9 hours ago
Reports the US is boosting its military presence in the Middle East
In this bulletin;
The United States military is reportedly sending additional fighter jets to the Middle East;
Anthony Albanese meets United States officials at the G7 after President Trump cancelled;
And in Rugby League, Laurie Daley eyes redemption as New South Wales chase back-to-back Origin titles. There are reports the United States military is sending additional fighter jets to the Middle East and extending existing deployments to bolster its presence amid the Israel-Iran conflict. Reuters newsagency says a source says the deployment includes F-16s, F-22s, and F-35s, while other sources stress the move is defensive in nature. Daily newspaper Israel Hayom reports several Iranian missiles have struck different parts of Israel, with injuries reported, while Al-Jazeera is reporting 30 missiles struck various areas in Israel in 20 minutes in two barrages. It is the eighth wave of missiles from Iran in the last 24 hours. Iran has also suffered several Israeli missile strikes including in Tehran and Karaj. Iran's Armed Forces Joint Chief of Staff, Abdul Rahim Mousavi, has issued a warnng to Israel. 'The operations carried out so far were merely a warning and deterrence. A punitive operation will be implemented soon. Therefore, residents of Tel Aviv and Jaffa are strongly warned to leave those areas for their own safety. Don't fall victim to Netanyahu's animal desires.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met United States officials at the G7. It comes after his meeting with US President Donald Trump was cancelled by Mr Trump cutting his visit short due to the escalating crisis in the Middle East. Mr Albanese's meeting was held with the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the Director of National Economic Council Kevin Hassett and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Australia's Ambassador in Washington, Kevin Rudd, was also at the talks which the Prime Minister's office says focused on trade, tariffs, critical minerals and rare earths. The PM is scheduled to hold formal meetings with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Japanese President Shigeru Ishiba, U-K Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and others. Gay and bisexual men, and transgender women, will soon be able to donate blood and plasma under new, more inclusive rules. From the 14th of July, Lifeblood will remove most sexual activity-based wait times for plasma donations. Until now, people in higher risk HIV categories, such as gay and bisexual men, transgender women, sex workers, and women who had sex with bisexual men, were barred from donating if they had recent sexual contact with men. The changes aim to improve access to blood products while maintaining the supply's safety. Ukraine has called for an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting after a deadly Russian missile strike on Kyiv and other cities killed at least 12 people. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, declaring a day of mourning, called it one of the war's worst attacks on the capital. Now in Canada, he's urging G7 leaders for greater support. Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged A$2.6 billion in military aid and called for full solidarity with Ukraine. The United States has confirmed an American was among the dead and joined G-7 leaders in vowing to step up pressure on Russia. President Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's willingness to negotiate, if Russia agrees to an unconditional ceasefire. "It's important for our soldiers to be stronger on the battlefield to stay strong until Russia will be ready for the peace negotiations. We are ready for the peace negotiations, unconditional ceasefire. I think it's very important. But for this, we need pressure. And, of course, I want to speak with Prime Minister today about sanctions, additional sanctions." Eleven years after his greatest Origin triumph, Laurie Daley has a chance to help New South Wales put Queensland's dominance behind them. With a 60,000-strong crowd expected at Optus Stadium, the Blues can seal back-to-back series wins tonight. A victory in Perth would set the stage for New South Wales to begin to dominate, with the team stronger on paper and Queensland in transition.
Daley's return as coach also offers him a shot at moving on from a tough period, having led the Blues during a stretch where they lost 11 of 12 series between 2006 and 2017.
