Kristi Noem's sacking exposes first fissures in Trump's second term

Kristi Noem's sacking exposes first fissures in Trump's second term

Donald Trump's sacking of the public face of his immigration crackdown has exposed the first fissures in the cabinet of his second term.

Kristi Noem is the first cabinet member to be fired in the president's second term, lasting more than a year in the role.

It's a stark contrast from Trump 1.0, where the sacking of a cabinet member felt like an almost weekly occurrence.

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Donald Trump was reportedly increasingly frustrated with Kristi Noem.

But in his second term, the president has surrounded himself with those less likely to draw his ire.

His first cabinet was filled with establishment Republicans, technocrats and respected business figures.

But those officials were likely to behave like conventional cabinet members, pushing to maintain precedent and meekly accepting criticism.

His new cabinet is more in the Trump mould: true believers in the president's agenda with an aggressive attitude towards the media and Democratic politicians.

They would be expected to follow the Trump ethos – never admit fault, and never apologise.

But the Noem's handling of the Department of Homeland Security was too much for even Trump to defend.

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Kristi Noem has been one of the most high-profile members of the Trump cabinet.

Being maligned and despised by Democrats might not make the president raise an eyebrow - but Republicans are another matter altogether.

Appearing before a Senate hearing this week, Noem was sharply criticised by Republicans Thom Tillis and John Kennedy.

Her handling of the immigration crackdown across America has been highly unpopular and dogged by serious errors.

Not only have thousands of documented immigrants with no criminal background been detained and deported, but many American citizens have also been swept up in the raids.

Noem has also been the subject of unflattering headlines about her own leadership.

A Coast Guard pilot was fired for leaving Noem's blanket on a plane.

She also used $US220 million ($313 million) in taxpayer dollars on an ad ostensibly to promote the Department, but was seen as being self-serving.

The ad showed Noem riding a horse wearing a cowboy hat in her home state of South Dakota.

The ad contract was given without a competitive bidding process to the husband of prominent department spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.

And this week, she would not outright deny under oath that she was having an affair with top advisor Corey Lewandowski. 

In spite of the scandals, Noem has been given a newly created role as "Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas".

READ MORE: Trump's past comments on Iran come back to haunt him

Kristi Noem has been sacked as Secretary of Homeland Security.

It is not known whether Noem knew about her sacking before it was announced, with her taking the stage for a speech at the time.

Noem's axing is the first major sign Trump is trying to get his administration back on track as his approval rating sits in the doldrums.

Republicans are likely to lose control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate in the coming midterm elections in November.

If successful, Democrats will be able to halt Trump's legislative agenda and potentially impeach him.

Already, it is appearing apparent Democratic voters are more motivated to turn out in November.

On Tuesday, more Democrats voted in Texas primary elections than Republicans, an alarming sign for the White House in their party's most important state.

Noem's nominated replacement is Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma senator who has been vocal in his support of Trump's war on Iran this week.

READ MORE: Furious Republican senator threatens to bring Trump agenda to a halt

Kristi Noem has been given a new role as a special envoy.

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Jed was cancelled by Instagram. It's cost him $50,000

Jed was cancelled by Instagram. It's cost him $50,000

Exclusive: Jed Zimmer estimates he's lost close to $50,000 in earnings since his Instagram business account was suspended by Meta's AI system.

The 27-year-old fitness coach from the Gold Coast had been posting to his @the__healthproject account for six years without issue.

Then a horrifying email landed in his inbox on December 22 last year.

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Jed's Instagram account was wrongly suspended. It's cost him $50,000.

It said his account had been suspended for violating Meta's community standards regarding child sexual exploitation, abuse or nudity.

Zimmer felt sick.

"I know personally that it's just a total error," he told nine.com.au.

"But to have that accusation thrown around, it's a pretty sickening feeling."

Has this happened to you? Contact reporter Maddison Leach at mleach@nine.com.au

Especially because the account in question had nothing to do with children.

Zimmer used the account to advertise his coaching, training and nutrition services and exclusively posted health and fitness content.

