Albanese-Trump G7 meeting in limbo
Anthony Albanese may not meet with Donald Trump next week in Canada as relations with the US administration sour over Australia's decision to sanction two Israeli cabinet members, plus recent disagreement over defence spending.
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Perth Now
16 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Australia 'alarmed' at escalating Israel-Iran violence
Australia is "alarmed" at the escalating violence between Israel and Iran after attacks on nuclear and military targets in the Iranian capital Tehran. Israel hit dozens of the sites on Friday as tensions soared in the wake of a United Nations agency finding Iran was not complying with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the conflict risked further destabilising a region that is already very volatile. "Australia is alarmed by the escalation between Israel and Iran," she said soon after the strikes were confirmed. "We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that ... would further exacerbate tensions. "We all understand the threat of Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program - it represents a threat to international peace and security and we urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy." The federal government's Smartraveller website was updated on Friday with a "do not travel" warning for Iran. Iran has halted flights at Imam Khomeini International Airport outside of Tehran, the country's main airport, Iranian state TV said. Tensions have been building in the region as US efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran appear to be deadlocked. US intelligence had previously indicated that Israel was making preparations for a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, as part of its ongoing efforts to stop Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. US President Donald Trump on Thursday warned there was a "chance of massive conflict" involving Iran as Washington began pulling out diplomats from the Middle East. Meanwhile, Senator Wong also announced Australia will provide an extra $10 million to help with the distribution of urgent medical and food supplies to Gaza. "The situation for the people of Gaza is catastrophic," she said. "Civilians killed by the thousands, people starving, children going without food and medical supplies, schools, hospitals and homes destroyed. "I know so many Australians are distressed by the suffering, and many Australians are frustrated that we have been unable to move the dial on our own." Australia has contributed more than $110 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians affected by conflict in Gaza and Lebanon since Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel in 2023. The government is partnering with Jordan to provide urgent medical care to Palestinians seriously injured in Gaza, while providing $5 million to UNICEF to help feed children.
News.com.au
28 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Australia to pay ‘very high price' if AUKUS falls through
Australia will have 'a very high price to pay if AUKUS fails', opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor says. The warning came after the US Department of Defence launched a review of the pact to ensure it aligned with Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda. The Albanese government has brushed off concerns the move signals waning US support for the alliance with Canberra, with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles saying it was 'natural that the (Trump) administration would want to examine this major undertaking'. But with AUKUS the centrepiece of Australia's defence strategy over the first half of this century, it has offered little reassurance. 'This is an incredibly important alliance,' Mr Taylor said on Friday. 'It's an incredibly important capability, both in terms of the submarine capability and the technology capability … and this must be a top priority of the government.' He said the Albanese government had 'many questions to answer'. 'What discussions has Richard Marles already had? To what extent is our lack of defence spending a driver of this review? When will the Prime Minister meet with the President to actually discuss this face-to-face?' he queried. 'These are questions we need answers to, and they're questions that go to the heart of making sure that AUKUS is a success and that we ensure that we have peace through deterrence in our region.' But US State Department sources said a time had not been set and the situation was 'fluid'.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia news LIVE: Wong says Israel's attack on Iran ‘alarming'; Air India crash kills hundreds
Key posts 10.54am $10 million package for Gaza announced 10.22am Israel claims it has attacked Iran 9.46am Trump warns of Israeli strike on Iran, 'massive conflict' 8.59am US senator handcuffed at LA press conference 8.40am Health ministers to discuss IVF reforms after string of scandals 8.17am Criminals recruited for country's biggest wind farm 7.50am 'Bodies all around me': Sole survivor of Air India crash speaks 6.50am More than 260 dead in Air India crash Hide key posts Latest posts Latest posts 11.13am Netanyahu says Israel is targeting 'nuclear scientists' in Iran By Amber Schultz Loading Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed his country launched 'preemptive strikes' on Iranian military facilities as explosions were heard in the Iranian capital Tehran. 'We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck the heart of Iran's ballistic missile program,' Reuters reports Netanyahu as saying. United States officials have said there was no US assistance or involvement in the operation, but declined to endorse or condemn the attacks. There was no immediate word on what was struck. US President Donald Trump is reportedly convening an urgent cabinet meeting. You can keep up to date with the developments via our dedicated live blog here. 10.54am $10 million package for Gaza announced By Amber Schultz The government has announced a new package of support for Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Australia has formed a partnership with the Jordan, providing $5 million to deliver critical medical supplies to the kingdom's field hospitals operating within Gaza, along with $5 million to UNICEF for nutritional support for children. Speaking in Canberra this morning, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said the situation for the people of Gaza was 'catastrophic'. 