Tag Archives: oceania

Climbers rescued from top of sheer rock in Tasmania

2025-02-13 FreeNews

Two climbers who became stranded on top of a sheer-sided rock on Tasmania's Cape Hauy have been rescued overnight.

They spent the night on the Totem Pole in the Apple Isle's south-east when their ropes became "entangled" in high winds, police say.

The emergency began at 6pm yesterday when the climbers reported they were unable to reach safety.

"Initial attempts to rescue the climbers by helicopter with deployment of a vertical rescue team was aborted due to high winds," said Senior Constable Callum Herbert.

Police said they worked with the Climbing Club of Tasmania's vertical rescue team as well as Ambulance Tasmania in an effort to rescue them from the 60m-high rock.

Rescue teams walked from Fortescue Bay and reached the climbers late last night after scaling the Totem Pole in wet, dark and windy conditions.

The pair were secured to rescue ropes and moved to cliffs on the land, then as dawn broke this morning, they were hauled about 50 metres to safety by their rescuers.

The climbers, who police say were from interstate and had reasonable climbing experience, were treated at the scene by a paramedic but had no injuries.

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Five-day operation to rehome herd of elephants at Victorian zoo

2025-02-13 FreeNews

There's been a mammoth delivery at a Victorian zoo, with nine Asian elephants arriving.

The entire herd has officially made the move to Werribee Open Range Zoo, following a five-day operation to relocate the animals from Melbourne Zoo.

It's a significant upgrade, with the elephants now able to roam freely across their new 21-hectare home.

Zookeeper Lucy Truelson said it was exciting to see the herd explore their new habitat, after years of meticulous planning.

"They are celebrating and really enjoying their new surroundings. They're playing, exploring the landscape and they've slept beautifully," she said.

"All these things show us that they're content, confident, happy and thriving. This is everything we could have hoped for."

The newly created Elephant Trail features two mega pools that together hold nearly two million litres of water, ensuring there's no shortage of swimmable space.

It includes six large habitats with mud wallows perfect for roaming, foraging, and socialising, and its size is equivalent to the entire footprint of Melbourne Zoo — or five MCG playing fields.

It will be a few weeks before visitors can see the herd, as keepers are prioritising their welfare.

"The elephants are being allowed some quiet time and the opportunity to familiarise themselves with their new home," Truelson said.

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Council’s huge move after CBD bans e-scooters

2025-02-13 FreeNews

While Victoria is the most recent state to implement a ban on hire e-scooters, canning them from Melbourne's CBD, there are still parts of the city which embrace the e-transport devices.

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Airplane seats of the very near future might look like this

2025-02-13 FreeNews

If you've seen images of the infamous double-level airplane seat concept and thought "that's never going to happen" – maybe think again.

Aviation start-up Chaise Longue, the brains behind the controversial dual-level seat, announced today it's "exploring some early-stage concepts" with aviation giant Airbus.

This collaboration with an aircraft manufacturing heavyweight is a significant step in this seat design's journey from college student project to potential in-air reality.

Aviation start-up Chaise Longue, the brains behind the controversial dual-level seat, announced today it's "exploring some early stage concepts" with aviation giant Airbus.

Designer and Chaise Longue CEO Alejandro Núñez Vicente tells CNN Travel he's thankful Airbus sees "the true potential of two-level seating."

An Airbus representative confirmed to CNN Travel that "Chaise Longue is exploring some early stage concepts with Airbus on two-level seating solutions for Airbus commercial aircraft."

The representative added that "given the nature of this early phase level," Airbus preferred "not to further comment at this stage."

Dual-level design

The crux of Núñez Vicente's Chaise Longue seat design is the removal of the overhead cabin to allow two levels of seats in a single aircraft cabin.

The idea is that travellers would have the option of booking the top row or the bottom row – and while the lower level might look less-than-appealing in photos, bottom passengers would be able to stretch out their legs and enjoy extra leg room.

The top level is also designed to give "larger recline angles" and "leg-stretching possibility" than your average economy airplane seat, says Núñez Vicente.

Núñez Vicente initially developed the design for economy cabins before last year premiering a business class/first class iteration.

CNN Travel tested out early prototypes of both concepts and concluded that while the lower level has definite claustrophobia potential, the increased leg room could cancel out the potential cabin fever for some passengers.

Núñez Vicente says he can't specify what kind of cabin the Airbus collaborations might target – and he can't currently confirm how similar or different the new concepts might be to the previously showcased concepts.

There are currently no concept images available or details on the new designs.

But Núñez Vicente says the Chaise Longue goal remains the same: to "optimise the space" in the cabin for passengers and airlines alike.

Aviation start-up Chaise Longue, the brains behind the controversial dual-level seat, announced today it's "exploring some early stage concepts" with aviation giant Airbus.

