What we learned – Monday 8 January
With that, we will wrap up the blog for the day.
Here were the major events:
Four people were hospitalised after a plane overshot a runway on Lizard Island.
Two people were injured when a plane trying to land on Lizard Island flipped.
Palestine protesters disrupted Brisbane weapons company Ferra.
The treasurer said flooding in Queensland will “weigh on our economy in the opening months of 2024.”
Liberal leaders have condemned the reported bomb threat over a Palestine flag.
Residents were urged to leave parts of regional Victoria due to flood waters with emergency warnings for Seymour and the town of Yea.
The Albanese government put its plans for an Australian republic on ice.
The Queensland premier called out supermarkets over meat prices.
Updated
More federal Labor MPs sign letter calling for Gaza ceasefire
Another two federal Labor MPs have broken ranks with the federal government to sign an open letter demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for Australia to recognise Palestine as its own state.
Queensland MP Graham Perrett and Mary Doyle, who won the Aston byelection last year, have joined federal Labor colleagues, Maria Vamvakinou, Louise Pratt and Fatima Payman on Monday in putting their name to the statement, which calls out Israel’s “domination” of Palestine and urges the federal government to rethink its ties with the country.
More than 300 Australian current and former politicians, including former foreign affairs minister, Bob Carr, have now signed the letter initiated by NSW Labor upper house member Anthony D’Adam and the state Greens MP Jenny Leong in December.
Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, which has supported the letter’s circulation, said the statement represented the “steadily mounting political pressure” on the federal government to “act with moral integrity and authority and use all tools at its disposal to hold Israel to account for its genocide in Palestine”.
More than 22,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israel’s campaign to destroy the militant group, Hamas, after its brutal attack on 7 October, which left 1,200 across southern Israel dead.
Last month, Australia shifted its official position voting in favour of a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages in an emergency session of the UN general assembly.
Updated
Emergency relief on its way for flood victims: Jacinta Allan
Allan says an emergency relief centre has been set up in Bendigo and more may follow:
An emergency relief centre was operational from around three o’clock this morning here in Bendigo and there’s some consideration around what other centres will be established close to those communities like Rochester ... and Seymour. Those centers are places of not only refuge where people can be provided with a place to sleep should they not be able to get into their own home, but also there are other services that can be accessed there. The need for this will be based on the numbers of homes that are affected.
Updated
Floods appear less severe than in 2022: Jacinta Allan
Allan says the weather event appears not to be as severe as the 2022 floods that affected the same region:
We already know that there was a huge amount of work done in this region following the October 2022 floods. Now, in some ways, thankfully this weather event has not been as severe or significant but it is no doubt it has impacted on a number of communities and parts of our road network. The Department of Transport will ... undertake those assessments and give advice on the work that will need to be done.
She said the government was already undertaking a “significant summer road maintenance blitz” as a result of the 2022 floods, which will continue.
Updated
Flood assessments will guide next steps: Jacinta Allan
Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, is in Bendigo providing an update on the state’s flood situation. She says impact assessments are being conducted today and tomorrow in the areas hardest hit to help guide the next steps:
We’re still within that first 24 hour period of this emergency event … As the weather starts to clear, as we get roads reopened and the response teams can go in and do those important impact assessments, town by town, house by house, looking at what the impact of this event has been on households and businesses, on community infrastructure, and then provide support.
Updated
‘Intimidating behaviour’: Liberal senator calls out reported bomb threat
Liberal senator James Paterson has also condemned reports of an explosive device being planted outside a Sydney home flying the Palestinian flag, calling out the “intimidating behaviour”.
As reported earlier, NSW Police bomb squad officers were called to a south Sydney home on Friday, after an improvised explosive device was planted on the car of its pro-Palestinian residents. The homemade device appeared to be made of a jerry can with rags stuffed into it, a disposable lighter and large bolts.
Opposition members Peter Dutton and Simon Birmingham earlier made comments denouncing the incident. Acting home affairs minister Andrew Giles posted on social media: “There is no place in Australia for antisemitism, Islamophobia or any form of hate speech.”
Paterson, the shadow home affairs minister, also posted on social media about the incident, writing: “Acts or threats of violence are never an acceptable way to manage disagreement in a free society. I hope police successfully identify and prosecute the person responsible for this intimidating behaviour.”
Acts or threats of violence are never an acceptable way to manage disagreement in a free society. I hope police successfully identify and prosecute the person responsible for this intimidating behaviour. https://t.co/oJ7SNumro7
— James Paterson (@SenPaterson) January 8, 2024
Updated
Dutton censures reported bomb threat against person flying Palestinian flag
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has condemned a reported bomb threat against a person flying the Palestinian flag in Sydney.
Asked about it at a press conference, Dutton said:
I condemn the action without reservation.
Our country doesn’t want to see problems here from any other part of the world. We welcome migrants and we welcome people into our community. We’re the greatest country in the world, and we don’t want the troubles from the Middle East, or anywhere else, presenting in our country.
We want people to be able to live safely, regardless of their religion, regardless of their background, and threats against people of any particular religious belief, any background is not acceptable. So [I] absolutely, thoroughly condemn it, and hope the police are able to find who was responsible and hold them to account.
Updated
The Victorian department of health is warning of an increase in community transmissions of Covid cases linked to the new JN.1. variant, along with hospitalisations.
There has been an increase in community transmissions along with hospitalisations of COVID cases. This is linked to a new variant, JN.1.
— Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) January 8, 2024
We will continue to monitor surveillance indicators & inform the public when transmission returns to a low level of activity.
1/3🧵 pic.twitter.com/3vZeaHwwrV
Updated
Queensland premier calls out supermarkets over meat prices
Queensland premier Steven Miles has written to major supermarkets over his “growing concern” between the gap paid to farmers for their produce and prices paid by customers at the checkout.
In a letter published on X (formerly Twitter), the new Labor premier said families had not received a proportional price reduction in supermarket meat prices in keeping with falling cattle and sheep prices.
“I look forward to working with you to ensure the best outcome for Queenslanders, especially at this time when cost of living pressures are stretching many families,” he wrote.
The gap between what farmers get for their produce and what customers pay at the checkout is getting wider.
— Steven Miles (@StevenJMiles) January 8, 2024
I’ve written to the big supermarkets asking them to explain why. pic.twitter.com/rkK0RZ3GA1
He previously disclosed he would seek meetings with the heads of Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and Metcash.
Data published by Meat and Livestock Australia found sheep, lamb and cattle meat prices have fallen by up to 70% over the past 12 months.
The major supermarkets have consistently defended their pricing decisions for produce, with some chains recently reducing their meat prices. Produce contracts can also take time for price reductions to be passed through to customers.
An upcoming parliamentary inquiry into supermarket prices will include scrutiny of whether suppliers are properly protected when negotiating with the major supermarkets.
Updated
Acting home affairs minister decries ‘hate speech’ after bomb threat
Acting home affairs minister Andrew Giles says there is “no place in Australia for antisemitism, Islamophobia or any form of hate speech”, after police investigating an alleged bomb threat outside a Sydney home displaying the Palestinian flag.
Giles, who is also minister for multicultural affairs, published two posts on X just now. While not explicitly referencing the situation in Sydney, where a jerry can of petrol with bolts attached was left outside a home showing Palestine’s flag, we understand Giles’ comment was prompted by that incident.
There is no place in Australia for antisemitism, Islamophobia or any form of hate speech.
— Andrew Giles MP (@andrewjgiles) January 8, 2024
We must recognise that in our multicultural society, social cohesion is a vital national asset which can’t be neglected, much less undermined.
“We must recognise that in our multicultural society, social cohesion is a vital national asset which can’t be neglected, much less undermined,” he wrote.
“What we say matters. We all have a role to play in maintaining social cohesion, and in ensuring that conflict overseas doesn’t come here.”
Updated
Minor flood warnings in Melbourne
There are minor flood warnings across the metropolitan Melbourne catchments, Tim Wiebusch, VicSES, said.
“This means the likes of bike paths and local roads will be impacted by those flood waters,” he said.
Maribyrnong in the upper regions, around Deep Creek, is now at a minor level.
Communities on the Yarra and Bunya rivers are also urged to “take heed of the warnings”.
Updated
The river catchments expected to flood in coming days
Here is more from Tim Wiebusch, VicSES, outlining what the main river catchments will see in the next 72 hours.
