American rock band R.E.M. has clashed with US President Donald Trump after he retweeted a video using their music to mock the Democrats during his State of the Union speech.

A well-known pro-Trump meme-maker created the video to the soundtrack of the band's early '90s song "Everybody Hurts" and Trump retweeted it.

R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills has been retweeting a surge of critical comments against him by pro-Trump tweeters since he posted a tweet saying the band were taking steps to stop the video's circulation.

Rising regional tension could soon lead to a clash in the Middle East, according to a statement by Iran’s foreign minister on Sunday.

In an address to the Munich Security Conference, Mohamad Javad Zarif criticised European powers for turning a blind eye to Israel and the United States’ violations of international law.

Israeli president Benjamin Netanyahu says Iranian belligerence is to blame for destabilising the Middle East and Israel plans to continue to block Iran’s military entrenchment in Syria.

Senior Labor MP Tanya Plibersek says Prime Minister Scott Morrison is helping people smugglers by saying Australia's border protection regime has changed.

Ms Plibersek said Mr Morrison had been dishonest about legislation passed in parliament last week, despite the government's opposition, which allows two doctors to recommend asylum seekers currently on Manus Island or Nauru to be transferred on medical grounds.

Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan has described recent school student protests on climate change as ‘appalling political manipulation’ after learning the strikes were assisted by professional activists.

Facebook page School Strike for Climate Action is run by taxpayer funded Australian Youth Climate Coalition and encourages students to join local climate change groups and write scripted letters to their teachers.

Mr Tehan says the professional assistance in leadership and logistical support detracts from the children’s overall message.

South-East Queensland is bracing for wild weather with huge swells generated by Cyclone Oma to batter the coast.

Volunteer surf lifesavers closed Surfers Paradise beach on Sunday due to strong currents and urged people not to enter the water.

Forecaster Lachlan Stoney said Oma was slow moving but building in intensity, upgraded to a Category 3 on Saturday.

Queensland power bills are set to become more manageable after a new rule is introduced to prevent retailers for charging extra for late payments.

The change could save some families up to $500 on their annual electricity costs.

The rule will also prevent retailers double billing late payment fees and withdrawing the pay on time discount.

One of Islamic State’s most prominent online agitators, Hoda Muthana, is calling on the US government to forgive her and allow her to return home to Alabama.

Ms Muthana says she regrets moving to Raqqa at the age of 19 and using twitter to repeatedly call on fellow American Islamists to ‘spill the blood’ of US veterans and patriots.

Ms Muthana’s comments come after US president Donald Trump urged Western countries to repatriate captured fighters on Sunday.