Tag Archives: oceania

Man missing in floodwaters, government approves more aid to Queensland

2025-02-05 FreeNews

Persistent showers are continuing to lash down on flood-affected areas of north and far-north Queensland as the federal government approves more financial aid for impacted residents.

The federal government has announced a further round of support for Queenslanders under the Disaster Recovery Allowance starting from 2pm today.

Those in the Burdekin, Cassowary Coast, Hitchinbrook, Townsville and Palm Island LGAs who have lost income or the ability to work may be eligible to receive payments worth up to 13 weeks of income.

QUEENSLAND FLOODING: Townsville, Far North Queensland. 4.2.25

"Communities across far north and north Queensland have been impacted by heavy rainfall and severe flooding, damaging roads, isolating communities and making it difficult for people to get to work," Federal Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister said.

"We're moving quickly to activate financial assistance for impacted individuals and families, ensuring they are supported through these challenging times."

The federal government will also fly in 300 additional emergency personnel from interstate and work with supermarkets to get groceries into flood-affected regions.

Since daily rainfall totals exceeding 1000mm sparked flooding across the north last week, two people have died and 28 state schools are currently closed.

In the inundated town of Ingham, police are today searching the floodwaters near Cooper Street for a man last seen being swept away about 5.15pm yesterday.

He remains unaccounted for despite water and aerial searches this morning.

He is described as Caucasian, about 188cm tall, with dark hair. He was wearing black shorts, a black singlet, a black backpack and arrived on a blue bicycle.

Speaking to the media from Ingham this afternoon, Premier David Crisafulli said the water supply has since been reestablished.

Ingham had been cut off from power and had scarce food and water for the past few days due to the flooding.

This morning, residents were told there was a water supply failure and the water was not safe to drink.

Speaking to the media from Ingham this afternoon, Premier David Crisafulli said the water supply has since been re-established.

"We were able to airlift some generators into here and that was able to get the system up and running again. There were some communication issues, that's been sorted but this community didn't have running water for a period," he said.

A similar emergency warning has been issued for Charter Towers over a disruption to the water supply.

Residents are urged to immediately conserve their water use for emergencies only, including drinking and toilets.

Crisafulli said helicopters are continuing to bring in generators to essential assets in Ingham today and crews are working to restore power to Lower Herbert by tomorrow.

He added that restoring power to the flooded substation will remain a major issue.

"We have choppered in workers, and there are others coming right now on foot, to go to that substation and first begin the assessment of how badly impacted it was and secondly work out what needs to be done to get it repaired," he said.

"That substation is a really, really vital piece of the puzzle. We've also brought in an engineer from Townsville."

Telstra crews are also airlifting into the region to restore service to pockets currently without.

In a message to Queenslanders, Crisafulli said authorities will be there for flood-affected towns until the disaster is over.

"Wherever you are… we are going to be there with you for the long haul and we are going to get you back on your feet," he said.

"What has been thrown at Queenslanders has truly been a one in 100, maybe even more, but people in this part of the world are one in 100 and they're pretty tough."

QUEENSLAND FLOODING: Far North Qld. 5.2.25

Death toll rises to two

Crisafulli reminded residents that they were still in a state of emergency after the death toll rose to two yesterday.

An 82-year-old woman was discovered dead when floodwaters receded at a cane paddock on Fulton Drive in Bemerside, near Ingham, yesterday morning.

She had been last seen in a two-storey house about 6pm the previous day.

On Sunday, a 63-year-old woman died in Ingham when an SES boat carrying volunteers and residents hit a tree and flipped into the water.

Her body was found near Rutledge Street.

"The community has lost two of its own and we don't want one more loss of life so stay safe and that goes across Queensland," Crisafulli said.

Persistent wet weather sparks flood warnings

The Bureau of Meteorology has today forecast showers and storms to continue throughout the region this week thanks to an active monsoon trough.

Coastal and inland areas are likely to be impacted, with severe storms possible for the region, including the regional city of Townsville.

"Flood watches have been issued for much of northern and inland Queensland, including parts of the Burdekin, Gulf, and Thomson river catchments," the bureau said.

"Severe thunderstorms will continue to bring more localised heavy falls, with fast-moving flash flooding a risk."

Flood warnings have been issued across the state with the Herbert River seeing major flooding as waters exceed 12 metres.