Farther upstream on the Goulburn River is seeing moderate flooding, where there are two emergency warnings for low lying areas.
Minor flooding is starting on the Goulburn River, further down towards Murchison. Shepparton is likely to see moderate to severe flooding in coming days.
A watch and act alert has been issued for the King River and 15 Mile Creek. Wangaratta is also likely to come under risk of flooding.
The Rochester township can expert moderate flooding later this afternoon. About 35 properties are likely to see above floor flooding, and up to 250 other properties may see overland flooding on their properties.
In the Loddon Mallee catchments, there is a minor flood warning issued for the Loddon and Avoca river systems.
Updated
SES’s main concern now Riverine flooding
Tim Wiebusch, VicSES, outlined what each of the main river catchments will see in the next 72 hours. The north east of the state is expecting a range of minor to major flooding occurring on river systems.
An emergency warning to evacuate Seymour immediately is in place.
“In particular for those [who] are immediately around the Golden River at the Seymour Township, flooding has occurred as a result of local tributaries in that area rather than outflows from Lake Eildon,” Wiebusch said.
Fifty homes are immediately at risk of overflow flooding, and another 140 properties could see flooding below floor level.
We’re asking people to evacuate now, with that flooding peak around seven metres expected to occur sometime later today.
More to come on what each main river catchment can expect.
Updated
Victorians warned not to drive through flood waters
Attempting to drive through flooding waters “could be the last decision you make,” Tim Wiebusch, from the Victoria State Emergency Service, has warned.
He is addressing press:
We’ve seen a very significant weather event impact across the northern parts of Victoria, have widespread rainfall in other parts of Victoria, including Melbourne as well.
Since seven o’clock on Sunday morning, SES volunteers have responded to just over 1200 requests for assistance. Unfortunately, 38 of those have related to flood rescues, and in the majority of cases, it is people taking their lives in their own hands and attempting to drive through flash flood waters. We cannot emphasise enough: Do not attempt to drive through flash flood waters. It could be the last decision you make.
Sixteen of those flood rescues occurred up around the Bendigo area to the north overnight.
Updated
Some good news!
Rain in Victoria will ease into the evening, and clear early tomorrow morning.
A Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson is addressing press:
Through the rest of this afternoon and into the evening, we are going to see … rain contracting to the east of the state and then clearing into the early hours of Tuesday. And so for Tuesday, and pretty much the rest of the week, we’ll just see some isolated showers and thunderstorm activity.
Updated
Wild weather breaks 90-year record in Victoria
Victoria SES and the emergency management commissioner are addressing press about the intense wet weather inundating the state.
A Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson said:
We’ve seen significant rainfall across the state over the last 36 hours especially over central parts around the Heathcote region, [with] around 184 millimetres of rain falling in just 24 hours.
Rainfall in Bendigo has reached 92mm in the 24 hours to 9am today – smashing a 90 year a record from when data was first collected.
A significant tropical air mass is continuing, bringing moderate to heavy rainfalls to the central and eastern parts of the state, the spokesperson said. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for heavy and potentially intense rainfall in the state’s north east. Severe weather warnings have also been issued across parts of the east.
Updated
Victorian Liberals stand firm against to pill testing after music festival overdoses
Victorian Liberal MP, David Davis, says his party does not support pill testing despite suspected MDMA overdoses at a music festival over the weekend that have left seven young people in medically induced comas.
Asked at a press conference whether it was time to introduce pill testing in the aftermath the overdoses, Davis replied:
No. The evidence on pill testing is very poor. The evidence is that it doesn’t provide the assurance that’s needed, the individuality of response is not catered for and it can actually give false hope.
We don’t think pill testing is the solution, we think clear messages about not taking unknown drugs of unknown safety is the point here. There are clearly real risks for young people and I feel very sorry for those young people, inadvisable what they did, but I feel very sorry for them and their families.
Updated
Albanese government puts plans for Australian republic on ice
The federal government minister responsible for promoting the cause of an Australian republic says he is “not giving up” on divorcing the nation from the British monarchy, while also admitting the idea has been put firmly on the backburner.
Matt Thistlethwaite is the assistant minister for defence, as well as assistant minister for the republic. That second role, newly created by the Albanese government after the May 2022 election, is about promoting the idea of an Australian republic, a longtime Labor policy position.