The last thing he posted before the suspension was a video about supplements.

Confused as to how his account got suspended for child exploitation, Zimmer followed Meta's automated instructions to appeal the suspension.

Jed Zimmer's business account looked like many other fitness pages on Instagram.

Five minutes later he got an email saying his account had been reviewed and permanently disabled.

Since then, he's spent about $3000 trying to get it reinstated.

Zimmer paid for multiple Meta Verified subscriptions on his relatives' Facebook accounts in a bid to contact Meta, which can be difficult.

Meta Verified accounts start at $20 per month and receive 24/7 access to email or chat agent support.

Technology expert Trevor Long believes Meta's lack of human support services effectively pushes business owners like Zimmer to pay for Meta Verified for help.

"They're saying, if you don't pay us, we're not going to help you if you have problems," Long recently told A Current Affair.

"Without it, you're unlikely to ever speak with a human or get your account back."

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But the agents Zimmer spoke with couldn't help, nor could they provide him with evidence of the content on his account that had violated community standards.

"They just say they can't see anything from their end and they're not able to take it further," he claimed.

Desperate, he paid cybersecurity companies to investigate the issue but said it went nowhere.

Over the two months his account was suspended, Zimmer estimated he lost close to $50,000 in earnings.

January is one of the most lucrative months for fitness businesses but without Instagram he struggled to bring in new clients.

"I've probably only landed one or two clients since this all happened," he confessed.

"With Instagram over the last few years, it was three or five new ones come through a week. I was at max capacity."

READ MORE: Cyclone risk still high in Queensland as second tropical low could hit Brisbane

Since his Instagram business account was suspended, Jed Zimmer has struggled to bring in new clients.

After nine.com.au contacted Meta, Zimmer's account was reinstated.

"We take action on accounts that violate our policies, and people can appeal if they think we've made a mistake," a Meta spokesperson told nine.com.au.

Zimmer was relieved to have his account back but said his experience is not an isolated glitch.

He's one of a growing number of small business owners who claim their accounts have been wrongfully suspended by Meta's AI monitoring system.

"I think this is happening to a lot more people than we realise," he said.

"Which is a scary thing."

Just last month Perth hairdresser and makeup artist Taryn Elliott had her personal and business accounts suspended over a supposed violation of community standards.

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Perth hair and make-up artist Taryn Elliott's Facebook and Instagram accounts were suddenly suspended by Meta last week.

Like Zimmer, Elliott was accused of violating child sexual exploitation and nudity rules. She denied it.

Like Zimmer, Elliott's account was reinstated after nine.com.au contacted Meta.

But thousands of frustrated users are still in strife and not all of them can speak to a journalist.

Some have called for a class action lawsuit against Meta over the account suspensions and more than 60,000 people have signed a change.org petition demanding Meta address the issue.

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Son of ousted king positions himself to take over in Iran

Son of ousted king positions himself to take over in Iran

The son of the king ousted from power in Iran's 1979 revolution is positioning himself as the next leader of the country.

Reza Pahlavi is lobbying to lead Iran, in spite of the fact he has not lived in the country since he was 18.

The now 65-year-old was the crown prince of the country and was training as an Air Force pilot in the US when the revolution took place.

READ MORE: Trump's past comments on Iran come back to haunt him

Reza Pahlavi wants to lead Iran in a transition to democracy.

He was not able to return to Iran, and since 1980 has styled himself as the Shah, or king.

Many Iranians living in exile view Pahlavi as the rightful leader of Iran.

But in Iran itself, the Pahlavi dynasty is viewed with scepticism or downright hatred.

Pahlavi's father, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavigoverned the country as an oppressive dictator remembered for his expansive and murderous secret police and his expensive tastes.

He was overthrown in 1979 and a theocratic republic was installed under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

But the younger Pahlavi has positioned himself as a potential transitional leader before Iran moves to a democratic system.

Through an active social media presence, Pahlavi is frequently making statements to the Iranian people.

