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Why hurricanes like Milton in the US and cyclones in Australia are becoming more intense and harder to predict

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-dowdy-119002">Andrew Dowdy</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/liz-ritchie-tyo-1509061">Liz Ritchie-Tyo</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/savin-chand-1351050">Savin Chand</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/federation-university-australia-780">Federation University Australia</a></em></p> <p>Tropical cyclones, known as hurricanes and typhoons in other parts of the world, have caused huge damage in many places recently. The United States has just been hit by <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?start">Hurricane Milton</a>, within two weeks of <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-hurricane-helene-became-a-deadly-disaster-across-six-states-240522">Hurricane Helene</a>. Climate change <a href="https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-change-key-driver-of-catastrophic-impacts-of-hurricane-helene-that-devastated-both-coastal-and-inland-communities/">likely made their impacts worse</a>.</p> <p>In Australia, the tropical cyclone season (November to April) is approaching. The Bureau of Meteorology this week released its <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/cyclones/australia/">long-range forecast</a> for this season.</p> <p>It predicts an average number of tropical cyclones, 11, are likely to form in the region. Four are expected to cross the Australian coast. However, the risk of severe cyclones is higher than average.</p> <p>So what does an average number actually mean in our rapidly changing climate? And why is there a higher risk of intense cyclones?</p> <p>The bureau’s forecast is consistent with scientific evidence suggesting climate change is likely to result in fewer but more severe tropical cyclones. They are now more likely to bring stronger winds and <a href="https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/28/1251/2024/hess-28-1251-2024.pdf">more intense rain and flooding</a>.</p> <h2>Climate change is making prediction harder</h2> <p>Our knowledge of tropical cyclones and climate change is based on multiple lines of evidence <a href="https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-18-0189.1">globally</a> and for the Australian region. This work includes our studies based on <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-022-01388-4">observations</a> and <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00382-018-4497-4">modelling</a>.</p> <p>The bureau’s seasonal outlook in recent years has assumed an average of 11 tropical cyclones occurring in our region (covering an area of the southern tropics between longitudes 90°E and 160°E). It’s based on the average value for all years back to 1969.</p> <p>However, for the past couple of decades the annual average is below nine tropical cyclones. In earlier decades, it was over 12. This long-term downward trend adds to the challenge of seasonal predictions.</p> <p>The most recent above-average season (assuming an average of 11) was almost 20 years ago, in the <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/tropical-cyclone-knowledge-centre/history/climatology/">2005–06 summer with 12 tropical cyclones</a>. Since then, any prediction of above-average tropical cyclone seasons has not eventuated.</p> <h2>El Niño and La Niña influences may be changing too</h2> <p>Historical observations suggest more tropical cyclones tend to occur near Australia during La Niña events. This is a result of warm, moist water and air near Australia, compared with El Niño events. The shifting between El Niño and La Niña states in the Pacific region is known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).</p> <p>Such events can be predicted with a useful degree of accuracy several months ahead in some cases. For example, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has <a href="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/lanina/enso_evolution-status-fcsts-web.pdf">forecast</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>La Niña is favored to emerge in September–November (71% chance) and is expected to persist through January–March 2025.</p> </blockquote> <p>Based on that, one might expect a higher-than-average number of tropical cyclones for the Australian region. However, the <a href="https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/asl2.502">ENSO influence on tropical cyclones has weakened</a> in our region. It’s another factor that’s making long-range predictions harder.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/outlook/">bureau’s ENSO outlook</a> is somewhat closer to neutral ENSO conditions, based on its modelling, compared to NOAA’s leaning more toward La Niña. The bureau says:</p> <blockquote> <p>Should La Niña form in the coming months, it is forecast to be relatively weak and short-lived.</p> </blockquote> <p>The bureau’s prediction of an average number of tropical cyclones this season is broadly consistent with its prediction of close-to-average ENSO conditions.</p> <h2>So what does this all mean for this cyclone season?</h2> <p>If we end up getting an average Australian season for the current climate, this might actually mean fewer tropical cyclones than the historical average. The number might be closer to eight or nine rather than 11 or 12. (Higher or lower values than this range are still possible.)</p> <p>However, those that do occur could have an increased chance of being <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/tropical-cyclone-knowledge-centre/understanding/categories/">category 4 or 5 tropical cyclones</a>. These have stronger winds, with gusts typically exceeding 225km per hour, and are more likely to cause severe floods and coastal damage.</p> <p>If we end up getting more than the recent average of eight to nine tropical cyclones, which could happen if NOAA predictions of La Niña conditions eventuate, that increases the risk of impacts. However, there is one partially good news story from climate change relating to this, if the influence of La Niña is less than it used to be on increasing tropical cyclone activity.</p> <p>Another factor is that the <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ocean/sst/#/anom/global/weekly/20241006">world’s oceans are much warmer than usual</a>. Warm ocean water is one of several factors that provide the energy needed for a tropical cyclone to form.</p> <p>Many ocean heat <a href="https://climatereanalyzer.org/clim/sst_daily/?dm_id=world2">records have been set</a> recently. This means we have been in “uncharted waters” from a temperature perspective. It adds further uncertainty if relying on what occurred in the past when making predictions for the current climate.</p> <h2>Up-to-date evidence is vital as climate changes</h2> <p>The science makes it clear we need to plan for tropical cyclone impacts in a different way from what might have worked in the past. This includes being prepared for potentially fewer tropical cyclones overall, but with those that do occur being more likely to cause more damage. This means there are higher risks of damaging winds, flooding and coastal erosion.</p> <p>Seasonal prediction guidance can be part of improved planning. There’s also a need for enhanced design standards and other climate change adaptation activities. All can be updated regularly to stay consistent with the best available scientific knowledge.</p> <p>Increased preparedness is more important than ever to help reduce the potential for disasters caused by tropical cyclones in the current and future climate.</p> <hr /> <p><em>The authors acknowledge the contribution of CSIRO researcher <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hamish-ramsay-19549">Hamish Ramsay</a> during the writing of this article.</em><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/241000/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-dowdy-119002"><em>Andrew Dowdy</em></a><em>, Principal Research Scientist in Extreme Weather, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/liz-ritchie-tyo-1509061">Liz Ritchie-Tyo</a>, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/savin-chand-1351050">Savin Chand</a>, Associate Professor, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/federation-university-australia-780">Federation University Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-hurricanes-like-milton-in-the-us-and-cyclones-in-australia-are-becoming-more-intense-and-harder-to-predict-241000">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Travel Trouble

