Jetstar is investigating after a woman claimed a box of cherries taken by the airline’s Queenstown Airport check-in staff before a flight back to Auckland were subsequently eaten.The woman, who does not want to be named, said she…

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House Democrats have formally introduced their resolution to impeach President Donald Trump, charging him with "incitement of insurrection" for his role in last week's riots at the US Capitol.

The impeachment resolution that the House is poised to vote on later this week is the Democrats' first step toward making Trump the first president in history to be impeached twice.

The single impeachment article, which was introduced when the House held a brief session on Monday (just after 3.30am on Tuesday AEDT), points to Trump's repeated false claims that he won the election and his speech to the crowd on January 6 before pro-Trump rioters breached the Capitol.

READ MORE: Melania Trump breaks silence on Capitol riot, hits back at her critics

It also cites Trump's call with the Georgia Republican secretary of state where the President urged him to "find" enough votes for Trump to win the state.

"In all this, President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government," the resolution says.

"He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperilled a coequal branch of Government. He thereby betrayed his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States."

The resolution also cites the Constitution's 14th Amendment, noting that it "prohibits any person who has 'engaged in insurrection or rebellion against' the United States" from holding office.

Pence vote blocked

Before the charge was formally declared, a House resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke constitutional authority to remove Trump from office was blocked by Republicans.

Democrats are pushing Pence and the Cabinet to oust Trump, saying the president is is unfit for office.

Pence has given no indication he is ready to proceed on such a course, which would involve invoking the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, including a vote by a majority of the Cabinet to oust Trump before he leaves office on January 20.

Democratic President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in on that date.

READ MORE: 'Has to happen now': House seeks to impeach Trump

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach Trump this week.

A Republican senator, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, joined Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska over the weekend in calling for Trump to "resign and go away as soon as possible".

Lawmakers warned of the damage the president could still do before Joe Biden is inaugurated January 20. Trump, holed up at the White House, was increasingly isolated after a mob rioted in the Capitol in support of his false claims of election fraud. Judges across the country, including some nominated by Trump, repeatedly dismissed cases and Attorney General William Barr, a Trump ally, said there was no sign of any widespread fraud.

"We will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat," Pelosi said in a letter late Sunday to colleagues emphasising the need for quick action.

"The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action."

A fire teetering on the outskirts of a town in South Australia's southeast has eased, but authorities warn it could spark up again if weather conditions change.

At least 100 residents in the small town of Lucindale were forced out of their homes earlier today after the uncontrolled fire started edging towards them.

An advice warning has been issued for Mail Bridge Road at Blackford, warning people in the area stay alert, monitor local conditions and decide what you will do if the situation changes.

https://twitter.com/CFSTalk/status/1348581436337475584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The South Australia Country Fire Service said there is currently no threat to life or property and firefighters are attending the fire.

The new advice comes after the blaze was downgraded from an emergency warning to Watch and Act level this evening.

Residents were earlier told it was too late to leave the area and to seek shelter immediately as the fire approached.

"It's getting thicker and thicker and the winds (are) not helping, it's very windy here and the wind is blowing towards Lucindale – so the smoke is coming up behind, it's slowly covering Lucindale on one side," local resident Shirley Solomon told 9News moments before she was told to evacuate.

https://twitter.com/CFSTalk/status/1348528488626728960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Several roads were closed and at least 100 locals holed up at Lucindale War Memorial Hall for protection.

CFS and Department of Environment and Water had 45 fire trucks and 200 firefighters, supported by farm fire units, fighting the blaze on the ground and six waterbombing aircrafts were used during the day.

South Australia Police warned people not to enter Blackford, Avenue Range and Lucindale as conditions were still dangerous.

"If you are not prepared, leave now and if the path is clear, go to a safer place," SA Police said in a statement this evening.

"The Blackford, Mail Bridge Road fire is uncontrolled. This grass fire is burning in a East to North East direction towards Minnie Crowe Road, Avenue Range and Fairview Road at Lucindale. Conditions are continually changing."