"It just shows that this system continues to have some might in it, and we have to make sure we continue to heed those warnings," Crisafulli said.

Crisafulli said the weather system was widespread, adding that residents were forced to evacuate 600km west of the coast in Georgetown last night.

Emergency alerts have now been cancelled or downgraded, and residents are returning to see the damage that has been left behind in the regional city of Townsville, home to 200,00 people.

Many properties in the city's "black zone", the six suburbs most at risk of flooding, appear to have dodged major flooding damage.

Authorities say it is safe for residents to return to their homes, but they should take care.

Further north of Townsville, Ingham remains partially submerged and residents who evacuated are still unable to return.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the worst of the deluge is over but thunderstorms are forecast for coming days.

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Hayes set for new chapter after incredible 44-year career with Nine

2025-02-05 FreeNews

Legendary news figure Liz Hayes has announced she will be leaving Nine after an incredible 44-year career with the network.

Hayes will remain part of the Nine family and be part of special stories and events, as well as pursuing other opportunities.

After joining 9News as a reporter in 1981, Hayes went on to present the morning bulletin. In 1986 she became co-host of Today with Steve Liebmann, a role she held for 10 years.

Hayes became co-host of Today with Steve Liebmann in 1986.

She joined 60 Minutes in 1996 and has covered everything from US presidential elections to the heart-wrenching Syrian refugee crisis, as well as natural disasters across the globe.

Hayes's contribution to journalism has been recognised with a Logie Award for producing and presenting acclaimed documentary The Greatest Gift and the 2024 Media Diversity Australia Award for Under Investigation with Liz Hayes.

Hayes, pictured here in Afghanistan, has reported on the biggest events around the world.

The award celebrates journalists making an outstanding contribution through their reporting on diverse people or issues in Australia, and was the first time any commercial television network has been recognised in this category.

"When I arrived at Nine I had little more than a notebook and a typewriter, but like my new and far more experienced colleagues, I carried with me an enormous passion for telling stories," Hayes said.

"I was blessed. I had found my tribe. Even Nine's owner at the time, Kerry Packer, seemed to carry the same passionate story telling gene.

"Of course since then much has changed. The media world has evolved as have I. What hasn't changed is the need for good stories to be told, and I will continue to tell them.

"I leave Nine grateful for the decades of experience, the wonderful friendships that have endured and deeply appreciative to the many people who trusted me to tell their stories."

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Woman killed inside Melbourne home remembered as ‘generous and vibrant’

2025-02-05 FreeNews

The family of a woman killed in a suspected murder-suicide in Melbourne's inner-north has been identified as a mother-of-one.

Rachel McKenna, 35, was found dead inside a home in Ascot Vale about 4pm on Friday.

Police found a man with critical injuries about two hours later on the Princes Freeway in Little River.

Rachel McKenna was killed inside her Ascot Vale home on Jan 31. Melbourne.

He has not been identified, but police confirmed he was known to McKenna.

Loved ones have since taken to social media to pay tribute to the mother, with her sister, Meg Trotter, expressing that the family was "absolutely devastated".

"Our family is broken with grief," she said.

"Rachel was a deeply loved daughter, a doting aunty, a dear friend to many, and a completely devoted mother to her seven-year-old.

"She was generous, vibrant, loyal, and looked forward to many adventures with her precious son."

Trotter urged the government to do something about violence against women.

"Our darling girl is already so missed, forever leaving a hole in our hearts and lives. Her death was an unnecessary tragedy, one we never dreamed would impact our family," she said.

"Something must be done to stop violence against women in this country."

A GoFundMe has since been set up to help cover the costs of her memorial service.

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

If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue. In the event of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).

Help is available from the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491.

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How eggs could be the key to a healthy old age

2025-02-05 FreeNews

Eggs for breakfast could help lower the risk of deadly heart disease, according to new research.

The study from Monash University found that regular egg consumption is associated with a 29 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease-related death in "relatively healthy" older adults.

Published in the journal Nutrients, the researchers found that for that demographic, consuming eggs one to six times a week was associated with a lower risk of death in general and heart disease-related death in particular, compared to those who rarely or never eat eggs.

Fried eggs, sunny side up

The study involved 8756 adults aged 70 years or older.

