News

Cyclone Alfred approaching Queensland, severe weather expected

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is approaching Queensland, set to bring damaging winds and heavy rainfall from Wednesday, with events cancelled.

Published

9 months ago

March 5, 2025

Ahron Young

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is approaching Queensland, set to bring damaging winds and heavy rainfall from Wednesday, with events cancelled.

In Short

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is approaching Queensland, expected to hit the coast between the Sunshine and Gold Coast, bringing damaging winds and heavy rain. Authorities warn of potential flooding and cancellations of events as residents are urged to remain safe.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to impact Queensland from Wednesday as its destructive core approaches the coast.

As of Wednesday morning, the cyclone was located about 465km east of Brisbane, moving west at 11km/h.

Landfall is anticipated between the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast late Thursday or early Friday, with the cyclone likely to remain at category two intensity.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning zone from Double Island Point in Queensland to Grafton in New South Wales, covering major areas including Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

⚠️ A Coastal Hazard Warning is current for abnormally #HighTides & #DamagingSurf along coasts of #WideBayAndBurnett & #SoutheastCoast districts.

Damaging surf conditions leading to significant beach erosion are likely between Sandy Cape & Coolangatta. https://t.co/4Sd2QbCsXx pic.twitter.com/TzOIS9TMuj

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 4, 2025

Residents within the warning zone can expect damaging wind gusts of up to 120km/h from Wednesday, with stronger gusts possible from Thursday afternoon as the cyclone nears. Authorities have alerted residents to the risk of dangerous storm tides and coastal erosion in low-lying areas. Heavy rainfall may also lead to flash flooding, particularly near the cyclone’s centre.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner noted that up to 20,000 properties may be affected by storm surges or flooding.

Public transportation in Brisbane is set to stop ahead of the cyclone’s approach, while NSW Premier Chris Minns has urged residents to stay safe and heed emergency warnings. Several events, including AFL matches and a Greenday concert, have been cancelled or postponed due to the cyclone’s expected impact.

News

Shoppers cut back this Black Friday as budgets tighten

UK shoppers are tightening budgets for Black Friday, expecting to spend £622—4% less than last year—favoring discounts.

Published

23 minutes ago

November 28, 2025

Harvey Vargas

UK shoppers are tightening budgets for Black Friday, expecting to spend £622—4% less than last year—favoring discounts.

Shoppers across the UK are revising their Black Friday game plan, tightening their budgets as economic pressures reshape spending behaviour. Many are approaching the sales season far more cautiously than before.

Consumers expect to spend an average of £622 this year — a 4% drop from last year — with many relying on discounts and promotions to stretch their budgets. Value is king, with 38% of shoppers saying they’ll only buy items that are at least 50% off.

Rising inflation and income disruptions are adding pressure, and even higher-income households plan to scale back spending across Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Brands and retailers will need to work harder to earn every pound this shopping season.

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#BlackFriday2025 #HolidayShopping #ConsumerTrends #CostOfLiving #CyberMonday #RetailNews #ShoppingDeals #UKEconomy

News

National Guard ambush: Afghan man charged after D.C. shooting

Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal arrested for shooting two National Guard members; FBI probes potential terrorism link.

Published

28 minutes ago

November 28, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal arrested for shooting two National Guard members; FBI probes potential terrorism link.

An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been arrested after allegedly shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. Authorities say Lakanwal previously worked with CIA-backed military units in Afghanistan before coming to the United States.

The victims, Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, remain in critical condition. Officials warn that if either victim dies, the charges could escalate to first-degree murder as the investigation intensifies.

The FBI is now examining the case as a potential act of terrorism, while the Department of Homeland Security has announced a review of all asylum cases approved under the Biden administration.

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#WashingtonDC #NationalGuard #BreakingNews #USPolitics #FBIInvestigation #TerrorProbe #AsylumReview #TickerNews

News

Hong Kong construction bosses arrested after city’s deadliest fire in decades

Hong Kong arrests construction bosses after deadly fire kills 83; 279 still missing as investigation intensifies.

Published

31 minutes ago

November 28, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Hong Kong arrests construction bosses after deadly fire kills 83; 279 still missing as investigation intensifies.

Hong Kong has been shaken by the arrest of construction company bosses following the city’s most devastating fire in almost 80 years, which claimed at least 83 lives. The blaze erupted at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, where renovation work was underway.

Authorities report that more than 4,600 residents lived in the high-rise blocks, with most victims found within two of the towers. Shockingly, 279 people remain unaccounted for nearly 24 hours after the fire first broke out.

The Hong Kong government has announced a HK$300 million emergency fund to support survivors and affected residents. Meanwhile, police are deepening their investigation, seizing documents and equipment from the company’s headquarters.

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#HongKong #BreakingNews #AsiaNews #FireInvestigation #ConstructionNews #GlobalNews #TickerNews #WorldUpdates