The most dangerous beaches in the world
9NewsThese are the coastal hotspots around the world where visitors are warned to swim at their own risk.
US House sets up vote to prevent government shutdown
9NewsVeering toward a midnight Friday government shutdown, US House Speaker Mike Johnson proposed a new plan that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, but punted President-elect Donald Trump demands for a debt limit increase into the new year.
House Republicans have been meeting behind closed doors on next steps after Trump doubled down on his insistence that a debt ceiling increase be included in any deal — and if not, he said in an early morning post, let the closures "start now."
"We will not have a government shutdown," Johnson said as he left the basement session at the Capitol.
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Johnson set a vote for Friday evening, but the outcome was uncertain.
He declined to disclose the new idea under consideration but lawmakers said it would fund the government at current levels through March and adds $US100 billion ($160 billion) in disaster aid and $US10 billion ($16 billion) in agricultural assistance to farmers.
Gone would be Trump's demand for a debt ceiling, which GOP leaders told lawmakers would be debated as part of their tax and border packages in the new year.
"So is this a Republican bill or a Democrat bill?" scoffed Trump ally Elon Musk on social media.
It is almost impossible to meet Trump's last-minute pressure.
Johnson knows there won't be enough support within the GOP majority to pass any package, since many Republicans prefer to slash federal government rather than fund it, and won't allow more debt.
Instead, Johnson has been in talks Friday with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, whose party's support will be needed to ensure passage of any deal.
Democrats, though, have been cool to Johnson's efforts after he reneged on their original bipartisan compromise.
Trump, who has not yet been sworn into office, is showing the power and limits of his sway with Congress, as he intervenes and orchestrates affairs from Mar-a-Lago, alongside his billionaire ally Elon Musk, who is heading up the incoming administration's new Department of Government Efficiency.
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"If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now," Trump posted early in the morning on social media.
Trump does not fear government shutdowns the way Johnson and the lawmakers see federal closures as political losers that harm the livelihoods of Americans.
The incoming Trump administration vows to slash the federal budget and fire thousands of employees.
Trump himself sparked the longest government shutdown in history in his first term at the White House, the monthlong closures over the 2018-19 Christmas holiday and New Year period.
More importantly for the president-elect is his demand for pushing the thorny debt ceiling debate off the table before he returns to the White House.
The federal debt limit expires January 1, and Trump doesn't want the first months of his new administration saddled with tough negotiations in Congress to lift the nation's borrowing capacity.
It gives Democrats, who will be in the minority next year, leverage.
"Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps, 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling," Trump posted — increasing his demand for a now five-year debt limit increase.
"Without this, we should never make a deal."
Johnson is racing behind closed doors to prevent a shutdown, but his influence has its limits.
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Trump and Musk unleashed their opposition — and social media army — on the original plan Johnson presented, which was a 1500-page bipartisan compromise he struck with Democrats that included the disaster aid for hard hit states, but did not address the debt ceiling situation.
A Trump-backed second plan, Thursday's slimmed down 116-page bill with his preferred two-year debt limit increase into 2027, failed in a monumental defeat, rejected by most Democrats as an unserious effort — but also Republicans who refuse to pile on the nation's red ink.
On Friday morning, Vice President-elect JD Vance arrived early at the speaker's office at the Capitol, where a group of the most hardline Republican holdouts from the House Freedom Caucus were meeting with Johnson.
At one point during the lunchtime meeting of House Republicans, Johnson asked for a show of hands as they determined the path forward, Republican Representative Ralph Norman said.
Government workers have already been told to prepare for a federal shutdown which would send millions of employees — and members of the military — into the holiday season without paychecks.
"Welcome back to the MAGA swamp," the House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries posted.
"That is why our country is on the brink of a government shutdown that will crash the economy, hurt working class Americans and likely be the longest in history."
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Jeffries was communicating with Johnson on the path forward, according to multiple people in a closed-door Democratic Caucus meeting.
In the Senate, which is controlled by the Democrats for a few more weeks, there are talks of trying to push forward the original package, the bipartisan compromise that Johnson, Jeffries and the Senate leaders had negotiated to strike a deal earlier this week.
That would be difficult, but not impossible.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the original agreement "the quickest, simplest, and easiest way we can make sure the government stays open while delivering critical emergency aid to the American people."
