China’s presence was everywhere at the gathering of regional leaders in Honiara.

A rare tornado has been spotted in NSW's South Western Slopes region ahead of a severe thunderstorm.

A cold front attached to a low-pressure system is moving east through central parts of the state this afternoon, and is forecast to produce severe thunderstorms into the evening. 

A Rural Fire Service lookout observed a tornado spiralling in Tubbul near Young about 3.30pm.

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The Bureau of Meteorology issued an immediate warning, urging nearby residents to stay indoors, away from windows, be vigilant and monitor conditions.

The tornado warning has since been cancelled.

According to the bureau, tornadoes are relatively rare events, but can happen with almost any severe thunderstorm.

There are typically 10 to 20 tornado sightings across Australia each year.

Flash flooding warning

A severe weather warning is in place for Hunter, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains and South West Slopes regions, with residents on alert to expect damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall.

Flash flooding is possible in Orange, Bathurst, Yass, Young, Morisset and Oberon in the next several hours.

There are currently nine weather and flood advice warnings in place across the state.

Residents in parts of the Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands and on Lord Howe Island are urged to prepare now for the system.

READ MORE: 'Wrong thing to do': Australia condemns Israeli attack on key mediator Qatar

The weather system has the potential to bring six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 to 100mm of rain from this evening for parts of the southern Illawarra, northern South Coast and eastern Southern Tablelands.

Parts of the coast could see 24-hour totals up to 140mm.

The bureau also posted on X to say thunderstorms could be "extensive".

"Storms could become severe, with heavy rainfall, damaging wind and large hailstones all possible outcomes," BoM's post said.

"Thunderstorm Warnings will be issued if this happens. It's a good day to stay up to date."

Sydney is forecast to see 15mm to 45mm of rain today, with falls tailing off toward the evening.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said residents on the coast were likely to see damaging wind gusts and waves as the weather system hovered over the coast.

"It will linger there and draw in moisture and strong winds, directing them against the coast and potentially leading to further severe weather for areas between the Hunter and the South Coast," she said

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Over the next two days, the wet weather will also increase for northern Victoria and southern Queensland as the rainband and low-pressure system start to bind and produce widespread rain and thunderstorms.

"We will see moderate rainfall totals for some of these areas, especially for much of eastern and south-eastern NSW but also north-eastern Victoria and severe thunderstorms are possible again with the risk of damaging winds and heavy rain," senior meteorologist Jonathan How said.

"On Wednesday, Sydney and Canberra will see a wet, cold and rainy day while Melbourne and Adelaide will also see showers."

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The Australian government has joined the global condemnation of Israel's strike on Qatar targeting Hamas leadership, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong saying it was the "wrong thing to do".

Israel carried out the attack targeting Hamas leadership in Doha on Tuesday (overnight AEST), in an unprecedented strike that threatened to derail renewed peace efforts and further inflame tensions in the region.

The strikes hit residential buildings that housed Hamas' political wing in Doha's diplomatic quarter.

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Hamas said that all of its leaders survived the attack but that five lower-ranked members were killed.

A Qatari security official was also killed.

Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, India, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt and Iran are some of the growing number of countries that have criticised Israel's attack on Qatar, which has been acting as a crucial mediator in efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the "Australian government believes this was the wrong thing to do". 

"Qatar has been one of the parties seeking to mediate a ceasefire. It has been working with the United States to deliver a ceasefire and the return of hostages," she said on ABC this morning.

"This is a violation of Qatar's sovereignty.

"It imperils that work on the ceasefire, and it risks escalation. The world needs a ceasefire.

"The people of Gaza need a ceasefire. And the hostages need a ceasefire and a deal to return."

Wong added that it was "critical" that negotiations for a ceasefire continue.

The war in Gaza has already left Israel increasingly isolated internationally, with even many of its Western allies calling for it to end the war and do more to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, parts of which are experiencing famine.

Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates' foreign minister, expressed "full solidarity with our dear Qatar" shortly after the attack.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman described the strike as a "criminal act and a flagrant violation of international law" in a phone call with Qatar's ruler.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the attack, saying "Qatar has been playing a very positive role to achieve a ceasefire and release of all hostages," according to a UN spokesperson.

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Trump 'not thrilled' about strike on Qatar

President Donald Trump was trying to walk a delicate line following Israel's attack on Hamas officials in Qatar, saying he's "not thrilled" about the strike overnight while stopping short, for now, of condemning Israel for carrying out an audacious strike on the soil of another major US ally.