First author Holly Wild, a PhD candidate and lecturer from the Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said compared to older adults who never or infrequently ate eggs (up to to twice a month), those who ate eggs one to six times a week had a 15 per cent lower risk of death from any cause, and a 29 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease-related death.

"Eggs are a nutrient-dense food, they are a rich source of protein and a good source of essential nutrients, such as B vitamins, folate, unsaturated fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins (E, D, A, and K), choline, and numerous minerals and trace elements," Wild said.

"Eggs are also an accessible source of protein and nutrition in older adults, with research suggesting that they are the preferred source of protein for older adults who might be experiencing age-related physical and sensory decline."

The rest of a person's diet can boost the egg factor too, the study found.

Older adults with a "moderate to high diet quality" reported a 33 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively, lower risk of heart disease-related death.

The current Australian Dietary Guidelines and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend that adults with normal cholesterol can eat up to seven eggs per week, while some European countries suggest limiting it to three to four eggs per week.

The AHA also supports up to two eggs per day for older adults with normal cholesterol.

"Previous research has observed a higher risk of mortality with egg consumption for those who have high cholesterol," Wild said.

"For this reason, we also explored the association between egg consumption and mortality in people with and without dyslipidemia (clinically diagnosed high cholesterol).

"We found a 27 per cent lower risk of CVD-related death for participants with dyslipidemia who consumed eggs weekly, compared to their counterparts that consumed eggs rarely or never, suggesting that in this study cohort, the presence of dyslipidemia does not influence the risk associated with egg consumption.

"Our results suggest that eating up to six eggs a week may reduce the risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular related diseases in older adults.

"These findings may be beneficial in the development of evidence-based dietary guidelines for older adults."

The full study can be read in the journal Nutrients.

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Qantas flight aborts landing as wild weather, flooding lashes Queensland

2025-02-05 FreeNews

A Qantas flight approaching the runway on Hamilton Island in Queensland was forced to abort its landing due to wild weather.

As heavy flooding smashes the mainland in North Queensland, holidaymakers were temporarily stranded on the normally sunny Whitsunday Island yesterday as wind and rain lashed the region.

Qantas flight QFA578 was due to land on Hamilton Island at 11am, but passengers weren't able to touch down after the plane aborted its landing and diverted to Brisbane.

A Qantas flight approaching the runway on Hamilton Island in Queensland was forced to abort its landing due to wild weather.

Travellers in the airport, including those due to get on the same plane, watched as the plane made its shaky approach.

Auckland councillor Josephine Bartley was due to be on the return flight to Sydney but was stuck on the island after QFA578 didn't land.

"We are still here on the island. Our flight back to Sydney was cancelled therefore we weren't able to catch our connecting flights back to Auckland," Bartley said yesterday,

"Rain is quite heavy so we're heading back to airport in the morning to see if we get on flights.

A Qantas flight approaching the runway on Hamilton Island in Queensland was forced to abort its landing due to wild weather.

"Grateful though [the] airline decided not to land in unsafe conditions and for [the] airline putting passengers safety first."

QFA578 safely landed in Brisbane at 1.05pm local time yesterday, two hours after it was due to arrive on Hamilton Island.

"Due to the adverse weather in Hamilton Island yesterday, the pilots opted to abort the landing of our Sydney to Hamilton Island flights and divert to Brisbane," Qantas told 9news.com.au in a statement.

"This is standard procedure that our pilots are highly trained to perform, for but we recognise it may have been unsettling for customers.

"We thank customers for their patience. Safety will always be our first priority."

Hamilton Island was drenched with 321mm of rainfall between 9am yesterday and 6am today.

A Qantas flight approaching the runway on Hamilton Island in Queensland was forced to abort its landing due to wild weather.

One Hamilton Island visitor took to Facebook to praise Qantas for putting safety first.

"I have to applaud Qantas. They tried so hard to land today. I watched their flight on flight tracker and obviously safety is paramount," she said.

"Sure there will be plenty of disappointed people but be grateful they have your safety in mind first and foremost."

The same flight is now en-route to Hamilton Island from Sydney today.

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In Pictures: How the US-Mexico border is changing under Donald Trump

2025-02-05 FreeNews

Within hours of his inauguration Donald Trump began a major tightening of the US border with Mexico to stem the flow of migrants. Here is how the move played out.

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