TRANSCRIPT
- The US and UK carry out further strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is not looking at calling an early election this year
- Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham's Premier League title push frustrated by a 2-2 draw to Everton
The United States and the United Kingdom have struck more than 30 Houthi targets in Yemen in the lastest wave of attacks against Iran-backed groups.
In a joint statement shared by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, a coalition of eight countries, including Australia in a supporting role, said the strikes responded to "illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing" Houthi actions since previous coalition strikes.
This comes after Iraq and Iran condemned strikes by the United States on Friday against more than 80 targets linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard and militias it backs in Iraq and Syria, reportedly killing nearly 40 people, after a drone strike that killed three US soldiers in Jordan.
The coalition says strikes against Houthi attacks, which follow joint strikes on January 11 and 22, are in response to continued attacks on international shipping and naval vessels transiting the Red Sea.
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Greens Leader Adam Bandt has said his party will challenge the federal government's support for Israel when Parliament resumes on Tuesday.
The Greens leader says they are seeking to reverse parliament's support of Israel's invasion of Gaza amid the rising death toll, the humanitarian situation and the International Court of Justice ruling that Israel's actions may constitute genocide.
Mr Bandt has also signalled the party intends to challenge the Albanese government to deliver a larger tax cut for middle and lower-income earners, and may seek to launch a parliamentary inquiry to delay the passing of the stage three tax cuts bill.
He told Sky's Agenda the Greens will bring a motion on Tuesday following the decision taken by Labor and the Coalition last year to back Israel's offensives in Gaza.
"Now of course we call for the release of the hostages and that is something, those attacks were condemned and were condemned by everyone. But an invasion of 2 million civilians walled into an area half the size of Canberra was always going to lead to a humanitarian catastrophe and suffering. And now there is no more excuse. Labor has to stop backing the invasion."
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People are being urged to seek shelter while and to avoid sunburn and other illnesses as the weekend heat increases in Australia's southeast today.
Parts of the ACT, NSW, South Australia and Victoria are set for 40 Celsius maximums that many West Australians endured last week.
Among the capital cities, Sydney is likely to face the toughest test with temperatures in western suburbs such as Parramatta and Penrith expected to reach 39 degrees, while people in Adelaide are readying themselves for 36, while Melburnians will feel a top of 37 degrees.
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Northern Ireland's parliament has appointed an Irish nationalist as First Minister for the first time in its more than 100 year history.
The swearing in of Sinn Fein member Michelle O'Neill, came as Sinn Fein's historically pro-British rival, the Democratic Unionist Party, formally ended a two-year boycott of a power-sharing government.
Ms O'Neill's appointment , the delayed result of a watershed 2022 election, comes after a deal negotiated with the British government to ease post-Brexit trade frictions.
Ms O'Neill told the Northern Irish assembly she was honoured to stand before at as First Minister.
"We mark a moment of equality and a moment of progress - a new opportunity to work and grow together, confident in, that wherever we come from, whatever our aspirations are, we can and we must build our future together."
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Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham have been left frustrated in their title push as a late equaliser saw Everton snatch a 2-2 draw to Goodison Park on Saturday.
The visitors Spurs appeared on course to make it six wins in seven on Saturday after two quality strikes Brazilian international Richarlison's return to his former club.
But an added-time header from Jarrad Branthwaite, the Toffees' 21-year-old centre-back - one of their players of the season - rewarded Sean Dyche's side's determination.
Speaking after the match, Postecoglou told official broadcaster Optus Sport his team, now two points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, could have set themselves up better in the first half.
"Second half I thought was OK, created some good chances, probably needed a third, just to sort of kill the game off, because you know what's going to happen in the last sort of ten minutes, and really disappointing obviously to then concede so late."
