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Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says she'll meet with Nationals leader David Littleproud again today, to keep talking about whether the Coalition can get back together. The Opposition's been in chaos since the Nationals split their longstanding alliance with the Liberals last month, dividing over a vote on Labor's new hate laws. Talks between the party leaders failed to reach a resolution on Monday. Ms Ley says they'll try again today but says it'll only work if the Nationals agree to shadow cabinet solidarity - which means always voting the same way. Australia's major banks have started increasing interest rates, after the Reserve Bank hiked the cash rate. The RBA lifted the cash rate in response to inflation yesterday. Commonwealth, Westpac, NAB and ANZ have already said they're passing that onto mortgage holders - it means repayments will be about $90 more a month for a $600,000 loan. Experts say it will also put pressure on the rental market, by making it harder for people to buy houses. NATO's reaffirmed its support for Ukraine, as the country reels from more Russian strikes overnight. The strikes left hundreds of thousands without power during freezing temperatures, and come as the two countries gear up for more talks on ending the war. NATO Secretary-General says he doubts Russia's serious about peace.

Mortgage holders will start copping higher repayments in less than a fortnight, as major banks respond to a rate hike from the Reserve Bank. The RBA has increased the cash rate to curb inflation. Commonwealth, Westpac, NAB and ANZ have already announced they'll pass that increase onto mortgage holders. Experts say the rate rise will also effect renters, by making it harder to buy a house and therefore increasing demand for rentals. Spain is planning to follow Australia's lead in banning under 16s from social media. The Spanish Prime Minister says he wants to protect kids from "the digital wild west," while also pledging to make tech companies legally responsible for removing illegal or hateful content from their platforms. If the laws pass, Spain will be the second country after Australia to implement a youth social media ban. Thailand's military says it's discovered a fake Australian Federal Police office inside a Cambodian scam centre. The military reportedly seized the compound in its border clashes with Cambodia last year, and found loads of evidence of transnational fraud. That included fake offices for international police forces, including Australia. Officials say the compound housed thousands of people, many of them human trafficking victims forced into scamming.

Australia's rental market is expected to face more pressure after the Reserve Bank's interest rate hike. The Reserve Bank has increased the cash rate to 3.85 per cent, responding to rising inflation. It means higher mortgage repayments for home owners, but experts say it may also deter people from wanting to buy a home, increasing demand on rentals. Famous politicians are under pressure after the US government's latest release of files related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Former US president and Secretary of State Bill and Hillary Clinton will give evidence to an investigation into Epstein this month. Bill Clinton's pictured with Epstein in the documents, but denies knowing anything about his crimes. British politician Peter Mandelson's quit politics and his facing police questioning over his ties with the sex offender. And Donald Trump's name also appears in the documents, with the US president denying any wrongdoing. Aussie athletes are taking to the Swiss mountains to prep for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics this week. Skiiers, snowboarders and ice skaters are among the athletes training at a high altitude centre in Switzerland, ahead of the Opening Ceremony in Italy on Friday. The Aussies have already hit some hurdles on their way to the games, with aerial skier Laura Peel copping a knee injury while training, and two staff members catching Covid.