Trump said the unilateral action directed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "did not advance Israel or America's goals".

He offered notably muted pushback, however, even suggesting "this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace".

"This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me," Trump said on social media hours after the strikes.

Later, Trump made clear it was "not a good situation".

"I'm not thrilled about it," Trump said upon arriving at a Washington restaurant for dinner near the White House.

The president said he wasn't notified in advance of the attack.

He added: "I'll be giving a full statement tomorrow. But I will tell you this, I was very unhappy about it. Very unhappy about every aspect."

Trump is seeking to soothe concerns of a Gulf ally that has played a key role in mediating between the US and Iran and its proxies, including during talks with Tehran-backed Hamas as the war with Israel in Gaza grinds on.

The US also has about 10,000 troops stationed at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, an installation that serves as the forward headquarters of US Central Command.

The president said he directed special envoy Steve Witkoff to warn Qatar of the impending attack in the capital, Doha, after learning about it and that Witkoff was quick to call Qatari officials.

But the US alert was, "unfortunately, too late to stop the attack," Trump said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari refuted in a post on X that the Qataris were given any warning from the US, saying it came just as "the explosions from the Israeli strikes were being heard".

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Israeli strike angers Qatar

The attack angered Qatar, an energy-rich Gulf nation hosting thousands of American troops that has served as a key mediator between Israel and Hamas throughout the 23-month-old war and even before.

It condemned what it referred to as a "flagrant violation of all international laws and norms" as smoke rose over its capital, Doha.

Other key US allies in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, promised their support to Qatar.

Hamas said in a statement that its top leaders survived the strike but that five lower-level members were killed, including the son of Khalil al-Hayya — Hamas' leader for Gaza and its top negotiator — three bodyguards, and the head of al-Hayya's office.

Hamas, which has sometimes only confirmed the assassination of its leaders months later, offered no immediate proof that al-Hayya and other senior figures had survived.

Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, lashed out at Netanyahu for "dragging the region to a place where it unfortunately cannot be repaired".

Asked at a news conference if ceasefire talks would continue, Sheikh Mohammed said that after the strike, "I don't think there's anything valid" in the current talks.

But he stopped short of saying Qatar would end its mediation efforts, saying "we will do whatever we can to stop this war".

A member of Qatar's Internal Security Force was also killed by the Israeli strike and others were wounded, Qatar's Interior Ministry said.

Hamas has survived numerous assassinations of top leaders and still shows cohesion in Gaza, despite having suffered major blows in Israel's campaign, triggered by the militant group's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

As the strike in Qatar threatens to derail ceasefire talks, Israel is gearing up for a major offensive aimed at taking over Gaza City.

That escalation has been met with heavy international condemnation and opposition within Israel from those who fear it will doom the remaining hostages.

The UN Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting for today at the request of elected council members Algeria, Pakistan and Somalia.

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'Israel takes full responsibility'

In a statement, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said, "Today's action against the top terrorist chieftains of Hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility."

The short missive appeared designed to distance the US from the Israeli attack on a critical American ally in the Middle East.

Two Israeli sources said the attack, which the IDF called "Summit of Fire," had been planned about two or three months ago but was accelerated in recent weeks.

Hours after the strike, Netanyahu announced that Israel accepted a new US ceasefire proposal and claimed the attack could bring the end of the war closer.

"The days when the heads of terror enjoyed immunity anywhere are over," Netanyahu said in Hebrew at a US embassy event in Jerusalem.

"I will not allow such immunity for the murderers of our people."

An Israeli security official said the operation "could potentially generate a shift" that could bring an end to the war in Gaza, though it's unclear how targeting the chief Hamas negotiator would lead to such a change.

A senior Israeli official told CNN that among those targeted was Hamas' chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya.

"We are awaiting the results of the strike," the official said.

Shortly after the explosion in Qatar, the IDF issued a statement saying it had targeted "senior leadership" of Hamas with "a precise strike" in a joint operation with the Shin Bet security agency.

"For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led the terrorist organisation's operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7th massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel," the IDF said.

World leaders react to strike

Syria says the attack on Doha reflects Israel's lack of respect for international law.

Syria's Foreign Ministry warned in a statement that the Israeli strikes targeting Hamas leadership represented "a dangerous escalation that would undermine security and stability in the region."

The ministry called the attack "a blatant violation of international law and the sovereignty of the sisterly State of Qatar."

Qatar has been a strong supporter of the interim government in Syria since former Syrian President Bashar Assad was ousted in a lightning rebel offensive in December.