Such a change would require a referendum. Of course, the Indigenous Voice referendum was the government’s priority for constitutional reform, and its October defeat set the government back.
Thistlethwaite said on ABC News earlier today that the government’s priority was easing on cost of living pressures, but that “longer term, it’s part of the Labor platform that we believe that we should have an Australian as our head of state.”
He declined to put a “timeline” on when that could occur, but added:
The current method of selecting our head of state is undemocratic. It doesn’t represent modern Australian values, and that’s something that we want to begin a discussion with Australians on in the longer term.
I’m not giving up. I’m certainly committed to and still passionate about Australia, hopefully having one day one of our own as our head of state and I’ll continue to perform that important work as an assistant to the attorney-general.
We know that, unfortunately, the Voice referendum wasn’t successful, but we’re not giving up. It’s a longer term priority, but at the moment, the priority of the Albanese Government is cost of living relief for Australians.
Updated
Australia’s solo solar PV maker Tindo plans major expansion
Australia, as our politicians often remind us, has the highest per-capita adoption of solar power anywhere.
For the most part, though, those photovoltaic panels have been imported despite the “golden opportunity” that exists to make more of them in the country.
Australia’s largest maker of solar modules is Adelaide-based Tindo Solar, whose 150-megawatt annual capacity is enough to supply about 3% of PV demand.
That ratio, though, may be bumped up, with Tindo today announcing plans for a roughly $100m facility to produce as much as 1 gigawatt of panels a year. That amounts to about 7000 panels a day, or about a third of the 22,000 rate Chris Bowen, the federal energy minister, has reckoned we need to meet a goal of sourcing 82% of our electricity from renewables by 2030.
It’s not yet a done deal, with Tindo looking at potential sites in regional New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. The company says it has “secured Letters of Intent from potential offtakers and is attracting interest from strategic partners”.
“There is a clear need for Australia to build sovereign capability in renewables manufacturing, and to ensure there is more Australian-made content in the vast amount of clean energy infrastructure required as we decarbonise our electricity system,” Tindo’s chief executive Richard Petterson, said.
Governments across the country have recognised that now is the time to be putting in place the right mechanisms to make Australia a renewables manufacturing superpower.
And, in case you missed it, solar panel take-up reached a record rate in the final quarter of 2023:
Updated
Lizard Island plane flipped while trying to land
The plane trying to land on Lizard Island in Queensland this morning flipped, AAP reports.
The plane appeared to overshoot the runway at about 7.30am this morning. All 10 passengers, including a child, sustained minor injuries.
“We have a stretcher patient and three mobile patients,” Queensland Ambulance Service’s Brina Keating said.
The reports of injuries are we have a patient with a head injury, a minor laceration and also a report of a fractured arm.
All passengers are out of the aircraft.
Updated
Residents urged to leave parts of regional Vic due to floodwaters
An emergency warning for Seymour in regional Victoria is urging residents to evacuate immediately due to rising flood waters.
Flood – Emergency Warning for Seymour. You should Evacuate Immediately. For more info: https://t.co/c42ei9ktYJ #vicfloods
— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) January 8, 2024
Another emergency warning for the town of Yea has been issued.
EMERGENCY WARNING - RIVERINE FLOOD - Evacuate Immediately - Yea
— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) January 8, 2024
This Emergency Warning is being issued for Yea . If you live, work or are holidaying in this area, you should Evacuate Immediately if safe to do so.
More details at https://t.co/svZqqjcYCa pic.twitter.com/pJAVANKLp9
Watch and act alerts are also out for other regional areas, and emergency crews have responded to hundreds of calls for help overnight. You can read more on that here:
Updated
Four hospitalised after plane overshoots runway on Lizard Island
We have an update on the plane crash on Lizard Island this morning:
Ten patients, including a child, were assessed after two rescue helicopters were called to the site about 7.30am on Lizard Island, where it is believed the aircraft overshot the runway.
Two patients with injuries were a primary concern, Queensland Ambulance said. One sustained an arm injury, and another has a minor head injury and lacerations.
Queensland Ambulance said it was understood a number of other patients also sustained minor injuries, and four patients were transported to Cairns hospital.