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Tennis star "heartbroken" as injury puts life on hold

<p>Aussie tennis star Storm Hunter has suffered a devastating injury just one day before the nation's qualifying tie against Mexico. </p> <p>The 29-year-old has had to put her Olympic dream and plans to crack the world’s top 100 on hold, after she fell and ruptured her right Achilles tendon. </p> <p>The incident occurred on Thursday’s final practice session for Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup qualification tie against Mexico on Friday. </p> <p>Hunter took to Instagram to announce the bad news, with a picture of herself during one of the games.</p> <p>“I am devastated and heartbroken but incredibly grateful to be around the team and I know I have a great group of people around me that will help me get back on court as soon as possible,” she wrote. </p> <p>“Thank you so much everyone for the messages of support and love, I’m excited to stay for the tie and support our Aussie girls.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5pE4RDPdpG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5pE4RDPdpG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by STORM HUNTER (@stormcsanders)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In a following update, she shared a photo of herself in crutches holding a bouquet of flowers that she received from the rival team. </p> <p>"Thank you team Mexico for the flowers" she captioned the photo, with a heart emoji and the Mexican flag. </p> <p>Recovery time for a ruptured Achilles is at least four months, but can take up to a year depending on the injury. </p> <p>This means that the tennis star is set to miss the Olympic Games in Paris later this year, where she could've featured in all three disciplines.</p> <p>She was set to team up with Ellen Perez for the clash with Mexico, but has since been replaced with Daria Saville. </p> <p>“Storm went to take off for a ball and unfortunately has sustained a very serious injury, so she’s going to be getting an MRI tonight,” Team captain Sam Stosur said on Thursday. </p> <p>“Obviously the tie still continues and we’ve made a decision. Dasha’s going to go in place of her to play tomorrow, but obviously we’re all rallying behind Storm and wishing her the very, very best and the quickest recovery possible.”</p> <p>Hunter has had a career-high singles mark of 114 at the start of April, and finished 2023 as the world No.1 in doubles alongside Elise Mertens. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

Caring

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"We've all gone": Why Jackie O stormed off set

<p>Jackie O Henderson has marched out of KIIS FM in the middle of <em>The Kyle and Jackie O show, </em>after finding out that the station has the highest gender pay gap disparity across Australian radio.</p> <p>“Southern Cross Austereo has a disgraceful 5.9% pay gap. At Nova and Smooth FM it is even worse, six per cent." <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Kyle Sandilands told listeners on Tuesday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">"But unfortunately, the number one spot is at KIIS FM, – at the top of the tree with a 12% pay gap disparity.”</span></p> <p>Sandilands, who famously fought for Henderson to secure equal pay on their radio program, then brought on one of the show’s producers Pete Deppeler and another female KIIS FM producer, who revealed she was only being paid half of what Deppeler was. </p> <p>“Are you freaking joking? Why is Peter getting that much money? I’m so angry about that, it makes my blood boil,” Henderson replied. </p> <p>She then left the studios with all her female colleagues. </p> <p>“We’ve all gone,” she said.</p> <p>"We are just here with the fellas. I don’t know whether I am enjoying this, bring the girls back!” Sandilands told listeners. </p> <p>On Tuesday, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency published the gender pay gap for more than 5,000 Australian companies.</p> <p>This was done after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ordered the information to be made public for the first time ever, so the data can be compared within and across industries.</p> <p>The new data revealed that the national gap for total remuneration sits at 19 per cent and the median Australian female worker is taking home $18,461 less than their male counterpart.</p> <p>Despite a few criticisms on Albanese's decision to publicise this data, Workplace Minister Tony Burke has said that releasing this data is effective. </p> <p>“People on this side know that releasing that sort of data is effective and you will only find in the other side of politics anyone arguing that it is useless,‘’ he said.</p> <p>“The days of secretly paying women less than men are now over.”</p> <p><em>Images: Kyle and Jacki O Show</em></p>

