TRANSCRIPT
The sails of the Opera House have been lit up on the shore of Warrang [[WUH-rung]] ((Sydney)) to mark January 26.
The sails feature the River Life artwork by Wiradjuri-Biripi artist James P. Simon, which reflects the life-giving role of waterways in kinship, connection, songlines, and healing.
In Naarm ((Melbourne)) people have gathered for a smoking ceremony at Alfred Square, while protest marches and rallies have gotten underway around the country, including at nipaluna ((Hobart)) and the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on Ngunnawal and Ngambri [[NUN-uh-worl and N’YAM-bree]] Country ((Canberra)).
Those outside capital cities have told NITV Radio they are going to events in the local area, like Wijabul Warrabul woman Valerie Smith.
"They have a big Survival Day gathering on the beach there. Last year I had a stall but this year I'm going to be in the crowd yelling 'always was always will be'. So I am looking forward to just being amongst people. I just celebrate Survival Day. It's so beautiful that we're here - and look how deadly we are."
+++
A nine year old boy has died in a suspected murder in Queensland.
Police say the child was found unresponsive at a home in Townsville.
A 24 year old woman has been charged with murder and will face court on Monday.
Investigators say the woman and boy were known to each other.
+++
The Prime Minister says he is not concerned by polling data that shows Labor trailing the Coalition in the leadup to this year's still uncalled federal election.
Two separate polls - from Resolve and YouGov - show the Coalition leading Labor on a two-party preferred basis, though voters back Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister over Peter Dutton.
The PM has told Sky News Agenda he is focused on convincing voters that Mr Dutton and the Coalition are the wrong choice.
"This guy makes these statements of policy out there that may or may not be thought through. And then they just disappear and he walks away from them... But he should be held to account because he hasn't done the hard policy work; he just has said ‘no’ and be negative for three years."
+++
Donald Trump has been accused of overseeing a purge in the US federal government, after firing of 17 top officials who oversaw independent watchdogs and government agencies.
The move clears the way to replace independent watchdogs with loyalists - but the President's letter authorising the officials removal has cited "changing priorities" as the reason for their dismissal.
The independent Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency has reacted with dismay, telling the White House that the dismissals appear to violate federal law.
The Council's letter to White House personnel director Sergio Gor says the law requires a president to give Congress "substantive rationale, including detailed and case specific reasons" for the dismissals 30 days in advance.
+++
Israel has confirmed it will not complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by the deadline agreed to in its ceasefire deal with Hezbollah.
Israeli tanks and bulldozers have instead set up several roadblocks across key border towns and roads.
Israel says they are doing so because Hezbollah and the Lebanese army haven't met their obligations, while Lebanon accuses the Israeli army of hindering the Lebanese military from taking over.
UN spokesperson Andrea Tenenti says everyone hopes their differences can be resolved.
"The experience and the drama of the last 15 months is very clear with everyone, especially for the people in the region in the south of Lebanon and across the Blue Line on the Israeli side. No one wants to go back to this conflict. So it's important that if something doesn't work out after the 60 days, there will be again a discussion at the political level, to find a solution."
+++
To sport and in football news,
Australian star Mary Fowler has played a key role in Manchester City's 4-2 defeat of Aston Villa in the Women's Super League.
She scored one of the key goals of the match, curling a magnificent left-foot shot to put the ball into the net in the second half.
But though they're back in the Champions League places, City are still six points adrift of runaway leaders Chelsea, who still have a game in hand as they host third-placed Arsenal and their three Matildas Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley.