The crash left Tod Penberthy, 67, with six broken ribs and deep arm cuts.

The increase lands before a Government rates cap of 2% to 4% kicks in from January 2027.

Plastic kettles are leaching microplastics into drinking water as they boil, researchers from the University of Queensland have found.

The first few boils in a new kettle release the highest levels of nano and microplastics, but even after 150 boils, millions of particles are still being released, the research shows.

Dr Elvis Okoffo is calling for consumer warnings on plastic kettles for people who may not realise their simple daily habit could be doing them harm.

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"This study provides evidence that plastic kettles can be a source of daily human exposure to nanoplastics and microplastics and that new plastic kettles release notable concentrations of these particles into water during boiling," Okoffo said.

The research found the first boil in a new plastic kettle released almost 12 million nanoparticles per millilitre – which equates to almost 3 billion particles in an average 250ml cup of tea.

After 150 boils, there were still 820,000 nanoparticles detected per millilitre, or 205 million per cup.

Simply rinsing a kettle before use did not achieve the same result as repeat boiling and discarding.

"Many people may overlook or skip this step, highlighting the need for clearer product labelling and instructions," he said.

"I would call on manufacturers, policymakers and regulators to inform consumers with safety guidelines or product labels warning about plastic particle release.

"Although particle concentrations drop with repeated use, our research shows there is a continuous, low-level exposure risk.''

He said further investigation was needed to better understand the human health implications of the exposure.

"The study fills an important knowledge gap about how plastic products used in homes can contribute to daily plastic exposure and how small, practical changes in everyday routines can reduce exposure to plastics.

"By combining better product design, improved labelling, and public awareness, we can help limit the amount of plastic entering both our bodies and the environment.''

The research also found hard tap water significantly reduced the amount of nanoplastic particles released, likely due to minerals forming a protective coating inside the kettle.

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Australia is monitoring a Chinese flotilla that is near the Philippines but could be heading Down Under. 

Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed this afternoon that the ADF is tracking the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy task force, which was first reported by the Australian Financial Review last Thursday.

He said that, while the naval group is currently in the Philippine Sea, its destination is unknown, but could be Australia. 

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"We do not have a sense of where it is going," Marles said.

"But we continue to monitor it as we monitor all movements until we know that the task groups are not coming to Australia."

Marles added that it isn't particularly unusual for the ADF to monitor a Chinese vessel.

He said the government was not going to give a running commentary on the movements of the PLA Navy.

"I want to put this into some context: we maintain constant maritime domain awareness in our own geographic areas of interest," he said.

"And in that context, we will routinely monitor the movements of PLA-N vessels.

"And when there are improvements such as this, we will monitor them, particularly until we know that they are not coming in the vicinity of Australia."

READ MORE: Journalist, former swim coach charged in 'abhorrent' alleged satanic paedophile ring

The current flotilla comes almost 10 months after another Chinese task group circumnavigated Australia and launched live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea that were first discovered by a commercial airline pilot.

However, Marles insisted the ADF is properly equipped to monitor any ships that come close to Australia.

"We absolutely had an unprecedented level of surveillance of that task group (earlier this year) by the Royal Australian Navy," he said.

"And we did do it in conjunction with our friends and allies but that saw an unprecedented level of commitment of the Royal Australian Navy.

"You can be assured that at any point in the future, we will bring that same degree of determination and commitment to any journey that happens in our particular area."

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Twenty-one people have been taken to hospital after a carbon monoxide leak at a pork processing plant in Melbourne's west.

Firefighters arrived to find 60 people evacuated and several people suffering carbon monoxide exposure at a factory on Benn Court in Derrimut about 12.45pm today.

Crews applied oxygen therapy until paramedics reached the scene.

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They rushed 21 people, all believed to be in a stable condition, to the Western Health Sunshine, Western Health Footscray, The Royal Melbourne and Werribee Mercy hospitals.

The advanced life support and intensive care ambulances assessed others at the scene.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus with gas detectors entered the factory and recorded "dangerously high" carbon monoxide readings.

The building was ventilated until the atmosphere dropped to safe levels and the incident was brought under control less than an hour later.

The carbon monoxide leak was found to have come from meat preservation machinery.

Carbon monoxide, a poisonous, colourless and odourless gas, can be fatal if inhaled in close spaces.

WorkSafe inspectors are at the scene and assessing the situation.

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Australia's first day of summer kicks off with one side of the country sweltering and another shivering, with extreme weather ushering in a change of seasons.