Money & Banking

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"I'm not myself": The real reason why Kyle Sandilands stormed off the show

<p>Jackie O Henderson has revealed the real reason why her co-host, Kyle Sandilands, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/kyle-sandilands-storms-out-of-studio-after-argument-with-jackie-o" target="_blank" rel="noopener">walked out</a> just 11 minutes into their hit breakfast show on Tuesday morning. </p> <p>The shock jock was nowhere to be seen on Wednesday, so Jackie O had to explain his absence. </p> <p>One of their producers revealed that Sandilands had been "struggling with his shoulder." </p> <p>"He sent me a message saying, 'Honey, I'm so sorry. I'm on medication and I'm not myself. I'm in so much pain," Henderson said. </p> <p>"I actually feel so bad for him," admitted the radio star.</p> <p>Sandilands had recently injured his rotator cuff and was prescribed Oxycodone to manage the pain. </p> <p>A few of the side effects of using the painkiller can include light-headedness, confusion and unusual tiredness or weakness.  </p> <p>Henderson also admitted that she may have pushed him off the edge during their discussion about Covid-19 yesterday, as she had reportedly cussed him out. </p> <p>"Calling him a c**ksucker was the turning point," she said. </p> <p>Their argument had escalated into name-calling before Sandilands stormed out. </p> <p>Sandilands had previously used the derogatory term to attack newsreader Brooklyn Ross, and he couldn't when his co-host used the same insult back at him. </p> <p>This incident comes almost a week into the radio duo signing a record-breaking $200 million 10-year deal on air. </p> <p><em>Image: Kyle and Jackie O Show/ Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Kyle Sandilands storms out of studio after argument with Jackie O

<p>Kyle Sandilands has stormed off his hit KIIS FM radio program after an argument with his co-host Jackie O Henderson over Covid-19. </p> <p>Sandilands stormed off just 11 minutes into the show on Tuesday morning, after bringing up that NSW Premier Chris Minns had cancelled his appearance on their show after testing positive to the virus.</p> <p>The argument sparked when Henderson downplayed the seriousness of the virus and said it was "just like the flu". </p> <p>Sandilands hit back saying that Henderson would probably still isolate if she caught the virus, considering how cautious she was in the past. </p> <p>"I'm allowed to change my opinion," Henderson shot back. </p> <p>Sandilands then argued that she should have some "consistency" in her opinions, before declaring that he was going home and storming out of the studio. </p> <p>"Well that escalated quickly," a stunned Henderson said. </p> <p>Not long after their Executive producer Pedro Vitola confirmed that the radio host had gone home. </p> <p>"What's happening today?" Henderson asked. </p> <p>"I'm telling you this full moon, it messes with people," she added referring to what astrologers call the full moon in Gemini, which they believe is a period when people are a bit more restless and rife with misunderstandings. </p> <p>It is unclear whether Henderson also went home as it is reported that the show has been playing repeats of old segments. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram/ KIIS FM</em></p>

Music

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Cruise ship forced to turn back after 100 passengers injured in storm

<p>The Spirit of Discovery cruise ship was forced to turn back after around 100 passengers were injured during a massive storm. </p> <p>Cruise company Saga have said that most of the injuries were minor, but five people had to be taken to hospital when the ship returned to England on Tuesday local time. </p> <p>One passenger told<em> BBC News</em> that a few passengers  "feared for their lives", when the storm hit the ship in the Bay of Biscay, off the French coast. </p> <p>"People were writing texts to their loved ones in case we capsized," they added. </p> <p>"The tone of voice in our captain... he was physically scared. We had crew crying. We had many passengers in awful states of fear." </p> <p>The passenger also claimed that that injuries included broken bones and cuts, with reports of furniture flying around and  people  being knocked off their feet, as the ship stopped moving and veered dramatically to one side as part of its safety manoeuvre. </p> <p>Another passenger, 75-year-old Jan Bendall, told the BBC that she and her husband were "holding on for dear life", and that it was overall a frightening experience. </p> <p>"It was quite frightening, I'm not somebody who frightens easily," Bendall said.</p> <p>"We were lucky - we're quite able-bodied, but I think some of the older people and people in their own cabins were quite worried," she added.</p> <p>The ship itself holds almost 1000 passengers and holds cruises for people over 50. </p> <p>Saga told the <em>BBC </em>that there had been "very limited" damage and the ship had "remained safe at all times." </p> <p>"While the weather is clearly beyond our control, we want to offer our sincere apologies to all those affected who are now safely on their way home in calmer seas," the spokesperson said.</p> <p><em>Images: Nine News/ Facebook</em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Trouble