Social media reaction

Núñez Vicente's design has gone viral on more than one occasion – with some prospective travellers cracking jokes about passing wind, while others suggest the design is a cynical ploy to cram more passengers into the cabin.

Núñez Vicente emphasizes he's not trying to eradicate regular airplane seating altogether. He envisages an airplane cabin in which the Chaise Longue is in the center, flanked by two rows of traditional airplane seating.

The fact that this concept could also "give the airline a new revenue stream or a new way to make more money out of those passengers or put more seats in" – as Núñez Vicente put it at the Aviation Interiors Expo in 2024 – is merely an added bonus, he insists.

And in general, Núñez Vicente is a believer in the old adage that there's no such thing as bad publicity.

Continued interest in the design from the aviation industry suggests airlines and aircraft manufacturers are unperturbed by the seat's social media backlash.

"Every innovation has a lot of good reviews and also bad reviews," says Núñez Vicente, suggesting the naysayers haven't impacted the development of the design.

"Of course, there are drawbacks, and the social media one is there," says Núñez Vicente.

"It's a present one. But to be honest, the advantages of this, these seats on two levels, are completely on top of those drawbacks."

Núñez Vicente says Chaise Longue also remains "open for collaboration" with other aviation companies.

In the meantime, it's unlikely you'll see double-level seating on an airplane near you anytime soon – as Núñez Vicente acknowledges, "there is still a long development ahead."

"However, with the support from Airbus this is a realistic and achievable objective that will greatly improve travel for passengers," he says.

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Owner in tears after giant schnauzer finally wins major dog show

2025-02-13 FreeNews

After coming close the last two years, Monty won the top prize at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.

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Haunting audio captures apparent explosion of Titan sub

2025-02-13 FreeNews

The US Coast Guard has released a haunting audio of what is believed to be the acoustic signature of the 2023 Titan submersible implosion.

The audio was captured by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration moored passive acoustic recorder, approximately 1450km from the implosion site, the Coast Guard said.

On an expedition to the Titanic shipwreck, the Titan imploded on June 18, 2023. The five passengers aboard were all confirmed dead following the discovery of the wreckage.

The passengers were Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate; businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood; businessman Hamish Harding; and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

The audio released Tuesday by the Coast Guard's Marine Board of Investigation is part of an ongoing investigation into OceanGate, the vessel's operator, and the Titan implosion.

For approximately two weeks in September, the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board held an extensive investigation into the implosion with several witnesses and experts.

A damning portrait of the Washington-based company that developed and operated the 10.4-ton submersible as well as its founder – who charged passengers about US$250,000 ($397,700) per dive – emerged from testimony at the Coast Guard hearings.

The submersible lost contact with its mother ship on the morning of June 18, 2023. When it failed to resurface, a dramatic international search and rescue mission unfolded in the remote waters several hundred miles southeast of Newfoundland.

Authorities concluded the vessel had suffered a "catastrophic implosion," a sudden inward collapse caused by immense pressure.

Near the debris on the sea floor, "presumed human remains" believed to belong to the victims were recovered. The remains were later matched to the five men on board through DNA testing and analysis, according to the Marine Board of Investigation.

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Adelaide’s LIV Golf fan event draws crowds despite scorching weather

2025-02-12 FreeNews

Golf enthusiasts flocked to meet some of the LIV Golfers at fan events today, despite the temperature reaching 43 degrees.

The event promises to be the largest yet, with 100,000 fans expected from Thursday.

Junior golfers had the opportunity to interact with their idols at a special clinic, while the professional golfers honed their skills on the greens.

Golf enthusiasts flocked to meet some of the LIV Golfers at fan events today, despite the temperature reaching 43 degrees.

Spectators also eagerly awaiting the possibility of a hole-in-one on the 14th hole, which will win a lucky fan a brand-new car.

The feat was last achieved two years ago by Chase Koepka.

Chase's brother Brooks Koepka said that win was "the one topic" brought up every time the pair were together. "He still thinks he's the mayor of Adelaide. He still calls himself that," Brooks said.

The event has expanded its appeal this year with larger grandstands, additional screens, and family-friendly attractions such as a petting zoo and a kids' DJ.

However, the tournament's growth has raised concerns about South Australia's ability to retain the event long-term.

"Our frustration is, SA has a history of going first on an event, building it up to be something magnificent and then other jurisdictions come to pinch it off of us," Premier Peter Malinauskas said.

Golf enthusiasts flocked to meet some of the LIV Golfers at fan events today, despite the temperature reaching 43 degrees.

But LIV Golf chief executive Scott O'Neil said he was happy with Adelaide.

