Investment analysts are casting doubt over the New Zealand Super Fund’s major offshore wind energy project.The fund, together with Danish investment firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), announced last week it would jointly…

Police have arrested and charged a man following an $80,000 burglary of an Onehunga car yard. Six newly imported cars were taken from the Auckland car yard in October 2021. Using the police dog squad, eagle helicopter and tactical…

By Phil Pennington RNZ Car dealers are worried they will have to pay the bill for errors in the Clean Car Discount Scheme that could cost buyers hundreds or even thousands of dollars.They say the fees or rebates the system calculates…

Former Sydney teacher and Newtown Jets footballer Chris Dawson will face a criminal trial over the alleged murder of his wife Lynette nearly 40 years ago.

This morning the High Court dismissed Mr Dawson's special leave application, the final bid to permanently halt the proceedings.

The 73-year-old is expected to stand trial in NSW next month.

READ MORE: Nervous wait for residents as Sydney's river breaks 34-year flood record

The trial is estimated to run for eight weeks.

Mr Dawson has pleaded not guilty to killing his wife, who was last seen at their Bayview home in 1982.

He has repeatedly insisted Lynette is still alive.

He remains on bail in Queensland.

Media personality Tracey Spicer said she feels like "a shadow of her former self" because of long COVID.

The broadcaster and author was diagnosed with COVID-19 in January after catching the virus on a holiday to the Gold Coast.

She was bedridden for two weeks, and while she recovered from COVID-19 symptoms such as a severe cough, she remains so sick she can barely work.

READ MORE: New clinic launches in Sydney to treat 'debilitating' long COVID

READ MORE: Most patients suffering long COVID symptoms months later

Mrs Spicer, who lives in Sydney and is triple vaccinated, said she's hampered by debilitating fatigue and even chest pains which have seen her rush to hospital, fearing she was having a heart attack.

"I've felt like a shadow of my former self. I've been swimming through mud every day," she told nine.com.au.

"Even cooking a meal can be absolutely crushing. I can hardly walk around the block.

"I've had the debilitating exhaustion, and I also had a very worrying four weeks where I was in and out of hospital with chest pain, I thought I was having a heart attack."

Mrs Spicer, best known as a journalist and newsreader who now works mostly as a writer, speaker and #MeToo campaigner, has seen multiple medics.

Many have had differing advice, and Mrs Spicer is calling for Australia to step up its response to long COVID to better help patients like her.

One GP told her to push through her crippling fatigue – the opposite what a long COVID expert at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney later advised.

"He said, 'I've had so many people like you come in – you must stop exercising altogether immediately,'" she said.

He told her: "If you try to push your body then you end up feeling like this for years."

Mrs Spicer previously used to exercise for two hours a day and was training for a 30 kilometre walk, but says she has now been diagnosed with mild pericarditis, a swelling of the tissue around the heart.

Various studies have shown the condition can impact the organ.

While new long COVID clinics are springing up, such as in Sydney, Mrs Spicer is calling for authorities to push things forward, with fears tens or even hundreds of thousands of Aussies could be affected.

"Australia is so far behind the rest of the world in its understanding of it – America has labelled it a disability," she said.

"We need a government-led public information campaign to inform health care workers and doctors as well as the public about the symptoms, and what they should be doing about it.

"Otherwise we're going to end up with this wave of disability like what they've seen in other countries, and the society and the workplace are just not ready for it."

It's not even known how many people have the condition, but almost 4.5 million Aussies have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

Modelling by Deakin University estimates between 80,000 and 300,000 people could be suffering from of COVID symptoms three months after their infection, and that could range between an estimated 14,000 to 170,000 people a year after testing positive.

The figures could be even higher, as the modelling was done before the recent Omicron wave.

READ MORE: Nine new COVID-19 symptoms added to UK alert list

READ MORE: Can you get long COVID-19 after an Omicron infection?