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"We don't storm planes, this is not TV": Police respond to criticism of Sydney plane bomb threat

<p>A 45-year-old man is facing charges following a prolonged standoff aboard an airplane, which culminated in an arrest at Sydney Airport.</p> <p>Malaysia Airlines flight MH122, carrying 199 passengers and 12 crew members, took off from Sydney Airport at 1.40pm on Monday August 14. However, the flight had to return to the airport's runway at 3.47pm, where it remained stationary for several hours as emergency vehicles stood by.</p> <p>The arrest followed an alleged disturbance caused by a passenger on board. Finally, at around 6.30pm, passengers were able to disembark from the aircraft.</p> <p>The Australian Federal Police have now revealed that the man had made claims of having explosives on the plane. The authorities charged the 45-year-old individual, a resident of Canberra, with making a false statement regarding threats to damage an aircraft of division three, and with failing to comply with safety instructions from cabin crew.</p> <p>Video footage captured within the plane reportedly showed the man, who was carrying a backpack, making threats towards fellow passengers and crew members.</p> <p>During the flight, passengers took to social media to share videos depicting the man raising his voice and displaying aggressive behaviour towards cabin crew and fellow travellers.</p> <p>One passenger named Velutha Parambath shared on social media that approximately 30 minutes after takeoff, the individual began behaving disruptively, even becoming physically confrontational with other passengers.</p> <p>Parambath noted that the man's actions escalated to include preaching about his religious beliefs. He added that the man had something in his hand, and his conversations with the crew were marked by statements like "I'm not afraid of dying" and "I've got things with me," which generated fear among those on board.</p> <p>In the immediate aftermath, criticism emerged from several passengers aboard MH122 regarding the duration it took for the Australian Federal Police to arrest and remove the man from the aircraft once it returned to Sydney. In response, the AFP stated that an evacuation was initiated once it was determined safe for passengers and crew, leading to the man's arrest.</p> <p>The Australian Federal Police took the lead in managing the situation, with the support of the New South Wales Police. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb defended the response, noting the volatile nature of the incident and the unpredictability of the situation.</p> <p>"Given it's a volatile situation and [it's] unpredictable we didn't know the severity of the incident and you have to deal with what we learn about the passenger," she said. "We didn't know if there was a bomb."</p> <p>"I praise the crew for what they did in keeping the passengers calm … to de-escalate the situation to the point that we got this matter resolved in three hours, I think three hours is pretty good.</p> <p>"The protocol in Australia is to negotiate, we don't storm planes, this is not TV, it's not the movies we want to protect the lives of all passengers."</p> <p>The incident caused significant disruptions to domestic travel at Sydney Airport, resulting in the cancellation of 32 flights and delays of up to 90 minutes. NSW Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the concerns about the AFP response and announced a review of the situation while highlighting that the resolution was achieved peacefully.</p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Bluey toast takes the internet by storm

<p>While some have a hard enough time trying to make toast without setting off the fire alarm, others are always dreaming just that little bit bigger. </p> <p>Like the parents who call themselves the Bluey Mums on Facebook, who have found a source of endless entertainment in the form of Bluey toast - or more specifically, Bluey’s younger sister, Bingo. </p> <p>Their inspiration comes from a cookbook titled <em>Bluey and Bingo’s Fancy Restaurant Cookbook: Yummy recipes, for real life</em>. And with an ingredients list that seems simple enough on the surface - toast, some fruit, and a spread of their choice - many set to work trying to spoil their children with a fun-filled breakfast plate. </p> <p>However, as many soon came to learn, it can often be better to stick to what we know. Or at the very least to remember that practice makes perfect, and sometimes our first attempts are better served as a warning. </p> <p>And for the Bluey Mums, sharing became the theme of the day, with members finding bucketloads of amusement in posting their creations with each other. Some were spot on, and others were a little more abstract - but all were valiant efforts, and at the end of the day, came only from the best intentions. </p> <p>“Our ‘attempt’ at Bingo toast,' wrote one mum, Madison, alongside her images of what the toast should have looked like, and what she’d managed to come up with. Her masterpiece wasn’t far off the intended portrait, just a little off in proportion, but it was enough to draw laughter from the crowd, and some good-natured commentary at the shocked character on the plate. </p> <p>“Bingo has seen things,” someone declared.</p> <p>“Looks better than the picture I'd say!” wrote one supportive user. </p> <p>Meanwhile, others were happy just to know what it meant to their children, with one even getting a surprising - and welcome - result out of it all. </p> <p>“I have zero skills to do this stuff! But my daughter loved it and ate all the bread,” she wrote, before adding that her daughter had been “refusing bread for a while”. </p> <p>“My daughter loved it though,” another wrote of her own attempt, “and that’s all that matters.”</p> <p>One parent, who shared her creation to Reddit, was met with similar enthusiasm from commenters, with one writing “expectation vs reality … And the reality ain't that bad! Nice”.</p> <p>“Now do Muffin!” encouraged one, eager for another round of terrific toast.</p> <p><em>Images: Bluey Mums / Facebook, Reddit</em></p>

