Violent electrical storms have also pounded parts of the South Island this morning.
Tag Archives: oceania
Man hospitalised after getting trapped under ride-on mower on golf course
A man is in hospital after he became trapped under a ride-on lawn mower at a golf course in north Queensland.
It's believed the man was pinned under a large, commercial lawn mower at Rowes Bay Golf Club in Townsville about 10.51am.
Two Queensland Fire and Emergency Service crews worked to free the man.
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Queensland Ambulance Service said the man had injuries to his pelvis and knee.
The incident happened near a sloped section of land near a pond.
Big four predict Reserve Bank November rate hike
An interest rate rise is thought to be on the horizon for mortgage holders, with all big four banks forecasting a Melbourne Cup day rate hike.
Higher-than-expected inflation data released yesterday showed consumer prices (CPI) rose 1.2 per cent for the September quarter, prompting major banks to review their predictions for the Reserve Bank's meeting on November 7.
CBA, ANZ, NAB and Westpac have since said they believe interest rates will lift by 0.25 percentage points, pushing the cash rate to 4.35 per cent, according to RateCity.
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CBA, ANZ and Westpac noted that the decision would be "finely balanced", with RBA forecasts and further data suggesting the possibility for the board to pause.
RateCity Research Director Sally Tindall said all four banks were in agreement that a rate rise was the most likely outcome of next week's meeting.
"The last time all four bank economic teams unanimously predicted a hike at the next Board meeting was back in March 2023," she said.
A 0.25 percentage point hike would see the average borrower with a $500,000 home loan pay an extra $76 in monthly repayments.
This means mortgage repayments would have increased by $1210 across all 13 hikes.
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Tindall said the rate hike would take Australia's cash rate to its highest level in over the decade, placing further strain on mortgage holders.
"While it's astounding to think the last 12 rate hikes haven't been enough, the Board has made it clear it will do what it takes to rein in inflation using the one blunt instrument it has," she said.
"Borrowers should prepare for a rate hike in November, but potentially one more in December or the New Year."
Tindall advised borrowers instead of waiting for the next decision,start planning ahead.
"Call up your bank and ask for a rate cut. Any reduction in your interest can offset whatever decision is made on November 7 and beyond," she said.
States with the most road rage revealed
More than a quarter of Australian drivers experienced road rage in the last 12 months.
Ex-cricketer Stuart Macgill in court on cocaine supply charge
Former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill has appeared in court for the first time after being charged with cocaine supply in the lead-up to his purported kidnapping.
MacGill was in Manly Local Court on Thursday after being charged by police in September.
His lawyer Michelle Karim sought a brief of orders and an eight-week adjournment on the matter, which was granted by Magistrate Ian Guy.
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MacGill remains on bail and will next appear on December 21 at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court.
Six men were previously charged over MacGill's alleged kidnapping on Sydney's lower north shore in April 2021.
Police launched an investigation into an alleged drug supply operation after the incident was reported to officers.
MacGill was later charged with one count of knowingly taking part in the supply of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.
After the alleged kidnapping, the former spin bowler told police he was repeatedly punched in the head during the incident, causing him to become concussed.
He also said he was forced into a car at Cremorne on Sydney's north shore and taken to Bringelly, south of Sydney.
Three assailants allegedly tried to extort money from him before dropping him at Belmore about an hour later.
At a previous hearing for two of the alleged kidnappers, a judge said there was "some question" of whether MacGill got into the car willingly.
MacGill has denied any involvement in the abduction, telling Nine's A Current Affair in 2021 he had done nothing wrong.
Aussie gem comes in second on list of must-visit destinations
From balkan bike trails to the Swahili coast of Africa: long-running travel guide Lonely Planet has released their list of the ten best regions to travel to in 2024. One Australian gem nearly topped the global list.
Bowling club green could be converted as little-known sport rises
Bowling clubs have traditionally been the popular choice for seniors looking for some light exercise, socialisation and potentially a couple of cheap pints.
But as a new generation starts their retirement, pickleball is rapidly rising in popularity.
Sydney's Canterbury Leagues Club is planning to capitalise on the recent demand for the sport by converting one of their grass bowling greens in Punchbowl into eight pickleball courts.
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A spokesperson from the Canterbury Leagues Club said pickleball was a good fit and they expected it to attract a "large market" of players.
"Some of those regional areas have attracted a lot of seniors where bowls is quite popular," the spokesperson said.
"I think adding something like pickleball for them (seniors) would be an absolute natural progression."
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Pickleball courts are also quite small, meaning people can play games in a much smaller space, making it an attractive prospect from an urban development perspective.
Tennis court is 23.7 metres long and 11 metres wide compared to a pickleball court that is 13.4 metres long and six metres wide.
"It can be played by all ages so I think that's why it's becoming so popular," the spokesperson said.
