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- South Australia's Premier says focus of housing deal should be to build new homes homes as fast as possible...
- India to introduce a new tobacco tax
- Melbourne City outside top six after two-all draw against Wellington Phoenix.
South Australia's Premier Peter Malinauskas says if something is not done about the housing crisis in the country, then the government isn't taking the issue seriously.
It follows the milestone $800 million dollar Commonwealth-state deal announcement for 17,000 new homes that will be built across South Australia under a joint federal-state deal.
Mr Malinauskas says the focus of the project was to build new homes as fast as possible.
"The only way we can take on this challenge is to unlock supply and do it quickly — and what this program is all about isn't just about building more homes but getting on with it and doing it quickly."
Urban Development Institute of Australia President Oscar Stanley says the agreement demonstrated the kind of supply-focused reform needed to unlock housing delivery at scale.
The US State Department has approved the potential sale of Patriot interceptor missiles and related equipment to Saudi Arabia for an estimated cost of close to 13 billion dollars [[$9 billion USD]].
The approval comes after a request was made by Saudi Arabia to buy 730 PAC-3 MSE missiles.
In a statement, the Pentagon announced the principal contractor for the sale of the missiles as Lockheed Martin Corp.
The Pentagon says the proposed sale will not alter the military balance in the Middle East, and it won't impact the readiness of the United States' defence.
Former CNN presenter and Journalist Don Lemon, has appeared in court in Los Angeles for civil rights crimes after being arrested for covering an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church on January 18.
Lemon was arrested on Thursday by federal agents in Los Angeles, while another independent journalist and two protest participants were arrested in Minnesota.
Lemon says he has no affiliation with the protest organisors and was there as a solo journalist chronicling protesters.
Outside Hollywood actor Jane Fonda came out in support of Mr Lemon.
"Don Lemon is a professional journalist. He and his producer were doing their job. Nothing more, nothing less. And he's been arrested. And they'll make up all kinds of defamatory things to say about him. That's what they're doing."
The arrests brought sharp criticism from news media advocates, civil rights and free speech activists.
Since he left CNN, Lemon has joined the legion of journalists who have gone into business for himself, posting regularly on social media.
The United Nation's Central Emergency Response Fund has allocated seven million dollars to address the urgent humanitarian crisis caused by severe flooding in Mozambique.
The announcement was made by the U-N's Director of Operations and Advocacy for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Edem Wosornu.
She says they provided support in response to the Mozambique government's request.
"Humanitarian partners are supporting government led efforts across these countries through search and rescue operations and multi-sectoral assistance, including emergency shelter, water, sanitation, health, food assistance and protection services.”
The floods have also impacted other neighbouring countries - Zambia, Madagascar, Eswatini, Botswana, Lesotho and Tanzania; with reports of casualties, displacement and damage to critical infrastructure.
India's Finance Ministry is imposing a higher rate of tax starting February 1 on cigarettes, depending on their size.
The new tax will apply in addition to the existing 40 per cent Goods and Services Tax.
According to the World Health Organisation, India is also the second largest consumer and producer of tobacco products which are available at very low prices in the country.
India is home to nearly 267 million adults who are users of smoking and smokeless tobacco, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey India, 2016-17.
Smoking is also one of the major causes of death and disease in India and accounts for nearly 1.35 million deaths every year, according to the WHO.
Globally, tobacco use is one of the biggest public health threats.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco use is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including various cancers, chronic lung diseases, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.
In football, Melbourne City remains just outside the top six of the A-League men's competition, after being held to a two-all draw by the Wellington Phoenix.
Goals by Medin Memeti and Marcos Younis within four minutes of each other in the second half got City back in the game, after Ifeanyi Eze scored twice for the home side.
But City only secured a point when goalkeper Patrick Beach saved a last-minute penalty from Wellington's Manjrekar James.
In last night's other game, Adelaide United drew one-all at home with Macarthur.
Today second-placed Newcastle hosts Brisbane.
Sydney F-C hosts the Western Sydney Wanderers in the season's second Sydney derby.
And Auckland look to hang onto top spot with a win in Perth against Perth Glory.