"Any attempt by the remnants of the regime to appoint a successor to Khamenei is doomed to failure in advance," he said after Ayatollah Khamenei's death was confirmed this week.

"Whoever they place in his position will not only lack legitimacy, but will also be a partner in the crimes of this regime."

READ MORE: Conservative commentators lash Donald Trump's decision to attack Iran

The Shah of Iran, Mohammad Pahlavi with his wife and son Reza.

He called on the military to overthrow the Islamic Republic.

"Your weapons must be used to defend the great nation of Iran, not the republic of crime, thuggery, and its anti-Iranian criminals," he said.

"Join the people of Iran and the Lion and Sun Revolution. Use your arms to protect Iranians against the mercenaries of the Islamic Republic so that this 47-year nightmare may end more swiftly."

READ MORE: Furious Republican senator threatens to bring Trump agenda to a halt

Protesters in London bear posters of Reza Pahlavi.

Pahlavi does have political backing in the US, where he has lived for most of his life.

But Donald Trump has not yet thrown his support behind the prince.

"I don't know whether or not his country would accept his leadership," Trump said.

"Certainly if they would, that would be fine with me."

Iran's Assembly of Experts is yet to pick a new supreme leader - but Khamenei's son is considered the favourite.

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Cyclone risk still high in Queensland as heavy rains loom for Brisbane

Cyclone risk still high in Queensland as heavy rains loom for Brisbane

The risk of a cyclone still remains for northern Queensland, while other parts of the state are being warned to brace for heavy rains.

According to Weatherzone, a tropical low forming off the Queensland coast could make landfall near Townsville on Friday, with a moderate chance it will turn into a cyclone.

Even if the low doesn't reach full intensity, the impacts will be felt far and wide across the state.

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The tropical low could form into a cyclone over northern parts of Queensland as early as Friday.

"The impacts for northern Queensland should include heavy rain, localised flash flooding and blustery winds as it approaches and crosses the coast," Weatherzone's Ben Domensino said.

"Following landfall, the low pressure system is expected to move inland, allowing rain and storms to spread over northern Queensland into the weekend and possible early next week."

The Bureau of Meteorology expects up to 130mm of rain to fall in Cooktown, with around 90mm possible in Port Douglas, and falls of up to 70mm in Cairns.

However, Domensino warns a new weather system could cause heavy rain in other parts of the state.

READ MORE: First planeload of Australians stranded in Dubai lands in Sydney

Rain is expected for much of the Queensland coast, including Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

"Some computer models suggest that a second low-pressure system could track towards the south near the Queensland coast later this week," he said.

"If this does happen, rain and storms could also spread over central and southeast Queensland from Friday into the weekend, with the potential for moderate to heavy falls."

Brisbane will receive showers today, with falls of up to 10mm possible, with similar rain predicted for the Gold Coast.

However, this could rise to 40mm of rain on Sunday.

Unions launch bid to give Aussies an extra week of annual leave

Unions launch bid to give Aussies an extra week of annual leave

Australians could get up to one-and-a-half months of leave per year under a new plan launched by the largest trade union in the country.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) have announced their bid to increase the annual leave given to working Aussies to five to six weeks, claiming Australians carry out over a month of unpaid work a year, citing figures from the Centre of Future Work.

They argue this leads to a higher rate of stress and burnout, which should be addressed.

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Currently, many working Australians have four to five weeks of annual leave per year.

"Getting back one of these weeks is fair and reasonable. It will mean a better rested and happier workforce," ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said.

"The majority of European countries have already moved beyond four weeks," she claimed, naming several European countries like France, Germany and Austria.

READ MORE: The reality of being an Aussie stuck in Dubai during the Middle East crisis

The ACTU will table the plans to the National Employment Standards (NES) as part of a parliamentary enquiry into the NES.

They say if the changes are approved, it will be the first increase in the minimum standard of annual leave since the 1970s.

McManus claims younger workers are doing the most unpaid work, and will benefit more from the changes.

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"Younger workers – from 18 to 24 years old – most urgently need to see this burden start to lift. They are the ones doing the most unpaid work," she said.