Conditions changed just before 8pm, with cool winds helping push the fire back.

Authorities anticipate the blaze will continue to burn throughout the night and could become a threat again with more crews expected to be brought in tomorrow.

As of this evening, CFS says the fire has burned through about 16,800 hectares of land and evacuated residents have a nervous wait to see if their homes have been damaged or destroyed.

"Numerous buildings, fences and stock have been lost or damaged. The fire burnt into the township of Lucindale, although there has been no confirmed losses of houses," CFS said in a statement.

A watch and act warning is also in place for areas east of Lucindale, with authorities warning they could also be under threat if conditions change again.

The towns of Woolumbool, Lachaber, Spence and as far east as Naracoorte are also on alert.

Sweltering temperatures and gusty winds throughout the state caused issues for firefighters trying to contain several blazes earlier. Temperatures in some areas reached the low 40s, prompting a total state-wide fire ban.

"The fire conditions are what we call extreme, high temps, strong winds mean this fire is very dangerous and people need to not underestimate the potential risks," CFS told 9News.

For current SA Country Fire Service warnings on the situation click here

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach President Donald Trump as she pushes the vice president and the Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority to force him out, warning that Trump is a threat to democracy after the deadly assault on the Capitol.

The House action could start as soon as Monday as pressure increases on Trump to step aside.

A Republican senator, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, joined Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in calling for Trump to "resign and go away as soon as possible."

READ MORE: Democrats grapple with impact of Trump impeachment

A stunning end to Trump's final 10 days in office was underway as lawmakers warned of the damage the president could still do before Joe Biden was inaugurated January 20.

Trump, holed up at the White House, was increasingly isolated after a mob rioted in the Capitol in support of his false claims of election fraud.

Judges across the country, including some nominated by Trump, repeatedly dismissed cases and Attorney General William Barr, a Trump ally, said there was no sign of any widespread fraud.

Pelosi emphasised the need for quick action.

"We will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat," Pelosi said in a letter late Sunday to colleagues.

https://twitter.com/LexiDaish/status/1348424136780107777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

"The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action."

On Monday, Pelosi's leadership team will seek a vote on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment, with a full House vote expected on Tuesday.

After that, Pence and the Cabinet would have 24 hours to act before the House would move toward impeachment.

READ MORE: US Capitol police officer dies after being attacked during riots

During an interview on 60 Minutes aired Sunday, Pelosi invoked the Watergate era when Republicans in the Senate told President Richard Nixon, "It's over."

"That's what has to happen now," she said.

With impeachment planning intensifying, Toomey said he doubted impeachment could be done before Biden is inaugurated, even though a growing number of lawmakers say that step is necessary to ensure Trump can never hold elected office again.

"I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again," Toomey said. "I don't think he is electable in any way."

Murkowski, long exasperated with the president, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply "needs to get out." A third, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., did not go that far, but on Sunday he warned Trump to be "very careful" in his final days in office.

House Democrats were expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. The strategy would be to condemn the president's actions swiftly but delay an impeachment trial in the Senate for 100 days. That would allow President-elect Joe Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated January 20.

Rep. Jim Clyburn, the third-ranking House Democrat and a top Biden ally, laid out the ideas Sunday as the country came to grips with the siege at the Capitol by Trump loyalists trying to overturn the election results.

"Let's give President-elect Biden the 100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running," Clyburn said.

https://twitter.com/davidcicilline/status/1348342833502167045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Corporate America began to show its reaction to the Capitol riots by tying them to campaign contributions.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's CEO and President Kim Keck said it will not contribute to those lawmakers — all Republicans — who supported challenges to Biden's Electoral College win. The group "will suspend contributions to those lawmakers who voted to undermine our democracy," Kim said.

Citigroup did not single out lawmakers aligned with Trump's effort to overturn the election, but said it would be pausing all federal political donations for the first three months of the year. Citi's head of global government affairs, Candi Wolff, said in a Friday memo to employees, "We want you to be assured that we will not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law."

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said an impeachment trial could not begin under the current calendar before Inauguration Day, January 20.

