1. Kath and Kim star Gina Riley is being treated for breast cancer. The 51-year-old was diagnosed before Christmas and has had surgery to remove the cancer. Riley, who plays Kim in the hit comedy series, is using her own diagnosis as a reminder to other women to get their breasts checked. “I encourage women to have regular breast checks, as the earlier it is found the better the outcome,” she told the Herald Sun newspaper.
2. A Labor leadership spill appears to be imminent with rumours that a number of senior ministers are considering withdrawing their support for Prime Minister Julia Gillard. It comes on the back of poor results for Labor in yesterday’s Neilson poll and concern about media reforms.
3. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has announced her support for gay marriage. In a six-minute video released by Human Rights Campaign, Clinton said: “LGBT Americans are our colleagues, our teachers, our soldiers, our friends, our loved ones. And they are full and equal citizens, and deserve the rights of citizenship. That includes marriage.”
4. A new study has found young people are five times more likely to consume fizzy drinks if they’re kept in the family home. The University of Sydney research suggested amount of soft drink kept in households is contributing to the “alarming” levels consumed by children and teenagers. The study’s author Lana Hebden said: “Parents need to consider what is stored in their cupboards or fridge and what their children have access to”.