GPs say they're watching closely

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) President, Clinical Professor Karen Price admitted the outlook on long COVID is an "emerging picture," and added they are "watching the research very closely".

She said GP's are tackling patients' specific symptoms, such as those related to the heart or lungs, and referring patients for rehabilitation such as physiotherapy.

READ MORE: Long COVID-19 increases risk of type 2 diabetes

She said the government must to step in to help fund longer consultations needed for complex long COVID cases, plus help those who can't afford the gap in costs for rehab services.

"It's challenging to see where we're going to land with this in Australia," she said.

"This needs to be viewed through the lens of chronic disease which is managed in the community by GPs and that needs support and recognition."

'Tens of thousands' face some kind of long COVID

Health policy expert Martin Hensher from the University of Tasmania, said dealing with long COVID is a "very complex" for health services, simply because so little is known about it.

"Over coming months, tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousand will experience long COVID," he said.

"Even places like the UK, US, places which have had much bigger numbers for longer are still very much at sea about what really to do."

He said authorities need to survey the nation to find out exactly how many Aussies have symptoms.

Then, better co-ordination between GP's, hospitals and experts like physios or occupational health therapies is needed to best help patients, he said.

He said encouraging booster jabs is also vital, as they reduce the chance of people catching COVID-19 and developing long COVID.

Meanwhile, Mrs Spicer said she relies on husband Jason and her two teenage children to help her, as she tries to relax and hope her health improves.

"All you can do is just rest," she said. "I'm fortunate, I can still work a couple of hours everyday," she said.

What is being done to help

An Australian Government health spokesman said people with long COVID symptoms should first see their GP, with recently updated guidelines for medics published.

A spokesman said it has funded multiple studies into the condition, including giving $3.4 million to Murdoch University to further research into improving the understanding of long-term impacts, and $1.7 million to the University of Melbourne to investigate the effect COVID-19 variants of concern may have on the brain.

It said the The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare is also working on a project using COVID-19 data.

"The aim of this project is to provide an evidence base for research into the medium and long-term effects of COVID-19," a spokesman told 9News.

"Broad areas of research include epidemiological and statistical research, service and medication dispensing and patient journeys, identifying groups or cohorts of interest, monitoring, evaluation and data quality improvement."

The government puts long COVID numbers at 10 to 20 per cent of those infected, estimating between 465,898 to 931,795 Aussies might have symptoms.

What is long COVID

Long COVID is officially recognised by the World Health Organisation.

It's classed as a condition suffered by those who've had Coronavirus, which lasts for at least two months.

Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and cognitive dysfunction, or 'brain fog'.

Contact journalist Sarah Swain: Ss****@******om.au

The initial shipment of Australian Bushmaster armoured vehicles will be sent to Ukraine today in what Defence Minister Peter Dutton says is a "big win" for the country's military.

The first of the 20 military vehicles, costing $2.45 million each, will leave Amberley RAAF base in Queensland aboard C-17 Globemaster aircraft bound for Europe later today.

Mr Dutton, speaking from Amberley, told Today the Bushmasters were a world-leading armoured vehicle.

LIVE UPDATES: New South Wales flood emergency

"It will be a big win for the Ukrainian forces in their attempts to stare down the barbaric efforts of the Russian forces," he said.

The armoured vehicles have been painted olive green and fitted with additional armour to protect soldiers from shrapnel, mines and improvised explosive devices on combat duties.

The Bushmasters were specifically requested by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his speech to the Australian Parliament last week.

The Australian Defence Force has painted the Ukrainian flag on the side of each vehicle along with the words "United With Ukraine".

Australia is one of the first countries to supply Ukraine with armoured military vehicles to help it fight Russia.

READ MORE: Sydney Airport apologises to customers for long lines and delays

Mr Dutton said today's shipment of Bushmasters is the sixth delivery of military aid to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, NATO countries have agreed to ramp up the supply of weapons to Kyiv, including hi-tech arms, amid concerns that Russia is about to launch a large offensive in Ukrarine's eastern Donbas region.

