Stock was pulled from supermarket shelves after a Dunedin man found a needle in his banana.The Ministry for Primary Industries said it was investigating after a man found a long, thin needle when he bit into a banana bought from…

Auckland Transport is accused of using “too much stick” after a large leap in revenue from traffic fines.The total generated by infringement notices in 2019 was $46.3 million, up about 60 per cent from 2017. The number of tickets…

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All through downtown Washington, the primary sound for several blocks was the beeping of forklifts unloading more fencing.

There were no cars or scooters and seemingly no tourists on Wednesday, just the occasional jogger and multiple construction crews at work.

The US Capitol that proved such a soft target last week was visible only through lines of tall, black fence.

Two blocks from the White House, a group of uniformed National Guard troops emerged from a tour bus and headed into a hotel as a state of lockdown descended on Washington that will last through the January 20 inauguration.

"Clearly we are in uncharted waters," Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said.

Last week's "violent insurrection" at the Capitol by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump has "impacted the way we are approaching working with our federal partners in planning for the 59th inauguration," Ms Bowser said on Wednesday.

The FBI has warned that armed protests by violent Trump supporters were being planned in all 50 state capitals as well as in Washington for the days leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

Between the pandemic and the security threat, Ms Bowser is flat-out asking people not to come to the District of Columbia for the inauguration.

And at Ms Bowser's request, a National Special Security Event declaration was moved up to January 13, a distinction which she said "puts in place an entirely different command and control structure" for security.

The NSSE status is normal for a presidential inauguration and other major events like an international summit or the Super Bowl. But it's rare to start the lockdown so far in advance of the event.

Police vehicles sealed off a huge swath of downtown Washington DC on Wednesday, causing immediate traffic snarls.

Starting Wednesday, Ms Bowser said, anyone inside the inauguration perimeter might be stopped and questioned.

Starting Friday, all parking garages in the downtown restricted zone will be sealed through the inauguration.

Ms Bowser is also being pushed to deny lodging options to potentially violent protesters.

The local Black Lives Matter affiliate and Shutdown DC issued a joint statement on Wednesday urging all downtown hotels to voluntarily close and pay their staffs.

In addition to the threat of violence, the activist groups say Trump supporters are a threat to the health of hotel staff for their general refusal to wear face masks amid the pandemic.

Several downtown hotels, including one which had become a favourite hangout of the militant Proud Boy faction, chose to avoid trouble by closing last week.

"Closing hotels completely for these six nights is the only way to guarantee the safety of hotel workers, neighbours, vulnerable and unhoused residents, incoming administration officials, members of Congress, and our democracy," the statement said.

"If hotels do not willingly close, we ask Mayor Bowser to extend today's emergency order and close all hotels in the city."

On Wednesday, Airbnb announced it was cancelling all reservations in the Washington metro area.

Ms Bowser said she had been in regular contact with Airbnb officials since last week, but did not specifically request this step.

"We are aware of reports emerging yesterday afternoon regarding armed militias and known hate groups that are attempting to travel and disrupt the Inauguration," Airbnb said in a statement.

"We are continuing our work to ensure hate group members are not part of the Airbnb community."

On the ground, much of the most visible security will come in the form of more than 15,000 National Guardsmen from multiple states, some of them armed.

According to officials, the number of Guardsmen who will actually be carrying guns will be limited.

Some Guard members nearer the Capitol will have long guns, and others will have their sidearms.

It is likely that those closer to the crowds or on fence lines won't be armed, but those up closer to the building may be.

National Guard members operate under strict rules of engagement on the use of force. But generally speaking, troops can use lethal force to protect the lives of others and themselves.

Officials also said that while 15,000 Guard members have been activated, more may be called.

DC Police Chief Robert Contee estimated on Wednesday that more than 20,000 National Guardsmen would be active in the District of Columbia on Inauguration Day.

Officials are continuing to review requests from law enforcement, and some believe several thousand more could be brought in.

Defence and military officials have been calling governors and adjutants general to ask if they might have people they could send, if requested.

So far, officials said state leaders have said that protecting their own capitols will be their top priority, but they still have some Guard members they will be able to send, if needed.

The year has barely gotten underway and tech giant Samsung is off to a flying start, announcing their Flagship smartphone for 2021, the Samsung Galaxy S21 range.

In the past these devices would launch in March or April, while last year they were announced in February, the last in-person tech event held before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.

This year, there are three variants in the Galaxy S21 lineup.

Samsung's Galaxy S21 has a 6.2-inch screen, the S21+ has a 6.7-inch screen, while the big brother of them all is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra featuring a 6.8-inch screen along with an impressive four cameras on the back.

