The Labor minister Katy Gallagher has labelled Sussan Ley’s comparison of the arrival of the first fleet to Elon Musk’s SpaceX mission to reach Mars as “nuts”. Anthony Albanese said it was a “very strange analogy to draw”, pointing out that Australia was populated when Capt Arthur Phillip landed while Mars, to our knowledge, is devoid of life.
Meanwhile the attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, took a swipe at Peter Dutton’s criticism of Penny Wong joining him in Poland for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
Top news
Palestinians start to return to homes in north Gaza after Israeli hostage deal reached
Removal of keffiyehs ordered as accused Land Forces protesters and supporters enter Melbourne court
Trump tells US government to override California water policies if necessary
Woman charged with murder of boy in her care in Townsville home
‘Rare and threatened’: the bid to save Grampian flowers after fire disasters
Chiefs return to Super Bowl after breaking Bills’ hearts in another thriller
In pictures
In our gallery of the weekend’s best photos, traditional folk Yingge dancers take a moment before performing in a Chinese temple ahead of lunar new year celebrations.
What they said …
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“I cannot force migrants to remain in a country that does not want them. But if that country returns them, it must be with dignity and respect.”
The Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, denounced Donald Trump’s treatment of migrants after preventing two US military aircraft carrying deported Colombians from landing in Colombia. Trump immediately threatened tariffs and sanctions on Colombia. But in a late twist, the White House said Colombia had agreed to accept the migrants and Washington would not impose its threatened penalties.
In numbers
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor has reported 35 executions were made over three days by fighters affiliated with Syria’s new leaders.
Before bed read
One of the most famous press photographs ever taken is now the subject of a controversial new documentary, The Stringer, which alleges the wrong photographer was credited for the Pulitzer-winning “Napalm Girl” image.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: EATH. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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