TRANSCRIPT
- Multiple states expecting very hot conditions this weekend as a heatwave sets in.
- Mike Johnson wins a tight vote to remain as US House Speaker.
- And in tennis, American Reilly Opelka knocks out Novak Djokovic in Brisbane.
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Very hot conditions across multiple states are building into heatwaves this weekend.
Hot days and warm nights will see fire crews preparing for another round of dangerous bushfire conditions.
The weather bureau predicts temperatures could soar to 12 degrees above average in parts of the country's southeast, which means temperatures in the 40s in inland South Australia, western Victoria and western New South Wales.
The Bureau of Meteorology's Miriam Bradbury says the combination of hot days with no overnight cooling is what builds into a heatwave.
"All of those states across the southeast are encompassed by this area of low to locally severe intensity heatwaves. What that's telling us is we're not just seeing the hot days for places like Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, but the warm nights as well."
Cool changes are expected in South Australia on Sunday, in Victoria on Monday and on Tuesday for New South Wales.
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The family of an experienced hiker who has been missing for 10 days in dense bushland in New South Wales has asked for help.
23-year-old Hadi Nazari was last seen descending a difficult trail in Kosciuszko National Park on Boxing Day around 2:30 pm.
His friends raised the alarm when he failed to reach their planned campground.
New South Wales Police, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the SES, New South Wales Ambulance, and volunteers have been searching since.
The man's sister, Zara, has thanked police for their efforts but is asking for more people to help search.
"It's just a plea, a request of the New South Wales Police and the government to put more resources on the ground."
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In the United States, Mike Johnson has been sworn in as Speaker of the House of Representatives once again after a dramatic re-election vote.
The longest-serving member of the House, Hal Rogers of Kentucky, delivered the oath of office to Mr Johnson.
"The Speaker of the House is the critical protector and promoter of self-rule, the keeper of the dream, if you will. And we've elected this man from Louisiana to carry on our bold experiment in democracy and self-rule. So, sir, if you're ready to assume this awesome responsibility, please raise your right hand."
Mike Johnson narrowly won reelection on a first ballot, overcoming hard-right Republican holdouts after a tense standoff.
The tally was 218-215.
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Palestinian health authorities say Israeli air strikes have killed more than 110 people in Gaza over two days.
Health officials say more than 40 people were killed on Friday, and 71 killed a day earlier including in al-Mawasi, an area previously declared a humanitarian safe zone by Israeli authorities.
Israel says it has carried out air strikes on dozens of Hamas targets over the past 24 hours.
The military claims it hit around 40 Hamas gathering points as well as command and control centres, while taking numerous measures to reduce the risk of harming civilians by using precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and other intelligence.
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Beachgoers in South Australia say the population of great white sharks is "exploding" and they are being forced to abandon the state's west coast as a surfing destination.
A search is continuing for 28 year-old Lance Appleby, of Port Lincoln, after witnesses saw him attacked at Granites Beach, near Streaky Bay on SA's Eyre Peninsula, on Thursday evening.
Shark fisherman and friend of the victim Jeff Schmucker says people should stop surfing on the west coast of South Australia because the risk of attack is too great.
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At the tennis in Brisbane,
American Reilly Opelka has stopped Novak Djokovic in his tracks to ensure the Serb has to keep waiting for his 100th ATP title.
Returning to competition after long-term hip and wrist injuries, Opelka won 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 on Friday night to book a semi-final against fellow big-server Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard today.
Djokovic, whose only 2024 title came at the Paris Olympics, opted for a rare appearance at the Brisbane International before attempting to win a record 25th grand slam title - and 11th Australian Open - in Melbourne later this month.