"The events of 2020 have changed us fundamentally," Samsung Australia Senior Vice President Garry McGregor said.

"Mobile technology specifically has been critical in facilitating connectedness, stability of work, education and foster self-expression.

"Mobile devices are today more critical than ever."

With the Galaxy S21 range, there are three models that "meet a multitude of personal preferences", he said.

"With an advanced, pro-grade camera system, an exceptionally smooth, immersive display and the S21 Ultra with the most powerful battery of any S series device."

Each Galaxy S21 features an entirely new design, moving the "camera bump" to the edge of the phone, and in some variants putting a contrasting colour on the back.

At it's core though, it's the camera itself which sets the S21 apart from its predecessors and its opposition.

The standard Galaxy S21 and S21+ feature a triple-camera array on the back, including a 3x telephoto zoom, and wide and ultra-wide lenses.

On Samsung's S21 Ultra you'll find an extra lens offering 10x zoom, which can be used to zoom up to 100x digitally, which Samsung calls "Space Zoom".

This feature is enhanced in these new phones with a zoom lock, taking away the shaky view from images that come from hand-held attempts at 100x zoom.

Interestingly, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is also compatible with Samsung's S-Pen, the stylus that comes with its high end tablets, and the Samsung Galaxy Note range of phones.

This allows note-taking on the fly or the use of the pen to draw or interact on screen.

Bringing this feature to a smartphone outside the Note range is a first for Samsung.

Most pleasing though is the availability of 5G across each of the devices. In 2020, 5G was an option that came at a price premium.

Only yesterday Telstra announced its 5G network had reached 50 per cent of the population and had over 750,000 5G devices connected to it, so it goes without saying that 5G should be the default.

That high-speed inclusion has not come at the expense of the buyer either, with the entry-level Samsung Galaxy S21 starting at $1249, one hundred dollars cheaper than last year's entry-level phone, and $250 cheaper than the most affordable 5G phone in the Galaxy S20 range last year.

The devices are available for pre-order from today, and go on sale January 29.

A new study suggests that type 2 diabetes can be reversed through a short-term low carbohydrate diet.

CSIRO conducted research with labs across the world and found that a dietary pattern that is lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein and healthy fats is actually more effective for improving your blood glucose management.

They analysed 23 published clinical trials worldwide, comparing low carbohydrate diets with mostly low fat control diets.

READ MORE: Vitamin C helps type 2 diabetes

Patients who restricted their carbohydrates were more likely to drive their diabetes into remission without adverse effects, they were also able to achieve greater weight loss after six months.

When George Inatey decided to shed carbohydrates from his diet, he became a new man.

Within six months the type 2 diabetic went from weighing over 100kg down to 62kg.

He also no longer requires several insulin injections a day to control his diabetes and his blood pressure and cholesterol have also improved.

"It was the most liberating thing I've done in my life in 40 years," he told 9News.

READ MORE: New hope for people with diabetes as drugs trial begins

The new study looked at patients with type 2 diabetes who ate a low carbohydrate diet with the upper limits including a daily cup of pasta, corn cob, a slice of toast and medium sized piece of fruit.

Researchers say most of the benefits diminished by 12 months which could be related to the intensity and challenges of maintaining a strict dietary intervention.

It's an option people should consider but in consultation with a health professional.

A chef at a Victorian beachside restaurant was facing up to 20 years' prison today for sexually assaulting a teenage girl but was free to go home after appearing in court.

Graeme Walter was the head chef of Two Buoys restaurant in Dromana in 2019.

One night after his shift, the 34-year-old was drinking alone with a teenage staff member, who pushed him off when he tried to kiss her.

Walter pulled her into a bathroom and sexually assaulted the intoxicated young woman twice without her consent before taking her home in his car.

While driving his victim home Walter told the her, "I should not have done that, I have a wife and family."

He tried to hide the crime from his wife, insisting the victim wash his clothes afterwards.

Walter faced charges that carried a maximum of 20 years in prison, but was instead free to go home on a two-year community corrections order.

The County Court judge revealed he was planning to send the father-of-three to prison, but prosecutors said a sentence served from home was an option which resulted in Walter not having to spend a day behind bars.

Kate Wright from the Centre Against Sexual Assault said the sentence was unfair.

"She is a minor. He is an adult," Ms Wright said.

"For her to see what the court ordered would be terribly disappointing."

The court heard the victim had dreams of working in the hospitality industry, but has now given up on that career.

Her mother says the now-18-year-old struggles to sleep, is constantly sobbing and hitting her head against walls.

Walter will be a registered sex offender for 15 years.