"Tennis you're going to reach an age limit on that, whereas people can keep playing (pickleball) well into your 70s, 80s."
One of the club's directors who is in his 80s plays pickleball, which spurred the decision to convert a bowling green as there are not many courts around Sydney.
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A Canterbury Bankstown council development application has been lodged that will see the bowling green turned into a concrete playing surface with walkways and windbreak fencing.
A City of Canterbury Bankstown spokesperson said the development application was being publicly advertised until November 7.
"Council will consider all comments and carefully assess the application against all relevant plans, policies and controls," the spokesperson said.
Pickleball is played with a paddle and a plastic whiffle ball.
"Pickleball is both fun and challenging with a combination of long rallies and a blend of soft and rapid-fire shots where the best athlete must earn their points not purely by athleticism, power and speed, but also through the use of positioning, patience, tactics and touch," Pickleball Australia said on its website.
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the US and there are 36.5 million pickleball players in the US according to the Association of Pickleball Professionals.
About 12,000 Australians play the sport according to Pickleball Association Australia (PPA).
The sport is now played in about 60 countries.
Biden 'confident' AUKUS will pass Congress, he tells Albanese
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden have presented a united front amid current global uncertainty after holding talks in Washington.
Albanese arrived at the White House on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) as a military band played and 4000 guests watched from the South Lawn.
The pair later held a press conference during which they reiterated the importance of the Australian-United States alliance in what Biden said was a difficult time, with ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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It was part of a state visit intended to bolster American ties in the Pacific against the backdrop of fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Albanese said the relationship between the two nations was one of "trust'.
"I regard the United States as a very reliable partner. I regard the relationship that I have with the President as second to none of the relationships that I have around the world or, indeed, domestically for that matter," he said.
Both leaders also stressed advance the $370 billion AUKUS defence deal between Australia, Britain and the US, under which the Australian navy will acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
Albanese said he was confident the US Congress would pass key legislation, enabling the AUKUS pact to proceed despite concerns by some Republican members.
"I have had with Democrats and Republicans that there is very broad support for the AUKUS arrangements and that will be support for the legislation going forward and I think that would be a very good thing," he said.
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"It is in the interests of Australia, but it's also in the interests of the United States and everyone that I have spoken to similarly in the United Kingdom, across the political spectrum, are all supportive of the AUKUS arrangements."
Biden said he was confident the necessary legislation would be passed by the end of his current term of office.
"It is overwhelmingly in our interests," the president said.
That looks more likely after weeks of US political chaos ended with the election of Republican Mike Johnson as the new House Speaker.
The US President said AUKUS was not a threat to China but about maintaining stability in the Indo Pacific region.
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"It is about maintaining stability, stability in the straits, the Indian Ocean, the whole area.
"It is going to increase the prospects for long-term peace rather than anything else."
Biden and Albanese also announced measures to build infrastructure Pacific nations to counter China's growing influence.
They included Australian-US funding to build a new subsea cable to improve internet connectivity in the region.
Albanese acknowledged there was "strategic competition" in the Indo Pacific region.
Why it could take 2 million Aussies changing jobs to reach net zero
If Australia is going to stick to its word and become a "net-zero nation" within the next 27 years, it's got a serious staffing problem.
The top bodies representing Australia's renewable energy industry say that Australia is desperately short of workers for "clean economy jobs" – by about 2 million people.
It's long been the dream of the nation's energy industry, but if they're going to make it a reality, they'll need millions more "boots, brogues and heels" on the ground.
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Martine had spent her career working in the high-flying world of fashion and publicity, until one day she woke up and felt the need to leave the world of marketing.
"I was working for an agency and our values just completely didn't align," she told 9news.com.au.
"It wasn't interesting to me anymore."
So she quit the industry that, in her words, just cared about "putting things on football players".
Trading the world of fashion for the farm and field, she is one of the thousands of Australians who have reskilled into "clean economy jobs".
Now, she's a community consultant for Tilt Renewables and travels the country to meet with the people of small towns and regional communities, where she hears feedback on the energy infrastructure developments proposed for their area.
She's one of the thousands of Aussies who have taken the leap into a "clean economy job", even if it's not welding wind turbines or assembling solar panels.
The top peak bodies for the renewables sector have estimated that Australia needs 2 million new jobs to reach net zero by 2050.
They say the lower target of 43 per cent less emissions by 2030 will still need 200,000 people to change jobs to make it happen.
Holly Taylor, the Energy Efficiency Council's head of strategy, said workers of all backgrounds were needed.
"The whole point is that we don't just need electricians and engineers," she said.
"Of course, we definitely need them.
"But we also need project managers and investment analysts and insulation installers, net zero business advisors, blade technicians, the list goes on."
"So it doesn't matter if you've studied a STEM subject or an arts degree.
"There's a role for you in Australia's clean economy."