While many have criticised Trump, Republicans have said that impeachment would be divisive in a time of unity.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that instead of coming together, Democrats want to "talk about ridiculous things like 'Let's impeach a president'" with just days left in office.

Still, some Republicans might be supportive.

Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would "vote the right way" if the matter were put in front of him.

The Democratic effort to stamp Trump's presidential record — for the second time — with the indelible mark of impeachment had advanced rapidly since the riot.

Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors.

The articles, if passed by the House, could then be transmitted to the Senate for a trial, with senators acting as jurors to acquit or convict Trump. If convicted, Trump would be removed from office and succeeded by the vice president. It would be the first time a US president had been impeached twice.

Potentially complicating Pelosi's decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did "is for them to decide."

A violent and largely white mob of Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol on Wednesday, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were finalising Biden's victory over Trump in the Electoral College.

Toomey appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" and NBC's "Meet the Press." Clyburn was on "Fox News Sunday" and CNN. Kinzinger was on ABC's "This Week," Blunt was on CBS' "Face the Nation" and Rubio was on Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures."

A woman has been charged in relation to the alleged murder of her neighbour, whose body was discovered inside a South Coogee unit in Sydney's east just before Christmas.

Retired solicitor Peter McCarthy, 77, was found dead with severe head injuries inside his Elphinstone Road, on December 20.

Today homicide detectives arrested Narelle Fiona Smith, 46, in the unit block next door to where Mr McCarthy lived.

READ MORE: Police release last CCTV footage of South Coogee man found murdered

As Ms Smith was led away in handcuffs she told 9News she had nothing to do with his death.  

"I didn't do this," Ms Smith said.

"Peter was my friend, I was there on my birthday," she said.

Ms Smith was taken to Maroubra police station where she was charged with murder and dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.

Neighbour Michelle Turneley said she was relieved police had made an arrest.

"Peter was a nice old guy, and he was very frail," Ms Turneley said.

"I'm glad they've got someone because Peter didn't deserve that."

Mr McCarthy was last seen on security footage leaving Club York in Sydney on December 16.

He visited the club every day and after failing to show up for several days, his ex-wife went to his unit to check on him on December 20.

She discovered Mr McCarthy dead, his phone and satchel nowhere to be seen.

"Mr McCarthy suffered severe head and facial injuries but I won't go into circumstances of what was used," NSW Police Homicide Commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty told media this afternoon.

"There's very significant forensic and physical evidence to make this a strong and compelling case," he said.

Police informed Mr McCarthy's family of the arrest as Ms Smith was held in custody at Maroubra police station.

"It's mixed emotions for them, they've just gone through Christmas without a father and a grandfather," Superintendent Doherty said.

Ms Smith will appear in court tomorrow.

Q-Anon banners were unfurled and hoisted high last week as the US Capitol was breached by a violent mob that left five people dead.

Several prominent supporters of the extremist movement were spotted inside the building.

Allegedly among those was "QAnon Shaman" Jacob Anthony Chansley.

Chansley was arrested yesterday. Authorities believe he is the man wearing a painted face, fur hat and horns; whose picture has since become synonymous with the riots.

So, what is QAnon?

QAnon all stems from a completely unfounded conspiracy theory about a global "Deep State" cabal of satanic pedophile elites.

According to the believers, President Donald Trump is waging a secret war against the Satan-worshipping paedophiles in government, business and the media.

READ MORE: How a dangerous virtual cult is going global

QAnon believers have been anticipating a day of reckoning led by Mr Trump, when thousands of members of the cabal will be arrested, including prominent Democrats such as Hillary Clinton and Hollywood celebrities

QAnon followers have also falsely claimed Robert Mueller's inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 US election was really an elaborate cover story so he and Mr Trump could work together to expose paedophiles.

How did it all start?

In October 2017, someone put up a post on the message board 4chan.

The user claimed to have a level of US security approval known as "Q clearance" and signed off with the letter Q.

Q claimed to have access to classified information involving the Trump administration and its opponents in the US.

