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For eight months, residents of the Ukrainian city of Kherson have been living under brutal Russian occupation. But on Friday, Ukrainian forces swept into the city and Russian troops retreated to the east.

The residents have no water, no internet connection and little power. But as a CNN crew entered the city on Saturday, the mood was euphoric.

As the crew filmed live in Kherson's central square, some in the crowd of locals sang the national anthem while others shouted "Slava Ukrayini!" – glory to Ukraine, a patriotic greeting.

READ MORE: Zelenskyy says Ukrainian special military units enter Kherson

"We feel free, we are not slaves, we are Ukrainians," resident Olga told CNN.

Locals have also been climbing onto the tops of the buildings, including the cinema, in the square to erect Ukrainian flags. Soldiers driving through are greeted with cheers and asked to sign autographs on flags.

READ MORE: How important is a Russian retreat from Kherson?

Back when Russian troops rolled in at the beginning of the war, this was a city that tried to resist: people were taken away, tortured, disappeared, residents said.

"We were terrified by [the] Russian army, we were terrified by soldiers that can come any moment in our house, in our home – just open the door, like they are living here, and steal, kidnap, torture," Olga said.

But now, people flock to the central square in the newly liberated city, wrapped in Ukrainian flags, singing and chanting "Freedom for Ukraine."

"Everyone here is out celebrating in the square here. People are wearing the Ukrainian flag, they're hugging the soldiers, they've come out to see what it's like to have freedom," Robertson said.

Katerina described the liberation as the "best day" of her life after eight months under Russian occupation. "Our town is free, my street is free," she told CNN.

Another local resident named Andrew said he was so glad to see Ukrainian soldiers.

"I think lots of people were killed here. We just don't know that yet," he said of the period under occupation.

The CNN team appeared to be the first international journalists to reach Kherson city center since it changed hands in the past 48 hours.

On Friday, Russia announced it had withdrawn from the west bank of the Dnipro River in the strategic southern region of Kherson, leaving the regional capital of the same name and surrounding areas to the Ukrainians.

The retreat represents a major blow for Putin's war effort in Ukraine. Kherson was the only Ukrainian regional capital that Russian forces had captured since February's invasion. Their withdrawal east across the Dnipro cedes large swathes of land that Russia has occupied since the early days of the war, and that Putin had formally declared as Russian territory just five weeks ago.

"It was a really hard time for everyone. Every Ukrainian family waited for our soldiers, for our army," a Kherson resident told CNN on Saturday, recalling Russia's months-long occupation.

The woman said it felt "amazing" to see Ukrainian troops in Kherson.

"We felt every day your support, thank you so much," the woman added, before hugging Robertson.

Speaking Saturday on the next steps for the Ukrainian military, CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton said: "This is going to be a major urban operation. What you are going to see is a methodical operation to clear buildings of potential booby traps and mines.

"Another thing that the Ukrainians will have to do is they're going to have to move their systems forward so that they can counter any possible Russian artillery that is going to be on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River.

"You can see that the Ukrainians have moved to that river bank, they are now controlling that area, they will have to mop up some remaining Russian forces that did not make it out of the west bank of the Dnipro River. But those that are there will probably either surrender or in essence be eliminated from the fight."

On Friday evening, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a nighttime video of celebrations in the city, where a crowd was waving flags and chanting "ZSU," the Ukrainian acronym for the armed forces.

Earlier that day, the Ukrainian military's southern operational command said Russian forces had been "urgently loading into boats that seem suitable for crossing and trying to escape" across the river.

It was unclear whether all Russian troops had left Kherson and the wider region. Serhiy Khlan, a member of Ukraine's Kherson regional council, said the city was "almost under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" but cautioned that some Russian troops might have remained behind in civilian clothing.

He warned that many Russian troops "threw away their military uniforms, and are now hiding with civilian clothes on."

A Gold Coast family is counting their lucky stars after narrowly avoiding being hit by a car that came crashing into their lounge room on Saturday.

They got the fright of their lives as a sedan careered into their living room, jumping out of the way with a second to spare.

