Police warn of growing death toll from Cyclone Gabrielle.

An Austrian woman has been charged after allegedly swallowing almost 1kg of cocaine held in 124 pellets before travelling to Australia.

The 27-year-old woman is the third person charged in Australia in two months for allegedly importing drugs concealed internally.

During the woman's long flight to Perth from Europe, she is alleged to have excreted and re-swallowed eight of the pellets, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) said in a joint statement.

READ MORE: Police arrest alleged directors of dial-a-dealer cocaine syndicate

ABF officers selected the woman for a baggage examination when she arrived at Perth Airport on February 11. 

"Certain indicators" led ABF officers to refer the case to the AFP, the statement said.

AFP officers escorted the woman to Royal Perth Hospital, where she was put under medical supervision and allegedly excreted 124 pellets over a period of two days.

She was discharged from hospital after scans confirmed there were no more pellets concealed internally.

The woman was charged with importing a marketable quantity of cocaine, which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years' jail time.

She faced Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody to reappear on 10 March, 2023.

READ MORE: A week of extremes: One state sizzles as the other is left without power after freak storm

In December, an Irish man was charged after he allegedly imported about 120 grams of cocaine into Melbourne, internally concealed inside six Kinder Surprise capsules.

A Portuguese man was caught a few days later when he flew into Sydney, allegedly importing about 1.6kg of cocaine that he was carrying internally.

AFP Commander Kate Ferry said the detection of three alleged internal imports in eight weeks was a concerning trend, due to the significant health risks faced by anyone ingesting packages of drugs.

"Anyone trying to move drugs across borders concealed inside their bodies is not only risking a substantial jail term but potentially a fatal drug overdose or permanent damage to their internal organs," she said.

"The AFP estimates the seizure of these three illicit imports has saved the community more than $1.75 million in drug-related harm, including associated crime, healthcare and loss of productivity.

"The photographs of the seized pellets of drugs after they've been excreted should also highlight to drug users the disgusting reality of how these illicit substances are transported across the world."

As 12,000 families in NSW struggle without power following a freak storm, those on the other side of the country are battling sweltering temperatures.

Parts of Western Australia have been battling an extreme heatwave, with temperatures rocketing toward 50C as a week-long heatwave grips the nation.

 READ MORE: Sail Grand Prix halted over dangerous weather in Sydney

Western Australia sizzles

Near-record heat was forecast to hit north-western Australia this weekend, with temperatures expected to reach near 50C in some parts of the west Pilbara district.

A scorching 46.2C was clocked yesterday in Learmonth as a break in the monsoon allows a hot air mass to build up above.

READ MORE: Man dies after fall from e-scooter in Sydney's south-west

Severe weather brings destruction in Sydney

Trees were brought down across the city hammered by ferocious winds, rain and lightning, with 12,000 families waking this morning across Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter Valley, still without power.

NSW State Emergency Service said the hardest-hit areas included Sydney metro, Hawkesbury, Auburn and Sutherland, with 789 calls for help across the state.

Trains have also resumed on the T1 North Shore Line from Gordon to Hornsby and the T9 Northern Line from Hornsby to Epping following multiple trees on the track.

Storm activity appears to have passed, and Sydneysiders can expect a partly cloudy day with a top of 27C.

Elsewhere, it's forecast to be 27°C in Melbourne, Brisbane 31°C, Perth 34°C, Adelaide 31°C, Hobart 28°C, Canberra 31°C and Darwin 32°C.

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One video shows a single blue glove, found in the field where missing British mother Nicola Bulley was last seen before she vanished over three weeks ago.

Another urges police to investigate a derelict house on the riverbank, opposite where Bulley disappeared while walking with her dog Willow.

Yet another simply shows a section of the River Wyre in northern England near where she vanished in an effort to prove how slow-moving and shallow the water is. Divers have been scouring the river downstream amid fears she has gone into the water. "There is no way on God's earth Nicola is in this river," the caption reads.

READ MORE: Teenager films 'final moments' from rubble of collapsed apartment

These viral videos have been condemned by police as social media users "playing private detectives" and distracting their search for the missing mother of two.

Bulley went missing in the village of St. Michael's on Wyre on the morning of Friday, January 27. Police say she was walking her dog after dropping her two children off at school.

A short while later, her dog was found wandering alone and her phone spotted on a bench next to the river, still logged into a group work call. But police are yet to find a trace of the missing 45-year-old.

