There are renewed calls for e-bikes to require number plates after two separate incidents across Sydney involving teenagers colliding with cars while riding the electronic vehicles.

Two 16-year-olds were struck by a Mercedes-Benz on Birrell Street in Bondi yesterday while riding e-bikes.

The driver of the vehicle was uninjured and the pair escaped with only minor injuries before being taken to Sydney Children's Hospital.

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The same day in Crows Nest, three 15-year-olds on an e-rideable bike were struck by a car.

The trio walked away with minor injuries. 

The NSW government recently introduced new safety laws reducing the power and speed of e-bikes, however, NSW opposition transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward told the Sydney Morning Herald that more could be done to prevent safety incidents.

Ward believes that licence plates for specific groups, including people under 18, are a necessary step to minimise the number of e-bike crashes.

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Others who could be targeted include those who use e-bikes for commercial purposes and commercial shared service schemes.

"For young riders, accountability can't just be a trip to the hospital emergency room," Ward told the Nine newspaper.

"The overwhelming community view is to take action on these unaccountable rider cohorts who need enforcement and behaviour change before it is too late."

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The Liberal plan would also include new penalties for non-compliance, alongside educating young riders so that the risks associated with e-bike technology and how to use them safely are understood.

"I am hearing loud and clear that the community wants enforcement and accountability for e-bikes that prevent crashes, the opposition has a plan to deliver it, while the government tinkers," Ward said in a statement.

"This isn't complicated. If Labor don't like our solution, what is their plan?

"It's time for action and accountability, whether it is an e-bike rider or the transport minister."

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The driver inhaled foam and suffered swelling around her eyes and is recovering at home.

Kumeroa Tuhaka was caught with undersized shellfish in an area of cultural significance.

The tiny hydromedusae are invisible to swimmers but carry up to 100 tentacles.

The pole is now leaning against a building on Portage Rd.

BTS are coming to Australia, but you'd be forgiven for not knowing what those letters mean or why it's such a big deal.

The mega-popular South Korean boy band last performed on Australian soil back in 2017 and haven't performed publicly since 2022, when mandatory military service forced them to disband.

Now BTS are back together and they just announced a massive world tour for 2026 and 2027, including four Australian dates.

Here's what you need to know about BTS before they kick off their Australian shows next February.

Who are BTS?

BTS are a South Korean boy band that have found major international success, especially with the spike in global interest in K-pop in recent years.

The name BTS stands for "Bangtan Sonyeondan" or Bangtan Boys and the band consists of seven members, many of whom go by stage names.

BTS' members are:

• Jin: Kim Seok-jin, 33
• Suga: Min Yoon-gi, 32
• J-Hope: Jung Ho-seok, 31
• RM: Kim Nam-joon, 31
• Jimin: Park Ji-min, 30
• V: Kim Tae-hyung, 30
• Jung Kook: Jeon Jung-kook, 28

Formed in 2010 as a hip-hop group, they debuted (a common K-pop term referring to an idol or group's launch after years of training) in 2013.

At the time of their debut, the members were aged between 15 and 20.

They quickly achieved mainstream and commercial success, which grew until they were the most successful boy band in South Korea, then Asia, and the world.

Why are BTS a big deal?

BTS's popularity has grown exponentially over the last decade, especially on social media, where they have a dedicated fanbase that goes by the name "ARMY".

It stands for "Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth".

By the late 2010s, they'd built a strong international fanbase, including a significant Western audience.

They were the first K-pop group to ever win a Billboard Music Award in 2017 and the first to perform on Saturday Night Live in 2019.

It should come as no surprise then that BTS are credited as one of the most influential groups to help bring K-pop into the global spotlight.

As well as making award-winning music, they have secured brand deals with giants like Samsung, Dior, and Louis Vuitton, and backed a number of charitable and social causes.

Why is the BTS World Tour a big deal?

This will be BTS's first major tour since all members completed their mandatory military service, making it a landmark moment for the band.

All able-bodied South Korean men are expected to complete up to 21 months of military service, usually by the age of 28.

When Jin, the band's oldest member, turned 29 in 2021, it sparked concerns that the band would have to take a step back from the spotlight for an extended period.

Though the members had been allowed to postpone their service until they turned 30, they couldn't put it off forever.

In late 2022, BTS announced they'd be taking a break for all members to complete their mandatory service.

Jin enlisted in December that year, followed by his six bandmates, who staggered their enlistment.

Jin was officially discharged in June 2024 and Suga became the final member to be discharged 12 months later.

BTS publicly reunited on a livestream in July last year to promise fans new music and a world tour; a promise they made good on in January 2026.

When are BTS coming to Australia?

The band announced their 2026-27 BTS World tour on January 13, with the Australian leg set to kick off in Melbourne on February 12, 2027.

They will perform four shows in Australia; two in Melbourne and two in Sydney.

Concert dates are as follows:

• Melbourne – Friday, February 12, 2027
• Melbourne – Saturday, February 13, 2027
• Sydney – Friday, February 20, 2027
• Sydney – Saturday, February 21, 2027

The last confirmed concert date before they fly to Australia is slated for Jakarta, Indonesia, on December 27, 2026.

Fans have speculated that could allow the band to announce additional Australian dates for January or early February 2027.

After their second Sydney show, BTS are slated to perform in Hong Kong on March 4, 2027.

When do tickets go on sale for the BTS Australia tour?

There will be a presale on January 22 and 23 for select fans.