Moments before impact, Chris and his mum were standing where the Ford Falcon sedan became wedged.

READ MORE: Man bashed in Perth after request to group of teens

"I grabbed my mum, yanked her to go back and then I ran," Chris told 9News.

"By the time we were running – well, I was running – the car had already gone through the front bit of the house."

READ MORE: Tens of thousands without due to severe storms across Australia

Out of corner of his eye, Chris watched as the elderly driver accelerated across the intersection, before smashing through their car port and into the house.

The driver became trapped behind the wheel inside the wreckage.

"Single occupant of the vehicle and 84-year old female who seemed to have a medical episode," Jane James from Queensland Ambulance Service told 9News.

Getting out the driver was a delicate and dangerous operation, requiring rescue crews to turn off the power and stabilise the roof before they cut her free.

"[There's been] Quite substantial damage to the building," Rikki Jackson from Queensland Fire & Emergency Services told 9News.

"Some of the main bearings had been dislodged by the vehicle entering."

"She was probably trapped for about 30 minutes before we could safely get her out of the vehicle."

The woman was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition. The paramedics were more concerned with her health, than injuries sustained in the crash.

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Heavy storms have smashed into Adelaide, leaving tens of thousands of homes without power, and the severe weather system is moving into Victoria, where people have been warned of the risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma on Sunday.

Thunderstorms generated more than 100,000 lightning strikes and heavy falls in South Australia

Across the state, 80,000 homes have been left without power, and there are warnings some of those residents won't have their supply restored until Monday.

READ MORE: Government announces team to 'hack the hackers' after Medibank cyber attack

https://twitter.com/ollie_haig/status/1591326364753629184

A severe storm warning for damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain remains in place for a large area of the state, including Adelaide.

Suburbs including Port Noarlunga were among those battered by the weather system this afternoon.

However, gloomy weather this morning did little to deter the crowds at the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant held on the streets of Adelaide.

Hundreds of thousands of people lined the parade's circuit with their umbrellas to take part in the festive fun.

https://twitter.com/ollie_haig/status/1591301061893312512

The weather system is also expected to extend into New South Wales.

NSW State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers are bracing for declining weather conditions over the next 48 hours.

"Through Sunday and Monday we are prepping for a large amount of rainfall as a result of severe storms which are predicted to come through the state which unfortunately could lead to renewed riverine flooding and dangerous flash flooding," Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan said.

https://twitter.com/ollie_haig/status/1591324477014835200

"The NSW SES is urging residents to not drive or play in floodwaters.

"The risk of flooded roads poses a very dangerous risk in already flood-affected communities where rivers are full and all additional water will run off and cause some areas to flood very quickly."

Volunteers are working to resupply several communities isolated by flooding.

Hogan said this was a very complex and evolving situation.

"The size of the area is about 40,000 square kilometres – more than half the size of Tasmania," she said.

The system is expected to generate widespread showers and storms on Sunday, especially in the Australian Capital Territory.

Canberra is forecast to receive as much as 60 millimetres of rain.

READ MORE: The biggest Christmas pageant in the southern hemisphere is back

Severe storms are also possible, bringing damaging winds and large hail.

After dropping to 14 degrees overnight, it should reach 23 tomorrow.

Showers will intensify over Melbourne at about midnight tonight, bringing the risk of severe storms.

There should be some dry patches during the morning, before showers return around midday.

Totals of up to 20 millimetres are forecast, and it'll be warmer than today, heading for 26C.

Some Victorians have also been warned of a potentially dangerous thunderstorm asthma event on Sunday.

"A high risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma has been forecast for the Northern Country and North Central districts," the Department of Health said in a statement.

"The combination of forecast extreme grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm with strong winds means there is a chance a large number of people may develop asthma symptoms over a short period of time."

All other areas of the state have a moderate risk for Sunday. 

People with asthma or hay fever should carry medication and stay inside before and during the storms.

Anyone who suffers from asthma or hay fever can monitor the forecast on the VicEmergency app.

