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TRANSCRIPT:
- David Littleproud says he'll back the Nationals even if he loses his job, ahead of a leadership challenge tomorrow
- Australia's Foreign Minister urges Myanmar to urgently improve conditions for its people
- Pat Cummins ruled out of the T20 World Cup next month
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National Party leader David Littleproud says he will back his party even if he loses his job, ahead of an anticipated leadership spill tomorrow.
MP Colin Boyce says he will call a motion tomorrow, challenging Mr Littleproud's position.
The challenge follows a turbulent few weeks for the party, which split from the Coalition over the handling of a hate speech bill that passed parliament without the vote of three Upper House National Party Senators.
Mr Littleproud came under fire after every Nationals member of the Coalition front bench quit in support of the colleagues dumped for crossing the floor.
He told Channel 9 he will listen to his colleagues this week.
"What I'll do, no matter the result or if I'm not successful. My legacy of what the National Party has been able to achieve over the last three and a half years will be determined by how I've handled myself. I believe passionately in the National Party and whatever the result, I'll accept it but I'll be 100 per cent behind the National Party."
Speculation has also been growing that Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley could be ousted from her own position, with reports colleagues are canvassing for support as alternative leaders.
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Australia's Foreign Minister has released a statement in support of the people of Myanmar, calling for the incoming government to commit to improving humanitarian rights.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong acknowledged the fifth anniversary of a military coup in the nation, saying Australia will support any genuine effort by Myanmar to alleviate suffering and improving economic and social conditions.
Senator Wong wrote that "Australia has consistently condemned the regime’s brutal and ongoing atrocities against the people of Myanmar, and we will continue to judge the Myanmar military by its actions."
She urged the country to implement measures from ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus, an agreement reached by regional powers to improve the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
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A four-year-old girl has been killed and 14 others injured, after an explosion tore through an apartment building in Iran.
The blast took place in Iran's port city of Bandar Abbas, a day before planned Iranian naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of all oil trade passes.
The US military has warned Iran not to threaten its warships or commercial traffic in the strait, on which Bandar Abbas sits.
State television has blamed a gas leak for the blast, with another blast that killed five people in the southwestern city of Ahvaz also blamed on a gas leak.
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United States President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to not get involved with protests in Democrat-led cities, unless they request federal assistance or federal property is threatened.
In a post on Truth Social, he wrote that cities must protect their own state and local property, while ICE and Border Patrol will continue to guard federal buildings.
The announcement comes after mass protests throughout Minneapolis and across the country, demanding the withdrawal of federal troops after two citizens were shot and killed while protesting.
Teachers like Meredith have joined protests to denounce the crackdown.
“Our students have the right to an education. And Trump is denying them this basic right. They should feel safe at their schools. They should feel safe at their bus stops.”
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There are some shocks in Australia's squad picks for next month's Twenty20 World Cup, with fast bowler Pat Cummins ruled out over ongoing injury.
It's a surprise to fans, with selectors holding out hope he'd be available for the Super Eight stage of the tournament to be played in India and Sri Lanka.
He will be replaced by Ben Dwarshuis and Matt Renshaw is replacing fellow batter Matthew Short.
Another surprise was veteran Steve Smith not making the cut for the squad, despite his strong form in the Big Bash League.
The former champions begin their World Cup campaign against Ireland, with a February 11 match in Colombo.
