Staff of the US Agency for International Development were instructed to stay out of the agency’s Washington headquarters on Monday, according to a notice distributed to them, after billionaire Elon Musk announced President Donald Trump had agreed with him to shut the agency.

USAID staff said they also tracked more than 600 employees who reported being locked out of the agency’s computer systems overnight.

Those still in the system received emails saying that “at the direction of Agency leadership” the headquarters building “will be closed to Agency personnel on Monday, Feb 3.”

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The developments come after Musk, who's leading an extraordinary civilian review of the federal government with the Republican president's agreement, said early on Monday that he had spoken with Trump about the six-decade US aid and development agency and “he agreed we should shut it down.”

“It became apparent that its not an apple with a worm it in,” Musk said in a live session on X Spaces early on Monday.

“What we have is just a ball of worms. You’ve got to basically get rid of the whole thing. It’s beyond repair.”

“We’re shutting it down,” he said.

Musk, Trump and some Republican lawmakers have targeted the US aid and development agency, which oversees humanitarian, development and security programs in some 120 countries, in increasingly strident terms, accusing it of promoting liberal causes.

Over the weekend, the Trump administration placed two top security chiefs at USAID on leave after they refused to turn over classified material in restricted areas to Musk’s government-inspection teams, a current and a former US official told The Associated Press on Sunday.

Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, earlier carried out a similar operation at the Treasury Department, gaining access to sensitive information including the Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems.

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The Washington Post reported that a senior Treasury official had resigned over Musk’s team accessing sensitive information.

Democratic lawmakers have protested the moves, saying Trump lacks constitutional authority to shut down USAID without congressional approval and decrying Musk's accessing sensitive government-held information through his Trump-sanctioned inspections of federal government agencies and programs.

USAID, whose website vanished on Saturday without explanation, has been one of the federal agencies most targeted by the Trump administration in an escalating crackdown on the federal government and many of its programs.

READ MORE: Leaders vow action after more antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Perth

“It’s been run by a bunch of radical lunatics. And we’re getting them out,” Trump said to reporters about USAID on Sunday night.

Musk's and Trump's comments came with Secretary of State Marco Rubio out of the country, in Central America, on his first trip abroad in office.

Rubio has not spoken publicly about any plans to shut down USAID.

The Trump administration and Rubio have imposed an unprecedented freeze on foreign assistance that has shut down much of USAID’s aid programs worldwide — compelling thousands of layoffs by aid organisations — and ordered furloughs and leaves that have gutted the agency’s leadership and staff in Washington.

Peter Marocco, a returning political appointee from Trump’s first term, was a leader in enforcing the shutdown.

USAID staffers say they believe that agency outsiders with visitors' badges asking questions of employees inside the Washington headquarters are members of Musk’s DOGE team.

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said in a post on Sunday that Trump was allowing Musk to access people’s personal information and shut down government funding.

“We must do everything in our power to push back and protect people from harm,” the Massachusetts senator said, without giving details.

Premiers from states on opposite sides of the country have promised those behind antisemitic will be punished, after more graffiti was uncovered.

NSW Premier Chris Minns today vowed to "throw the book" at those behind a spate of incidents in Sydney as Western Australia Premier Roger Cook accused the culprits in his state of trying to "sow division and hatred in our community".

On a federal level, the government today imposed sanctions against an online neo-Nazi network amid reports of an independent push to beef up hate speech laws.

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Minns vowed to take action amid multiple incidents across Sydney's east over the past few months.

Last weekend, cars, homes and garages were defaced. Police are also hunting three young men who threw eggs at a group of women in a suspected targeted attack.

"If you've committed this offence, we are going to throw the book at you," Minns said.

A caravan filled with explosives was discovered in Sydney's north-west last week, and is being investigated by the counter-terrorism team.

This morning locals in Bondi responded in prayer with a steely determination to rally on.

