Today, the United States sanctioned nine individuals who enable Hizballah to undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty. By supporting the terrorist group, these individuals further the Iranian regime’s malicious agenda in Lebanon and actively obstruct the path to peace and recovery for the Lebanese people. Hizballah’s continued commitment to terrorism and refusal to disarm prevent the Government of […]
Category Archives: headline
Snow, high winds and rain heading to multiple states in early taste of winter
Millions of people across south-eastern Australia can expect a blast of wintry weather, including high winds, snow and rain, next week.
The calm conditions over the past days will give way to more volatile conditions as two pools of cold air high in the atmosphere move over southern regions, reports weather data firm Weatherzone.
The first one has begun sweeping across southern parts of Western Australia and South Australia before it advances into south-eastern states from early next week.
LIVE UPDATES: Trump suggests 'he'll be the one' to intervene in Cuba
That will be followed by a second one that is forecast to reach the country's south-west around Wednesday or Thursday.
"While rain won't be too heavy as the first system crosses WA and SA later this week, there is potential for heavy rain and severe weather over south-eastern Australia next week as it causes a low-pressure system to develop," say forecasters.
Some computer modelling of the expected conditions points to heavy rain developing over parts of Victoria, NSW and Tasmania on Tuesday and Wednesday. But parts of these states could also be in for thunderstorms, snow and blustery winds.
Meteorologists say it's too early to say what the precise strength and timing of the new weather system will be.
There are already signs of a major change in weather conditions for south-eastern states.
The Bureau of Meteorology today issued damaging surf and wind warnings for the NSW North Coast, urging people to avoid the seas and beaches over the coming hours.
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
-
Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
-
Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
-
Sign up to our breaking newsletter here
Documents reveal Queen’s hand in controversial ex-prince Andrew role
The late Queen Elizabeth II was "very keen" for former prince Andrew to be named Britain's trade envoy in 2001, according to documents released that show his appointment received little scrutiny from government ministers.
The government released confidential papers related to the appointment on Thursday in response to legislation passed by Parliament after lawmakers accused the King's brother of putting his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein ahead of the nation. The former prince was stripped of his royal titles, including Duke of York, last year and is now known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
"The Queen is very keen that the Duke of York should take on a prominent role in the promotion of national interests," the head of Britain's trade body wrote to two senior cabinet ministers on February 25, 2000.
READ MORE: Giant flash lights up Sydney sky, seen for hundreds of kilometres
The Queen worried about her son
The involvement of the late queen confirms previously held beliefs that the monarch had a soft spot for her second son, which may have influenced her lack of decisiveness in dealing with allegations about his links to Epstein. Royal commentators have for years suggested that the queen should have moved quicker to remove her son from royal duties, and her failure to do so tarnished the monarchy.
Mountbatten-Windsor served as Britain's special envoy for international trade from 2001 to 2011, when he was forced to give up the role because of concerns about his links to questionable figures in Libya and Azerbaijan.
If nothing else, the documents suggest Elizabeth worried about him, said Craig Prescott, an expert on constitutional law and the monarchy at Royal Holloway, University of London.
"It's like, in a sense, if the queen makes it clear that that's her wish, that's the end of the argument,'' Prescott said.
"Her Majesty's civil service, as it was then, would have to deal with it on that basis."
Lawmakers approved a motion in February demanding publication of the documents after the former prince was arrested and questioned for several hours on allegations he shared government reports with Epstein while he was trade envoy.
READ MORE: Kid grabs steering wheel as bus careens into disaster
Documents suggest Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed with little due diligence
Trade Minister Chris Bryant said in a written statement to lawmakers that "we have found no evidence that a formal due diligence or vetting process was undertaken" before Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed to the role of special trade envoy.
"There is also no evidence that this was considered. This is understandable since this new appointment was a continuation of the royal family's involvement in trade and investment promotion work following the Duke of Kent's decision to relinquish his duties as vice-chairman of the Overseas Trade Board," he said.