The ACTU also claim the gap between productivity and real wages has widened, but concede increasing annual leave by a week will add an extra two per cent to employment costs.

However, they claim it would not have a negative impact on the overall economy, because workers would be more to stay in their jobs and would be more productive due to a lower rate of burnout and other fatigue factors.

The Business Council of Australia has been contacted for comment.

Footage shows Bill and Hillary Clinton answering questions about Epstein

Footage shows Bill and Hillary Clinton answering questions about Epstein

Videos of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton answering questions about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been released by a House committee investigating the late financier.

The recordings of the depositions, which spanned hours over two days last week, show how both Clintons distanced themselves from Epstein.

Bill Clinton told the committee that he had ended his relationship with Epstein years before the financier entered a guilty plea in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.

READ MORE: "I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong," Clinton says

Bill and Hillary Clinton sat through separate behind-closed door depositions with the House Oversight committee last week, and both deny having any prior knowledge of Epstein's crimes

The former Democratic president said he first remembered meeting Epstein when he flew aboard his private jet in 2002 for the Clintons' humanitarian work, and they parted ways the year after.

“There's nothing that I saw when I was around him that made me realise he was trafficking women,” Bill Clinton told the committee.

Epstein visited the White House numerous times during Clinton's presidency and there are photos of them shaking hands, but Bill Clinton said he did not recall those interactions.

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Jeffrey Epstein and Bill Clinton.

Hillary Clinton said she never even recalled meeting Epstein.

Still, they faced hours of questioning under oath from lawmakers who are searching for accountability for anyone who was aware or ignored Epstein's abuse of underage girls.

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Diners flee Dubai restaurant after mistaking Ramadan cannon for bomb blast

Diners flee Dubai restaurant after mistaking Ramadan cannon for bomb blast

A Ramadan cannon blast at sunset was mistaken for a bomb blast in Dubai, causing some tourists to flee a restaurant in the city.

Video seen on social media at an unnamed hotel restaurant shows several diners getting up from their tables and fleeing in a panic after hearing a loud booming noise.

The city, the second biggest in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been targeted by retaliatory strikes from Iran as it respond to attacks from the United States and Israel.

LIVE UPDATES: Trump says the 'big wave' is yet to come in war with Iran

Many hotels and landmarks in the city have already been hit, causing residents and tourists to be on a heightened state of alert, which explains the quick reactions of some people seen in the video.

However, there is a more innocent explanation for the loud blast seemingly heard in this video.

The cannon heard is actually marking the start of Iftar, an important time of the day during the month of Ramadan.

During this time, Muslims fast during the day, and are not able to eat or drink until sunset, with the fast-breaking meal called Iftar.

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In Muslim-majority countries, this time is marked by a cannon blast, which is what occurred in the video.

There was no actual explosion or damage at the hotel seen in the video, though the city still remains under threat of bombardment from Iran.

However, there are signs tensions could be easing. Global airline Emirates, which has its base at Dubai International Airport, reported they would slowly resume flights after grounding all of their planes when Dubai was hit by airstrikes.

Crocodile captured after being found in pond behind Bunnings store

Crocodile captured after being found in pond behind Bunnings store

A baby crocodile has been captured after swimming in a creek behind a Bunnings Warehouse in Newcastle for two days.

The crocodile's presence behind the store in Wallsend in Newcastle's west was first reported on Saturday afternoon, with police called to a creek at Federal park at around 4.30pm.

Once the crocodile was spotted in the water, police formed a perimeter to stop the crocodile from escaping and to prevent people from going too close to it.

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It is not known how long the crocodile was in the creek in Wallsend, Newcastle, or where it came from.Police were on guard to protect curious onlookers, as well as the young crocodile.

It is not known how long the crocodile had been there, or where it came from.

Despite animal handling specialists from a reptile park arriving on scene that night, they were unable to capture it.

They returned the next day and were able to successfully capture the crocodile.

Despite initial reports of more crocodiles in the area, police confirmed there had been no further sightings.