Food & Wine

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"This is crazy": Ellen shares worrying update from storm-lashed LA

<p>Former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres shared an update on Twitter showing the intensity of the wild storms hitting Los Angeles.</p> <p>The 64-year-old gave an up close and personal look at how the storm was wreaking havoc near her Montecito mansion.</p> <p>"Montecito is under mandatory evacuation. We are on higher ground so they asked us to shelter in place. Please stay safe everyone," she wrote.</p> <p>The video shows DeGeneres bundled up in a grey raincoat and hoodie as the rising floodwaters in the creek raged behind her.</p> <p>"This creek next to our house never flows, ever. It’s probably about nine feet [2.7m] up. It could go another two feet [60cm] up. We have horses ready to evacuate," she said.</p> <p>DeGeneres lives in an affluent area with other A-listers including the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Montecito is under mandatory evacuation. We are on higher ground so they asked us to shelter in place. Please stay safe everyone. <a href="https://t.co/7dv5wfNSzG">pic.twitter.com/7dv5wfNSzG</a></p> <p>— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) <a href="https://twitter.com/EllenDeGeneres/status/1612591946635284480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>DeGeneres referenced the five-year anniversary of the deadly mudslides that struck Southern California in 2018, leaving 23 people dead and over 160 others injured.</p> <p>"This is crazy, on the five-year anniversary. We’re having unprecedented rain,” she said.</p> <p>DeGeneres ended the video with a friendly reminder that: “We need to be nicer to mother nature, cause mother nature is not happy with us. Let’s all do our part. Stay safe everybody.”</p> <p>Various fans have commented their support and prayers for the former talk show host.</p> <p>"Wow, so sorry you have to go through that. Stay safe," one commented.</p> <p>"It’s 5 years to the day since 23 people died in the Montecito mudslides. Stay safe Ellen and everyone else," commented another.</p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Pugs and kisses! New London cafe takes the pug world by storm

<p>London has welcomed its very first pug-themed cafe, right in time for Christmas.</p> <p>Adorably dubbed "CuppaPug", seven rescued pugs have been dressed up in an array of cute outfits by the cafe owners, giving customers and super pug fans the chance to spend hours with the beautiful and chunky pups.</p> <p>If that wasn’t enticing enough, you can play with the puggies and give them plenty of cuddles while they’re dressed like Santa and his helpers.</p> <p>The cafe's motto is "pugs' welfare first, café second" and is home to seven resident pugs in descending age. Gaston is the oldest at six years of age, followed by, Bruce, Bowser, Beau, Gizmo, Bebe and finally Baloo – who is just six months old at the time of writing.</p> <p>Co-owner of the cafe, Aaron says that: "Pugmas is so special to us here at CuppaPug!</p> <p>“For Matt and I, "Pugmas" is about bringing festive joy and pugs to people really needing a strong dose of Christmas fun.</p> <p>“We are Christmas-themed with a pink Christmas Santa, pink Christmas trees, lights and decorations and, of course, the pugs in their little Santa outfits.</p> <p>"People walk back from work with a miserable face but once they see the pugs playing, it makes them stop in their tracks and smile, usually taking a heap of photos too. A lot of kids who visit tell us it's the best day of their lives!</p> <p>"The pugs are so well behaved with children and parents often bring children who've had bad experiences with dogs to try to overcome it. Reactions from customers are overwhelmingly positive; we really are a joyous place!"</p> <p>CuppaPug are looking to introduce PugLates, and cocktails will also be available on the menu soon.</p> <p>10% of their entry fee goes towards rescuing and rehoming pugs, and they have pugs brought in who need adopting, partnering with The National Pug Protection Trust, who provide customers with information and advice.</p> <p>Customers often boast how therapeutic the experience is, especially when the pugs are having quiet time in their beds or on people's laps – but equally, there can be lots of chaotic fun when playing or training with the animals!</p> <p>For more information, head to <a href="https://www.cuppapug.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.cuppapug.com/</a></p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Aussie tennis star's love match

