What we learned today, Saturday 11 February
We’re going to leave the blog here for today. Thanks very much for sticking with us for the latest. Here’s an update on what made headlines:
Anthony Albanese announced he will be the first sitting Australian prime minister to march in Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras when he joins the parade for the WorldPride festival.
A red alert warning was issued on Norfolk Island with residents urged to take shelter in the strongest part of their homes as Cyclone Gabrielle approached with wind gusts up to 155km/h and dangerous surf conditions.
NSW Labor announced it would ban gay conversion practices if it wins the upcoming state election. The Labor leader, Chris Minns, said the “dangerous and damaging practice” did not belong in the state.
Three Australians are believed to have died in the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, which has killed more than 23,000 people.
Hidden donors handed more than $90m in “dark money” to Australian political parties in the financial year of the last federal election, new analysis shows.
An Australian intelligence agency declared a year ago it was up to government departments whether to use equipment from Chinese companies Hikvision and Dahua, despite a new bipartisan push to remove such devices.
Have a great Saturday night. We’ll be back with you tomorrow morning.
Updated
‘Wild night’ expected as Cyclone Gabrielle nears Norfolk Island
The Bureau of Meteorology has given another update on Cyclone Gabrielle, which is predicted to pass over or near Norfolk Island on Saturday evening, bringing destructive winds and very heavy surf.
Here’s the latest update:
Gale-force winds and high waves are currently developing and conditions may worsen overnight as the centre of the cyclone moves past.
Periods of gales are expected over Norfolk Island during this afternoon through into Sunday afternoon.
There are some indications that the island may avoid the strongest winds of the system, however, a period of destructive winds is still possible during the evening or early Sunday, with gusts up to 140km/h.
The Norfolk Island administrator, Eric Hutchinson, said the territory had already experienced a “wild night” with some power outages, but the cyclone was not expected to make its full impact until later on Saturday afternoon.
Tourists were urged to leave ahead of the storm, but Hutchinson said anywhere between 800 and 950 visitors likely remained on the island.
– with AAP
Updated