There were no reported injuries.

Iran's airstrikes may have just cracked Dubai's safe, shiny façade forever

Iran's airstrikes may have just cracked Dubai's safe, shiny façade forever

There is no going back for Dubai.

Until recently the desert city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was considered one of the safest in the middle east.

Marketed as a wealthy, tax-free oasis, Dubai especially attracted foreign visitors with its lavish resorts, luxury shopping and flashy architecture.

LIVE UPDATES: US and Israel continue attack on Tehran

A man jogs along a beach with the Burj Al Arab luxury hotel seen in the background in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, March 1, 2026.

It's also a fan favourite among influencers, especially those in the luxury and travel niches, some of whom have even been paid to promote the city.

Now hundreds of tourists are stranded as Iranian weaponry rains down on the UAE, damaging buildings and the nation's reputation.

Luxury hotels in Dubai, the international airport, and the industrial area of Sharjah city have all been hit by shrapnel as Iran responds to a major attack from the US and Israel.

At least one person has been killed and several have been injured.

READ MORE: Travel chaos continues as flights from Australia to Middle East scrapped

Dubai hotel explosion in missile strike

UAE officials have reassured residents – nearly 90 per cent of whom are foreigners – and visitors they are safe.

The nation's air defence system has been blasting down hundreds of drones and missiles since the conflict kicked off over the weekend.

"I know it's a scary time for a lot of the residents," Reem Al Hashimy, minister of state for international cooperation, told CNN.

"We don't hear these types of loud sounds. But at the same time, those are sounds of interception.

"And where there has been damage — that has been primarily debris."

READ MORE: Missile fires behind Today reporter readying to go on air

Fairmont Hotel in Dubai

Some of Dubai's most iconic and important landmarks have been hit; the Fairmont Hotel on Palm Jumeirah island, the Burj Al Arab hotel, Dubai's Jebel Ali Port, and Dubai International Airport.

Australians who witnessed the attacks paint a terrifying picture.

Carina Rossi, a senior editor at nine.com.au, is staying at Atlantis - The Palm at the tip of the city's Palm Jumeirah district and saw debris fall from the sky.

She and other hotel guests "panicked" and ran to the beach as the debris plummeted into the hotel pool.

"The debris didn't explode, thankfully. But it was a loud bang, something I'd never heard before," Rossi told nine.com.au.

READ MORE: CIA closely watched Khamenei for months before fatal strikes in Iran

Rossi and other guests were then woken to an alert which urged them to seek shelter amid imminent missile threats.

"When we got the alert at 12.30 we could instantly hear explosions in the distance," she said.

Rossi is safe in her hotel.

Australian Olympic swimmer Stephanie Rice, who lives in Dubai with her pastor husband, asked for prayers in this "scary situation".

"Please help me in praying for all my friends, loved ones and people in the UAE that they would be protected," she wrote on an Instagram Story.

READ MORE: How world leaders have reacted to the US and Israel joint strikes on Iran

stephanie rice dubai iran drone attacks

Mikey Pembroke, who appeared on Married At First Sight and now lives and works in Dubai, shared footage on social media of a structure on fire near his home.

"I've just heard about 20 explosions above my apartment building," he said in the clip shared to Instagram.

Cinzia Bianco, an expert on the Persian Gulf at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said Dubai's reputation may never recover.

"This is Dubai's ultimate nightmare, as its very essence depended on being a safe oasis in a troubled region," Bianco wrote on X.

"There might be a way to be resilient, but there is no going back."

READ MORE: The timeline of events leading up to the US-Israeli strikes

The world is already witnessing the fallout from the attacks.

The UAE slammed its airspace shut on Saturday, cancelling flights and leaving hundreds of tourists stranded in Dubai.

Australians who had flights booked to or through the UAE have had their travel plans thrown into chaos.

The UAE also shut its embassy in Tehran, Iran's capital, on Sunday and withdrew its diplomats.

The move comes after years of efforts to de-escalate tensions with Iran, as the nation shows no sign of stopping airstrikes over the UAE.

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