<p>Australian tennis star Storm Sanders has tied the knot with her longtime partner Loughlin Hunter in a stunning ceremony. </p> <p>The 28-year-old sporting champ shared photos of their special day on Instagram from the wedding, surrounded by family and friends at All Saints Estate Winery in Wahgunyah, located in rural Victoria.</p> <p>"MR AND MRS HUNTER," Storm captioned the photos, before adding, "The best weekend of our lives".</p> <p>Among Storm's bridesmaids was fellow tennis player Daria Saville, while famous faces such Sam Stosur, Maddison Inglis, Jaimee Fourlis, Priscilla Hon and Ashling Sumner were also in attendance. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClLGaGGvDBX/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClLGaGGvDBX/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by STORM HUNTER (@stormcsanders)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Loughlin proposed to Storm in November 2020, as she shared the news online saying, "Gonna have an even cooler name soon. I cannot wait to marry you," she wrote alongside a loved-up photo of the pair just moments after he popped the question. </p> <p>The tennis champion reached a career-high last October after ranking 119th, as she continues to be ranked 10th in doubles. </p> <p>Storm won her first grand slam title this year at the US Open, winning mixed doubles with John Peers. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Why Pauline Hanson stormed out of the Senate

<p>Pauline Hanson has been branded a "racist" after storming out of the Senate during the Welcome to Country acknowledgement. </p> <p>Senate President Sue Lines acknowledged the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples as the traditional custodians of the Canberra area and paid respect to elders past and present during the opening of Wednesday’s sitting.</p> <p>But before Senator Lines could complete the acknowledgment, the One Nation leader interrupted. </p> <p>“No, I won’t,” she yelled, adding, “I never will.”</p> <p>Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe, a proud Djab Wurrung Gunnai Gunditjmara woman, quickly condemned the “disrespectful” move and slammed Senator Hanson's actions on Twitter. </p> <p>“Day two of the 47th parliament and racism has reared its ugly head,” she tweeted. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pauline Hanson, you are ignorant and you are racist.</p> <p>— Senator Lidia Thorpe (@SenatorThorpe) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorThorpe/status/1552077364318060544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>“Pauline Hanson disrespectfully stormed out of the acknowledgement of Country in the Senate, refusing to acknowledge 'those people.' You want to make parliament safe? Get rid of racism.”</p> <p>As is tradition in the Houses of Parliament, the Welcome to Country is given daily after the Lord's Prayer. </p> <p>The acknowledgment was made a permanent feature of daily Parliament proceedings in 2010 after the election of the Gillard government. </p> <p>Senator Hanson has been a member of the upper house since 2016, with colleagues saying she has sat through years of daily acknowledgments without any interjections. </p> <p>In a statement, a spokesman for Senator Hanson said she would “refuse” to acknowledge country in the Senate. </p> <p>“Senator Hanson considers that ‘acknowledgement of country’ perpetuates racial division in Australia,” the spokesman said. </p> <p>“Like many non-indigenous Australians, Senator Hanson considers this country belongs to her as much it does belong to any other Australian, Indigenous or otherwise."</p> <p>“From this point forward, Senator Hanson will refuse to acknowledge country in the Senate.”</p> <p>Senator Hanson's defiance has caused a flood of criticism online, with many calling the One Nation leader a "racist": a title she has been branded with sporadically throughout her political career. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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“Turn the cameras off!”: Trump storms out on Piers Morgan

<p>Former US President Donald Trump has erupted at Piers Morgan before storming off the set of an interview that touched on the “stolen” US presidential election.</p> <p>After Morgan lay the blame for last year’s deadly riots at the Capitol squarely at Trump’s feet – largely for his refusal to concede that he had lost the 2020 presidential election – Trump had had enough, and began screaming that Morgan was “dishonest” and “a fool”, before demanding that the shocked TV crew “turn the cameras off!”</p> <p>Trump appears to have been deeply angered by a slew of barbs that Morgan has directed towards him during his time at the White House, despite being friends for at least 15 years. But in this instance, the pair appeared to clash heavily even before the interview had gotten underway – but while the cameras were rolling. </p> <p>Morgan detailed the behind-the-scenes incident to <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/donald-trump-piers-morgan-interview-former-president-explodes-at-disloyal-fool/news-story/35a81812a4d93cb3751a60957fcaa424" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>, saying that Trump stared at him with “undisguised fury” and was “almost foaming at the mouth”.</p> <p>At one point, the Trump hissed at Morgan: “What the f**k is this?”</p> <p>You’re not real. You’re a fake.” To which Piers replied: “No, I’m just brutally honest.”</p> <p>Morgan revealed further details from the encounter:</p> <p>“Normally, he’d greet me with a cheery smile and the words ‘How’s my champ?’ because I was his first Celebrity Apprentice on the series that made him a TV superstar. But this time, there were no such welcoming niceties.</p> <p>“He was staring at me across his desk with undisguised fury, clutching the document entitled ‘Piers Morgan Comments About President Trump’. “What the f**k IS this?” he snarled. Then he began slowly reading out some of the quotes. “Trump’s a supreme narcissist….” Pause. “His pathetic antics in the past few weeks since losing the election in November have been utterly contemptible.” Pause. “Trump’s now too dangerous, he’s morphed into a monster that I no longer recognise as someone I considered to be a friend and thought I knew.”</p> <p>“Each time he paused, he peered over the document at me, with mounting rage in his eyes.</p> <p>“I’d never seen him so livid or felt so uncomfortable in his presence as I did right now in his office.</p> <p>“He was almost foaming at the mouth and kept shaking his head slowly and menacingly at me, like Don Corleone when he felt he’d been disrespected.”</p> <p>Morgan then went on to detail the moment Trump truly took issue with his questions: </p> <p>“Things took a dramatic downward turn when I finally brought up his refusal to accept defeat in 2020 and the appalling scenes on January 6.</p> <p>“I told him I believe he lost the supposedly “rigged, stolen” election, I repeatedly pointed out his failure to produce any evidence of the widespread voter fraud he insists occurred to rob him of his presidency, and I blamed his refusal to admit defeat for the deadly riots at the Capitol.</p> <p>“Then you’re a fool!” he sneered. “And you haven’t studied!...”</p> <p>“Now abandoning any pretence at cordiality, Trump ranted that he was far more honest than me, and again sneered that I wasn’t ‘real’ before haranguing me for exceeding our 20 minutes which was particularly disingenuous given that during all our previous interviews, he’d invariably decided exactly how long he wanted to keep talking.</p> <p>“Incensed Trump tried to end things by declaring “That’s it!” before I reminded him that we hadn’t discussed his hole-in-one, which he then sat down again and did – briefly – before abruptly jumping to his feet, looking hateful, and barking at the shocked crew: “Turn the cameras off!”</p> <p>“Then he turned on his heels, and sloped angrily off through a side door, loudly muttering “So dishonest…”</p> <p>The world exclusive interview is due to air as the launch piece for Morgan’s new show Piers Uncensored on Sky News on Tuesday night at 9pm AEST.</p> <p><em>Image: Piers Uncensored</em></p>