Israel has been suspicious of Syria's new Islamist-led authorities, and Israeli forces have seized a UN-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria and launched hundreds of airstrikes on Syrian military sites since Assad's fall.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes, describing them as "evidence of Israel's expansionist policies and its adoption of terrorism of state strategy".

The ministry's statement expressed Turkey's solidarity with Qatar and renewed a call on the international community to exert pressure to halt Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories and the wider region.

Omer Celik, the spokesman for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, described the attack as a "barbaric act of terrorism."

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the Israeli strikes were "part of a series of attacks committed by Israel, demonstrating its insistence on undermining all efforts made to achieve stability and security in the countries of the region and the safety of its people."

Since a ceasefire nominally put an end to the latest war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in November, Israel has continued to launch near-daily strikes in Lebanon.

The Egyptian presidency said in a statement that the attack "targeted a meeting of Palestinian leaders in the Qatari capital, Doha, to discuss ways to reach a ceasefire agreement" in Gaza.

"This attack sets a serious precedent and an unacceptable development, and constitutes a direct assault on the sovereignty of the sisterly State of Qatar, which plays a pivotal role in mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip," it said.

When asked if the British government had been told, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesman Dave Pares, pointed to a statement by Israel's prime minister saying the attack was a solely an Israeli operation.

Pares called Hamas "a vile terrorist organisation," but did not directly criticise the Israeli attack.

"We do not want to see a further escalation in violence which risks further destabilisation in the region. Our overarching priority is to see an end to the horrific suffering in Gaza," he said.

However, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer later denounced the attack.

"I condemn Israel's strikes on Doha, which violate Qatar's sovereignty and risk further escalation across the region," he said.

"The priority must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a huge surge in aid into Gaza. This is the only solution towards long-lasting peace."

Downing Street confirmed that Starmer's meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog will go ahead Wednesday local time in the UK.

"The Prime Minister will be meeting the Israeli president, where he'll raise the intolerable situation in Gaza, the action Israel must take to end the horrific suffering we're witnessing. It cannot go on any longer," a spokesman said.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in a statement that he's very concerned about the safety of the hostages still held by Hamas.

Germany is a staunch ally of Israel, though in recent months it has become increasingly critical of Israel's actions in Gaza.

"Israel's attack in Doha not only violates the territorial sovereignty of Qatar, but also endangers all our efforts for the release of the hostages," Wadephul said.

"This strike is unacceptable," he said.

He said he has voiced his concern about the lives and safety of hostages held by Hamas, including German citizens, in a phone call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.

Wadephul said he spoke to his Qatari counterpart and expressed his "solidarity" and recognition of efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of the hostages.

In a phone call with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman described Israel's attack on Doha as a "criminal act and a flagrant violation of international law."

He offered Saudi Arabia's "full solidarity" with Qatar.

Mohammed al-frah a member of the Houthis' political office in Yemen, posted his condemnation of the attack on X, saying Israel and the United States are fully responsible.

"This cowardly operation was nothing but a deliberate assassination attempt against the negotiating delegation, a despicable effort to eliminate any prospect for peace, and an execution of any diplomatic hope in the region," he said.

Iraq's foreign ministry said in a statement that this "cowardly act represents a flagrant violation" of Qatar's sovereignty and poses a threat to its security and stability.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates Iraq's firm position in standing with the government and people of the sisterly State of Qatar, and fully supporting it in confronting any attacks that undermine its sovereignty or threaten its national security," the statement read.

The Israeli ambassador to the UN applauded the 'courageous' attack in Doha.

Danny Danon defended his country's strike Tuesday on Hamas' headquarters in Doha, saying "there is no hiding place for terrorists."

"The precise strike in Doha targeted senior Hamas leaders who planned the October 7 massacre and celebrated while our citizens were abducted," Danon posted on X.

"I commend our security forces for this courageous and precise operation."

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A major pursuit has come to an end after a food truck was allegedly stolen in Brisbane.

It is understood the vehicle was making a delivery to sushi restaurant Miso Hungry this morning when it was reported stolen on Elizabeth just after 10am.

Witnesses told 9News the slow-moving pursuit up the Bruce Highway involved up to 20 police cars.

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The truck appeared to spill food including legs of lamb and potatoes onto the road with the vehicle's backdoor still open.

Witnesses also said the vehicle appeared to driving on its rims with sparks and debris visible.

There were reports the sparks started a small fire on the side of the road.

The driver is assisting police with their enquiries.

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Another man and a dog managed to get off a rail bridge before the train arrived.