"We can't be afraid. On our own land, in our own backyard, there's zero tolerance for it, and we won't be afraid," Dovi Meyer said.

READ MORE: Cars and property defaced with antisemitic graffiti, women egged in Sydney's east

"We can't be afraid. On our own land, in our own backyard, there's zero tolerance for it, and we won't be afraid," Dovi Meyer said.

The hate continues to spread in other parts of the nation with antisemitic graffiti reported in Byron Bay and Perth.

The residents of a home in Langford in the WA capital's south-east found a swastika painted by their driveway on Friday in what they believed was a random attack.

An antisemitic message scrawled on a bus stop in Dianella labelled Labor "Nazis".

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WA Premier Roger Cook accused the culprits of trying to "sow division and hatred in our community".

An investigation remains under way into neo-Nazi graffiti scrawled on walls and signs in Dalkieth at the weekend.

"We know that the police intelligence unit are on top of this – they have a number of leads that they are pursuing and they will stop at nothing until these thugs are apprehended," Cook said.

WA Liberal leader Libby Nettam said, "What we must all do is ensure that there is no place for antisemitism in any form across our society".

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From next month, displaying a Nazi symbol and performing a salute will attract a maximum fine of $24,000 and up to five years behind bars under new WA laws.

Meanwhile, Terrorgram, an online network for neo-Nazi advocates promoting white supremacy and racially motivated violence, was today banned by the federal government.

Anyone convicted could be jailed for up to 10 years for using or dealing with the platform.

Independent MP Allegra Spender will reportedly today put a proposal to parliament calling on both major parties to strengthen draft laws criminalising incitement to violence – but not serious vilification.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the crossbench proposal would impose criminal penalties on people who promote hatred over race, religion, gender and other factors.

EXCLUSIVE: A widow and grandmother has escaped her burning home in Brisbane's south with just seconds to spare.

Dianne Walsh said brave neighbours ran into the flames, pulling her and her son to safety.

"There was loud explosions, the tyres were going, and then it all happened. The neighbour on the bottom side came and got me and made sure that I was okay," she said.

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" … We've got some really good neighbours."

Walsh, who has lived at the home for 22 years said when the fire caught hold she grabbed what she could.

"USB sticks with the grandchildren's photos on it, I grabbed what I could of those in the dark," she said.

With her home destroyed and unliveable Dianne has been left devastated.

'My husband passed away there in 2008, I've raised children and grandchildren (there) … totally devastated, I haven't slept yet, I just can't," she said.

"I'm a diabetic too, all my medication is back at the house as well."

Her son's work vehicle was also destroyed.

Queensland Fire Department's Tom Simpson said the home was unliveable.

"There's significant water and smoke damage throughout the structure, so currently it's not liveable," he said.

Fire crews managed to stop the blaze from spreading to neighbouring homes.

"They were confronted with a weather event at the same time, pushing smoke and flames into the structure," he said.

It's understood fire investigators believe the blaze was the result of a mechanical fault in a truck parked in the driveway, which spread to a second vehicle and then the home.

Out-of-control fires across Victoria have claimed residential properties and a fire truck after heatwave conditions and dry lightning sparked more than 100 fires in Victoria yesterday.

Two homes in rural Nangiloc, near Mildura, were destroyed as intense heat and lightning culminated to ignite 114 fires across the state.

Three firefighters battling a blaze in the Little Desert National Park were forced to flee after their firefighting ute became engulfed in flames.

WARNINGS: Check the latest fire conditions at VicEmergency here

"Thankfully the firefighters – three of them – managed to escape the vehicle before it was totally engulfed," emergency management commissioner Rick Nugent said.

Fire authorities warned the high-risk fire season was "far from over".

Residents in Victoria's south-west were urged to evacuate their homes as multiple fires rage out of control amid heatwave conditions.

The fire danger remains high across most of the state, including the South West and Wimmera regions, where 600 firefighters are battling two emergency-level blazes.