Three weeks on, an investigation launched by Lancashire Police continues to draw a blank.

'Persistent myths'

After reviewing hundreds of hours of CCTV and dashcam footage, and investigating tip-offs from the public, police officers have insisted that there is still no evidence to indicate third-party involvement and their main working hypothesis remains that she fell into the River Wyre.

The case has baffled the public and attracted widespread media attention, with police also – unusually – choosing to reveal that Bulley had been struggling with alcohol issues and menopause at the time of her disappearance.

This week saw investigators sharply criticise members of the public they say are pedaling "persistent myths".

READ MORE: Former US President Jimmy Carter to begin receiving hospice care

Lancashire Police Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith told journalists on Wednesday that the social media frenzy had "significantly distracted" the investigation.

"In 29 years' police service, I've never seen anything like it.

"Some of it's been quite shocking and really hurtful to the family. Obviously, we can't disregard anything, and we've reviewed everything that's come in but of course it has distracted us significantly."

Smith took the opportunity to denounce some of the conspiracy theories. "The derelict house which is across the other side of the river has been searched three times, with the permission of the owner, and Nicola is not in there," she said.

As for the blue glove, Smith said: "You'll no doubt be aware that TikTokers have been playing their own private detectives and have been in the area.

"A glove has been recovered that is not believed to be relevant to the investigation. It is not Nicola's, but we have got that in our possession."

'Whiff of misogyny'

While asking members of the public to stop inundating them with "false information, accusations and rumors," Lancashire Police has taken flak for its own handling of the case.

Much of this criticism has centered on the police's decision to reveal personal details about Bulley, starting with Smith's comments at a press conference on Wednesday: "As soon as she was reported missing, following the information that was provided to the police by her partner, Paul, and based on a number of specific vulnerabilities that we were made aware of, Nicola was graded as high risk."

Police later that evening clarified that she had "in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol" in struggles which had "resurfaced over recent months" as she went through menopause.

For David Wilson, emeritus professor of criminology at Birmingham City University, the revelation of such personal details about Bulley's life had a "whiff of misogyny."

"There's a lot of distrust at the moment in the police – especially from women – specifically because of a number of high-profile femicides in London," he told CNN. "So the police have to be as open and honest as they can be, but they lost a lot of my sympathy as what they said seemed like victim blaming and had a whiff of misogyny – revealing Nicola's alcohol problems and menopause struggles."

The hashtag "menopause" was trending on Twitter in the wake of the police announcements, with some social media users accusing Lancashire Police of letting women down.

Dr Charlotte Proudman, director of women's rights group Right To Equality, wrote on Twitter: "Missing mother Nicola Bulley had 'some significant issues with alcohol' brought on by struggles with the menopause, police have said. Such a serious invasion into her private life which will only result in further victim blaming. Shameful."

Another Twitter user named Sue McKay said: "By describing Nicola Bulley as a menopausal woman with drink issues, it just proves just how out of touch Lancs Police are with mental health. This will in effect make the public's trust and credibility in them even less."

Professor Wilson, who works with and trains the police, understands that sometimes the force is "damned if they do and damned if they don't." However, for him, there was something insensitive in the tone of Wednesday's press conference.

"Their recent press conference was at times insensitive – it seemed like they were scolding the public, when in fact they rely on the public to provide information, and so it's no good saying they sometimes give information they don't want, is misleading or wastes their time.

"Of course the TikTokers and armchair detectives were clearly a hindrance to them, but that is simply a new reality that has to be managed – you can't wish it away.

"Above all I worried last night that their clarification about Nicola was made to protect their institutional reputation and had lost sight of the humanity of the people at the heart of the investigation," he said.

Meanwhile, in a statement on Thursday, Bulley's family called for an end to the speculation.

"As a family, we were aware beforehand that Lancashire Police, last night, released a statement with some personal details about our Nikki," the statement said.

"Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there speculating and threatening to sell stories about her. This is appalling and needs to stop.

"The police know the truth about Nikki and now the public need to focus on finding her," they added.

Criticism of the police has continued. Vera Baird, who in her former role as victims' commissioner for England and Wales aimed to encourage good treatment of crime victims, said the criticism of police was "totally justified."

"I'm afraid this is the biggest error that I have seen for quite a long time," she told the BBC.

And British Home Secretary Suella Braverman raised concerns with police over its handling of the case, according to a Home Office spokesperson on Friday.