TV

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The dramatic moment Karl stormed off set

<p dir="ltr">Karl Stefanovic walked off the set of <em>The Today Show</em> after being insulted by his co-host Allison Langdon. </p> <p dir="ltr">The pair were discussing Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation case in which Depp’s sister Depp’s sister Christi Dembrowski said Heard called the actor “old and fat”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Karl was beginning to say “Being called a fat old man is like…” before Allison jumped in and bluntly told him: “You’re not old”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Or fat! I said all of them! Old or fat!”</p> <p dir="ltr">Karl stood up from the couch and said he was not accepting these comments from Allison before walking off set. </p> <p dir="ltr">“She's fat-shaming! She's fat-shaming again, Australia! I'm going on a diet.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Allison sat in disbelief as Karl walked off, leaving her to wrap up the show. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I was giving you a compliment,” she called out to Karl. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, it did not stop there with Karl taking it a step further and involving Channel Nine publicist Adrian Motte telling him: “That’s disgusting isn’t it?”</p> <p dir="ltr">Allison defended herself, saying she was not insulting Karl. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I basically called you young, thin and handsome.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I really try. My feelings get hurt!” Karl yelled back. </p> <p dir="ltr">“He's so sensitive! I just called him thin, handsome, and young. That's what I just said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I deal with this every day. Everyday is like this!”</p> <p dir="ltr">The camera then showed Karl pretending to cry in the corner before admitting the pair were messing around. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: The Today Show</em></p>

TV

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One death and multiple injuries after freak Sydney mini tornado

<p>A woman has died and many others have been left injured after a brief freak storm ripped through Sydney's Northern Beaches on Sunday afternoon.</p> <p>Police have confirmed that a woman in her 70s lost her life due to a fallen tree, while another woman in her late 70s and a woman in her teens have been critically injured from debris. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command along with NSW Ambulance paramedics, Fire &amp; Rescue NSW, and the Westpac helicopter responded to a carpark on Ocean Street, Narrabeen, after reports a tree and powerlines had come down,” police said in a statement.</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“One person was declared deceased, while two others were critically injured and transported to Royal North Shore Hospital."</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“The area is still considered hazardous, and members of the public are advised to avoid the area."</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">Fire and Rescue NSW said fallen trees have taken out powerlines across suburbs from Forestville to Mona Vale, leaving more than 25,000 people without electricity. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">In Dee Why, an air-conditioning unit was ripped out of a building and sent flying through the streets below. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">Meanwhile, metal sheeting was pulled off an apartment building roof and smashed into parked cars.</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020"><span>Mackellar MP Jason Falinski described the damage from the storm as a “mini tornado”, as he shared pictures of the chaos on Twitter. </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">There appears to have been a mini tornado, centred on the Northern Beaches. We are waiting to find out more but there seems to be some very serious injuries and damage. ⛈ <a href="https://t.co/MHkdlYUEyT">pic.twitter.com/MHkdlYUEyT</a></p> — Jason Falinski MP - For The Beaches (@JasonFalinskiMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonFalinskiMP/status/1472446572315045889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2021</a></blockquote> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020"><span>He said, </span>“Emergency services and Ausgrid are rapidly responding across the LGA, with widespread power outages from Curl Curl to Palm Beach."</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“Our hearts go out to those negatively impacted, and we will do everything we can to ensure the recovery is swift and full.”</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">Throughout the storm, over 400 calls were made to the SES for help, with that number expected to rise as the massive clean-up effort begins. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020"><em>Image credits: Twitter @JasonFalinksiMP</em></p>