Australia's major banks have started increasing interest rates, after the Reserve Bank hiked the cash rate. The RBA lifted the cash rate to 3.85 per cent yesterday, responding to rising inflation. Commonwealth, Westpac, NAB and ANZ have already said they're passing that onto mortgage holders - it means repayments will be about $90 more a month for a $600,000 loan. British politician Peter Mandelson is quitting politics over his relationship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The UK prime minister sacked Lord Mandelson from his US ambassador role in September, but there's been mounting pressure for him to leave parliament altogether after the US government's latest release of Epstein files highlighted his ties with the sex offender. Mandelson will be questioned by police over his correspondence with Epstein. Meanwhile, the US government's removed thousands of Epstein files from its website, after survivors said their identities had been compromised. The U-S military says a fighter jet has shot down an Iranian drone that was approaching an American aircraft carrier in the Middle East. The US says the drone "aggressively approached" the carrier. It also alleges Iranian forces harassed a US merchant vessel. Last month, Donald Trump threatened to attack Iran if it didn't reach a deal on nuclear weapons. The family of a young Canadian tourist who died on K'Gari off southern Queensland has arrived in Australia for a ceremony with Traditional Owners. A coroner's report found 19-year-old Piper James likely drowned, but had been bitten by dingoes before and after she died. The island's Traditional Owners will hold a smoking ceremony with her family today. Australia's government has officially condemned an attempted bomb attack at a Perth Invasion Day Rally, with the prime minister confirming it's being investigated as terrorism. A man allegedly threw a homemade bomb into the crowd on January 26. While it didn't go off, the incident sparked criticism of authorities who didn't immediately label the incident terrorism. Senator Lidia Thorpe says her condemnation motion recognises racism and hatred towards First Nations people, and acknowledges the hurt the bomb incident has caused.

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Concerns are being raised over the impacts of the Reserve Bank's rate rise on struggling Australian households. The Reserve Bank has increased the cash rate to 3.85 per cent, citing a spike in inflation at the end of last year. Some economists are warning that the rental market is expected to face more pressure following the hike. The Liberals have offered a series of conditions to the Nationals Party to re-form the coalition, including that the three Senators that crossed the floor on the Government's hate laws are unable to rejoin Shadow Cabinet for six months. Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Nationals Leader David Littleproud met last night to discuss reuniting the coalition. The Nationals have stressed that a condition on them returning would be that the three Senators who crossed the floor are reinstated to Shadow Cabinet. Other conditions put forward by the Liberals include that Shadow Cabinet solidarity is reaffirmed by both parties and that neither party room has the ability to overturn any decision endorsed by the Coalition Shadow Cabinet. The mother of a WA teenager, who swam for four hours to call for help after he and his family were swept out to sea, says her son saved their lives. Austin Applebee was paddling with his mother and two siblings off Quindalup, in WA's South West, last Friday, when strong winds pushed them out to sea. The 13-year-old swam through rough seas to reach shore and call triple zero.

The Reserve Bank says its bracing for inflation to stay higher for longer as it increases interest rates for the first time in more than two years. The board has unanimously moved to lift the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85 per cent, the first increase since November 2023, and just six months after lowering it The New South Wales Opposition has backed the Police Commissioner's decision to extend protest restrictions for an other fortnight in light of concerns about public safety ahead of next week's visit by the Israeli President. Commissioner Mal Lanyon says he fears a large scale public assembly with heightened tensions due to animosity, could present a risk to community safety. Laws giving police the power to restrict protest activity in the wake of the Bondi terror attacks were rushed through parliament late last year. Pro -Palestine activists are preparing  for nationwide protests against Isaac Herzog on Monday , including one in central Sydney. And Former US president Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary - a former secretary of state - will testify in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The US House of Representatives was just days away from voting on whether to hold the pair in criminal contempt for refusing to do so. Flight logs of Epstein's private jet show Mr Clinton took four international flights in 2002 and 2003. The former president denies knowledge of the convicted paedophile's sex offending and says he cut off contact two decades ago.

The reserve bank has lifted interest rates to 3.85-per cent at its first meeting of the year. As expected, the RBA board has responded to strong employment numbers and stubborn inflation to increase rates by 25 basis points. It's the first increase to interest rates since November 2023. The Nationals demand for three of their senators to be reinstated to shadow cabinet is looming as a key sticking point if the coalition is to re-form. They say any return to the Coalition would be subject to senators Bridget McKenzie, Ross Cadell and Susan McDonald being reinstated to shadow cabinet. Liberal Leader Susan Ley has now offered the Nationals a series of conditions if they are to reunite, one of which is that the three senators be banned from shadow cabinet for six months. Nationals leader David Littleproud says his party will take its time to consider it the offer. The New South Wales Police commissioner has announced a 14 day extension on restrictions on protests, just days ahead of planned demonstrations against the upcoming Sydney visit of Israel's president. The protest laws were rushed through state parliament in December following the Bondi terror attack, enabling police to refuse authorisation for all protests. The Palestine Action Group Sydney had said a planned protest would still go ahead even if restrictions were extended.

Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to give evidence in an investigation into late sex offender Jeffery Epstein. The former US president and former secretary of state had previously resisted legal summons, and the Republican-led House of Representatives was expected to hold them in contempt for not testifying. High profile figures from US president Donald Trump to ex-royals Fergie and Andrew are named in the so-called "Epstein files" that the US government's released. There's a photo of Bill Clinton with Epstein in the files, but he's never been accused of wrongdoing by survivors, and has denied knowledge of Epstein's offences. Donald Trump's also denied any wrongdoing and says he was "never friendly" with Epstein. While the Reserve Bank is widely expected to lift interest rates today, some economists think it may put them on hold instead. Home owners are bracing for the RBA to increase the cash rate, which would see interest rates on mortgages rise, But some experts say it's possible the Reserve Bank might take a more cautious approach, and keep rates the same. And The U-N says it's closely monitoring the partial re-opening of the Rafah border crossing in Gaza. It's the sole entry point into Egypt, and is viewed as a lifeline for Palestinians who waiting for specialised medical care. As it was reopened, Israel pounded Gaza with intense air strikes, which it says was in retaliation to a breach of the ceasefire. The UN says it's good news the border crossing is open again, but says reports of civilian deaths are alarming.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley as brushed off questions about a potential challenge to her position. The Opposition's been in chaos since the Coalition split last month, and the Liberals and Nationals remain separate despite talks about the parties' futures last night. There's been speculation Sussan Ley won't last as leader, but she says her team is united. Some economists think there's a chance the Reserve Bank could hold interest rates today, rather than lift them. The RBA is widely tipped to increase the cash rate by a quarter of a percent, following stronger than expected inflation data last month. That would see interest rates on mortgages rise, meaning higher repayments for home owners. But some experts say it's possible RBA might take a more cautious approach, and keep rates the same. Documents related to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are putting pressure on high profile figures, from the US president to disgraced British royals. The US government's released another batch of the Epstein files, which includes a list from the FBI including allegations callers to a tip line made against US President Donald Trump. Mr Trump's repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, and says he was "never friendly" with him. Britain's former US ambassador Peter Mandelson and ex royals Fergie and Andrew are also in the spotlight over their ties with the sex offender.

The United Nations says it's alarmed by reports Israeli strikes have killed more civilians. It comes as Israel partly reopens the key Rafah crossing, which it seized and closed two years ago, allowing for some of the tens of thousands of Palestinians needing medical care to get out. The UN's welcomed the Rafah opening, but says it's very concerned about Israeli strikes on the weekend which Palestinian officials say killed 30 people, despite the ceasefire in place since October. Ukraine's president says a new round of peace talks on ending Russia's war are set to go ahead this week. The talks come amid continued frontline fighting, and deadly long range attacks. The US will broker the discussions, with the Trump Administration pushing Russia and Ukraine to find compromises. It comes as Donald Trump announces a new trade deal with India, which the US president says will see India stop buying Russian oil. The Victorian government's planning to let GPs diagnose and treat ADHD. The move would see 150 general practitioners trained in the condition.. which at the moment is only able to be diagnosed by a psychiatrist or paediatrician in Victoria. The state government says it'll cut costs and wait times for treatment. It follows similar moves around the country, with almost all states and territories putting similar plans in motion for GPs to treat the condition.