He said that the government was co-operating with Thames Valley Police on their investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor and possible misconduct in public office.
Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal titles late last year as the US Justice Department prepared to release millions of pages of documents related to its investigation of Epstein. Those files showed how the wealthy financier used an international web of rich, powerful friends to gain influence and sexually exploit young women and girls.
Nowhere has the fallout from the document release been felt more strongly than in the UK, where the scandal has raised questions about the way power is wielded by the aristocracy, senior politicians and influential business owners, known collectively as "the Establishment."
Mountbatten-Windsor has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
READ MORE: Fast food arrest of man over alleged threat of CBD incident
Officials suggested not offering the former prince golf trips
There were hints, however, that some had misgivings about giving Mountbatten-Windsor the high-profile trade role, where his effectiveness relied on his credibility.
The back and forth suggested that while officials may not have questioned his appointment, they were involved in making suggestions about what he shouldn't be allowed to do in the role.
Kathryn Colvin, head of protocol at the Foreign Office, wrote in a January 2000 memo that Andrew's private secretary "asked that the Duke of York should not be offered golfing functions abroad".
"This was a private activity and if he took his clubs with him he would not play in any public sense," she wrote.
Another document, a government memo sent to UK trade staff around the world, warned that Mountbatten-Windsor's "high public profile" will require "careful and sometimes strict media management".
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
- Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
- Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
- Sign up to our breaking newsletter here
Family’s battle to save Aussie found with mystery brain injury in Indonesia
EXCLUSIVE: The family of a young Adelaide man say they are desperately trying to get him home to Australia after he was found unconscious on an isolated road in Indonesia.
Exactly what happened to 23-year-old Jaxen Day remains unknown.
His father, Allan Day, told nine.com.au that Jaxen was found unconscious by a local fisherman late last month on the Indonesian island of Lombok, east of Bali.
READ MORE: Former PM backs contentious tax reform in scathing statement
"He was just lying on the road and his motorbike was right beside him," Allan said.
"Neither had a mark or scratch on them. Nothing."
The fisherman managed to alert a nearby security checkpoint, and, from there, he was taken unconscious to, and rejected by, two medical clinics in Kuta, Lombok, before a third accepted him and he was placed on a saline drip.
It wasn't until Jaxen did not regain consciousness for several hours that staff at the clinic realised the seriousness of the situation, Allan said.
"He was in a coma, but they didn't realise it because there were no marks on him."
Staff put out a post on a local Facebook page asking if anyone knew the injured Australian.
READ MORE: Man charged with stealing and pawning Bondi terror attack victim's camera
Jaxen had travelled extensively in Asia, and was supposed to be taking this trip with a friend, but their plans fell through at the last minute. For the first time, he was travelling alone, Allan said.
Luckily, the online appeal was spotted by someone at the hostel where Jaxen was staying.
Recognising the 23-year-old, they alerted the hostel manager, who rushed to the clinic and immediately called Allan in Australia.
Allan was out walking when he received the devastating call.
"The hostel manager said 'Your son's here. He's in a coma, he's got to get to a hospital'," Allan said.
"It was absolutely horrible, I just thought, is this a dream, what's going on?
A dedicated hostel staff member rode in the ambulance with Jaxen, staying by his side all night at a hospital while the young Australian underwent emergency, life-saving brain surgery.
Back in Australia, consulate staff rushed through emergency passports for Jaxen's parents, allowing them to board a flight the next day.
When they arrived in Lombok, Jaxen was yet to regain consciousness after his surgery.
"We were basically told he is in a lot of danger, this is life-threatening stuff," Allan said.
Jaxen remained unresponsive for some time, wrapped in tubes and wires.
On the fourth day after his surgery, medical staff stopped his parents at the door of the ICU to show them a video they had just filmed.
In the footage, Jaxen opened his eyes and spoke his own name.
"We fell absolutely fell apart, because we didn't know if he was going to wake up," Allan said.
Allan said Jaxen's doctors were just as puzzled about his brain injuries as they were.
