Tropical Cyclone Zelia has crossed Western Australia's coast hours earlier than it was expected, threatening destructive winds and more than 500mm of rain across the Pilbara region.

The storm made landfall at 12.30pm (3.30pm AEDT) near the De Grey River mouth, 54 kilometres north-east of Port Hedland, and was downgraded to a category 4 storm by the Bureau of Meteorology.

By 4pm (7pm AEDT) it has further reduced to a category 3 storm with winds near its centre of 150km/h and gusts up to 205km/h.

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It's expected to continue to weaken as it tracks south but still threatens immense rainful and damaging winds.

Residents in the area, which is one of the world's largest iron ore exporters, have been told to stay inside.

It is all hands on deck for emergency services, who are getting ready to help in the aftermath.

Earlier today drivers were urged to stay off the roads with some spotted attempting to drive through dangerous floodwaters.

READ MORE: 'Full video' of Sydney nurses' antisemitic comments shared

"At midday Friday (AWST) the centre of the system was around 65 kilometres to the north-east of Port Hedland and moving south-east around 11km/h," Matthew Collopy from the Bureau of Meteorology said.

"The very destructive core of the system, the area around the eye of the cyclone, is impacting that coast to the east of Port Hedland now, bringing wind gusts of up to 290km/h and intense rainfall and flooding.

"Port Hedland is not expected to be impacted by the very destructive eyewall winds.

"But damaging to destructive wind gusts are still likely this afternoon and into this evening."

Collopy said on the eastern side of the tropical cyclone track, a dangerous storm surge is possible, which could cause flash flooding in coastal areas.

Rainfall totals between 200mm to 300mm are expected over the next 24 hours, with up to 500mm possible over the next three days.

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The region has already recorded totals of more than 300mm.

The rainfall has landed on already wet catchments, which could result in flash and riverine flooding.

As the system continues to move south, it is expected to weaken and winds are expected to ease.

"This is a very dangerous system that will cause significant impacts," Collopy said.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Darren Klemm reminded residents to not to be complacent in the aftermath of the cyclone. 

"It is critical that impacted communities don't get complacent because the hazards won't ease once the cyclone has passed," Klemm said.

"Conditions after a cyclone can be just as dangerous as the cyclone itself, including damaged buildings, fallen powerlines and debris.

"It is extremely important that people remain indoors until the warnings change on Emergency WA."

Earlier today Port Hedland deputy mayor Ashleigh Christensen said he had faith "the Pilbara spirit will pull through".

"We'll get through anything we have to get through," Christensen said.

"We usually prepare for the worst and expect the best."

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News Corp publication the Daily Telegraph says an apparent undercover stunt "could have been better handled" after it led to an altercation in a Sydney cafe.

Ofir Birenbaum, a prominent member of Sydney's Jewish community, appeared to be accompanied by senior Daily Telegraph journalist Danielle Gusmaroli and a photographer to the Cairo Takeaway, a popular Egyptian restaurant on Enmore Road in Newtown, on Tuesday.

In CCTV obtained by 9News, Birenbaum, wearing a white Star of David cap and video camera-equipped glasses, can be seen entering the venue and ordering a hibiscus tea.

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According to a chef at the cafe, Birenbaum allegedly made a provocative comment.

As he reached the door, it is alleged he asked a staff member if his presence was upsetting them because he was Jewish.

It's alleged the exchange then led to a verbal altercation between cafe staff, onlookers, Birenbaum and the newspaper's crew, who soon made an exit.

One woman began filming the newspaper team and Birenbaum, at one point saying: "You picked the wrong restaurant to f—— try this shit in."

A leaked planning document reveals the stunt was part of a story about "what it's like being Jewish in Sydney", the Sydney Morning Herald and Crikey have reported.

9News understands the Daily Telegraph also approached a Jewish organisation to partake in the story, but they declined.

The restaurant's owner Hesham El Masry called police but after a three-day investigation, it was decided no crime had been committed.

Cairo Takeaway has posted pro-Palestine messages on its social media accounts and its exterior features a mural of a fist in the Palestinian flag's colours by prominent street artist Scottie Marsh.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0BfA9mvrMH/?hl=en

"We are a small community restaurant," El Masry said.

"We accept everyone into our restaurant and respect all walks of life."

This afternoon, the Daily Telegraph's editor Ben English said the publication "never intended to provoke an incident".

"Like other media the Daily Telegraph has been reporting on the rise of antisemitism and investigating how it is affecting the daily lives of Jewish people in Sydney," English said.

"The Telegraph never intended to provoke an incident at the Cairo Takeaway restaurant in Enmore, which was one of multiple venues across Sydney we visited, nor to report that its staff are antisemitic.

"The Daily Telegraph acknowledges our approach could have been better handled."

Birenbaum has not responded to a 9News request for comment.

Hundreds of passengers have been stranded at Sydney Airport after more than 50 flights were cancelled today due to an unexpected air traffic controller shortage. 

Airservices Australia was forced to reduce the number of aircraft movements due to poor weather this afternoon but delays worsened when a staff member called in sick with late notice.

As a result, 26 departures and 32 arrivals have been cancelled.

READ MORE: Sydney commuters facing slow journey home as services cut during industrial action

Airlines were left scrambling to notify passengers, many of whom were told of the delays moments before boarding.

Airservices Australia said a replacement air traffic controller has since been called in but not before flights were impacted.