Ashleigh was initially on her way to finishing a carpentry apprenticeship when an injury forced a switch in career.
Now she installs roof insulation with Alexander Watson Home Insulation, a Canberra-based company.
"Being an installer is rewarding work – there's always a better end goal to reach," she said.
"And for people in need of a job, there's so much work – we're booked up to January for ceiling insulation."
That doesn't mean the work is easy.
With hot, confined spaces and labourers' wages, it's still hard work by anyone's definition.
But it is a good example of a "clean economy" job with the highest predicted demand for employment in the future.
Kane Thornton, CEO of the Clean Energy Council, told 9news.com.au there was a huge level of capital funding and enthusiasm in the private sector for a clean energy transition.
But at a national level, he stressed, Australia is now locked in a "clean energy arms race."
"Every other country in the world is doing essentially what we're trying to do," he said.
"And that is really quickly moving away from coal and gas to renewables."
To make it happen, he claimed strong and clear government policy on green jobs was needed so businesses could "have more confidence that these are good quality jobs, and that they'll be here soon".
While they were once fighting for relevance in a market crowded by fossil fuels, finding and reskilling a workforce is now one of the main challenges facing the renewable energy industry.
"And that says something about the opportunity before us," Thornton said.
A broad group of industry associations, education institutions, local governments and other non-government organisations is calling for the federal and state governments to take action to secure these workforce goals so Australia's global emissions commitments can also be met.
Hezbollah leader holds talks with senior Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad figures
The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah group held talks on Wednesday in Beirut with senior Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad figures in a key meeting of three top anti-Israel militant groups amid the war raging in Gaza.
In neighbouring Syria, meanwhile, state media said an Israeli airstrike hit the international airport in the northern city of Aleppo on Wednesday, damaging its runway and putting it out of service.
There was no immediate comment from Israel on the reported strike.
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Following the meeting in Lebanon, a brief statement said Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah agreed with Hamas' Saleh al-Arouri and Islamic Jihad's leader Ziad al-Nakhleh on the next steps that the three — along with other Iran-backed militants — should take at this "sensitive stage" in the Middle East.
Their goal, according to the statement carried on Hezbollah-run and Lebanese state media, was to achieve "a real victory for the resistance in Gaza and Palestine" and halt Israel's "treacherous and brutal aggression against our oppressed and steadfast people in Gaza and the West Bank".
No other details were provided. The meeting came as the war between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that rules the Gaza Strip, is now in its third week.
The fighting, triggered by Hamas' deadly incursion into Israel on October 7 that killed more than 1400 people in Israel, has killed more than 5700 Palestinians in Gaza.
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As the Gaza death toll spirals, tensions have also been rising along the tense Lebanon-Israel border, where Hezbollah members have been exchanging fire with Israeli troops since the day after Hamas' rampage into Israel.
For now, those exchanges remain limited to a handful of border towns and Hezbollah and Israeli military positions on both sides. Lebanese army soldiers and United Nations peacekeeping forces have deployed in large numbers.
Dozens of Hezbollah fighters have been killed in the clashes so far, the group says, while the Israeli military has also announced some deaths among its ranks.
Nasrallah has yet to publicly speak about the war in Gaza and clashes along the Lebanon-Israel border. However, other Hezbollah top officials have warned Israel against its planned ground invasion into the besieged territory.
Israeli officials have said they would retaliate aggressively in case of a cross-border attack by Hezbollah from Lebanon.
"We will cripple it with a force it cannot even imagine, and the consequences for it and the Lebanese state (will be) devastating," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said while visiting Israeli troops along the border with Lebanon on Sunday.
Lebanon's cash-strapped caretaker government, along with regional and international figures, has been scrambling to keep the country out of the war.
Hezbollah and Israel fought a month-long war in 2006 that ended in a tense stalemate. Israel sees Iran-backed Hezbollah as its most serious threat, estimating it has some 150,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel.
In its report on the airstrike on Syria's Aleppo, the state-run SANA news agency cited an unnamed military official as saying the strike came from the west, over the Mediterranean Sea near the coastal city of Lattakia. The report did not mention any casualties.
If confirmed, the attack would be the fourth time Israel has targeted the airport in Aleppo, Syria's largest city and financial hub, since the onset of the latest Israel-Hamas war.
The first attack took place on October 12, when Israeli missiles struck international airports in both Aleppo and Syria's capital of Damascus, putting them both out of commission. The Aleppo airport was later repaired.
Israel targets airports and sea ports in government-held parts of Syria in an apparent attempt to prevent arms shipments from Iran to militants backed by Tehran, including Hezbollah.
Thousands of Iran-backed fighters from around the region joined Syria's 12-year civil war, helping tip the balance in favor of President Bashar Assad's forces.
Israel has carried out hundreds of such strikes in recent years, including on the Damascus and Aleppo airports, but rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations.