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TRANSCRIPT
- Pakistan's military say over 120 dead after multiple suicide and gun attacks
- Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd denies meeting with sex offender Jeffery Epstein after US release new files
- Scotty James eyes on gold medal in the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Separatists from Pakistan's Balochistan province have claimed responsibility for nearly a dozen coordinated attacks across southern Pakistan that have left over 120 dead.
Though Baloch separatists and the Pakistani Taliban frequently target security forces in Balochistan and elsewhere in the country, coordinated attacks on this scale are rare.
Authorities said at least 108 militants have been killed across Balochistan over the past 48 hours, including 67 on Saturday.
Analysts said it was the deadliest single day for militants in decades in the province where separatist groups are seeking independence from Pakistan’s central government in Islamabad.
Former prime minister and outgoing US Ambassador Kevin Rudd has denied attending Jeffrey Epstein's New York home following the release of new US justice department files.
Emails in the files released showed Epstein had scheduled to meet Mr Rudd on the evening of June 8, 2014, but Mr Rudd strongly denied ever meeting Epstein, and vehemently denied ever corresponding with the convicted sex offender or visiting any of his houses.
In a lengthy statement, Mr Rudd's office says the team has no records of the meeting, and says the newly released files show no evidence of any direct contact between Jeffrey Epstein and either Dr Rudd or his office.
SBS News is not suggesting there was any form of personal relationship between Epstein and Mr Rudd.
Minister for Science Tim Ayres has criticised the Liberal Party's internal leadership turmoil just days before the Reserve Bank announces the latest interest rate.
Mr Ayres says the Liberal Party is too focused on its internal leadership dispute and denies criticism from the opposition that his remarks are a distraction from the economy and Labor's cost of living policies.
He says the opposition is the one that's distracted.
"We are working a way on the interest of ordinary Australians driving cost down, supporting households, making sure that we are taking a responsible approach to budget management, and on the other side of politics, all we see is an orgy of self-focus of hyper-partisanship and toxic personality politics that means they are focused on everybody's interest except their own."
The Reserve Bank of Australia interest rate announcement on Tuesday will follow the release of inflation figures last week that saw a rise in the inflation rate to 3.8 per cent in December.
New York mayor Zohran Mamdani has called on New Yorkers to remain prepared for low temperatures, after 14 people lost their lives due to the freezing weather.
The city has been hit by blizzard like conditions on Saturday right after an icy storm that left tens of thousands of homes and businesses out of power last week.
Mr Mamdani says there are warming sites and vehicles across the city for people to shelter from the cold.
"And while these efforts will continue, I want New Yorkers to remain prepared for the intense cold that continues to brace our city. This is one of the longest, most sustained cold stretches our city has endured in years, and it is showing no signs of abating."
Health Minister Mark Butler says the National Disability Insurance Scheme must be reformed, reporting that one in six boys between the age of five and seven are supported by the N-D-I-S.
Speaking on Sky, Minister Butler said in some parts of the country, as many as one in four boys of the same age are engaged with the service - which reflects it is not being used as intended.
"I think generally there is a recognition that this has frankly gotten out of control a bit . We've had an advisory group working with me and a very esteemed paediatrician, Frank Oberclater over the past six months. To put together the model of Thriving Kids."
The Federal Government recently revealed its Thriving Kids plan, to provide alternative funding and support services for children under 8 who experience mild to moderate developmental differences or delays.
Children with significant and permanent disability support needs will continue to be supported through the NDIS.
Now in sports...
Australia's snowboard king Scotty James is taking his halfpipe riding into the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
James is now chasing his third consecutive Olympic medal after winning a bronze in Pyeongchang in 2018 and a silver in Beijing in 2022, with this time aiming for an elusive Olympic gold.
The snowboard sensation told AAP that he's confident in putting himself in what he calls the best possible position to win an Olympic gold.
The Winter Olympics will begin from next Friday with 53 Australian athletes attending the sport gala.