"The Home Secretary and Policing Minister are receiving regular updates from Lancashire Police on its handling of this case, including why personal details about Nicola was briefed out at this stage of the investigation," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Three weeks missing

Meanwhile, there is still no trace of Bulley.

Other dog walkers were the last to see her. During the walk, she dialed into a work conference call, keeping her camera off and microphone muted. By 9:30 am, the call had ended – with Bulley still logged on.

A short while later, her dog Willow was found wandering alone and her phone was recovered on a riverside bench, but Bulley had vanished.

Police are "particularly interested" in the time between the phone being placed on the bench at 9:20 am and the device being recovered 10 minutes later.

"We only have a 10-minute window in which we cannot account for Nicola's movements," Lancashire Police Superintendent Sally Riley said.

Stephanie Benyon, a friend of Bulley's whose children attend the same school, previously told CNN that she is a "kind, loyal and thoughtful person who adores her two girls and family and friends." Her partner of 12 years, Paul Ansell, described the situation as a "perpetual hell."

For Wilson, it is no surprise that Bulley's case has captivated the general public. "Someone goes missing in the UK every 90 seconds. Thankfully, most are found within 48 hours, but a number disappear for much longer.

"Nicola Bulley was always going to generate media interest – a White, middle class, professional woman from a picture-perfect village where crime was almost nonexistent, was always going to grab headlines that the disappearance of a working-class Black man from inner city London just wouldn't."

Residents could soon renew prescriptions for the contraceptive pill at their local pharmacy under an election pledge proposed by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

The move would allow patients to bypass GPs for regular prescriptions like the contraceptive pill and common antibiotics for free over a 12-month trial period.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the plan would "transform healthcare" with people able to book online or walk into their local pharmacy and get the care they need.

READ MORE: NSW election 2023: When, how and where do I vote?

Under our pharmacy plan, the government would cover the cost of the patient consultation fee for the treatment of UTI and the contraceptive pill.

It will also see pharmacists prescribe treatment of an UTI.

"This is about making it easier and quicker for people to access important prescription medications and treatments," Perrottet said.

"It's harder than ever to get into a GP and that's why these changes will make a real difference to people who need to access a range of prescriptions and treatments.

READ MORE: Homes remain without power in Sydney after dangerous storm

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) NSW President Chelsea Felkai said that the pilot would "significantly improve" access to timely healthcare.

"Pharmacists are well-positioned to deliver quality, timely care to NSW patients experiencing uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections," Felkai said.

The plan will come into place from July, if the Perrottet government wins the state election next month.

A 17-year-old high-school student has captured Turkish hearts after he filmed a farewell message to his loved ones as he was trapped under the rubble of his home during last week’s earthquake.

Taha Erdem and his family were fast asleep when a 7.8 magnitude quake hit their hometown of Adiyaman in the early hours of Feb. 6.

Taha was abruptly woken by violent tremors shaking the four-story apartment building in a blue-collar neighbourhood of the central Anatolian city.

Within 10 seconds, Taha, his mother, father and younger brother and sister were plunging downward with the building.

READ MORE: Devastating images from above capture homes sinking in mud

He found himself alone and trapped under tonnes of rubble, with waves of powerful aftershocks shifting the debris, squeezing his space amid the mangled mess of concrete and twisted steel. Taha took out his cellphone and began recording a final goodbye, hoping it would be discovered after his death.

“I think this is the last video I will ever shoot for you,” he said from the tight space, his phone shaking in his hand as tremors rocked the collapsed building.

Showing remarkable resilience and bravery for a teenager believing he was speaking his last words, he lists his injuries and speaks of his regrets and the things he hopes to do if he emerges alive. During the video, the screams of other trapped people can be heard.

“We are still shaking. Death, my friends, comes at a time when one is least expecting it.” says Taha, before reciting a Muslim prayer in Arabic.

“There are many things that I regret. May God forgive me of all my sins. If I get out of here alive today there are many things that I want to do. We are still shaking, yes. My hand isn’t shaking, it’s just the earthquake.”

The teen goes on to recount that he believes his family are dead, along with many others in the city, and that he will soon join them.

READ MORE: Eerie Aussie ghost town destroyed by rabbits

But Taha was destined to be among some of the first saved from the destroyed building. He was pulled from the rubble two hours later by neighbours and taken to an aunt’s home.

Ten hours after the quake, his parents and siblings were also saved by local residents who dug at the wreck of the building with their bare hands and whatever tools they could find.