The warning comes as stormy conditions temperatures are expected to soar into the 40s today for much of the state.

At least three fires are burning in the Grampians National Park, about 270 kilometres west of Melbourne.

VicEmergency issued a "leave immediately" message for people living in Mirranatwa, a small area on the eastern side of the national park.

"Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay," the warning said.

The bushfire was travelling from the national park in a southerly direction and has crossed Red Hills Road and is heading towards Jensens Road.

A watch and act message remained active for Cavendish, Mona Park, Mooralla, Rocklands and Woohlpooer.

Residents in the Victoria Valley were also urged to prepare to leave, as winds from the north increased the risk in the area.

"The situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act," the warning said.

Smoke and ash from bushfires and burning operations also prompted an air quality warning for the region.

The warning remained current for Coleraine, Hamilton, Penshurst, Dunkeld and Glenthompson.

Over the weekend, more than 100 firefighters and incident management team personnel arrived in Victoria to assist with the ongoing fire response.

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Fire crews were also battling another out-of-control blaze, about 178 kilometres west of the Grampians National Park.

Residents in Peronne and Morea were also told it was too late to leave after a fire in the Little Desert National Park broke containment lines.

The bushfire was travelling from Little Desert in a westerly direction towards Kaniva-Edenhope Road.

Fire Forest Management Victoria chief officer Chris Hardman said the fire rapidly spread into agricultural land, but there had not been any reports of further property loss.

"It is too late to leave the area safely so you must take shelter now," the warning said.

"You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave."

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The fire has claimed at least one home, along with a popular wedding and camping venue.

The Henty Highway was closed between Horsham and Cavendish.

The Hamilton Emergency Relief Centre at Performing Arts Centre opens from 9am-7pm.

Lightning sparks new blazes 

Authorities were also fighting to contain four separate fires sparked by dry lightning in the Great Otways National Park overnight.

Some 50,000 lightning strikes, hit the state yesterday evening, causing damage to property and igniting fires in the state's south.

Hardman said the out-of-control blazes were located in "remote and difficult terrain" and travelling in a south-easterly direction from Hordern Vale and Cape Horn.

"No amount of rain will catch up on the shortfall of rain we've had since the beginning of spring," Hardman said.

The Otways fires remained at a watch and act level, with residents in Aire Valley, Apollo Bay, Cape Horn, Cape Otway, Glenaire, Hordern Vale, Killala, urged to monitor changes to conditions.

Dynamic weather conditions continue 

Extreme heatwave conditions are expected to continue for the bulk of the state tomorrow, with temperatures expected to soar into the high 30s to low 40s.

Authorities warned the fire danger will remain high tomorrow

A cool change was expected to develop from the south-west tomorrow morning and reach Melbourne by the afternoon, Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Michael Efron said.

Relief from the heat was not forecast to reach northern parts of Victoria until the early hours of Wednesday.

More showers and storms tomorrow could bring heavy rain, large hail and strong southerly winds to inland parts of the state, which could also elevate fire danger.

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Residents in Queensland's north remain on high alert with hundreds of millimetres of rain expected to be dumped in parts of the region in the coming hours.

More than 1200mm of rain has fallen over Ingham and Townsville in the past three days, cutting power and roads, inundating homes and forcing school closures, with floodwaters expected to continue to rise until tomorrow morning.

One person has died and more than 400 are currently taking shelter in six evacuation centres across the region.

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Emergency services received 480 requests for assistance overnight and performed 11 swift water rescues.

With more rain still to fall, Townsville councillor Andrew Robinson has urged locals to have a plan.

"It's not too late to still plan, decide what you are going to do in the event that your house is inundated, where are you going to go?"

Critical infrastructure and supplies

Residents of Charters Towers have been urged to restrict water use to drinking and toileting with power and water supply to the town disrupted.

Many major supermarkets in the region are now either closed or isolated by floodwaters.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has urged residents to remain calm as images of empty supermarket shelves begin circulating on social media.

He confirmed the region has at least six weeks' food supply in warehouses.

He said residents cut off by floodwaters who were in need of supplies should contact local disaster management for assistance.

The town of Ingham remains without power after a substation was inundated and the Ollera Creek Bridge, which forms a critical part of the Bruce Highway, has collapsed.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1729823134412237&set=a.751971762197384

Premier David Crisafulli today confirmed the Defence Force was preparing to assist with high-clearance vehicles and air support.

He said that support would continue as floodwaters recede and the clean-up begins.

Crisafulli was expected to visit the flood-stricken region this afternoon, after the Townsville Airport reopened this morning

More rain on the way

The low-pressure system across the southwestern Cape York Peninsula to the east coast near Lucinda is gradually weakening and the heavy rainfall risk is likely to become confined to more localised areas later today and into tomorrow.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns flash flooding remains likely between Tully and Giru, inland to the far western Herbert and Lower Burdekin district, including Townsville.

Six-hourly rainfall totals between 100mm to 140mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 180mm.

Some areas, including Cardwell Gap and Paluma, have received more than 600mm in the last 24 hours.

Major flood warnings are in place for the Haughton, Herbert, Ross, and Upper Burdekin rivers.

The Herbert River at Ingham Pump Station may reach 15 metres today, which is still below the 1967 flood level of 15.2 metres, but is expected to continue to rise before peaking tomorrow.

Major flooding is expected at Aplin Weir due to controlled releases on the Ross River Dam.

"This will contribute to flows downstream in the Ross River. Major flooding is expected on Monday morning, with further river level rises expected over the next few days," a social media post from Townsville Disaster Information warned today.

The river is currently at 1.7m, above the moderate flood level of 1.6m.

It is expected to exceed the major flood level of 1.8m this morning and is likely to reach about 2m by the afternoon.

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Tragedy struck yesterday when a woman died after an SES rescue boat capsized.

The woman was travelling with an SES crew on the boat when it struck a tree and flipped.

Her body was found a short time later.

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Radio host Kyle Sandilands has admitted he neglected his health for years before recently suffering a brain aneurysm.

The breakfast radio star will undergo urgent brain surgery and will be off the airwaves for up to two months following the health scare.

After revealing his diagnosis on the airwaves during The Kyle and Jackie O Show this morning, Sandilands told 9News he blames it on making the wrong choices.

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"I've had a hard life, I haven't really looked after myself that well," he said.

Fellow KIIS FM star Jackie "O" Henderson said she will support her co-host as he puts his health first.

"We'll just do it one step at a time and go from there," Henderson said.

"But his health is the most important thing."

Neurologist Professor Steve Vucic told 9News an aneurysm – while serious – is very treatable.

"This is how aneurysms manifest themselves, with a sudden onset thunder-clap like headache, patients are very sick," Vucic said.

"You'd rather know you have an aneurysm and you can monitor it, rather than presenting to the emergency with a stroke."

Sandilands shared the news earlier today, alongside breakfast co-host Henderson, after he missed Friday's show due to the illness.

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"On Friday, I was told by my medical team, which sounds like I'm already very sick, to have a medical team, that I have a brain aneurysm and it requires immediate attention, brain surgery," he said.

"If you just tuned in to us after all these years, lap it up. And if you're in Melbourne, you're in the part, you're coming to the party too late. You may get your wish. I may be dead."

The 53-year-old did not say when he would be undergoing surgery.

"It's not a blockage. It's like, imagine your blood vessel is the garden hose, and the garden hose is weak and it blisters out like a big bubble, you know, like a puncture in it, like a bike tyre with a big bubble that bubbles the aneurysm, so it's not blocked," he said.

"It's like, it's expanded and if it bursts, it's either a vegetable in the wheelchair, or dead."

Sandilands reflected on his diagnosis and said the aneurysm was a wake-up call.

