Firefighters in Los Angeles are bracing for intense winds which could fan wildfires that have already killed at least 24 people.
Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins has reportedly been killed by Russian forces.
And the Princess of Wales confirms she's in remission from cancer.
Welcome to the Morning Update. I'm Tina Quinn. Firefighters in Los Angeles are bracing for intense winds which could fan wildfires that have already killed at least twenty four people. Tens of thousands of residents remain under evacuation orders as the inferno continues to burn right through La, which has seen almost no rain in more than eight months. The two biggest wildfires, in the Palisades and Eaten Areas, erupted last week, fanned by intense winds. Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins has reportedly been killed by Russian forces. The thirty two year old was serving alongside Ukraine's army when he was captured by Russian soldiers in the Donbas region late last year. Video on social media showed him being interrogated and beaten. Australia's Foreign Minister, Penny Wong has told the ABC that her department is making urgent inquiries about his welfare.
All options are on the table. I need you know, as the Foreign Minister, to identify and ascertain the facts beforehand. Obviously, this does not occur in the context of relationship that has been an easy relationship. This has been a very difficult relationship for many years.
Queensland's LMP government is under fire after it was revealed attempted murder isn't covered by adult crime adult time legislation. A thirteen year old boy has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a coals worker in a random attack. The Premier has indicated the laws may be adjusted to include the charge. Bond University Associate professor Terry Goldsworthy says it's a huge blunder by the state government.
I think this is a signature policy put forward and promoted very strongly. If you look at the top of offenses that they included things like move, squoadly harm, wounding, murder and the killing men's order, Appempted murder is the same kind of a sense an intensive murder label block of chrismus, such as the serious.
Donald Trump's nominee for US Defense Secretary has been grilled by senators overpass conduct. During his confirmation hearing. The former Fox News host Pete Hegzath was queried over a sexual assault allegation that he denies, and was also pushed over his previous comments that women shouldn't serve in combat roles. He now says they should be allowed to as long as standards don't change. Medics saying an Israeli air strike in central Gaza has killed at least ten Palestinians and wounded many others. In a separate strike on a house in Ralfa, five people were reportedly killed. The deaths come as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamasa reportedly on the brink of a breakthrough. A global study has discovered three hundred previously unknown genetic links to depression. Australian researchers are part of a team that's been analyzing genetic samples from six hundred and eighty thousand people across twenty nine countries. Doctor Britney Mitchell from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research says it's the world's largest study of the condition.
Oh finally's highlighted specific cell types within the brain and biological pathways every previously didn't know about.
And the Princess of Wales has announced she's in remission from cancer. In a social media post, Catherine says it's a relief and she remains focused on recovery. To Sport and Matilda's captain Sam Kerr will have to face trial in London next month after failing to have an alleged harassment charge thrown out. The thirty one year old attended a hearing this morning where her lawyers trying to argue an abuse of process because police took twelve months to charge her. Kerr has pleaded not guilty to the charge, with the trial due to start on February third. Alex Demonor is through to the second round of the Australian Open after beating his Dutch opponent in straight SAIDs.
The demon does it a straight SATs victory.
Meantime, demil Meddev is likely to get fined after smashing his racket and a net camera while venting his frustrations on court. He eventually beat his high opponent in five sets. Today. James Duckworth, Jordan Thompson, to Nasi Kokanakas and Isla tom Lanovitch are among the Aussies in action in the second round. In entertainment, Australian journalist and television presenter Simon Townsend has died. His family confirmed the news, saying the seventy nine year old had a short battle with an aggressive cancer. He was best known as creator and host on children's television show Simon Townsend's Wonderworld. The show ran for almost a decade from nineteen seventy nine to nineteen eighty seven, receiving five logies in that time. And that's the latest from the Nova Podcast team. I'll see you this afternoon for another episode of the Update