"You have a world class golf course, you have a place where our players are comfortable, you have extraordinary restaurants, hospitality's great, the people are great so I hope we're here for a very long time," he said.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.

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Aussie city ranked hottest in the world, as state is smothered by hot air mass

2025-02-12 FreeNews

Adelaide was ranked as the hottest city in the world today as the entire state was smothered by a low to severe-intensity heatwave today.

Temperatures reached close to 50 degrees as a mass of hot air hung over the state, sparking heatwave and extreme fire danger warnings.

Oodnadatta recorded its hottest day in 65 years after it reached a top of 48.7 degrees Celcius, followed by Coober Pedey at 48.1 degrees, Tarcoola at 47.8 degrees and Port Augusta at 46 degrees.

Adelaide was ranked as the hottest city in the world today as the entire state was smothered by a low to severe-intensity heatwave today.

Those four suburbs made the top 10 hottest places on the planet today.

Adelaide topped the charts as the hottest city around the globe for large parts of the day.

"Very hot just about everywhere, even by the coast which usually does get a bit of relief with sea breezes," the Bureau of Meteorology's Simon Timcke said.

"Whilst we do usually get hot weather in February, this is a bit hotter than we'd often see."

A mass of heat is hovering over SA.

The uncomfortably hot weather closed down cafes and construction sites around the city and also affected public transport, with trains forced to reduce their speed and eight tram services cut during peak hour.

"Gross, so gross. Like even walking here it was just so unbelievably hot," resident Samara Dickson said.

A cool change is now being felt over the state as a low-pressure system sweeps eastward.

Tomorrow, temperatures are forecast to reach a cooler top of 27 degrees.

A heatwave warning remains for the state, and an extreme fire danger warning is in place for the West Coast, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Lower Eyre Peninsula and Mount Lofty Ranges areas.

Other southeastern capitals felt the warmth today and will continue to see high temperatures through the week.

Melbourne saw a top of 35 degrees today, with 37 degrees forecast the following day, before a cool change on Thursday night.

Hobart is also likely to hit the mid-30s on Thursday.

High fire danger is also predicted for parts of western Victoria too.

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Commbank boss stops short of confirming rate cut despite record profits

2025-02-12 FreeNews

Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn has told 9News Money Editor Effie Zahos that he can't promise an interest rate cut for borrowers, despite a record year for the bank's profits.

The bank today posted a half-yearly net profit of $5.1 billion, an increase from last year's figure of $4.8 billion.

Share prices for the company are up 40 per cent, with the bank expected to pay an interim dividend of $2.25 per share.

Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn has told 9News Money Editor Effie Zahos that he can't promise a mortgage interest rate cut, despite a record year for the bank's profits.

But despite the glowing figures, Comyn couldn't promise a rates cut, even if Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock announces a cash rate cut next week.

"We've thought about what will happen next week, we recognise how important that rate cut is to households around the country," Comyn said.

But he stopped short of making any promises, saying he can't confirm anything without breaking price signalling rules.

Like the other big three banks, CBA has a patchy record when it comes to interest rate cuts.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia chief executive officer Matt Comyn.

The Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate 10 times between 2015 and 2020, totalling a 2.4 drop.

In the same time, CBA passed on four of those rates cuts, giving borrowers relief of just 1.65 per cent.

If CBA does cut rates on Tuesday, Comyn said borrowers can expect it to hit their accounts in the following 10 days.

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Woman who savagely attacked a teen with autism fights to have sentence quashed

2025-02-12 FreeNews

A Melbourne woman who bashed an autistic teenager in a savage group attack is appealing to have her sentence quashed.

Alajeck Anai, 18, was ordered to spend six months at a youth justice centre after she was sentenced over the assault of a 14-year-old girl at Altona Pier in February last year.

But Anai's lawyer claims she has grounds for appeal because her suitability for youth detention was never assessed.

Anai's lawyer claims she has grounds for appeal because her suitability for youth detention was never assessed.

Her legal team claims an assessment was never presented to the court when the magistrate sentenced Anai and the court shouldn't have been able to impose the order without one.

The report should have given an insight into Anai's state of mind and past traumas, as well as how she might cope at a youth justice centre.

The victim's mother, Ann Axiak, cried and shook her head in court as footage was played of Anai dragging the teenager by her hair as she delivered 43 blows.

The victim's mother said her daughter has not returned to school for 12 months following the attack.

"I'm very worried, very worried, because my daughter is scared to do anything," Axiak said.

"She's still not in school … so it's been 12 months no school."

County Court Judge Pardeep Tiwana called the attack "truly gut-wrenching".

"This was clearly a dreadful, unprovoked and sustained group attack on a very young, vulnerable victim," Tiwana said.

The judge will hand down his decision in April, once a proper report has been finalised.

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