"I'm ready to stay here through Christmas because we're not going to let Elon Musk run the government," said Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., the chair of the Appropriations Committee who was instrumental in that first deal.
"We had a bipartisan deal—we should stick to it."
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President Joe Biden, in his final weeks in office, has played a less public role in the debate, drawing criticism from Trump and Republicans who are trying to shift the blame for any shutdown on him.
Biden has been in discussions with Schumer and Jeffries, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday.
But she said, "Republicans blew up this deal. They did, and they need to fix this."
Johnson faces an enormous task as he tries to keep government running, appease Trump — and save his own job.
The speaker's election is the first vote of the new Congress, which convenes January 3, and Johnson will need the support of almost every single House Republican from his razor-thin majority to ensure he can keep the gavel.
Democrats will vote for Jeffries.
As the speaker twisted in Washington, his peril was on display.
At Turning Point USA's conservative AmericaFest confab, Trump ally Steven Bannon stirred thousands of activists late Thursday with a withering takedown of the Louisiana Republican.
"Clearly, Johnson is not up to the task. He's gotta go," Bannon said, drawing cheers.
He smiled and cocked his head at the response, "President Trump? These are your people."
Kate and William's heartwarming Christmas card revealed
9NewsThe official 2024 Royal Christmas card has been revealed.
Ebay vendor wants $10,500 for this Aussie coin - is it worth it?
9NewsThe dollar coin was part of a limited run minted in 1996 in memory of Australia's "Father of Federation".
Juggernaut toy retailer exits Australia, sells all stock from $1
9NewsA major toy retailer is closing down its Australian warehouse operations - and they're selling everything they've got stored up from $1.
US-based KidKraft, which has been in business for more than 50 years, is known for its toys and furniture, including play kitchens, dollhouses, and outdoor playsets.
And this Saturday, December 21, Lloyds Auctions will hold an online auction with what they estimated was more than $800,000 worth of those toys available.
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The warehouse closure comes after KidKraft filed for bankruptcy in the US, but the retailer aims to continue operations.
Lloyds said in a release bids would start at $1 with no reserves for "brand-new, in-box" KidKraft products.
It will take place online across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast.
The presents will be available for Christmas, with pickup available from Lloyds' Melbourne, Sydney, and south-east Queensland locations on December 23-24.
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Otherwise, they can be picked up in early 2025.
"This is a one-off opportunity for Australians to grab KidKraft's beloved products at prices you'd never see in stores," Lloyds chief operations officer Lee Hames said.
"All items are brand-new and perfect for last-minute Christmas gifts. There are more than 4200 premium items going under the hammer, providing families the chance to own these products at a fraction of the retail price."
People can browse the full catalogue and participate in the auction via Lloyds Auctions' website.
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Blood spatter found on car after man turns up at hospital with 'bullet wound'
9NewsA man has presented to hospital with a gunshot wound following a shooting in Melbourne's north overnight.
Emergency services were called to Moreland Road in Pascoe Vale South about 9.55pm after reports of gunshots.
Police were told an injured man had left the area before officers arrived.
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Investigators were later told a man with suspected gunshot wounds had been found at a hospital.
Police believe a car towed from the scene belonged to the victim, which will be forensically examined.
Images obtained by 9News show blood splatter on the car door.
The investigation continues.
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'Prepare to leave': Warning conditions can change as Grampians bushfire grows
9NewsAn emergency warning has been downgraded in Victoria's south-west as a bushfire continues to burn out-of-control in the Grampians National Park.
Residents in Mirranatwa, the Grampians, Jimmy Creek and Victoria Valley have been told to prepare to leave as a watch and act warning remains in place.
The bushfire continues to burn north and south of Mirranatwa, and has now grown to over 5400 hectares in size.
Visit the VicEmergency website for the latest emergency advice and warnings
VicEmergency has warned that private property in the Mirrantwa area has been impacted and will remain under threat.
"Prepare to Leave immediately. Leave as soon as you are ready, as roads will become busy as people leave," the warning said.
"Leave if the situation changes or you feel unsafe."
VicEmergency recommends that impacted residents monitor the situation, including factors such as wind speed, wind direction, and poor visibility.
Community members in Mirrantwa have been advised they may see the glow from the fire and embers in the sky.
