Welcome to Rush Hour, news.com.au's live breaking news blog.
Australia is set for its first full week of COVID-19 vaccinations, with officials estimating over 60,000 doses to be given by the weekend. Meanwhile, in the US, Former First Lady Melania Trump has been spotted for the first time after a month of laying low since leaving the White House.
That's it for today's blog. Read on for all the updates as they happened this morning.
Updates
Mongolian 'school bus' clip goes viral
Think your old school bus was crowded?
A clip posted by Rex Chapman has revealed the reality of life in Mongolia, showing a 4WD approach a school in a remote area of the northern Asian country.
An adult is then seen opening the side door to help dozens of children out of the back of the small vehicle. 36 kids in the back of an SUV. And you thought the back seat in Year 7 was rough.
India, China withdraw troops from contested border point
India and China's militaries have removed all troops from a contested lake on the Himalayan border, a contested site that sparked a conflict that claimed 24 lives last June.
The development came after both sides claimed they were working to ease tensions on parts of their contested borders.
"The two sides positively appraised the smooth completion of disengagement of frontline troops in the Pangong Lake area noting that it was a significant step forward that provided a good basis for resolution of other remaining issues along the LAC in Western Sector," a statement from India's defence ministry read.
The development came days after fresh footage of the two nations' conflict emerged, showing troops clashing in the Galwan Valley.
While the withdrawal from Pangong Lake is a step in the right direction for peace in the region, officials admit disagreements over other areas of the India-China border are still posing a problem.
"The two sides agreed to follow the important consensus of their state leaders, continue their communication and dialogue, stabilise and control the situation on the ground, push for a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues in a steady and orderly manner, so as to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas."
Seven dead in Nigeria plane crash
A military plane crash in Nigeria has killed all seven occupants after an engine failure sparked an explosion shortly after taking off from Nigeria's capital of Abuja.
"First responders are at the scene. Sadly, all seven personnel on board died in the crash," Nigeria Air Force spokesman Ibikunle Daramola said.
The plane was spotted attempting to turn back immediately after take-off but exploded before being able to make an emergency landing.
The horrific event was reportedly witnessed by hundreds watching on from the airport.
"Everybody there was screaming full of disbelief," government employee Olugbenga Alaade told AAP reporters.
“@eniola_opeyemi: VIDEO: Nigeria plane crash claims all passenger on board
A military aircraft has just crashed at the Abuja Airport. According to eyewitnesses, all six passengers aboard died in the crash.@Gidi_Trafficpic.twitter.com/x33Tq7CKr1
A train line in Melbourne has been suspended with three others facing delays of up to 30 minutes after a person was hit by a train near South Yarra Station.
Buses have been ordered to replace trains from Elsternwick station to ferry passengers to Caulfield station.
Metro Trains said the replacement buses would take about 60 minutes to arrive at Elsternwick and would connect with the Pakenham, Cranbourne and Frankston line trains at Caulfield.
— with NCA Newswire
NZ child found dead in washing machine
A young child has reportedly died after being found in a running washing machine at a Christchurch house.
The pre-school age child was found unresponsive in a front-loading washing machine, which had been turned on, Stuff reports.
A police spokesperson told the Herald officers were notified of an incident in the Christchurch suburb of Hoon Hay about 5pm on Friday.
"One person was injured and taken to hospital where they later died," the spokesperson said.
"Police are making enquiries into the circumstances of the death and the coroner has been informed."
Waihoro/Spreydon-Cashmere Community Board chairwoman Karolyn Potter said the community was resilient and would rally around the family.
"This is a sadness that's beyond talking about."
Spreydon ward councillor Dr Melanie Coker said she had only learnt about the "absolutely heartbreaking" incident after seeing media reports, but sent her condolences to the family.
It is understood the child's death is not being treated as suspicious by police.
Iran confirms temporary deal with nuclear watchdog
Iran has come to a temporary agreement with the UN after threatening to restrict access to nuclear inspectors over sanctions placed on them by the US government.