Associates who helped the fugitive dad evade capture could face up to five years in jail.

The minister is defending the fact she didn’t unveil this information earlier.

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

Police say "disappointing" images showing the moments before two officers were shot dead came from a member of accused gunman Dezi Freeman's family.

Freeman allegedly gunned down officers Neal Thompson, 59, and Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 34, and injured a third in the ambush at this property in Porepunkah in Victoria's high country on August 26.

Previously unseen vision obtained by Daily Mail Australia shows Freeman, his wife Amalia and their two-year-old son barricading themselves on a bus as police tried to execute a warrant.

READ MORE: US given 'prior notice' hours before Israeli strike on Qatar

Freeman reportedly called officers "psychopaths" and "Nazis" and accused them of trespassing.

In the vision, it has been reported he also told the officers to "leave us alone" several times.

His wife was also reportedly heard asking police not to force entry into the bus.

Two loud noises believed to be gunshots then rang out.

The footage ended as officers are seen running for cover.

Victoria Police Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly told media today the images were taken by a member of Freeman's family.

"That footage is not Victoria Police footage, is it not body-worn, it is by a member of the family of Desmond Freeman," Kelly said.

"From a Victoria Police point of view, it is both distressing and disappointing

"I can only imagine the impact that has had on the family of Neal and Vadim and the colleagues that were present."

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Reward boosts tips from the public

The vision from August 26 has emerged as the manhunt for Freeman enters its 16th day.

Police have confirmed there has been no official sighting of the accused gunman during this time.

A $1 million bounty was offered earlier this week for anyone with information which leads to the arrest of the accused gunman, the largest ever offered in the state.

Superintendent Craig Darlow today said police have been given 200 tips since the reward was announced.

"We are exploring a number of matters, out of 1000 tips, a number are sightings, but not confirmed," Darlow said.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said on the weekend that he remains open to all possibilities in regards to the whereabouts of Freeman and said the reward was "just another avenue" in the hunt.

Police have received over 1000 tips from the public so far.

Police searching caves and mineshafts for Freeman

The 16-day search for the accused gunman has involved mineshafts, caves, huts and properties.

Police said there have been over 4000 shifts and 2000 members of Victoria Police and other crews have taken part in the manhunt so far.

Of the theories about where Freeman is and if he is still alive, Darlow said "everything is on the table".

"Including whether he has taken his own life, if he is up in the hills secreted away, if he is able to get out, we havent closed our minds to any possibility at the moment," he added.

"We will leave no stone unturned, he's killed two of our members and shot a third."

Kelly said police are prepared to continue searching for Freeman for "as long as it takes".

"History sggests these types of operations take significant time," he said.

"We need to be present, and we need to continue the search for him."

Vadim De Waart-Hottart's family visit Porepunkah

The family of slain officer Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 34, today arrived in Porepunkah for the first time since the shooting.

Kelly said his parents visited Bright Police Station, where Waart-Hottart had been temporarily seconded, and spoke with some of their son's police colleagues.

"The attendance today was a real boost, if you like," he said.

"It's been a week of emotion for Victoria Police but I believe Vaidm's parents' attendance will hopefully assist them.

"It's been a very distressing time for them, very emotional."

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.

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‘I think they’re going to create division. I just don’t think there’s any place for them.’

Melbourne is bracing for a possible repeat of the violent protest clashes seen in the city less than two weeks ago with multiple demonstrations planned for the CBD.

Victoria Police is planning a significant operational response, including specialist resources and additional search powers.

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Among the groups expected to rally are members of the National Socialist Network.

An 'Australia unites against government corruption" rally and an anti-immigration "Save Australia" tally will start simultaneously.

A 'rally against racism' and 'Sovereignty never ceded' rallies will also take place.

It is expected more officers will be deployed to this weekend's protests including members from the public order response team, mounted branches and critical incident response team.

Officers are set to monitor Camp Sovereignty after it was attacked by members of the National Socialist Network.

"I can give them the assurance that the safety of Camp Sovereignty is foremost in our mind," Papworth said.

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Twenty people were arrested or charged after the protest 10 days ago.

They are now not allowed in the CBD as a condition of their bail.

The CBD will be declared a designated area, which will give police extra powers to search people for weapons and ask them to remove face coverings. 

This includes Spring Street, Flinders Street, Spencer Street and La Trobe Street.

Despite the expectation things may turn violent, police aren't warning the general public who aren't attending the protest to stay away from the city, instead to just plan ahead and expect a heavy police presence.

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