NATO, as an organisation, refuses to send troops or weapons to Ukraine or impose a no-fly zone over it to keep the trans-Atlantic military group from being drawn into a wider war with nuclear-armed Russia. Individual NATO countries, however, have provided anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons to Ukraine, as well as equipment and medical supplies.

READ MORE: Who are the daughters of Vladimir Putin facing US sanctions?

"There was a clear message from the meeting today that allies should do more, and are ready to do more, to provide more equipment, and they realize and recognize the urgency," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said after chairing a meeting of allied foreign ministers in Brussels.

– Reported with Associated Press

Ken West, the co-founder of trail-blazing Australian music festival Big Day Out, has died aged 64.

Calling him a "father, husband, mentor and most of all a legend", West's family said the music lover passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday morning.

"Our family would appreciate respect and privacy during this difficult time," the family said in a statement released on Thursday night.

READ MORE: Thousands facing evacuation as major rain event sweeps NSW

"Ken was big and noisy in life, but passed quietly and peacefully."

From comparatively humble beginnings headlined by recently world-famous Nirvana and the Violent Femmes in a sweaty Hordern Pavillion, the festival grew into an annual touring behemoth featuring many of the world's biggest artists.

West, along with business partner Viv Lees, created and guided the show that would grow to become a staple of the Australian and New Zealand summer from 1992 to its last edition in 2014.

The festival hosted a staggering list of international superstars such as Rage Against the Machine, Iggy and the Stooges, Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kanye West, Muse and Metallica, as well as Aussies heroes such as Powderfinger, Flume and Tame Impala.

READ MORE: Who are the daughters of Vladimir Putin facing US sanctions?

Ken is survived by his wife, Cathy and son, Oliver.

In excerpts released earlier this year from an as-yet-unpublished book, West reflected on how what was originally meant to be a Violent Femmes tour blossomed into a huge day-long festival, at least partially off the back of Nirvana's explosion into the mainstream with the release of Nevermind.

Incredibly, the pair sold only 52 tickets on the first day, but demand eventually skyrocketed as the bill swelled to 21 acts across three stages.

"Stephen Pav was touring Nirvana at that time and as luck would have it, they were Violent Femmes fans," he wrote, in an excerpt published on his KenFest (at one point the name of the festival) website.

"Nevermind had been out since late September but was still only on the alternative charts. Soon after we went on sale on November 18 Nirvana exploded worldwide and eventually made the first BDO the hottest ticket in the country."

West, who believed the event would have sold out even without Nirvana's breakout success, said he even got a call from then prime minister Paul Keating trying to buy tickets for his kids.

READ MORE: Hugely popular chocolate eggs recalled before Easter

British singer-songwriter Billy Bragg paid tribute to West on Thursday night.

"Ken made the whole thing like a party for punters and artists alike," he said, on Twitter. 

"UK bands called it the Big Day Off. 

"Lots of fun memories hanging with Ken and the BDO crew."

Veteran music writer Bernard Zuel described West as an "absolutely crucial part of the music business".

"(He was) the source of so many discoveries, an enthusiast, a wonderful nutcase," he said, on Twitter. 

"He changed things."

READ MORE: Sydneysiders share stories of leech deluge amid downpours

https://twitter.com/BernardZuel/status/1512049137688080385

Writing in his book excerpts, West described his role running the BDO as the "greatest job in the world".

"Working and partying with incredible artists who motivated me to create beautiful complex events," he said.

"Human alchemy was taken to its limits. Continually evolving and growing for over 20 years.

"Five million people attended those shows, that's a lot of joy."

More than 60 firefighters have brought a large blaze which engulfed a factory in Melbourne's inner suburbs under control.

The family-owned Middle Eastern import and export business on John Street in Brunswick East has been destroyed as a result of the 'intense' fire.

There were no injuries in relation to the fire, which also spread to two units in an adjoining three-storey apartment.