"It's just overwhelming… I don't want to leave a wife and a little child behind," he said.

READ MORE: One person dead, thousands evacuated as flooding grips North Queensland

The Kyle & Jackie O Show, which debuted on Melbourne airwaves in April last year, airs weekdays from 6am to 10am on KIIS FM.

They made the expansion into the Melbourne radio scene after achieving two decades of success in Sydney.

Sandilands has also gained recognition as a judge on several popular television shows, including Australian Idol, Big Brother, and Australia's Got Talent.

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A 17-year-old girl has been attacked and killed by a shark at a popular beach on Bribie Island in Queensland.

Paramedics were called to Woorim Beach, about 70 kilometres north of Brisbane, at 4.45pm.

It is believed the girl was bitten on the arm 100m offshore.

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Despite the efforts of paramedics, she was unable to be saved.

The beach was filled with people at the time of the attack, who may have witnessed the attack.

Emergency crews are still on the scene.

More to come.

Thousands of people across Melbourne and Geelong remain without power after a severe storm swept across the state overnight.

Half a million lightning strikes were recorded, with one sparking a blaze at a home in Taylors Lakes.

Napoleon and Simone Trombetta's Taylors Lakes home of 35 years was hit by one of 50,000 bolts of lightning that made contact with the ground.

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The couple were in bed about 1am when their dog Frankie began to be distressed by the storm.

Moments later, the pair heard a "massive bang" before seeing a red glow from their lounge room.

"The smoke detector went off and looking from our bedroom there was a red glow, we jumped out of bed and got out there as fast as we could," Simone told 9News.

"I grabbed Frankie and my handbag and that was it."

The house has been extensively damaged from the fire, with the couple believing the fire started by a lightning strike.

It was a wild night of storms across Melbourne and Victoria more broadly, with Geelong particularly hard-hit.

The sporadic storms first hit the Mornington Peninsula, before jumping across to the Surf Coast and settling in over the city just before 11pm.

More than 900 calls for help were made over downed trees and building damage, with 200 calls to the SES in just one hour at one point.

More than 500 of those calls were in the greater Geelong area, where 80km/h winds uprooted trees and ripped roofs and brickwork off homes.

Belmont resident Dee Dove and her family were inside their Belmont home when a tree crushed their front fence.

"It was like a cyclone, I mean I've never ever experienced anything like it in all my time – it's crazy," Dove said.

"We were so lucky. There's other people around here who've lost their roofs.

"It actually makes me emotional."

READ MORE: One person dead, thousands evacuated as flooding grips North Queensland

At its peak, the wild conditions left 45,000 customers without power, with a few thousand still waiting to regain electricity as of this afternoon.

The dynamic thunderstorm activity saw about 30mm of rain fall in Geelong and Lara in just 30 minutes.

Hail stones with a diameter of two to four cm also pelted the Otways and Geelong.

About 70mm fell in the Macedon Ranges overnight, but the weather system failed to quench the state's bushfire-stricken Grampians region, where just 10mm fell.

The storms followed a day of high heat, with a top of 39 degrees in Melbourne.

That high will be duplicated again today, followed by 34 degrees tomorrow.

A heatwave warning has been issued for the state.

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More thunderstorms are also expected to move across the south-west of the state this evening, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a risk of dry lightning.

"We're not out of the woods yet and we've had a taste of it yesterday," SES Victoria deputy chief officer David Baker said.

"We're still looking down the barrel of storm activity this afternoon and tomorrow.

"Storms can appear anywhere, at any time, but the best time to prepare is before the storm arrives."

The combination is a worry for firefighters, who are still battling two out-of-control blazes in the state's west.

Temperatures will drop to a top of 23 degrees for Melbourne on Wednesday before rising again later in the week.

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The move has outraged public health groups who are opposing the casino’s application.

The ‘confident’ and ‘competent’ young rider was killed in an accident in 2023.