Today Perth is heading for a maximum temperature of 37 degrees, putting the city's hottest December 1 record of 37.4 degrees recorded in 1979 within sight.

In stark contrast, the mercury in Melbourne is forecast to climb to only 16 degrees, but that could turn out to be even cooler, with a chance the city's record summer low from 1987 of 15.5 degrees being broken.

READ MORE: Fire warnings issued as Australia braces for sweltering summer

Meanwhile, snow has fallen at the highest elevations of three states – Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales, Weatherzone said.

Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains of NSW, has settled snow down to about 1600 metres.

One of the Thredbo ski cams confirmed a dusting of the white stuff.

Two powerful but contrasting weather patterns are behind this bizarre start of summer, reports Weatherzone.

Over in Western Australia, an often-seen trough is moving down the coast, pulling hot air from the state's interior to Perth and south-west regions.

The north-west of the WA is also forecast for scorching conditions over the next two day.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heatwave warning for the Kimberley region.

Meanwhile, following an unusually chilly late spring, the wintry conditions in south-eastern Australia are forecast to linger into early summer.

https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1995223712241520780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The frigid weather in the Victorian Alps and Tasmanian Highlands has brought steady snowfalls, and they're likely to continue today.

Melbourne residents will be keeping their winter woollies handy, with thick cloud and showers, making it feel more like winter's first day than the opening of summer.

Looking ahead, Perth can expect some relief from the heat when the mercury falls to a maximum of 28 degrees tomorrow.

For Melbourne, warmer conditions should arrive by Wednesday, with a top of 27 degrees expected.

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Mock rooms feature Auckland views and All Blacks games to mirror local life.

Principal Peggy Burrows says teachers intervened after students began eating.

Warning: This story contains details and content that some readers may find distressing.

Four men, including an independent journalist and a former swimming coach, have been charged over their alleged involvement in an international satanic child sex abuse material ring.

After investigations by Strike Force Constantine, police uncovered a Sydney-based alleged paedophile network possessing, distributing and facilitating child abuse material involving "symbols and rituals related to satanism and the occult".

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Police allege thousands of files of child abuse material were uncovered in initial investigations of electronic devices seized.

On Thursday, six search warrants were conducted across Sydney, including in Waterloo, Ultimo and Malabar.

Landon Germanotta-Mills, 26, was arrested in Waterloo in Sydney's southern suburbs and is alleged to be the leader of the group.

Germanotta-Mills is the founder of the Underground Media Network, which describes itself as an independent investigative journalism platform.

The platform on its website claims to investigate issues in "child protection… [and] public interest harm".

"We centre survivors, whistleblowers, and community voices — especially where institutions have failed to act," the website reads.

Germanotta-Mills was taken to Mascot Police Station, where he was charged with multiple offences, including seven counts of using a carriage service to access child abuse material.

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At a unit block in Malabar in Sydney's eastern suburbs, three men aged 46, 42 and 39 were arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station.

One of those arrested was Mark Sendecky, a former swimming coach.

Sendecky was charged with possessing child abuse data using a carriage service, accessing child abuse material, and possessing child abuse material.

Speaking to media, Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said the material was "abhorrent" and outlined some of the alleged activities of the group.

"[They engaged] in conversations and the sharing of material which depicted child abuse and the torture of children," she said.

"Police will allege in court that the initial examination of these devices has discovered thousands of videos depicting the abuse of live children between the ages of babies and 12 years of age.

"Amongst these deplorable images were also a number of videos depicting the sexual abuse of animals."

Police are not alleging the men created the material.

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Doherty said the material was particularly appalling due to the sinister connotations behind it.

"These ones were particularly devastating in [that] they used symbols and rituals around it in the discussions about abusing children," she said.

"It had a ritualistic overview."

Police charged the oldest man with multiple offences, including using a carriage service to make child abuse available.

The 39-year-old was also charged with multiple offences, including possessing child abuse material and possessing bestiality material.

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Doherty confirmed the men were allegedly part of an international group dealing with "satanic child abuse material", but said she police could not confirm the specific identity of any of the children involved, or if any of them are from Australia.

"We've not identified an actual child, but the images are of real children," she said.

There is also no confirmation the men had any immediate access to children, but Doherty said the risk to the community was still high, hence the arrests being made.

"There are no specific children they had access to, but they were put in our community and we were concerned for the children within the community," she said.

All men were refused bail and appeared in court on Friday.

They will next appear at Downing Centre Local Court on January 27 and January 29 next year.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.

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Josh Harding beat David Goggins’ pull-up mark by five in under 16 hours.