Updated
Images of reported bomb threat on car flying Palestinian flag
Here are images of the reported bomb threat left on the car of someone flying the Palestinian flag in Botany.
The images were supplied to the @riotersbloc X account, which posted them with a report of an explosive device planted on a car outside a Sydney home.
A sign strapped to the jerry can pictured reads:
ENOUGH! TAKE DOWN FLAG! ONE CHANCE!!!
Updated
Wages growing at fastest pace in 15 years: treasurer
Wages are growing at their fastest pace in 15 years, with lowest paid workers seeing a 6.7% wage growth, according to treasury analysis released today.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers spoke at a press conference in Brisbane a short while ago:
There is no better way to help people make ends meet than to make sure that we’ve got wages growing again in our economy after a decade of wage stagnation.
The new treasury analysis, which we are releasing today, shows wages are growing at their fastest pace in 15 years, and lowest paid workers are getting the biggest boosts in pay.
Wages growth overall in the period we’ve released the numbers [for] … was 4% overall, but it was 6.7% for the lowest paid, and 5% for the second lowest categories. So what this shows is we’re getting wages moving again overall in our economy, but we are prioritising people on the lowest pay who need the most help.
Real wages were falling by something like 3.4% at the election. We’ve seen a couple of quarters now of real wages growth. We want to see more of that.
We’ve got much more work to do throughout the course of 2024.
Updated
Inflation economy’s primary challenge this year: treasurer
Pivoting back to the treasurer Jim Chalmers’ address to the press a short while ago.
Chalmers warned inflation is the primary challenge to our economy this year, and will be the government’s primary focus:
Later this week, we will get the monthly inflation numbers for November. Remember, the monthly read was 4.9% up to October. It was 6.1% at the election.
We’ll see on Wednesday what those numbers say. They will be a helpful indicator, but they are notoriously volatile. What we already know is that inflation has come off substantially since its quarterly peak before the 2022 election and since the annual peak around this time last year. We have been making some welcome and encouraging progress overall, but that progress isn’t always in a straight line.
Updated
Liberal MP condemns reported bomb threat over Palestine flag
Liberal senate leader and shadow foreign minister Simon Birmingham says a reported bomb threat against a person flying the Palestinian flag in Botany “has no place in our nation”.
He wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
Australia is a democratic nation of free speech. Whether driven by disagreement, intolerance or Islamophobia this act has no place in our nation.
Whatever anyone’s views about flying the Palestinian flag at this time, this is illegal and reprehensible behaviour to be condemned.
Australia is a democratic nation of free speech. Whether driven by disagreement, intolerance or Islamophobia this act has no place in our nation.
— Simon Birmingham (@Birmo) January 8, 2024
Whatever anyone’s views about flying the Palestinian flag at this time, this is illegal & reprehensible behaviour to be condemned. https://t.co/MLZYrGPr6C
Updated
Key event
Reports of bomb threat on car flying Palestinian flag in Sydney street
There are reports of a bomb threat placed on a car bonnet in a Botany street that was flying the Palestinian flag.
Images posted to X (formally Twitter) of the reported explosive device – a jerry can – show a sign strapped to it reading:
ENOUGH! TAKE DOWN FLAG! ONE CHANCE!!!
NSW Police have confirmed they were called to a Botany street following reports of a suspicious item about 2pm last Friday. Officers from the rescue and bomb squad attended and deemed the item safe.
Detectives from South Sydney police area command established a crime scene and have commenced inquiries. An investigation is continuing, and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Updated
Cost of living relief part of economic plan: treasurer
Treasurer Jim Chalmers assures “we do enter this period of difficulty from a position of genuine economic strength”.
He is speaking at a Brisbane presser:
More than 700,000 jobs [have been] created under this Albanese Labor Government. Two quarters of consecutive real wages growth. We’ve had a budget surplus already delivered, and another one in prospect in the months ahead.
Our plan has three parts: cost of living relief, which takes some of the edge off inflation, without adding to it. Strengthening our economy by investing in housing and energy and skills. And thirdly, getting the budget in better nick. And if there’s more that we can responsibly do to help people deal with these cost of living pressures in the budget, then we will obviously consider that between now and then.