Three people then took the original Q post and spread it across multiple media platforms, according to NBC News.

What does Trump have to say about QAnon?

QAnon adherents began appearing at Trump re-election campaign rallies in August 2018.

While Mr Trump has never officially endorsed the conspiracy theory, he has described QAnon activists as "people who love our country" and said he appreciates their support.

"I know nothing about it," Mr Trump said of QAnon movement in a televised Town Hall event last October.

"I do know they are very much against pedophilia. They fight it very hard, but I know nothing about it," he added.

The president's response was met with jubilation online from QAnon followers who saw it as a ringing endorsement.

Mr Trump has, whether knowingly or not, retweeted QAnon supporters many times.

Before the election his son Eric Trump posted a QAnon meme on Instagram.

More wild QAnon conspiracy theories

To delve into the world of QAnon is to go down a rabbit role of outlandish, and often contradictory, conspiracy theories.

Many of the prophecies put forward by QAnon followers never came to pass, but that has seemingly done little to dissuade the true believers.

The Atlantic executive editor, Adrienne LaFrance, wrote an in-depth analysis of the movement called "The Prophecies Of Q."

LaFrance said many QAnon believers were obsessed with John F. Kennedy Jr. – who was killed in a plane crash in 1999.

"One idea is that he didn't actually die in a plane crash but rather that Hillary Clinton had him killed because she was a political opponent," LaFrance said.

"Another idea is that he faked his own death and is actually alive and a secret Trump supporter.

"For a while, people were saying that he was going to reveal himself as Trump's running mate in this presidential election."

Unsurprisingly, layer upon layer of fabrications have been weaved into QAnon's messaging around the coronavirus.

At one point, many QAnon believers were fixated on a yellow tie Mr Trump wore to some of his coronavirus briefings, LaFrance said.

"(At) one of President Trump's daily briefings in the spring at a time when the death toll was really spiking, President Trump wears a yellow tie.

"And people seize on this in the Q crowd and say that yellow is a colour that, in maritime flags, signifies an all-clear. And therefore, the yellow tie is a signal that everything is OK and the virus isn't real."

How many people believe in this stuff?

While the conspiracy theories forming the basis of QAnon may sound ridiculous and far-fetched, its audience is growing rapidly.

As Corncordia University academic Marc Andre Argentino – who has studied the group for the past two years – pointed out in a piece for The Conversation, the 2020 pandemic has provided fertile ground for QAnon.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has played a significant role in popularizing the QAnon movement," Mr Argentino wrote.

"Facebook data since the start of 2020 shows QAnon membership grew by 581 per cent — most of which occurred after the United States closed its borders last March as part of its coronavirus containment strategy."

A couple were violently robbed at a Wellington park on Saturday by a group of men including alleged Nomad gang members. Police are seeking witnesses to the incident which occurred about 6.10pm on Saturday at Stellin Memorial Park…

Two Newcastle beaches have been closed after multiple sharks were seen in the area.

Lifeguards using a drone camera spotted two sharks in waters just 20 metres off Nobby's Beach about 10am today.

Swimmers were directed to come into shore as authorities worked to determine if any other sharks were in the area.

Authorities say a third shark was sighted a short time later.

"They're perhaps an inquisitive type of shark and if you're in their territory they want to know why," Hunter Surf Life Saving President Henry Scruton said.

Both Nobby's Beach and neighbouring Newcastle Beach have been closed as a precaution and members of NSW Surf Life Saving spent the afternoon ushering the sharks back out to sea.

This is the first season NSW SLC has used the Department of Primary Industries shark drones to monitor for sharks.

"This technology, the drones, now give the opportunity to forewarn us or give us the heads up there is a possibility of an interaction," Mr Scruton said.

The beaches will remain closed for the rest of today at least.

The chimpanzee troop at Hamilton Zoo has welcomed its seventh member after just being introduced to their upgraded enclosure.Mama chimp Sanda delivered the girl overnight on December 17, only 24 hours after moving to their new outdoor…