10 people dead and more than 20,000 have been evacuated as wildfires burn in California

At least 10 people are dead and more than 20,000 have been evacuated as wildfires burn in Northern California http://cnn.it/2xudZrp

US tries to clear waters after USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier confusion

THE Trump administration has tried to clear the waters after it gave confusing messages about the whereabouts of a US supercarrier that supposedly was steaming toward North Korea last week.

Amid soaring tensions ahead of North Korea’s apparent ramping up for a sixth nuclear test, the Navy on April 8 said it was directing a naval strike group headed by the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier to “sail north” from the waters off Singapore, as a “prudent measure” to deter Pyongyang.

“We are sending an armada. Very powerful,” were the words of President Donald Trump, and other officials made it sound like the ships were ploughing toward the region.

“A carrier group steaming into an area like that, the forward presence of that is clearly … a huge deterrent. So, I think it serves multiple capabilities,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer said on April 11.

Pentagon chief Jim Mattis said the Vinson was “on her way up” to the region. But the Navy on Tuesday admitted the ships were in fact sent in the opposite direction — away from Singapore and toward Australia to conduct drills with the Australian navy.

Source: North Korea: US tries to clear waters after USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier confusion | Perth Now

Iraq unit with Australian advisers hit by Islamic State chemical attack, no casualties

An Iraqi military unit with US and Australian advisers has been hit by an Islamic State chemical attack that the Pentagon says was ineffective.

Key points:

• Pentagon aware of “low grade” chemical attack on Iraqi unit in west Mosul
• Australian and US advisers were with the unit at the time, showed no medical signs of exposure
• Islamic State’s gas attacks labelled as “rudimentary” and desperate

The Pentagon said it was aware of what it said was a “low grade” chemical attack on an Iraqi unit in west Mosul, which has been the scene of heavy fighting as Iraqi forces and their allies battle Islamic State militants for possession of the city.

A defence official told the ABC Australian and US advisers were with the unit at the time.

The ABC understands the foreign advisers were medically screened and showed no signs of exposure. All returned to duty.

Source: Iraq military unit with Australian advisers hit by Islamic State chemical attack, no casualties – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Floodwaters sweep away house minutes after family rescued from roof

In a dramatic rescue, a family is saved from the roof of their home minutes before it is swept away in floodwaters.

The dramatic rescue played out in the early hours of Saturday morning as the flooded Albert River devastated a street at Luscombe.

The mother and two children had waited on the roof for hours in the dark.

Neighbours directed a crew of three SES personnel — Chris Holloway, Claire Browning, and disaster management officer Jim Ferguson — to their aid…

Source: Floodwaters sweep away house minutes after family rescued from roof – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Residents in Mackay face evacuation as homes are threatened by floods – after 1,000mm of rain falls

Mobile phone crackdown: Drivers set for harsher penalties

The looming Australia-wide crackdown comes in response to a sharp increase in the national road toll after 20 years of gradual decline.

Drivers caught using their mobile phones could soon face much harsher penalties and may be forced to install technology which disables text messaging.

The looming nationwide crackdown comes in response to a sharp increase in the national road toll after 20 years of gradual decline.

Federal Transport Minister Darren Chester believes mobile phone distraction is a contributing factor in the rise and said the government was considering drastic action in a bid to save lives.

MORE: Mobile phone crackdown: Drivers set for harsher penalties | Daily Mail Online

Adele cancels pyrotechnics display from Australian shows

She kicked off her Down Under tour on Tuesday this week.

Adele has cancelled all pyrotechnics from all upcoming shows on her Australian tour after her son Angelo, five, was hit in the eye by firework debris during dress rehearsals.

‘We’ve been rehearsing here and up until last night we had fireworks for you,’ the straight-talking songstress told Perth concert-goers this week.

‘And obviously everyone likes a fireworks display. However, my son was watching in the crowd. There wasn’t much of a crowd, there was like five people.’

Scroll down for video

This week, New Idea reported that Adele and her husband Simon Konecki are enjoying an ‘unofficial honeymoon’ in Australia.

‘This is their unofficial honeymoon as they’ve not had a chance to get away and celebrate their marriage,’ an insider told the publication.

VIDEO Source: Adele cancels pyrotechnics display from Australian shows | Daily Mail Online

Lady Gaga replaces pregnant Beyonce at Coachella

Beyonce had to withdraw on doctor’s advice as she prepares to welcome twins with husband Jay Z.

Gaga, who won accolades for her stunning Super Bowl 51 half time show on Ferbuary 5, has seen her music sales skyrocket lately and is currently touring in support of her album Joanne.

She will take the stage on Saturday April 15 and Saturday April 22 at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio.

Coachella attendees will get the full Gaga treatment.

MORE HERE: Lady Gaga replaces pregnant Beyonce at Coachella | Daily Mail Online

Best horror show 2016 & overacting

Best horror show 2016 & overacting
https://twitter.com/GoldHarbrBridge/status/836001839250305026 http://ow.ly/i/sdjyR

SPOILER: Married At First Sight’s Anthony ‘ruthlessly’ DUMPS Nadia

SPOILER ALERT: Married At First Sight’s Anthony ‘ruthlessly’ DUMPS Nadia and model is left brokenhearted

MORE HERE: Married At First Sight’s Anthony ‘ruthlessly’ DUMPS Nadia | Daily Mail Online

Why do only films about worthy issues (or Tinseltown itself) win Oscars?

When this year’s Oscar winners are announced tomorrow night, will Hollywood choose to slap itself on the back or parade its social conscience?

For, regardless of the merits of the individual actors, directors, scriptwriters and so on, increasingly the Academy Award for Best Picture boils down to one of two choices.

Will this be a year when Hollywood’s elite smugly prick our consciences with a ‘big issue’ film highlighting a fashionable cause?

Source: Why do only films about worthy issues win Oscars? | Daily Mail Online