Adelaide can also expect afternoon showers and possible storms, with up to 10 millimetres of rain and a top of 23C.

Hobart is heading for 16C with showers increasing in the afternoon, with up to 10 millimetres.

There will be sunny skies in Brisbane, with the city heading of a top of 29C tomorrow.

A partly cloudy day with a top of 23C is in store for Perth, while Darwin residents can expect a top of 34C with a few showers and the chance of a thunderstorm.

An urgent recall has been issued for a device designed to administer insulin to people with diabetes, with fears it may swell, leak fluid, overheat or catch on fire.

The Omnipod DASH personal diabetes manager (PDM) is a wearable device that provides up to three days of insulin delivery without the need for injections.

But Product Safety Australia has warned if the battery pack overheats, it could result in a fire "which can cause serious injury or death".

READ MORE: Police team announced to 'hack the hackers'

"Additionally, if the PDM becomes inoperable there may be a delay in therapy. If insulin delivery is suspended, this may lead to major hyperglycemia which can result in serious health complications," a statement from Product Safety Australia reads. 

"In severe cases of hyperglycemia, the user may experience diabetic ketoacidosis and may require hospitalisation or intervention from a medical professional."

Users are warned they should not charge the PDM if the battery compartment is bulging, the device is overheating, or it does not turn on within 45 minutes of being connected with the charger or turns off immediately after being unplugged.

Product Safety Australia said devices can continue to be used if the battery is not charged to more than 85 per cent capacity.

"Do not charge the device overnight," the warning reads.

READ MORE: Newlyweds accused of triple murder ask to be tried separately

They also warn the device should not be charged when the surrounding temperature is more than 31C or in direct sunlight.

"Do not use PDM while charging," the warning states.

"Do not charge the PDM when it feels unusually warm."

The company that makes the PDMs, Insulet Corporation, is implementing a software change that would limit the charging capacity.

The updated devices will be shipped "in the coming months".

There have been 455 customer complaints worldwide, including 25 "adverse events".

No reports have been made in Australia regarding the device.

READ MORE: Woolworths customers have Everyday Rewards points vanish

Twitter's relaunched premium service, which grants blue-check “verification” labels to anyone willing to pay $8 a month, was unavailable on Friday after the social media platform was flooded by a wave of imposter accounts it itself had approved.

It's the latest whiplash-inducing change to the service where uncertainty has become the norm since billionaire Elon Musk took control two weeks ago.

Prior to that, the blue check was granted to government entities, corporations, celebrities and journalists verified by the platform, precisely to prevent impersonation.

READ MORE: Thunderstorms to smash four states as flood ravaged towns prepare

Now, anyone can get one as long as they have a phone, a credit card and $8 a month.

An impostor account posing as pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co. and registered under the revamped Twitter Blue system tweeted that insulin was free, forcing the Indianapolis company to post an apology.

Nintendo, Lockheed Martin, Musk’s own companies Tesla and SpaceX were also impersonated, as well as the accounts of various professional sports and political figures.

READ MORE: The biggest Christmas pageant in the southern hemisphere is back

For advertisers who have put their business with Twitter on hold, the fake accounts could be the last straw: Musk’s rocky run atop the platform, laying off half its workforce and triggering high-profile departures, has raised questions about its survivability.

The impostors can cause big problems, even if they’re taken down quickly.

They have created “overwhelming reputational risk for placing advertising investments on the platform,” said Lou Paskalis, longtime marketing and media executive and former Bank of America head of global media.

Adding that with the fake “verified” brand accounts, “a picture emerges of a platform in disarray that no media professional would risk their career by continuing to make advertising investments on, and no governance apparatus or senior executive would condone if they did".

Adding to the confusion, Twitter now has two categories of “blue checks,” and they look identical.

One includes the accounts verified before Musk took the helm.

It notes that “This account is verified because it’s notable in government, news, entertainment, or another designated category.”

The other notes that the account subscribes to Twitter Blue.