Residents wanting to leave have been advised to use Victoria Valley Road and head towards Dunkeld.
Several roads are closed including:
- Grampians Road, is closed from Silverband Road to the southern Victoria Valley Road intersection.
- Victoria Valley Road is closed at the Victoria Point Intersection.
- Yarram Gap Road is closed from Grampians Road to Moyston-Dunkeld Road.
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https://x.com/vicemergency/status/1869498623882596428If you are travelling near the area, drivers have been told to make a safe U-turn and travel to safety.
A relief centre is being established at 14 Sterling Place in Dunkeld.
Heavy smoke continues to blanket the area, with a large plume visible from space.
The smoke plume created by the fire, which started yesterday afternoon, continues to grow.
The Grampians National Park is located about 258km from Melbourne.
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Earlier this week, fire crews battled an out-of-control blaze in central Victoria, after parts of the state experienced the hottest day of the year.
The National Council for Fire and Emergency Services warned in September of the dangers this fire season may pose.
Southwestern Victoria, including the Wimmera region, Grampians National Park, and Mallee country, are particularly at risk.
"The current level of landscape dryness in these areas is strong enough that without significant rainfall over the spring period, the flammability of fuels in forests and woodlands will remain high," the report said.
The report warned that the bushfire season is highly likely to begin early in those areas.
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These beloved cockatoos face extinction, scientists warn
9NewsAn endangered Australian cockatoo is at risk of disappearing altogether if urgent action isn't taken to protect it from a changing environment.
Western Australia government researchers say the Carnaby's cockatoo is like to see its habitat shrink even further in coming years with the ongoing onset of hotter and drier weather.
The cockatoo is only found in Western Australia and is one of the state's iconic animals.
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But researchers said in the journal Pacific Conservation Biology there were "few opportunities" left to help. The federal Department of Agriculture estimates the bird's population has already fallen by 50 per cent in the past 45 years.
And they're set to face more trials, with winters in south-western Australia, where the cockatoos live, are predicted to become 16 per cent drier, while spring rainfall will drop by 20 per cent.
Added to that, the number of days hotter than 35 degrees are predicted to increase.
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That temperature is too hot for the birds to forage, curbing their ability to feed.
Carnaby's cockatoo is already classed as endangered by WA, Australia, and internationally.
Its habitat has been greatly reduced since European colonisation, with land given over to farming, mining, and infrastructure.
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The researchers urged the government to focus on revegetation, including repairing old tree hollows the cockatoos used for nesting, as well as providing artificial ones.
"In planning for regeneration, planning must be done with a time-frame of centuries, not decades," the wrote.
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Test results back on 'brain-eating amoeba' at popular WA swimming spot
9NewsTest results for a potentially fatal organism, believed to have contaminated a popular swimming spot in Western Australia, have been returned.
Earlier this month, the Shire of Waroona issued an alert after naegleria amoeba was detected in the water at Drakesbrook Weir, located south of Perth.
However, test results have since returned, confirming there is no presence of the deadly Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba".
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Temporary health warning signs were posted around Drakesbrook Weir to alert swimmers of the potential risks.
It's understood that this is the third time the weir has been closed this year over amoeba risks.
According to WA Health, amoebic meningitis thrives in warm, stagnant water and, if inhaled through the nose, can lead to a rare and possibly fatal infection called amoebic meningitis.
Children are at most risk of the disease, which causes inflammation and eventual destruction of the brain and brain linings.
Drakesbrook Weir is a popular spot for locals, featuring a pontoon in the water that children use to jump in.
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Thousands without power after winds, rain follow heatwave
9NewsThousands of people across New South Wales are without power after wind and heavy rain lashed parts of the state last night.
Sydney was among the affected locales, with 4500 people statewide without power as of this morning.
In a statement, Ausgrid said crews would restoring power when it was safe to do so.
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"The outages have been caused by a combination of yesterday's hot conditions, followed by the southerly change overnight bringing storms," the spokesperson said.
Temperatures topped 40 degrees in parts of NSW including western Sydney yesterday.
But a cool change in the evening brought rapidly falling temperatures, rain, and strong winds.
People can check for power outages on the Ausgrid website.
Ausgrid also warned people to stay at least eight metres - about two car lengths - away from downed powerlines.
People can report hazards online or call Ausgrid on 13 13 88 with any concerns.
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