When The Associated Press spoke to the family on Thursday they were living in a government-provided tent, along with hundreds of thousands of others who survived the disaster that hit southern Turkey and north Syria, killing more than 43,000.

“This is my home,” said Taha’s mother Zeliha, 37, as she watched excavators digging up their old life and dumping it into heavy trucks.

“Boom-boom-boom, the building went down floor by floor on top of us,” she recalled, describing how she had kept yelling her son’s name while trapped under the debris in the hope that all five of them could die together as a family.

The Erdems’ younger children — daughter Semanur, 13, and nine-year-old son Yigit Cinar — were sleeping in their parents’ room when the quake hit.

READ MORE: Snake catcher reveals the most shocking Aussie myths

But Taha could not hear his mother’s calls through the mass of concrete. Nor could she hear her son’s cries in the dark, and both believed the other was lying dead in the destroyed building.

It was only when Zeliha, her husband Ali, 47, a hospital cleaner, and the other children were taken to her sister’s home that they realised Taha had survived.

“The world was mine at that moment,” Zeliha said. “I have nothing, but I have my kids.”

The story of the Erdem family is one of many emotional tales of human fortitude to emerge from the widespread disaster area. Many vividly recount the horrors of being trapped beneath their homes.

Ibrahim Zakaria, a 23-year-old Syrian who was rescued in the coastal Syrian town of Jableh on February 10, told the AP that he survived by licking water dripping down the wall next to him, slipping in and out of consciousness and losing hope of survival in his waking moments.

READ MORE: Former US President moves to hospice care

“I almost surrendered because I thought I will die,” he said from his hospital bed. “I thought, ‘There is no escape.’”

In the Turkish city of Gaziantep, 17-year-old Adnan Muhammed Korkut, was trapped for four days before he was rescued. He told the private IHA news agency that he grew so thirsty that he drank his own urine.

Muhammet Enes Yeninar, 17, and his 21-year-old brother were saved after 198 hours in nearby Kahramanmaras.

He said they cried for the first two days, mostly wondering about their mother and whether she had survived, IHA reported. They later began to comfort each other — “talking about brotherhood” and eating powdered protein.

Also in Kahramanmaras, Aleyna Olmez, 17, was pulled free after 248 hours under the rubble. “I tried to pass the time on my own,” she said.

Stories of remarkable survival often emerge during disaster, especially following earthquakes, when the world’s media records the fading hope of recovering survivors as each hour ticks by.

Following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, a 16-year-old girl was rescued in Port-Au-Prince 15 days after an earthquake devastated the city. Three years later, a woman trapped under a collapsed building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was saved after 17 days.

Twelve people have been evicted from last night's A-League derby between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City.

There was a heavy police presence at the game to ensure there was no repeat of the chaos at the last derby in December when hundreds of supporters ran onto the field at AAMI Park 20 minutes in.

READ MORE: Hundreds evacuated as dangerous weather halts Sail Grand Prix in Sydney

A Victoria Police spokesperson said they were "generally pleased" with the crowd at the match.

However, 12 people were evicted by police in relation to inappropriate or offensive behaviour and one man was arrested for being drunk.

It comes as a video circulating on social media shows a man being dragged out of stands by police while spectators were throwing drinks on them.

Victory finished in front, winning 3-2 over Melbourne City.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has kicked off the "Yes" campaign for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Albanese hosted a barbecue in Sydney's Inner West today, where he issued an impassioned plea for Australians to support the Voice.

"This is an opportunity to unite our nation, and I say to those in positions of political leadership, do not miss this opportunity this time," he said.

READ MORE: NSW Liberal MP disendorsed for sharing explicit photos of colleague

The barbecue in Petersham was the first in a week of events to be held by councils, churches, unions and community groups to promote the 'Yes' vote.

"It's about recognition and its about consultation. That is what it's about and that's what we need to deliver," Albanese said.

Of the 44 referenda held since 1906, only eight have been carried – and historically, one of the keys to success has been bipartisan support.

READ MORE: Sweltering Sunday on the cards nation-wide

"This should not be the subject of partisan debate, this should be the moment we come together as a nation, and that is my objective," Albanese said today.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has expressed reservations over the Voice, and will meet with the referendum working group this week.

"I don't think it's going to be successful," he said.

A bill enabling the referendum will be introduced next month.

More to come.

Gabrielle Mei reveals she shares a name with the cyclone that gutted her home.