TRANSCRIPT
- Underlying inflation data comes in lower than expected.
- Violence escalates in Congo as leaders urge UN action.
- And in cricket, Alyssa Healy says she is fit enough to play in the upcoming Ashes Test.
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Underlying inflation in Australia has come in under expectations in the latest figures for December.
Core inflation has fallen to 3.2 per cent annually, but the trimmed mean grew at 0.5 per cent.
The trimmed mean is the central bank's preferred measure of inflation, and the crucial data is one of the last pieces of information to be released before the Reserve Bank board meets in February to determine any changes to the cash rate.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has said that while substantial efforts have been made to bring down inflation, it is still too early to say if these figures will result in a cut.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the inflation challenge left by the former government is now behind us.
"These are very welcome developments. We don't pretend that it's mission accomplished on inflation but we are making very substantial progress. Now, on every measure, we have now made substantial and sustained progress in this fight against inflation."
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United Nations officials say a major escalation of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo has hospitals overwhelmed amid reports of gender-based violence and rape committed by fighters.
The latest escalation comes as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, one of around 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in the region, are claiming to have captured the city of Goma.
The UN Special Envoy for the DRC Vivian De Perre says the situation is extremely worrying as fears mount over the potential spread of violence to other regions.
"We remind all parties of their obligation to uphold international humanitarian law and stress that attacks on the United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes. The degree of suffering that the population in Goma and its environs is enduring is truly unimaginable."
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With the backing of the United States, Israeli officials say legislation banning the UN's Palestinian humanitarian relief agency UNRWA will come into effect on January 30th.
Despite a series of probes stating Israel has failed to provide evidence for its chief allegations, Israel maintains that UNRWA staff members were involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel.
UNRWA has been operating in the occupied Palestinian territories since 1949 and says it has brought in 60 percent of the food to have reached Gaza in the last 15 months.
Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the UNRWA, says the move will undermine critical efforts to rebuild in Gaza.
"UNRWA is the largest UN presence in Gaza with 14,000 personnel and 300 premises. The agency is critical for supporting a shattered population under ceasefire. And yet, in two days, our operation in the occupied Palestinian territory will be crippled as legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset takes effect. At stake is the fate of millions of Palestinians, the ceasefire, and the prospect for a political solution that brings lasting peace and security."
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The Albanese Government is investing in Australian artificial intelligence technology to keep a revolutionary healthcare diagnostics company based in Australia.
The funding is for Harrison AI, which uses AI technology to read CT scans and X-rays to support the detection and diagnosis of medical conditions with better speed and accuracy.
The $32 million equity investment is part of the government's National Reconstruction Fund which has already earmarked $1 billion to invest in a critical technologies fund and $1.5 billion for medical manufacturing.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek says the technology can ease patient concerns about medical specialist shortages.
"It also is very inspiring for me as a former health minister, because I know that there are, of course, always shortages in specialists. You're talking about, radiology here as one example. If you've got shortages of radiologists if there's delays in treatment, that obviously has bad outcomes for patients."
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To cricket now...
Alyssa Healy says she feels ready to lead Australia in the historic women's Ashes Test at the MCG as she awaits a final decision on whether she is fit to play.
The 34 year old wicket-keeper underwent a gruelling fitness test on Tuesday evening as selectors put together the final team for the day-night clash with England .
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Healy says she's feeling fit enough to play.
"I'm good to go. So I think we'll make a obviously make a final decision on what the 11 looks like over in the next little period and hopefully let those that are involved in the decision know. But I feel like I'm ready to go so we'll wait and see what happens."