'Civilians killed by the thousands, people starving, children going without food and medical supplies. Schools, hospitals, and homes destroyed. I know so many Australians are distressed by the suffering and many Australians are frustrated that we have been unable to move the dial on our own,' she said. Minister for International Development Dr Anne Aly said the devastation in Gaza was 'unacceptable'. 'All of Gaza is at imminent risk of famine and children under the age of five are the most impacted,' she said. 'The support that we're announcing today equates to roughly 2.9 million rations of nutritional support. That's enough to meet the needs of 8000 children in Gaza for four months.' The new funding brings Australia's total support to Gaza and Lebanon to $110 million since October 7. 10.45am Israel-Iran escalation 'alarming': Wong By Amber Schultz Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong says the government is alarmed about the escalation between Israel and Iran as Israel claims it has begun attacking Iran's capital Tehran. 'This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile. We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that would further exacerbate tensions,' Wong said at a press conference in Canberra. 'We all understand the threat of Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program. It represents a threat to international peace and security and we urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is travelling to Fiji, Canada and the US ahead of the G7 summit that starts in Alberta, canada, on Sunday. 10.22am Israel claims it has attacked Iran By Amber Schultz Explosions have been heard in Iran with Israel claiming it has attacked the country's capital Tehran. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced a 'special situation' in Israel. He said its schools would be closed on Friday. There was no immediate word on what was struck in Iran. We'll bring you updates as the story develops. AP 10.09am Sydney explosion leaves two injured By Amber Schultz Loading In Sydney, a large explosion in the city's west has left two men in hospital, and up to 50 people evacuated from their homes. About 6.30am a large explosion blew a hole in the wall of the second storey of the three-level Clarence Street unit complex in Lidcombe. An occupant of the building, a man in his 40s, was found unconscious inside by firefighters. He was taken to Westmead Hospital in a serious condition with burns to his hands and face. A second man in his 60s was also taken to hospital in a stable condition for smoke inhalation. The cause of the incident is still under investigation, but police said a gas explosion was a line of inquiry. 9.46am Trump warns of Israeli strike on Iran, 'massive conflict' By Amber Schultz US President Donald Trump says there is a 'chance of massive conflict' in the Middle East, warning that Israel may attack Iran as negotiations over the country's nuclear program continue. 'I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen,' Trump told reporters on Friday AEST. 'They can't have a nuclear weapon. I prefer the more friendly path,' he said. The US has evacuated some embassy staff from the Middle East amid the tensions. Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Danon warned the window for negotiations was almost closed. 'We are very serious when we say that we will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear capabilities,' he said. 'Trump and the administration are trying to negotiate with Iranians … That window is closing very soon.' 9.20am 'Devastating': Albanese receiving updates on Air India disaster By Amber Schultz Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the government is keeping a close eye on developments in the Air India crash. 'The news of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad is absolutely devastating,' he wrote in a post on X. 'In this time of tragedy, Australia's thoughts are with everyone affected. Our government is receiving regular updates and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.' 8.59am US senator handcuffed at LA press conference By Amber Schultz Loading In Los Angeles, a US senator was dragged out of a room and briefly handcuffed after interrupting a news conference on the Trump administration's immigration raids. Democratic senator Alex Padilla was manhandled and pushed out of the room by Secret Service agents when he interrupted a press conference being held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying he had 'questions for the secretary'. California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, posted footage of the incident on social media. 'This is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful. Trump and his shock troops are out of control,' he said. After a quieter day of demonstrations in downtown Los Angeles – the second night of a curfew – police said they made 81 arrests overnight, mostly for failing to disperse. 8.40am Health ministers to discuss IVF reforms after string of scandals By Angus Thomson Australia's health ministers will meet in Melbourne today to discuss reforms for the IVF sector after a second high-profile bungle by fertility giant Monash IVF. Loading Health Minister Mark Butler said state and federal governments needed to 'clean up' the sector, addressing gaps in regulation, transparency concerns, and confidence in an industry that now contributes to 20,000 births every year. 'Our third child is an IVF baby. The trust you place in these organisations, these companies, is just extraordinary,' Butler told ABC News Breakfast. 'I want to see families have utter confidence in what has traditionally been one of the safest, highest quality IVF systems on the planet, but clearly something needs to be done here.' Butler said the sector had traditionally been overseen by state governments, but there was 'clearly a case' for national consistency to address a patchwork of regulations and rules across state borders. Monash IVF chief executive Michael Knaap stepped down yesterday following a string of scandals, including two embryo mix-ups revealed in recent months. sensitive patient details were stolen and posted on the dark web in a massive data breach earlier this year.
