Rescuers tracking humpback whale dragging a buoy off NSW coast
A humpback whale seen tangled in rope off Sydney yesterday has been heading south since last night and is expected to be near Port Kembla and Culberra Beach, north of Jervis Bay, this morning. The Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans (Orrca) said rescuers lost sight of the whale yesterday afternoon, but released video of the adult whale dragging a buoy about 20m behind it.
The group asked the community to immediately phone rescuers with sightings so they can help free it. Members of the public must remain at least 100m from whales.
The ABC notes it’s unusual for a humpback to be heading south this time of year as the animals would usually be swimming north, signalling it is in distress.
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Key events
Rescues still under way in Victoria after motorists trapped in heavy snow
Victoria SES confirmed this morning rescues are ongoing after dozens of motorists were trapped in heavy snow near Hotham Heights, with many roads still closed.
Victoria police has been leading the rescue efforts, and said this morning 13 people had been rescued at Mount Hotham. Emergency services used snowmobiles to traverse the mountain after more than 50cm of snow fell in some parts. Rescue crews will spend the morning searching for anyone else still trapped.
Police issued warnings to drivers heading to the area:
Police are urging people to heed weather warnings, monitor conditions and ensure their vehicles are appropriately equipped for the conditions.
Shadow trade minister says US beef could come into Australia, but biosecurity rules make that ‘more difficult’
Kevin Hogan, deputy Nationals leader and the shadow minister for trade, said the party would not have an issue with US beef coming into Australia as long as it meets strict biosecurity requirements and traceability. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, sparked criticism over reports beef could be on the table to help secure some carve-outs for Australia from Donald Trump’s punishing tariffs. Hogan said on RN Breakfast:
Our biosecurity processes are all based on science. We don’t want them compromised, but obviously any country that can adhere to the biosecurity rules that we have, obviously their products are welcome …
You have to be able to prove wherever a beast has been through its whole entire lifespan. And we want equivalence to that from the [United] States. Now, that does make it more difficult for them.
Rescuers tracking humpback whale dragging a buoy off NSW coast
A humpback whale seen tangled in rope off Sydney yesterday has been heading south since last night and is expected to be near Port Kembla and Culberra Beach, north of Jervis Bay, this morning. The Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans (Orrca) said rescuers lost sight of the whale yesterday afternoon, but released video of the adult whale dragging a buoy about 20m behind it.
The group asked the community to immediately phone rescuers with sightings so they can help free it. Members of the public must remain at least 100m from whales.
The ABC notes it’s unusual for a humpback to be heading south this time of year as the animals would usually be swimming north, signalling it is in distress.
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Welcome
Good morning, and welcome to Monday. I’m Nick Visser and I’ll be here all morning to take you through today’s breaking news. Here’s what’s on deck:
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The mother of Pheobe Bishop remembered her daughter as someone who “always sung to her own tune” at a vigil on Sunday. “She loved the people that she loved to every extent of the earth”, Kylie Johnson told hundreds of community members at the gathering. A second vigil will be held tonight.
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Dozens of people were trapped in their cars in the Victorian Alps amid heavy snow this weekend. The state’s SES said the agency rescued more than 20 people near Hotham Heights yesterday, with an official saying they believe there could be up to 20 vehicles still on the mountain. Emergency officials will meet this morning to discuss ongoing plans.
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Officials will continue to monitor a humpback whale seen near Sydney harbour yesterday entangled in rope. Rescue teams tried to free the animal, which is trailing a buoy behind it, on Sunday but were unsuccessful.
Stick with us throughout the day.
