NRL finals: North Queensland Cowboys end Parramatta Eels’ season with 24-16 win

The Cowboys are daring to dream after moving through to the NRL preliminary finals by defeating the Eels 24-16 at Sydney’s Olympic stadium.

MORE: NRL finals: North Queensland Cowboys end Parramatta Eels’ season with 24-16 win – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

US says it is ready to use force against North Korea. Trump questions China’s trade relations

The United States has warned it was ready to use force “if we must” to stop North Korea’s nuclear missile program but said it preferred global diplomatic action against Pyongyang for its test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Key points:

• US to propose new UN sanctions on North Korea “in the coming days”
• Analysts say a missile tested by North Korea could put Alaska in range
• China’s trade with North Korea grew 37.4 percent in the first quarter this year

Speaking to the United Nations Security Council, US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said North Korea’s actions were “quickly closing off the possibility of a diplomatic solution” and the US was prepared to defend itself and its allies.

“One of our capabilities lies with our considerable military forces. We will use them if we must, but we prefer not to have to go in that direction,” Ms Haley said.

She said the US would propose new UN sanctions on North Korea “in the coming days” and warned Washington was prepared

Source: US says it is ready to use force against North Korea, as Donald Trump questions China’s trade relations – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

NSW floods: Two dead, evacuation orders issued as waters move south

Communities on the New South Wales north coast are being told to evacuate this morning as the threat from the state’s deadly flood crisis moves south from the stricken city of Lismore.

Key points:

• The Pacific Highway — the major access road between NSW and Queensland — has been cut by water
• Flood waters have begun receding in Lismore, and are moving south
• Evacuation orders have been issued for several places in NSW

There have been two flood-related deaths in NSW; one near Murwillumbah — which was one of the worst-hit towns — and another in the Hunter region.

The Pacific Highway, the major road link between Queensland and NSW, has been cut off by water at Chinderah.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has issued evacuation orders in Billinudgel, Ocean Shores and New Brighton.

Source: NSW floods: Two dead, evacuation orders issued as waters move south – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

PERTH Hunt for gunman who pulled a HANDGUN on a transport officer when he was asked why he didn’t have a ticket

A man is on the run in Perth after he allegedly pulled a gun out at a train station when he was issued a fine for not having a ticket by three guards.

Footage shows men and women hiding under train seats as a man is alleged to have pulled out a handgun on transit guards at Oats Street Station in Perth on Sunday.

The man that filmed the video claimed the gunman became aggressive when he was issued with a fine because he didn’t have a ticket and pulled out the handgun when he stepped off the train.

Source: Transport officer drops to ground as man pulls out a gun | Daily Mail Online

F1 testing 2017: Day two – BBC Sport

 

 

 

 

#F1 Raikkonen finishes quickest on the second day of pre-season testing in Barcelona

 

Source: F1 testing 2017: Day two – BBC Sport

Joint Strike Fighter: Multi-billion-dollar F-35 lands in Australia for first time

The controversial Joint Strike Fighter arrives on Australian soil for the first time.

After years of delays and cost blow-outs, the controversial Joint Strike Fighter has arrived on Australian soil for the first time.

Just before 5:00pm on Monday, the Royal Australian Air Force landed two F-35s at Amberley Air Force Base outside Brisbane, after flying the fifth generation fighters from their current home in the United States.

The two jets have been based at Luke Air Force Base, where four Royal Australian Air Force pilots are training to fly the cutting-edge aircraft.

Their debut in Australia comes 15 years after the Federal Government first announced that Australia would participate in the “system development and demonstration phase” of the US-led Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter program.

VIDEO CLIP HERE: Joint Strike Fighter: Multi-billion-dollar F-35 lands in Australia for first time – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

One Nation Scraps Two Candidates in Western Australia

The dumped candidates criticised a preference deal.

Pauline Hanson’s party scrapped North West Central candidate Dane Sorensen and Thornlie candidate Sandy Baraiolo for critiquing the party’s preference swap deal with the Liberal Party, AAP reports.

MORE HERE: One Nation Scraps Two Candidates in Western Australia

George Brandis involved with Bell Group a month earlier than stated, says WA Attorney-General. IMHO JUST A SLEEZE

West Australian Attorney-General Michael Mischin says his federal counterpart, George Brandis, was involved in the Bell Group matter one month earlier than he said he was.

Key points:

• Pressure mounts on Senator Brandis to explain involvement in Bell Group matter
• Shadow A-G Mark Dreyfus calls revelations “extraordinary”
• If claims are true, Senator Brandis may have misled Parliament over the issue

If Mr Mischin’s claims are true, Senator Brandis may have misled Parliament over the issue.

Senator Brandis has denied claims he wanted the Commonwealth to run dead in a High Court case to let the WA Government claw back nearly $1 billion from the settlement of Alan Bond’s collapsed business empire, the Bell Group.

Senator Brandis told 7.30 on Thursday he could not recall any conversations with Mr Mischin about the litigation in early Februar

Video: Claim George Brandis involved in Bell Group matter earlier than he says (7.30)

He has told Parliament he first became personally involved in the matter in March.

But the WA Attorney-General has now detailed the nature of their discussion in early February.

Source: George Brandis involved with Bell Group a month earlier than stated, says WA Attorney-General – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)