TRANSCRIPT
Flash flooding alerts are active for coastal areas in New South Wales and Queensland, in the aftermath of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.
More than 230,000 households and businesses are without power across both states.
A senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meterology, Christie Johnson, say the heavy rain is expected to ease this afternoon, but the flood risk is expected to persist into the middle of this week - due to the the rising water levels in the river systems.
"In Queensland, we're seeing major flooding occur on the Bremer, Logan and Albert Rivers; and the Warrill and Laidley creeks. For New South Wales, we're still seeing major flooding on the Richmond River and the Clarence River at Grafton. While the Tweed River at Tumbulgum may also reach major on this morning's high tide. Many other parts of southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales have warnings of minor to moderate flooding. And there are also flood watches for inland parts; as the rain is expected to spread inland today."
Meanwhile, authorities are urging people to avoid driving through flood waters.
A man died on Friday [[7 Mar]] in flood waters near Dorrigo in northern New South Wales.
He had been driving a ute that was swept away. He managed to cling onto a tree, but couldn't hold on.
Another man has been rescued on the state’s mid north coast over the weekend [[Sat 8 March, 8pm AEDT]].
A 71-year-old man was successfully rescued with the use of an inflatable raft, after he attempted to cross flood waters in a Toyota Landcruiser.
+++
After destructive flooding in 2022, residents in Lismore in northern New South Wales are dealing with heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding again.
The Bureau of Meteorology says a large part of northern New South Wales could receive six-hourly rainfall totals of between 50 and 100 millimetres.
Major flood warnings have been downgraded as water levels in the Wilsons River dropped - and an evacuation warning for Lismore was lifted, allowing residents to return to homes with caution.
This resident, Bruce, says this is the third time he has experienced a flood in Lismore.
"There is nothing left under the house. It's all gone. It's all been taken out. But upstairs, I still have lounges and carpet and kitchens up there that I couldn't get out. It's bloody tough, I tell you. I have been here since 1979 in Lismore, and I have got a rough idea of what happened. I have been through three floods. I had my business downtown. You get an idea of what's happening. They're much better now in their controlling of the floods (response) and their predictions. I mean years ago, we didn't know what was happening."
+++
WA Greens leader Brad Pettitt says the party is well positioned to hold the balance of power in the state's Upper House.
Labor have comfortably been re-elected to government for a third term, although they have suffered a swing of about 18 per cent - with voter support going to the minor parties and independents.
WA Greens leader Brad Pettitt says his party has received its "highest ever vote" at a state election.
"And importantly, not only is it to be highly like to be four of us in the parliament. But with that comes a higher likely chance that we will have the balance of power, which is super exciting. Properly addressing the housing crisis and the rental crisis. Properly addressing the climate and the biodiversity crisis. These are the things that we want to make Labor better on. And we want to work on them on. And having the Greens - that swing towards to us that I think was loud and clear. We saw hundreds of thousands of people vote for progressive issues and for the Greens in this last election."
+++
Former central banker Mark Carney will become Canada's next prime minister, after being elected by the Liberal Party to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mr Trudeau announced his resignation in January and will remain prime minister until Mr Carney is sworn in the coming days.
The 59-year-old easily won the leadership race against three rivals, and will lead the Liberals into the next general election - which must be held by 20 October.
Mr Carney says Canadians cannot allow Mr Trump to succeed in his move to impose tariffs - and he urged Canadians to stand together to protect a strong Canada.
"Right now all Canadians are being asked to serve in their own ways. We are being called to stand up for each other and for the Canadian way of life. So let me ask you: who is ready? (cheers) Who is ready to stand up for Canada with me?"
He says Canada's retaliatory tariffs will remain in place until the US can join Canada in making credible and reliable commitments to free and fair trade.
+++
United States President Donald Trump has refused to rule out a recession this year as a result of his tariff actions on Mexico, Canada and China.
Investors are concerned the US tariffs could harm economic growth and be inflationary.
Democrats have denounced what they called the "on-again, off-again" tariffs as chaotic policy.
In a Fox News interview, Mr Trump says he thinks the tariffs will be good for the US in the long-run.
"The tariffs could go up as time goes by - and they may go up. But for years the globalists they have been ripping off the United States. They have been taking money away from the United States. And all we're doing is getting some of it back."
+++
Pope Francis has thanked his doctors and healthcare workers, as he missed delivering a fourth straight Angelus prayer in person.
The 88-year-old is being treated for pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he has been since February 14.
In a statement read out during the Angelus prayer, he thanked those who volunteer to help others in need, praising their "closeness and tenderness".
A priest from India, Don Joji Paul, is among those who have gathered under the statue of John Paul II at Gemelli hospital to pray for the Pope.
"So we got an inspiration to pray for the Holy Father inviting all priests, sisters and the lays, as he is recovering here. So it is a communion with the Holy Father, to pray for his good health and speedy recovery and that’s why we are here."
+++
In Tennis, Novak Djokovic says he is doing his best to persevere, after an early exit at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
The five-time champion [[at Indian Wells]] lost in three sets to 85th-ranked Botic Van De Zandschulp [[6-2, 3-6, 6-1]] in the second round of the tournament.
Djokovic says he struggled to find the right rhythm in the game.
"The last couple of years, I have been struggling to play at the desired level. Every now and then, I have a couple of good tournaments. But it's a challenge. It's a struggle for me. It is what it is. I guess nothing can prepare for that moment in that sense. You have to experience it and try to deal with it in the best possible way."