But as of midday Friday, Twitter Blue was not available for subscription.

On Thursday, Musk tweeted that “too many corrupt legacy Blue ‘verification’ checkmarks exist, so no choice but to remove legacy Blue in coming months".

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An email sent to Twitter's press address went unanswered. The company's communications department was gutted in the layoffs and Twitter has not responded to queries from The Associated Press since October 27 when Musk took the helm.

Thursday night, Twitter also once again began adding grey “official” labels to some prominent accounts.

It had rolled out the labels earlier this week, only to kill them a few hours later.

They returned Thursday night, at least for some accounts – including Twitter's own, as well as big companies like Amazon, Nike and Coca-Cola – before many vanished again.

Celebrities also did not appear to be getting the “official” label.

Twitter is heavily dependent on ads and about 90 per cent of its revenue comes from advertisers. But each change that Musk is rolling out – or rolling back – makes the site less appealing for big brands.

“It has become chaos,” said Richard Levick, CEO of public relations firm Levick. “Who buys into chaos?”

READ MORE: Zelenskyy says Ukrainian special military units enter Kherson

A bigger issue for Musk might be the risk to his reputation as a model tech executive, since the rollout of different types of verifications and other changes have been botched, Levick added.

“It’s another example something not very well thought out, and that’s what happens when you rush,” Levick said.

“Musk has been known as a trusted visionary and magician – he can’t lose that moniker and that’s what’s at risk right now,” Levick said.

Twitter is a small part of total ad spending for the biggest companies that advertise on the platform.

Google, Amazon and Meta account for about 75 per cent of digital ads globally, with all other platforms combined making up the other 25 per cent.

Twitter accounts for about 0.9 per cent of global digital ad spending, according to Insider Intelligence.

READ MORE: Apple says iPhone supplies hurt by anti-virus curbs in China

“For most marketers on budgets, Twitter has always been that thing that is potentially too big to totally ignore but not quite big enough to care about,” said Mark DiMassimo, creative chief of marketing agency DiGo.

“None of this is a forever moral or ethical stand on the point of advertisers,” he added.

“If Musk proves to be a civilizing force in the long run advertisers will come back, if Twitter is still there. It’s a ‘for now’ decision, why be there now?”

The "smartest and toughest" cybersecurity experts in Australia have been tasked with hunting down hackers in an overhaul of the nation's law enforcement methods.

The federal government today announced a new partnership between the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Signals Directorate.

The team of 100 officers between the two agencies will seek to "hack the hackers", Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said.

READ MORE: Newlyweds accused of triple murder ask to be tried separately

"The criminals we are up against have adapted their ways, and so have we," she said.

"This is the formalisation of a partnership, a standing body within the Australian government which will day in, day out, hunt down the scumbags who are responsible for these malicious crimes against innocent people."

The changes come after serious data breaches at Optus and Medibank.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said a bill will be before the Senate soon which will increase the maximum penalties for companies who are subject to serious data breaches.

"The AFP will be working with all international partners, that includes Interpol, and includes calling on all countries to assist in the elimination of this type of cybercrime," Dreyfus said.

"No country should stand by and not assist any other country that is asking for help."

READ MORE: Woolworths customers have Everyday Rewards points vanish

His comments come after the AFP identified the Medibank cyber criminals as coming from Russia.

"Even amongst ransomware groups, it is considered beyond the pale to do what happened here," O'Neil said.

"I don't think any leader of any country around the world surely would condone this activity."

In a statement issued overnight, the Russian embassy in Canberra said the media announcement was made before they were told.

READ MORE: Kangaroo tries to break into Russian embassy

"We encourage the AFP to duly get in touch with the respective Russian law enforcement agencies," the embassy statement read.

"Fighting cybercrime that adversely affects people's lives and damages businesses demands a cooperative, non-politicised and responsible approach from all members of the world community."

Dreyfus was asked if the government was considering expelling Russian diplomats.

"All options remain under consideration," he said.

"Our preference is to maintain diplomatic channels but diplomatic profiles must always be consistent with our national interest.