READ MORE: Seventh teen charged with murder over death of Melbourne teenager

About a dozen people were evacuated from surrounding properties.

The owner of the business told 9News that he was inside the shop adjoining the warehouse at the time of the fire.

"He had a couple of customers, fortunately everyone has gotten out safe and sound," the owner said.

Fire Rescue Victoria Chief Fire Officer Brad Quinn said crews were first called to the Brunswick East factory fire at 1pm today after multiple callers notified Triple Zero.

"Firefighters arrived on scene in five minutes to find a factory well alight," a FRV spokesperson said.

https://twitter.com/_StephAnderson/status/1511936000494252034

"Wearing breathing apparatus, they attacked the blaze, and are working to bring it under control.

"Our firefighters have worked hard to contain the fire to the building and extinguish the fire that (spread) into the residential property next door."

Mr Quinn praised the FRV crews for bring the fire under control.

He described the fire as very 'intense'.

https://twitter.com/gillianlant/status/1511912595913318400

"It was a difficult fire to get into an extinguish… It's been a great effort by all the firefighters," he said.

A community advice message remains place for people in nearby areas that smoke may be visible, and to stay informed and monitor conditions.

The warning was issued for residents in Brunswick, Brunswick East, Carlton North, Coburg, Fitzroy North, Northcote, Parkville, Princes Hill, and Thornbury.

Years of frustration had boiled over for a pensioner when he confronted the Prime Minister at a New South Wales pub.

Ray Drury said he was sober but fed up when he gave Scott Morrison a roasting at the Edgeworth Tavern last night in front of a large media contingent.

"When it's stewing up and everything like that over 12 years, and getting rejected, not even listened to, well then of course I'm going to take that opportunity," Mr Drury told NBN News.

READ MORE: PM confronted, mocked in harrowing visit to Newcastle pub

The 73-year-old said he retired after he worked in the mining industry for 30 years.

He receives weekly compensation from the Dust Disease Board through iCare.

However, he said that payment had eaten into his pension.

"I've got prostate cancer, I've got tumours, asbestos tumours," he said.

READ MORE: Thousands facing evacuation as major rain event sweeps NSW

https://twitter.com/laurenkempe/status/1511969285505445895

"And being ignored by everyone, when I've got a right to earn income too."

The Newcastle resident claimed he had lost more than $70,000 because of the oversight.

He said he had reached out to dozens of MPs who haven't listened to him.

"Why wouldn't I get upset? Every week I get $200 taken out of my pension," he said.

READ MORE: Biden targets Putin's daughters in 'war crimes' sanctions

The Prime Minister's office said it would look into the issues raised by Mr Drury and confirmed government representatives would speak with him directly to reach a solution.

"I reckon it will happen, because I am gonna follow this around, every place where the Liberals go," Mr Drury said.

The Nepean River in Sydney's west is forecast to exceed the levels of the devastating floods in April 1988, the weather bureau has warned, as the city endures more record-breaking rainfall.

A flood warning is in place for Menangle, Camden and Wallacia, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

The Nepean River on Thursday evening was at 16.7 metres at Menangle Bridge and continuing to rise. It is expected to top 17 metres, which is higher than the April 1988 floods and the March 2022 peak.

SEND YOUR WEATHER VISION: Submit images and videos here

https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1511892402482655232

The Nepean River at Camden is expected to reach the major flood level of 13.8 metres tonight, which exceeds the peak recorded in March.

The Hawkesbury River at North Richmond may also reach major flooding early tomorrow morning due to the relentless rain.

It comes after more than 100mm of rain fell on Sydney in the past 24 hours, as millions face an ongoing major weather event across New South Wales today and tomorrow.

Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of Woronora and Bonnet Bay in the Sutherland Shire, as well as Chipping Norton in south-west.

People who remain in the area past 11.30am have been told it's likely they will be cut off, with the Woronora Bridge likely to be submerged at 1.7 metres.