READ MORE: Unemployment rate jumps in surprise result
"The neurosurgeon showed us scans of his brain and he said the only way he could see how that sort of damage could occur is if his head was fiercely shaken – because it's all internal, there's no external trauma at all," Allan said.
"Something has happened to cause that injury but we don't know what."
Allan said the only other injury Jaxen had was a broken collarbone, which was not picked up for days.
For now, Jaxen's family are choosing to focus on his recovery, which is expected to be long and arduous.
The severe trauma initially left the right side of Jaxen's body paralysed, including his eyelid, arm, and leg.
A month after the operation, Jaxen is still not able to use his right arm, though he has begun to regain some movement in his right leg.
While his cognitive ability is improving, he was still suffering from lapses, his father said.
Despite the setback, his doctors have expressed hope that, with rehabilitation and time, he can fully recover from his injuries.
READ MORE: Boy allegedly holding machete during dramatic shopping centre arrest
The family now faces a logistical and financial nightmare.
Jaxen did not have travel insurance, making a specialised medical evacuation flight financially impossible.
His parents, who are both retired with limited funds, are working with commercial airlines to bring him home as soon as he is deemed fit to fly.
Jaxen's hospital bills in Indonesia have already climbed into the many tens of thousands of dollars, and the family is bracing for the substantial costs of long-term rehabilitation once they return to Australia.
Jaxen's best friend, Luka Jackway, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help the family.
"Jaxen is a quiet and determined young man who is kind, caring and compassionate," Luka said.
"He is motivated and independent, recently completing his studies to teach English as a foreign language. Jaxen has been travelling throughout Asia with the intention of teaching in Cambodia as his next venture."
Allan said seeing his son clinging to life had crystallised what was important.
"I can tell you that nothing motivates you more than the love of your child," he said.
"You don't realise how strong that is until something like this happens, but you would do anything, you would just do anything."
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
-
Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
-
Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
-
Sign up to our breaking newsletter here
Government establishes honour to recognize oldest Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 21, CMC – The Government has established the Mavis Gilmour Centenarian Honour to recognise the oldest Jamaican every year. It is named after former Minister of Social Security and Consumer Affairs (1988-1989), and public servant, Dr. Mavis Gilmour, who celebrated her 100th birthday on April 13. Gilmour, who hails from the southern […]
St. Kitts and Nevis Concludes CARICOM COFCOR Chairmanship in Suriname
Paramaribo, Suriname (May 21, 2026) — Saint Kitts and Nevis officially concluded its tenure as Chair of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on May 20, following one year at the helm of the regional body. During the handover ceremony at the opening of the 29th Meeting of […]
Jamaica: National drought management committee activated due to El Niño threat
KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 21, CMC – The meteorological service has activated the National Drought Management Committee amid growing concerns that a developing El Niño weather pattern could bring hotter and drier conditions to the island in the months ahead. The committee is expected to meet within the next ten days as the Meteorological Service continues […]
Guyana: Quarry company denies reports of exploitation and abuse of Indian nationals
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, May 21, CMC – The Ekaa Hrim Quarry company, which is at the centre of an investigation by the Labour Ministry and other Government Departments following a complaint of exploitation and abuse by a group of Indian Nationals, has denied the serious allegations. Earlier this week, the company was given 24 hours to […]
Jamaica: Government to expand cancer care treatment islandwide
KINGSTON , Jamaica, May 21, CMC -Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton says the government will be expanding its cancer care treatment across the island over the next two years. This follows a technical meeting between Health Ministry officials and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Switzerland. According to Tufton, a technical team will be visiting […]
Trinidad Express moves to retrench staff – union vows to fight
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, May 21, CMC – The Banking, Insurance and General Workers Union (BIGWU) says it is moving swiftly to protect employees of the Trinidad Express newspaper following the company’s decision to retrench several editorial staff members as part of a restructuring exercise. In a letter to workers on Wednesday, the union acknowledged the […]