Victoria Police say they're facing challenging conditions in the search for Dezi Freeman. Yesterday, police began a new five day search for the fugitive, who allegedly shot and killed two police and fled into the Victorian bush in August. Police say they believe he's dead. Authorities are hunting for any sign of him, but say tough terrain is making searching difficult. Australia's opposition is still in limbo, despite talks between the Liberals and Nationals last night. The Coalition split last month caused turmoil for both parties, and a leadership spill for the Nationals, which David Littleproud survived yesterday. Meanwhile, former federal Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi has joined One Nation - the second high profile ex-Coalition MP to do so in recent months. The political chaos within opposition has sparked criticism from other pollies, with independent MP Jacqui Lambie saying the saga is like "MAFS or Love Island gone wrong." US President Donald Trump has denied ever visiting what he calls Jeffery Epstein's "infested island". Epstein was a convicted sex offender, who allegedly used a private island as a base for underage sex trafficking. The US government has released documents showing links between the late sex offender and high profile global figures. The latest files include a list from the FBI containing allegations made against Mr Trump by callers to a tip line. The US president's denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, and in a social media post Mr Trump's added he was "never friendly" with him.

Mortgage payments are likely to get more expensive, with many economists expecting the Reserve Bank to hike interest rates today. The RBA generally raises rates to stem inflation, which is slowly creeping up. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says holiday purchases and the withdrawal of energy rebates are behind recent inflation rises - not government spending. If the RBA does announce a rate hike, it'll be the first in two years. A motion condemning the attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally in Perth is set to be introduced in federal parliament today. On January 26, a man alleged threw a homemade bomb into the rally crowd, but it was days before authorities labelled the incident a "potential terrorist act." Senator Lidia Thorpe is pursing a parliamentary motion which acknowledges the impact of the alleged attack on First Nations communities. The motion's expected to receive government support in the senate. And the latest release of the Epstein files is continuing to put pressure on high profile figures from around the world. The documents reveal Sarah Ferguson called late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein "the brother I've always wished for." Fergie was married to Andrew Mount Batten Windsor, who lost his royal title over his relationship with Epstein. The UK prime minister's also calling for Britain's former US ambassador Peter Mandelson to be removed from parliament after his ties to Epstein were highlighted in the documents.

There's likely to be an interest rate rise today, for the first time in more than two years.

The Reserve Bank is expected to raise interest rates today for the first time in over two years. The RBA generally raises rates to stem inflation, which is slowly creeping up. Home owners are bracing for the move, which is set to increase mortgage payments. Israel's partly reopened Gaza's Rafah crossing, with a small number of Palestinians set to leave for medical treatment or return to their homeland. Rafah's a key gateway because it's the only crossing Gaza shares with Egypt rather than Israel - but Israel seized and closed it two years ago. That cut off an important route for wounded and sick Palestinians to get help outside of Gaza. Israel's now reopened the border for a limited number of people on foot, with 50 people expected to cross in each direction on the first day of the opening. Gazan officials say around 20,000 Palestinians needing medical care are waiting to cross. The Liberals and Nationals have failed to reform the Coalition, despite "cooperative" talks in Canberra last night. Opposition leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud met to discuss their parties' futures after splitting up last month .... that caused chaos for both parties and a leadership challenge in the Nationals - which David Littleproud survived yesterday. Meanwhile, former federal Liberal senator Cory Bernardi will run with One Nation in South Australia's state election. He's the second high profile ex-Coalition MP to join One Nation in a matter of months. The fallout from the latest release of Epstein files is continuing, with the UK prime minister calling for Britain's former US ambassador to be removed from parliament over his ties with the sex offender. Peter Mandelson's a big name in the UK's Labour party, but was fired from his envoy role last year over connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The latest documents have also thrown spotlight on Sarah Ferguson, revealing Fergie called the late sex offender a "legend" and "the brother I've always wished for." Ms Ferguson was married to Andrew Mount Batten Windsor, who lost his royal title over his relationship with Epstein. The Dalai Lama's first Grammy award has angered the Chinese government. The 90-year-old won the audio book category for his book "Meditations: Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama." He's a Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, and the Chinese government says his win is a "tool for anti-China politcal manipulation." There were other poltical moments at the Grammys, with winners Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish using their speeches to criticise America's immigration policies.

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