READ MORE: Moment Perth woman ploughs through fence of home into pool

NSW State Emergency Service Acting Commissioner Daniel Austin said there have been more than 680 calls for help in Sydney, the Illawarra and the south coast.

There have also been 25 flood rescues.

SES crews are focusing resources in the Illawarra as roads become cascading rivers due to the sudden downpour.

"The highest areas of activity, are through the likes of the Sutherland shire, down through into the Illawarra," Mr Austin said.

The streets in Corrimal, near Wollongong, have flooded with water reaching to the top of car tyres.

READ MORE: Furious punter confronts Prime Minister at NSW pub

Sydney has recorded 114mm in the space of a day, with 125mm falling at Sydney Airport.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the mean average of rain for April, from measurements taken between 1858 and 2020, is 126.5mm.

The latest falls have also seen Sydney surpass its annual rainfall average of 1213.4mm in just the first three months of 2022.

The Picton CBD is also facing an evacuation warning, with the Stonequarry Creek continuing to rise.

Residents in Picton have begun sandbagging businesses and homes as the threat of flooding looms again.

Images show inundated streets with people halfway to knee-deep in water, while strong coastal winds sent falling stormwater back up the cliffs at Dover Heights.

EXPLAINED: When is it going to stop raining?

https://twitter.com/NSWRFS/status/1511864254701649924

Huge rainfall overnight

Cronulla in the Sutherland Shire was hit by 107mm of rain in just three hours overnight, the Bureau of Meteorology has said. Little Bay also recorded 107mm, but over six hours.

SES Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey said a lot of roads have been cut off by flash flooding.

"If you are in affected areas avoid unnecessary travel," he said.

"If you can stay home stay off the roads.

"If you have to hit the roads, never drive through flood waters."

https://twitter.com/KateCreedon9/status/1511852893787226114

Assistant Commissioner Storey urged people in the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment to have flood plans in place, with a minor to major flood warning issued for the area.

"We've had almost 600 requests for assistance from the community overnight, and 11 flood rescues," he said.

"We're expecting those numbers to increase unfortunately today as that rain continues.

"People also wake up and find properties damaged, trees down, roads floods all those things.

"It's a very dynamic and volatile situation today in those areas."

More rain still to come

Miriam Bradbury from the Bureau of Meteorology said falls of up to 140mm in six hours were expected in some areas along the central and southern NSW coastal regions, with broader falls of between 60mm and 100mm in the same amount of time.

"We are going to see those rain rates easing off later today and going to the overnight period," she said.

"By tomorrow we should just be left with much more isolated to scattered showers.

"It's really this steady soaking rain that brings us the very high rainfall totals."

She said tomorrow and this afternoon would see a risk of severe thunderstorms in NSW's north-east.

"I mention this because it does extend over the area which has been most recently affected by severe flooding," she said.

She said while it would increase the flood risk, it would likely be due to flash flooding rather than riverine flooding.

Dams already at capacity

Almost all the dams around Sydney are full, as the intense rain continues.

Warragamba, Woronora, Avon, Cataract, Cordeaux, Tallowa and Nepean are at 100 per cent.

Blue Mountains Dams: 90.4 per cent Prospect is at 92.8 per cent, Wingecarribee Reservoir: 89.6 per cent and Fitzroy Falls Reservoir is 82.2 per cent full.

Warragamba Dam is set to spill tomorrow.

Chloe Konispoliatis, from McGraths Hill in Sydney's north-west, said she was "terrified" to see the rain return, fearing her home could be flooded for a third time in less than two years.

"We have only just started to get our life back together," she told Today.

"We managed to clean quite quickly this time around, because we, unfortunately, were impacted by the floods last year as well.

"This year we were a bit more prepared."

In the recently-ravaged Northern Rivers region, Wardell woman Rebecca Heywood is also facing another round of heavy rain, after her cottage was damaged by floods last month.

"I don't think our communities can take much more," she said.

Stay up to date with the latest weather warnings at the Bureau of Meteorology website.