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Snowed in shoppers spend the night in IKEA

<p>Six IKEA shoppers and two dozen employees have spent the night in an IKEA store in Denmark after being snowed in. </p> <p>Up to 12 inches of snow fell during the blizzard, trapping everyone inside the Aalborg store on Wednesday night. </p> <p>Rather than bracing the harsh weather to get back home, the customers and staff had an impromptu sleepover of a lifetime in the store's inviting showroom. </p> <p>Those trapped inside got to pick from IKEA's extensive range of beds to test out for the night, giving a whole new meaning to 'try before you buy'.</p> <p>Store manager Peter Elmrose told the local Danish newspaper, "<span>We slept in the furniture exhibitions and our showroom on the first floor, where we have beds, mattresses and sofa beds."</span></p> <p><span>He said customers were able to pick out which bed they were thinking of buying and try it out for real, as everyone spent the night eating and watching TV. </span></p> <p><span>Peter said despite the unusual conditions, the night went "super well" and everyone had "a lot of fun".</span></p> <p><span>Denmark's public broadcaster reported that staff from the neighbouring toy shop also joined in on the impromptu sleepover, as they were also stranded too far from home with the bad weather. </span></p> <p><span>The toy shop manager Michelle Barrett said, "</span>It's much better than sleeping in one's car. It has been nice and warm and we are just happy that they would let us in."</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">"We just laughed at the situation, because we will probably not experience it again."</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Courtesy of IKEA</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Australia’s tiniest hero gets stuck into storm clean-up

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A nine-year-old boy has been rolling up his sleeves to help with Victoria’s storm cleanup by dragging branches off the road and giving weather reports - all while wearing his own personalised SES shirt.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Judd Feeney from Mooney Ponds in Melbourne is obsessed with the SES and wears his SES t-shirt every day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The storms and floods that hit the state last week inspired him to lend a hand and step up his “rescue training” so he can join the Essendon unit of the SES when he turns 15.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Along with clearing roads, Judd also records weather warning videos for the locals.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This is Judd Feeney from SES. There’s a branch, you see? So don’t go on Maribyrnong Reserve,” he said in one video.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Be safe. Thank you very much. Bye.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a second video, he warns Victorians of heavy winds and tells those in Traralgon to be on the lookout for crocodiles and hippos in floodwaters.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Please don’t go through floodwater and take action now to protect your home,” he says in the video.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Judd recently met one of his heroes, Kevin from the VICSES Essendon Unit.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: SES</span></em></p>

Caring

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Woman shot as armed pro-Trump protestors storm US Capitol

<p><span>A woman was shot on Thursday morning after hundreds of MAGA supporters stormed the Capitol building in Washington DC.</span><br /><br /><span>The Donald Trump supporters made one final bid to overthrow democracy as the president carries out his final days in office.</span><br /><br /><span>A number of protestors not only swarmed the streets but managed to breach into the US capitol building, breaking through barriers and withstanding tear gas as well as an armed standoff.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">A person on a stretcher just wheeled out with what appears to be a serious injury. <a href="https://t.co/wucrpusBzE">pic.twitter.com/wucrpusBzE</a></p> — Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeDelMoro/status/1346910181075021828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>Reports said that one woman was in “critical condition” after being shot in the chest, and that resuscitation efforts were underway.</span><br /><br /><span>It has been suggested that an officer was the one who fired the shot, however the circumstances surrounding the situation are yet to be determined.</span><br /><br /><span>WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGERY</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">BREAKING: Trump supporters have breached the Capitol building, tearing down 4 layers of security fencing and are attempting to occupy the building — fighting federal police who are overrun <br /><br />This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Thousands, police can’t stop them <a href="https://t.co/VVdTUwV5YN">pic.twitter.com/VVdTUwV5YN</a></p> — ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElijahSchaffer/status/1346881968819105792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span></span><br /><br /><span>House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy confirmed the shooting in an interview with Fox News, saying, "I'm with Capital police, I heard on the radio: 'Shots fired.'"</span><br /><br /><span>"I have been in this Capitol for more than 10 years and I've never seen anything like this," McCarthy added.</span><br /><br /><span>Media commentators were audibly shaken up as they likened the “attempted coup” to that of a “third world country” or “civil war”.</span><br /><br /><span>“This is just Bedlam … this is Trump’s rebellion,” one said, adding the situation was “very, very tense” and “out of control”.</span><br /><br /><span>Trump, who lost the popular and electoral college vote in the 2020 presidential elections, has continued to dispute the results without evidence.</span><br /><br /><span>As of Thursday morning, the only message the US president has made is a tweet urging Americans to “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”</span></p>

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