Updated
Effects of Queensland rain and floods will ‘weigh on our economy’: treasurer
The consequences of rain and flooding in Queensland will add challenges that “weigh on our economy in the opening months of 2024,” the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, says.
He is addressing press in Brisbane:
The human consequences of this heavy weather are what matter most. But there will be consequences for our economy and for our budget as well. We will get a clearer picture of the economic and budget consequences of these natural disasters in the coming months.
Now, there’s no shortage of challenges in our economy as we start 2024, but we are confident that we can overcome them. The interest rates are slowing the economy. We are seeing global uncertainty and global conflict. We are seeing persistent inflation. We’ve had this heavy weather. All of this combined will weigh on our economy in the opening months of 2024 and in the year ahead.
Updated
Palestine protesters disrupt Brisbane weapons company
A community group in solidarity with Palestine entered Ferra, an aerospace and defence manufacturing company based in Brisbane, this morning.
They carried banners reading “Stop arming Israel” and “Ferra spreads terror”.
A statement from the protest group says Ferra “makes essential parts for bombs currently deployed by Israel against Palestinian civilians”.
It goes on to say:
Today’s action … focuses awareness that companies that facilitate the Israeli regime are in our own backyards and that ordinary citizens can interrupt this war machinery.
Ferra has been contacted for comment.
Updated
Flood damage recovery is under way in parts of Victoria. Here are pictures from the VicSES:
Updated
Hume Highway flooding seen in journalist’s video
Streets are looking like rivers in a video posted to X/Twitter yesterday by ABC producer Sarah McConnell, who is based in Broken Hill.
Streets are flowing with water ☔️ pic.twitter.com/SGdA78iWet
— Sarah McConnell (@SarahJMcConnell) January 7, 2024
And parts of the Hume Highway have “started to flood,” Sydney Morning Herald journalist Amber Schultz posted.
In Schultz’s video from 6.30am today, rainwater is inundating the road between Broadford and Tallarook – on a drive from Melbourne to Sydney.
driving Melb - Syd and parts of the Hume have started to flood
— Amber Schultz (@AmberMaySchultz) January 7, 2024
Video from 6.30am between Broadford and Tallarook pic.twitter.com/6slyglnAjw
Victoria SES has urged people on roads this morning “take care and look out for debris such as fallen trees and branches”.
“And remember – never drive through floodwater.”
It's been a busy one folks. As at 10:00am today, in the last 24 hours we've received over 920 requests for assistance, including 503 for flood, 210 trees down, 118 counts of building damage (1/2) pic.twitter.com/a4Sqqfmrdh
— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) January 7, 2024
If you're on our roads this morning, take care and look out for debris such as fallen trees and branches. And remember - never drive through floodwater.
— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) January 7, 2024
A huge thank you to our volunteers who have worked through the night to support those impacted communities (2/2)
Updated
The secret life of mice
A mouse has been tidying up the workbench of a retired postman in Wales after he went to bed every night, and now I’m emotional.
Over a couple of months, 75-year-old Rodney Holbrook noticed the things he used during the day were being mysteriously put away after dark. He set up a night-vision camera in his shed to find out what was happening.
What he saw was a mouse picking up items like nuts and bolts, clothes pegs and cable ties and tidying them away into a box. A truly selfless act of service.
Here is the video:
Updated
Two injured in Queensland aircraft incident: unconfirmed reports
There are unconfirmed reports of two people injured at the scene of an aircraft incident on Lizard Island this morning, Queensland Ambulance says. It is believed the aircraft overshot the runway.
Two rescue helicopters are responding to the incident which was reported at about 7.30am this morning. More to come.
Updated
Good morning
And welcome to a fresh week of news.
Two rescue helicopters are responding to unconfirmed reports of injuries onboard an aircraft landing on Lizard Island, Queensland, about 7.30 this morning. We know there were nine passengers, including a child. This story is developing – more to come.
And wet weather continues to defy expectations for a dry El Niño summer, with the country’s south-east being inundated by rain and at risk of storms and flooding.
I’m Rafqa Touma and I will be at the helm of today’s live blog. If there is anything you see and don’t want us to miss, shoot it my way on X (formerly Twitter) @At_Raf_.
Let’s get rolling.
Updated
