A man accused of kidnapping an animal ranger at gunpoint and demanding to see shelter's cats, allegedly returned to the scene hours later, pretending to be a customer.

Tony Wittman was today charged with with kidnapping, false imprisonment, aggravated burglary, armed robbery and firearm offences, after he allegedly kidnapped the Lost Dogs' Home employee and threatened her with a gun, because he wanted to see where the cats were being stored at the rescue shelter.

Police allege the 44-year-old father-of-three returned to the scene of his crime to try and prove his innocence.

READ MORE: Truck driver escapes serious injury after veering off freeway in Victoria

On Monday the Langwarrin man had reportedly called the Lost Dogs' Home in Cranbourne West and asked to collect his lost feline.

Police said the 23-year-old victim parked her car in the carpark of The Lost Dogs Home animal shelter on Thompsons Road in Cranbourne West, when she was allegedly confronted by the armed Wittmann wearing military-style clothes about 10.45pm on Monday.

He is accused of then pointing the gun at her face, marching the woman back into the building and putting cable ties around her wrists.

Mr Wittmann appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today, pleading to be allowed to go home to his family.

Detective Senior Constable Jo MacDonald told the court Wittmann ordered the staff member to "get on your knees and put your hands behind your back" while the victim pleaded for him not to shoot her.

He then allegedly told the young mother to count to 100 before calling for help.

She fortunately was not injured, but the court heard she has been left traumatised by the experience.

READ MORE: One confirmed drowning and another emergency rescue on Mornington Peninsula

In court, Wittmann said the incident has been exaggerated by the media and that he fears for his safety behind bars.

He also said he has PTSD from 14 years in the military, but police claim this is untrue.

Official records show he served in the army for two years and was discharged for failing to render efficient service.

The magistrate denied the father-of-three bail with a warning that the case against him is strong.

A South Australian mother-of-two said the thought of her boys kept her alive after a strong current dragged her out to sea during a "terrifying" night dive.

Oksana Samkova was with a group of six on her first ever night scuba dive at Port Noarlunga Jetty on Monday night.

The 45-year-old and her group faced strong winds and giant swells as they descended into the dark waters.

READ MORE: Diver fights off hammerhead shark with camera on Queensland reef

"I was bobbing up and down and the surf was just taking me up again and I was trying to get down and it was taking me up again," Ms Samkova told 9News.

It was then that a strong rip pulled Ms Samkova away from her group and further into the abyss.

As she fought to stay afloat, Ms Samkova started to fatigue as the current got the better of her.

"I had to calm myself down and stop fighting the current because I was getting exhausted, I was getting so tired, I'm thinking 'I just can't go on anymore,'" she said.

The mother spent three agonising hours alone in the dark as search crews desperately tried to find her.

"It was scary because I wanted to see my children, I wanted to be alive for my children as well so that was quite emotional," she said.

READ MORE: Woman dies following diving accident in Sydney's east

Luckily Ms Samkova had a torch with her which, although running low on battery, was how she eventually alerted search crews of her whereabouts.

"I was waving this torch frantically for three hours literally and praying for the torch not too die, it was scary, it was really scary," she said.

"Let's say the most terrifying experience of my life, I would say."

Ms Samkova was rushed to hospital where she spent two nights with water in her lungs.

She says although the experience was terrifying, she does eventually want to go back in the water again, but the conditions will need to be better and a night dive won't be on the cards for a while.

"I'm so grateful I'm alive and I'm so happy for everyone involved in my rescue, it's huge gratitude," she said.

After detaining his victim, Kurt Tamati Winklemann beat him, told him he would shoot him in the back of the head, then put a beanie over his face and drove him to a rural roadside near Outram.The man was made to kneel, his hands…

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Australia Day is never one of the dates on the calendar that's free from controversy.

But this year – though yes, January 26 remains a public holiday – an extra layer of tension is in play given the ongoing pressures of COVID-19 regulations.

Whether protest, mourning, commemoration or celebration, there will be restrictions on how you and yours can mark the day.

Below is our guide – current at time of publishing – to what the different states and territories are planning for January 26.

However, people should monitor restrictions and rules in their local area in the next two weeks.

New South Wales

An Invasion Day protest is set to go ahead on January 26 in Sydney, despite protests being limited to 500 people under current regulations.

In a media release, organisers said the oppression facing First Nations communities was too urgent not to proceed with a mass protest demanding change, even if it breaches the regulations.

However, organisers have confirmed they will have a COVID-19 safety plan, including mandating mask wearing and social distancing.

