TRANSCRIPT
- A deadly earthquake hits Tibet...
- $50 million announced by the Prime Minister for housing and community infrastructure projects in Queensland...
- Australia's Alex de Minaur feeling fit and confident ahead of the Australian Open.
Authorities say at least 126 people have been killed after a deadly earthquake struck Tibet, with the impact being felt in neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan and India.
The epicentre of the 6.8-magnitude earthquake was located in Tingri, a rural Chinese county known as the northern gateway to the Everest region.
Chinese President Xi Jinping says all-out search and rescue efforts should be carried out to minimise casualties.
Authorities in Nepal say the tremors were felt in seven hill districts bordering Tibet.
In Nepal's capital of Kathmandu, this resident says she evacuated her house when she realised the tremors were an earthquake.
"I was sleeping when the earthquake struck. The bed was shaking and I thought my child was moving the bed. I didn't pay that much attention but the shaking of the window made me understand that it's an earthquake. I then hurriedly called out my child and evacuated the house and came to the open ground. I am still shaking out of fear and am in shock."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has continued his pre-election campaigning in Queensland.
A date for this year's election has yet to be declared, but it must be by mid-May.
Mr Albanese has announced $50 million in funding for housing and community infrastructure projects in Cairns and Far North Queensland.
Almost $25 million has been allocated to the Housing Support Program package to boost social housing supply across the region.
Funding has been earmarked for seven community infrastructure projects, including for the Cairns Community and Multicultural Centre an upgrade to the PCYC Cairns facilities.
Mr Albanese says the announcement shows a contrast between the approach of the two major parties.
"This election in 2025 will be about my government prepared to commit to support people during cost of living pressures which are on. But also building Australia's future. And Peter Dutton with a plan of opposing all of our cost-of-living measures - but also wanting to take Australia backwards."
President-elect Donald Trump says a hostage deal to release some 100 hostages that remain captive in Gaza must be completed by the time he takes the oath of of office in less than two weeks.
Mr Trump repeated his threat that there will be “hell to pay” in the Middle East if the hostages are not released prior to his Jan. 20 inauguration.
"If those hostages are not back, I don't want to hurt your negotiations. If they are not back by the time I get into office all hell will break out in the Middle East and it will not be good for Hamas. And it will not be good frankly for anyone. All hell will break out. I don't have to say anymore but that's what it is."
Mr Trump's special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff says he will arrive in Qatar later today or tomorrow but did not detail who he'll be meeting with during his latest visit to the region.
Mr Witkoff added that progress is being made on landing a deal, something he says is happening because of the pressure Mr Trump is creating.
Five years after the outbreak of COVID pandemic, China is facing an outbreak of another virus.
Chinese state media is reporting a viral infection called human metapneumovirus - or HMPV - is on the rise among children in China.
HMPV belongs to the same family of viruses as RSV a seasonal virus that also causes colds and lung infections.
Officials say the virus is now among the top four most common viral infections among hospital visitors in China.
Virologist Professor Nigel McMillan at Griffith University told Channel Seven, says the virus is different to COVID-19.
"And it is one of those viruses that causes essentially the common cold. And so we all have existing immunity to this virus. And I think this is one of the key differences with COVID-19. It is a very seasonal virus. So I think we shouldn't be that concerned with these sort of outbreaks. But we do need some key information from the authorities in China, India and Malaysia where they are outbreaking. And that is what are the strains that we are seeing there? There are two common strains."
There are no vaccines for HMPV, but severe cases can be treated at hospitals.
The World Health Organization has not declared a state of emergency at this stage.
In Tennis, Alex de Minaur says he is feeling mentally and physically ready for the Australian Open that begins on Sunday*.
The 25-year-old is seen as the best local chance in the men's singles draw since Lleyton Hewitt made the 2005 final.
De Minaur has moved up one place in ATP rankings to world number eight, after his performance at the United Cup.
He says he feels recovered last year's hip injury and is ready to play his best.
"I feel like I'm a better version of myself every year that I have come into this tournament. Well, probably the biggest thing that is kind of back is my movement. It is something that suffered a little bit of a hit after the injury last year. Hopefully, I am a better version of myself than I was last year; and I can go out there, play some good tennis - and hopefully go deep here."