Iran signed a nuclear agreement with the west in 2015, agreeing to surprise inspections of its nuclear sites by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"What we agreed is something that is viable, it's useful to bridge this gap that we are having, salvages the situation now," IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Sunday.
The middle eastern superpower agreed to reduce its nuclear program if the US lifted trade sanctions. However, in 2018, then-president Donald Trump made the surprising move to withdraw from the deal and place further trade restrictions on Iran.
Tensions flared between the two states last week after the US seized an oil tanker believed to be from Iran off the coast of Texas. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Iran would only negotiate with Washington if US “unconditionally and effectively” lifts all sanctions.
Trumps spotted dining at Mar-A-Lago
Former First Lady Melania Trump has resurfaced after weeks of lying low following husband Donald Trump's loss in the recent US Election.
The couple have not been seen together since leaving the White House over a month ago, as the former President underwent his second impeachment hearing.
The Trumps were spotted out at a restaurant at Mar-o-Lago in Florida, where they now reside with son Barron after four years in Washington.
"What a way to spend Valentine’s Day, having dinner in the dining room alongside the Trump family!" Instagrammer Otto Keith posted.
After weeks of keeping it zipped, the 50-year-old is reportedly now poised to make a pretty penny from publishing a memoir about her time as First Lady.
"Melania is in meetings to write her White House memoir," an insider told the NY Post's Page Six. "And it would be her money — a chance for her to earn on her own… She's not done, or going as quietly as you might expect."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLVIbwWAmBJ
Police apologise after arresting journalist
Victoria Police has issued an apology after arresting Herald Sun Reporter Olivia Jenkins and photographer Jake Nowakowski at an anti-vaccination protest at Fawkner Park.
The pair were detained by police and handed a notice for a potential $1652 fine for failing to comply with the Chief Health Officer’s directions, despite them clearly displaying their press credentials around their necks.
“In the past 12 months, Victoria Police has seen an increase in hostile and at times violent protests throughout the state,” a statement read. “(Saturday’s) protest at Fawkner Park was no different and during a very dynamic situation, a journalist and photographer were caught up with the protesters and arrested.
“To be clear, it is not our intention to arrest journalists who are simply doing their job. “We understand and appreciate the important role media play reporting on news events such as this and we are generally only too willing to assist them with their requests."
Vaccine rollout begins in Australia
Australia will continue its long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine rollout today after dealing out its first round of inoculations on Sunday.
86-year-old Jane Milysiak was selected as the first to receive the jab alongside Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Castle Hill Medical Centre yesterday.
She was all smiles as she received the injection, seated next to Mr Morrison, who wore a face mask emblazoned with the Australian flag.
Mr Morrison and the first cohort to be vaccinated received the Pfizer jab, not the AstraZeneca vaccine that most Australians will receive. Health Minister Greg Hunt said it was Professor Kelly’s advice that having the Prime Minister receive the jab early would “provide confidence”.
“Either way there could be criticism, but we’ve taken the advice of the medical authorities and confidence and demonstration, but today is the first round of vaccines for Australia, and ultimately that’s about hope and protection for Australians," Mr Hunt said.
Authorities are expecting more than 60,000 vaccine doses to be administered by the end of the week, with hotel quarantine workers, frontline healthcare workers and aged care staff and residents being first priority.
Third woman accuses ex-Liberal staffer of sexual assault
A third woman has claimed she was sexually assaulted by the same former Liberal staffer accused of the 2019 rape of Brittany Higgins in the ministerial wing of Parliament House.
The fallout from the alleged rape of Ms Higgins in 2019 has dominated political discussion and parliamentary question time for a week since the news first broke on Monday, February 15.
The new complainant, a Liberal Party volunteer who was barely out of school at the time, told The Australian that she was assaulted after a night drinking with the man.
She said he offered to “look after her” at his hotel just around the corner, after buying her rounds of double strength vodkas and three tequila shots.
She alleges that she woke up with her blouse buttons opened and her jeans pushed down and the staffer “lying on top of me”, and later discovered that she was bleeding after fleeing the room.
A father has revealed his tragic final call with his 16-year-old son before he died in a horrific crash in Buxton that claimed the lives of four other local children.