"Unlike COVID, the virus of colonial racism that came to these lands in 1788 cannot be defeated by self-isolation or quarantine," rally organiser and Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Dunghutti woman Elizabeth Jarrett said.

"We need to come together and fight back."

Meanwhile, the New South Wales government is going ahead with celebrations of the day, but they will be restricted.

Tickets will be needed for the WugulOra morning ceremony, and for the Australia Day Live event on Circular Quay – which will be closed to the general public from 5pm on January 26.

Sydney Harbour's traditional event roster will not be going ahead.

There are also restrictions on public and private gatherings in the state, which can be found here.

Victoria

Premier Daniel Andrews recently warned people not to attend mass gatherings whether in support or protest of Australia/Invasion Day.

"It's not about what you're gathering for, it's about, are you gathering in a safe way?" Mr Andrews said.

"It (the Invasion Day march) is not a seated event and judgement from public health team – not politicians – was it couldn't be done safely."

A COVID-safe Invasion Day dawn service will be going ahead, however, with tickets for attendees.

Outdoor gatherings in Melbourne are currently limited to 100 people, but exemptions can be granted for public events as long as organisers submit a COVID safe plan.

Everyone in attendance must be registered and they're required to maintain social distance.

Queensland

Events and award ceremonies are being held throughout Queensland on January 26, though restrictions are still in place in parts of the state.

Current restrictions in Greater Brisbane are set to ease on January 22.

There are at this point limits in place for gatherings, businesses and venues, with face masks to be worn in most indoor spaces.

Queensland's Australia Day events catalogue can be found here.

Western Australia

Western Australia's COVID-19 restrictions are famously minimal, providing you're not trying to cross the border.

Residents are subject to the two-square metre rule and there are capacity limits in place for the state's major venues.

However, gatherings and events will be taking place across the state – see here.

South Australia

The Marshall government has a number of border restrictions and internal restrictions in place, including gathering limits, the two-square-metre rule, and restrictions on aged care visits.

However, standing drinks and entertainment venues are both open to the state, and South Australians have a number of options for Australia Day events.

Pop-rock band Birds of Tokyo are headlining the state's signature Aus Day In The Arena event in Adelaide, with limited tickets available to ensure the event is COVID-19 safe.

But market and food events are still on, and no booking is required.

Check out what's happening here.

Northern Territory

The NT has, appropriately enough, some of the most relaxed COVID-19 guidelines in the country after being able to successfully restrict community spread.

Events both commemorative and celebratory will be taking place from the Top End to Alice Springs and beyond on January 26.

Find out what's in your area here.

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra and surrounds likewise has some looser restrictions, but events of more than 200 people will need to make sure they're okay to proceed.

There are no limits on home gatherings, but people should maintain social distancing.

Canberra on January 26 of course is home to the Great Australian Picnic at Lake Burley Griffin, with a number of ticketed events available.

For everything else you can get to, click here.

Tasmania

Broad restrictions are placed on Tasmanians – for example, "only" 100 people can attend a private home at any one time.

However, there are nonetheless limits in place for businesses, outdoor gatherings and the like, and it's best to check what they are.

You can see what events are on around the Apple Isle here.

YouTube is suspending US President Donald Trump's channel for at least one week, and potentially longer, after his channel earned a strike under the platform's policies, the company said Tuesday evening.

A recent video on Trump's channel had incited violence, YouTube told CNN Business. That video has now been removed.

YouTube declined to share details of the video that earned Trump the strike, but said that after the one-week timeout, it will revisit the decision.

READ MORE: Pence won't invoke 25th amendment to remove Trump

Until now, YouTube had been the only remaining major social media platform not to have suspended Trump in some fashion.

Facebook has suspended Trump's account "indefinitely," while Twitter has banned Trump completely.

"After careful review, and in light of concerns about the ongoing potential for violence, we removed new content uploaded to the Donald J. Trump channel and issued a strike for violating our policies for inciting violence," a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement.

"As a result, in accordance with our long-standing strikes system, the channel is now prevented from uploading new videos or livestreams for a minimum of seven days—which may be extended."

READ MORE: Major world bank refuses to do business with Trump

YouTube also said it will be taking the extra step of disabling comments underneath videos on Trump's channel.

Under YouTube's policies, earning a second strike will result in a two-week suspension and three strikes will result in a permanent ban.

A Bond girl, philanthropists, and some Australian sporting legends.

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Test your brains with the Herald’s afternoon quiz. Be sure to check back on nzherald.co.nz for the morning quiz tomorrow. To challenge yourself with more quizzes, CLICK HERE.