone targeting Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi was intercepted, resulting in falling debris that tragically led to... [Continue Reading]