As part of his community service hours he will receive mental health treatment to help with his rehabilitation.

Ms Wright says the victim will be wondering why she bothered to seek justice for the violation she experienced.

"She will be questioning why did she pursue justice," Ms Wright said.

A pedestrian has been seriously injured after being hit by a car in Hamilton. Police said officers were called to a crash involving a car and a pedestrian on Discovery Drive, near Beaufort Place, in the suburb of Flagstaff at 5.30pm….

A male orangutan has been nicknamed "Mr Mum" by American zookeepers after he took on an unusual role following the death of the family matriarch last month.

Nias, a Sumatran orangutan at Denver Zoo, Colorado, died on December 17 at age 32, leaving two daughters behind – Hesty, 10, and Cerah, who is just two years old.

The death came unexpectedly, as while orangutans usually live to 30-40 years in the wild, they can reach up to 60 years in captivity, according to National Geographic.

READ MORE: Gorillas test positive for coronavirus at San Diego park

"In the wild, orangutan males are not involved with their offspring," Denver Zoo officials said.

But luckily Berani, the male Sumatran orangutan has "stepped up to the plate" as caretaker for the two-year-old.

"To see Berani step up as Mr Mum, is an extremely rare situation—and Cerah couldn't have asked for a better dad," the officials said.

"Berani is so attentive and protective of her, seeing to all her needs.

"He will carry her, comfort her, and even snuggles her when she sleeps."

Hesty, the 10-year-old, has even taken on the role of "big sis" to Cerah, keeping her entertained during the day.

"The three of them are sticking together and moving forward."

The cause of Nias' death is unknown as Denver Zoo awaits autopsy results from Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Services, the zoo said.

"Nias came to Denver Zoo in 2005 when she was 17 years old, and spent the last 15 years delighting guests and serving as an ambassador for her critically-endangered species," Denver Zoo said via Facebook.

A mother and her three young children have been found dead at a home in Melbourne's north-west this afternoon, with police and neighbours rocked by the "tragic" incident.

Police arrived at the Tullamarine property about 12.20pm today to find a 42-year-old woman, two young girls aged seven and five, and a three-year-old-boy dead at the home.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill said when police arrived at the Burgess Street home they were greeted by ambulance members in the front yard with a 48-year-old male in their company, who was confirmed to be the children's father and the husband of the woman.

"I'm devastated, it's so close to home … these are people who've spent time in my home … my kids love their kids," a neighbour Marie Groves told 9News.

"She was the best mum, those kids were beautiful … how am I gonna tell my kids?" Ms Groves said.

Deputy Commissioner Hill said the incident would have a huge impact on the community and police at the scene.

"This is a tragic event, the loss of life tragic in any circumstance but when it involves children, it's even more heart-wrenching."

"These people died in suspicious circumstances."

Acting Assistant Commissioner Mark Galliott said officers investigating the incident would receive a wealth of support given the traumatic circumstances.

"This will have long-lasting effects on the police that have attended, on extended family, the community, the neighbourhood, the emergency services, and everybody else involved.

"They'll be lifelong memories that they'll have to deal with … so we will make sure that the welfare of our members and the emergency services that attended are paramount.

A crime scene has been set up and the Homicide Squad is present and overseeing the investigation.

Police are not looking for anybody else in relation to the deaths and the family's next of kin has been notified.

"We have one male who's assisting us with our inquiries and assisting us alone," Deputy Commissioner Hill said.

"There was no other party … there is no other party that we seek at this point in time.

"But we should not draw conclusions that that male may be culpable for this offending. We are well and truly – we've got a long way to go before we can understand and appreciate exactly what occurred.

"I just want to make it very clear that we're not – and should not – be drawing any conclusions at this point in time as to what occurred. We simply don't know."

Deputy Commissioner Hill said there is no history of family violence associated with the family and several avenues of inquiry were being investigated, including the possibility of murder-suicide.

Outside the home more locals expressed their shock at the tragic circumstances.

"They're a beautiful family, they're just a beautiful family," one man said.

"It is sad, very sad to hear people have died around here in Tullamarine," John Ozolins told 9News.

"We don't have any trouble here at all."

Neighbours said the area was peaceful and the situation was a shocking one.

"I'm in shock, I'm shaking," they said.

"It's a very quiet street, very quiet … there's been no problems anywhere."

Neighbour John said the mother-of-three was a kind person and the three siblings lovely.

"The kids were always dressed nice, she was always polite, she'd say hello … really friendly."

The 48-year-old husband and father was treated by paramedics at the scene and is in the custody of police.

Detectives are considering him a person of interest and he will be formally interviewed.

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.