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..2h..Military honor guard in place on South Grounds of WH for arrival of PM Scott Morrison of Australia for start of Official Visit.

VP and Mrs Pence in place with Cabinet members for arrival ceremony for PM Morrison.

Just after 9AM, Pres and Mrs Trump welcome Australian PM Scott Morrison and wife Jenny at the South Portico for arrival ceremony.

Pres Trump escorts PM Morrison through receiving line of US officials including VP and Mrs Pence, @stevenmnuchin1, @EsperDoD and @SecretaryRoss.

..2h..As the national anthems of Australia and the US are performed by the US Marine Band, a 19-gun salute is sounded for PM Morrison.

The ceremony includes inspection of the troops from each of the Armed Forces.

The two leaders also greet invited guests bearing US and Australian flags.

A favorite part of welcome ceremony: the Fife and Drum Corps in Revolutionary War uniforms playing "Yankee Doodle."

In welcoming remarks, Pres Trump hails "the long-cherished and unwavering friendship" of the US and Australia, which last year marked "100 Years of Mateship." Says tonight's State Dinner in the Rose Garden "will be quite something."

Pres Trump extends "profound thanks to the people of Australia," for fighting alongside the US against "the menace of fascism, communism and radical Islamic terrorism."

“It is wonderful to be here," says PM Morrison in response to Pres Trump's welcome. He says he brings the "amity, thanks and respect" of 25-million Australians "for this great country."

PM Morrison says leaders of more powerful nations may visit the White House, but there won't be "a more sure and steadfast friend, a better mate, than Australia."

The Trumps lead the Morrisons up the exterior steps to the 1st floor balcony and wave to the crowd on the South Lawn. Then into the WH for guestbook signing and exchange of gifts, before heading to the Oval Office for talks.

...50m..Pres Trump announces new US sanctions against Iran National Bank. Says it's the highest level of sanction. Very big, very top, he says at start of Oval Office talks with Australian PM Morrison. Pres ordered addtl sanctions against Iran after attack on Saudi oil facilities.

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..45m...Asked about the intelligence whistleblower report, Pres Trump calls it a ridiculous story. Accuses whistleblower of partisanship. He says conversations between leaders is always appropriate and report to the contrary is another political hack job.

..46m...Pres Trump said "I really don't know," when asked if the subject of the whistleblower report was his July 25 phone call with Ukraine's Pres Zelenskiy.

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...30m....PM Morrison says he's spoken to @POTUS about visiting Australia to attend the President's Cup golf tournament in December. Trump says the @PGATOUR invited him and he would love to do it. Says golf great Greg Norman among the guests at tonight's State Dinner.

..18m...Asked about the PM Trudeau blackface scandal, @POTUS said he hoped he wouldn't be asked about it. Said he was surprised how often he has seen the photos in question on the news. Told reporters he doesn't know what to say about it.

Greg Norman will be at state dinner

Great pics,NIKK.

Great pics. Thank you.

Thank you NIKK, great report and pictures.

.PM Morrison says he's spoken to @POTUS about visiting Australia to attend the President's Cup golf tournament in December. Trump says the @PGATOUR invited him and he would love to do it. Says golf great Greg Norman among the guests at tonight's State Dinner.

It would be so cool if PDJT could do this. He is THE President of the USA, after all. Very nice to invite Greg Norman to tonight's State Dinner. Norman is one of the (if not THE) best Aussie golfers ever.