It will only be open to ARMY Membership holders who sign up on the online fan platform Weverse, which is owned by HYBE, the management company behind BTS.

ARMY Membership starts at $US22 ($32) and is currently listed as sold out on Weverse.

General sale will take place on January 24.

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Police seized a motorcycle, a vehicle, and airguns with ammunition.

A week of heavy rain, damaging winds and potentially severe thunderstorms is on the way for residents in south-eastern New South Wales, prompting authorities to issue a warning about the risk of flash flooding.

Thunderstorms are expected from today across parts of Sydney, the Illawarra region, the Hunter region and the NSW South Coast.

The NSW SES has warned some storms could bring 30mm to 60mm of rain an hour, gusty winds exceeding 90km/h and large hail.

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From tomorrow and across the weekend, the rain could become more widespread across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and South Coast, as a low pressure system develops off the coast.

This could cause rivers and creeks to rise quickly, which could cover roads in water in some areas.

NSW SES state duty commander Dallas Burnes said while rainfall totals may build gradually, conditions could change quickly.

"Even moderate rain over several days can cause problems, especially when it falls on already wet ground," Burnes said.

"We are working closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to monitor this system and our members across south eastern NSW have been briefed and are ready to respond."

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Burnes urged people to prepare early and be mindful of the increased risks

"We ask people to be vigilant if camping near creeks and rivers and to make sure you have appropriate equipment as it might be raining for up to a week in some areas," he said.

"If water levels begin to rise, move to higher ground immediately."

The rain comes after ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji lashed Queensland, where the town of Clermont near Rockhampton had its wettest day in more than 110 years earlier this week.

"The broad low pressure trough is extending from ex-TC Koji in the north all the way down to central Victoria,"

Weatherzone meteorologist Joel Pippard said the broad low pressure trough had extended from the ex-tropical cyclone in the north all the way down to central Victoria.

"The trough will meet up with an upper trough and cold pool from today," Pippard said.

"As the system tracks west, bringing scattered to widespread thunderstorms on Thursday, it will spawn a coastal trough off the NSW coast.

"The moisture feed from the tropics and the Tasman Sea will deliver heavy rainfall along the NSW coast, heaviest in the far south, with a growing powerful swell to impact the coast from Friday to next Tuesday."

Residents in parts of Victoria can also expect potential storms and showers tomorrow as the low pressure trough moves over the country's south-east, drawing moisture from the Coral Sea in Queensland.

"That moisture will wrap into NSW and south-eastern Victoria, with potentially some rain for Melbourne," Weatherzone meteorologist Felix Levesque predicted yesterday.

"The most likely total is in the 1-5 mm range with heavier stuff further east and south into Bass Strait.

"But potentially, Melbourne could see 10-20 mm depending on the depth of the moisture feed."

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Residents along the Mackenzie River in Queensland are being told to leave immediately due to the imminent threat of major flooding.

An emergency warning has been issued for people in the low-lying areas of the river in the Central Highlands Regional Council area, including Duaringa.

Residents are being told to find higher ground, with current floods expected to exceed previous flood events.

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It comes after Premier David Crisafulli warned residents in the state's north and western regions to remain on high alert for the danger of floods despite rain easing.

He said some parts of the state had received a year's worth of rain in just a week, meaning some catchments were on the brink of bursting.

Several major flood warnings remain in place, including for the Flinders River and Connors-Isaac River, with Crisafulli saying concerns remain even though drenched parts of the state are receiving less rainfall.

"Parts of north and north-west Queensland, they had a year's rainfall in a week, they're just so swollen already," he said on Today.

"In some places, we've got cattle perched on high ground being fed fodder and emergency veterinary supplies to try and keep them alive. 

"That's the great fear, is if there is extra rain in catchments that are already high and not going down as quickly as we'd like."

Cloncurry in the state's north-west could see 45 millimetres of rain today, whilst Mount Isa could also cop a drenching of 35 millimetres.

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Some coastal areas will be less impacted, including around Cairns and Townsville, though the Whitsundays are still receiving rain.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned the flood danger may increase at the end of this week as several rivers and catchments struggle to contain the huge amounts of rain over the last fortnight.

Crisafulli said there was light at the end of the tunnel, but insisted the state needed to remain on alert.

"We are on an easing trend, but that doesn't mean there isn't the prospect of those heavy, isolated falls and in already swollen catchments," he said.

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Renowned arts, technology and culture festival SXSW Sydney has been cancelled after a three-year run.

Organisers confirmed in a statement today the popular festival, once billed as the "Olympics of events" for creatives, would not return to the NSW capital city this year due to a "changing global environment" impacting major events worldwide.

The organisation said it had worked with the NSW government and SXSW owners Penske Media Corporation to "explore potential pathways forward" but ultimately "prevailing marketing conditions" had stopped the event from going ahead.

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Over the past few years, the festival boasted a range of high-profile international guests including Nicole Kidman and The Kid Laroi.

More than 345,000 people attended last year's festival, which represented a 15 per cent increase on the previous year's attendance.

Event organisers said the festival generated $276 million in cumulative economic impact over its three-year run.

The announcement was met with sadness from fans on social media this morning who praised the event as "fantastic" and a "highlight" of the Sydney events calendar.

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"Every great story has a final page," event organisers said on social media.

"It's bittersweet to be saying goodbye while the momentum is so high.

"We're walking away knowing that something special happened here.

"We couldn't have asked for a better community to share this journey with, or a better city to call home."

Event organisers said they would work closely with staff members to provide appropriate support following the cancellation.

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