News for Monday

20 Jan 2014

Conditions have eased in NSW but nearly 100 fires continue to burn across the state. In entertainment news, Cate Blanchett took home the SAG award for her lead role in Blue Jasmine.

Fires continue to burn in NSW

Conditions have eased in NSW but nearly 100 fires continue to burn as firefighters gain the upper hand in Victoria and South Australia. It has been confirmed that three homes have been lost in NSW. Milder conditions in Victoria and South Australia have aided crews. In Western Australia, people living in Brabham, Perth were told to leave their homes due to an uncontrolled fire. ABC News has all the details. 

NSW cabinet to discuss alcohol violence

The NSW government will meet to discuss ways to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence following weeks of pressure to act. Proposals that cabinet will consider include better regulation, boosted police resources, and penalties targeting people who commit crimes while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Read more.

Australian flies home after four-year legal nightmare

Australian businessman, Marcus Lee, will fly into Sydney this morning after enduring a four-year legal battle in Dubai. Mr Lee served nine months in a Dubai prison for fraud before being acquitted twice. Seven News has the full story.

Nauru sacks magistrate and chief justice

Nauru president, Baron Waqa has fired the country’s chief justice Geoffrey Eames and magistrate Peter Law, throwing the justice system into chaos. Mr Law claims Mr Waqa’s actions are clearly in contempt of court, saying the move is politically motivated in an attempt to change the outcome of two cases due to go before the court. Read more.

Pistorius to pay girlfriend’s family

South Africa’s bladerunner, Oscar Pistorius, accused of killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp is allegedly in talks to reach an out-of-court settlement with the model’s parents. The sprinter is in talks to pay the family more than AUD200,000 to settle the civil action before his murder trial begins in March. Nine News has more.

Cate claims SAG win

Cate Blanchett has continued her domination of Hollywood, taking home a Screen Actors Guild award for her lead role in Blue Jasmine. The SAG award is on top of her recently acquired Golden Globe award. Blanchett is widely tipped to take home the Oscar as well. Seven News has all the details.