"We are working on all measures to minimise further impact, including accommodating additional flights wherever safe," an Airservices Australia spokesperson said.

"Airservices apologises to passengers affected by delays and cancellations, and we are disappointed that this has occurred so soon after our strong performance over the Christmas period, when ground delays were at record lows across the network."

Virgin Airlines said it was communicating with impacted passengers and trying to get them onto next available services.

It is understood most of the passengers will have to fly tomorrow.

Meanwhile, commuters are facing their own delays after industrial action has caused 90 per cent of the train services to be cancelled this afternoon.

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Officials say three companies have been licensed to explore the seabed for minerals.

‘We pray you come home to your family safely.’

A 36-year-old man who fled from police over outstanding alleged family violence matters has died at a shopping centre in Melbourne. 

Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said officers attended a home near the Lynbrook Village shopping centre about 1.10pm today to arrest the man.

"Upon their arrival at the address, the male has noticed the police arrive and he has jumped off a balcony of the apartment he was staying at into the shopping centre grounds and he has run into the shopping centre," he told reporters this afternoon.

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Officers followed the man into the shopping centre but lost sight of him.

During a search inside a public toilet block, officers noticed men's footwear inside a female cubicle and forced the door open.

Thomas said the man had injured himself with what appeared to be an edged weapon but was threatening officers so he was tasered.

"He was still holding that weapon and a taser was deployed at that point in time and he was taken into custody," he said.

Thomas said first aid was provided to the man and paramedics were called and took over.

The man was taken to the rear of the shopping centre and was awaiting a helicopter to arrive when he was declared dead.

A critical incident has been declared and homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances around his death, which will receive oversight from the Professional Standards Command.

The coroner has been notified about his death.

Thomas said the man was known to police and had no fixed address. The apartment he was at is believed to belong to the man's friend.

Police are appealing to members of the community who were at the shopping centre around 1.10pm today to come forward.

Anyone with dash cam footage is also urged to contact police. 

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

A person was taken into custody after the fight between a ‘large group of people’.

Police say they are yet to receive the unedited version of the video in which two NSW Health nurses appear to brag about killing Israeli patients.

Earlier today, Israeli influencer Max Veifer published what he says is the full footage, but NSW Police said this afternoon nothing had been directly provided to them.

Some media reported today that Veifer had been unable to send police the footage because the influencer had not been given the correct email details.

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"NSW Police provided the correct contact details to the influencer at the centre of this inquiry," police said in a statement.

"Investigators have requested a full and unedited version of the video as part of this investigation.

"Police are aware an extended version has been posted online, however nothing has been directly provided to NSW Police.

"Discussions between NSW Police and the influencer remain open and ongoing."

Police have been seeking the unedited footage as they investigated Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, the two nurses at Bankstown Hospital who have been stood down over the incident.

"The police are asking me for the unedited version," Veifer wrote on Instagram.

"I have nothing to hide," he said.

"Here it is and if they tell me where to send it I will send it to them."

The version posted by Veifer today began the same as previous versions of the footage but included previously unheard discussions about Veifer's service in the Israeli Defence Forces.

The nurses and Veifer have a heated exchange about the conflict in Gaza.

The rest of the footage had previously been seen.

The footage ends when the nurses appeared to hang up the call.

9News understands emergency services visited Nadir's home last night and took him to hospital for assessment.

Yesterday the NSW Nursing and Midwifery Board today suspended the nurses' registrations, triggering a chain reaction that saw the national nursing body Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) do the same thing.

It means the pair will not be allowed to work in any hospital in Australia effective immediately, regardless of whether the hospital is public or private.

READ MORE: Nurses allegedly caught making antisemitic comments barred from every hospital in Australia as police wait to speak to the pair

Nadir and Lebdeh were immediately stood down when their comments came to light on Wednesday.

Police swiftly interviewed other staff on shift at the time the video was recorded and seized CCTV from the hospital.

Initial Inquiries have shown that there is no indication of Jewish patients being mistreated at the hospital. 

Speaking on 2GB yesterday morning, Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the investigation would hinge on the full unedited video to be provided by Veifer.

"We need this to be watertight and critical to that is the evidence from the influencer," she said.

She said police had not spoken to either of the nurses seen in the video, but had been in contact with their lawyers.

Neither Nadir nor Lebdeh have been charged with any criminal offences, and Webb said the decision on whether to do so would depend on the evidence gathered.

Nurse offers apology via lawyer

Nadir's lawyer, Mohamad Sakr, issued a public apology on Wednesday and said his client was "very emotional".

"My client sends a very sincere apology to not only that individual but to the Jewish community as a whole," Sakr said.

"He understands what has happened, he's trying to make amends for what has happened.

"He has never appeared before the courts in relation to any criminal matters, he is a person of prior good character it is unfortunate to find himself in a situation like this.

"He is very emotional, I've suggested he seek some treatment.

"He has apologised for the action, for his words."

How did the video appear?

The original video that sparked the investigation was posted by Veifer on TikTok about 3am AEDT on Wednesday.

Veifer has more than 100,000 followers on the platform and often posts videos where he speaks to strangers through the online video chat program Chatruletka.

"The platform pairs people randomly for a video chat, with only a country and gender specified by the user," the eSafety website says. 

"No names, friend lists or conversation histories are stored, so finding people again is purely left to chance."

Their conversation is believed to have been filmed on Tuesday night while the nurses were working at Bankstown Hospital in Sydney's south-west.

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