Latest news with #SMH
News.com.au
21 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Aussie swim star Kaylee McKeown claims world championships gold
Australia's backstroke queen Kaylee McKeown has done it again, shrugging off injury to claim gold in the 100m backstroke at the 2025 World Championships in Singapore. The 24-year-old Queenslander stormed home to take the gold in 57.16 seconds, holding off American rival Regan Smith (57.35) to grab top spot on the podium. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. McKeown's time was a championship and Australian record and she reportedly achieved the feat despite battling a dislocated shoulder in recent weeks. A two-time Olympian, McKeown can boast five Olympic gold medals, one silver and three bronze from her glittering career in the pool so far. And she proved she has plenty left in the tank with her thrilling performance at the Singapore Sports Hub. 'McKeown laying down the challenge here, she's gone up on level terms here,' a commentator said in the final stages of the nailbiting race. 'Smith and McKeown, it's Smith in front but McKeown is now taking over the lead. 'McKeown goes in and takes the gold and takes the championship record!' SMH journalist Tom Decent reported prior to Tuesday night's final that the Aussie superstar had been dealing with a dislocated shoulder in the build-up to the championships. 'Some news regarding Kaylee McKeown ahead of her showdown tonight with USA's Regan Smith in the women's 100m backstroke final,' he tweeted. 'Can reveal McKeown dislocated her shoulder in recent weeks. Something she's been managing plus other niggles.' So her performance brought some huge praise from the swimming world online. An X account called @herwaysports tweeted: 'Australia's Kaylee McKeown has added to her incredible legacy, breaking the World Champs and Oceania record tonight on her way to 100m Backstroke gold tonight in Singapore. 'Her time of 57.16 was just ahead of American arch rival Regan Smith.' Swimming identity Kyle Sockwell wrote: 'This rivalry between Kaylee McKeown and Regan Smith is wildly under-appreciated. What a race again.' Another X user replied: 'Rivalry or one sided domination, brother? Kaylee smashes her every time when it counts.' The official World Aquatics account wrote: 'Big big thumbs up for Kaylee McKeown! Championships and Australian Record to secure the Gold Medal on the Women's 100m Backstroke!'
9 News
a day ago
- Climate
- 9 News
Call for action as huge storm change to hit millions of Aussies
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Millions of Australians in the country's largest cities could be facing a future of giant, more intense hailstorms, according to a new study. Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and Perth are all in the firing line, according to the research from the University of NSW's Sydney's Institute for Climate Risk and Response. The study found that climate change could bring more damaging hailstorms as the globe heats up. The larger a hailstone is, the more damage it can cause. (Instagram/@smashleaduff) In analysing simulations of weather in a warmer world, "we're seeing an increase in hail size over some capital cities", study lead author Dr Tim Raupach said. However, other cities such as Adelaide did not show major changes in the simulations. "More research is needed to better address the complexities in modelling hail," Raupach said. Australia is facing a future of increased hail intensity, according to one study. (Nine) Hailstorms were responsible for more than 20 per cent of insured losses in Australia from 1967 to 2023. The damage is largely driven by the size of hailstones, with the record in Australia standing at about 16cm across for a stone found near Mackay, Queensland – more than twice the size of a cricket ball. Raupach said more intense storms in the future could increase the chances of large-diameter hail. Particular regions of Australia are most vulnerable. (Nine) "We looked at changes in hailstone size between simulations of historical and future periods," he said. "And we can see increases in hail size produced by the model around Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth. "For example, in past simulations, very large, 10 cm hailstones were expected once every 20 years around Melbourne. But in a warmer future, it's once every three years." Solar panels are vulnerable to hail storms. (Wolter Peeters/SMH) Despite being made of ice, hailstones rely on warmth for their formation. In a thunderstorm, strong winds – updrafts – carry moisture high up into the atmosphere, where it freezes. These ice particles – known as 'hail embryos' – pick up supercooled water as they circulate through the storm cloud. To grow large hailstones, the storm cloud needs to be tall, with lots of energy to keep the stone suspended long enough to gather layers of ice. While hail can fall anywhere in Australia, certain regions are particularly exposed. "The main region is the East Coast from a bit north of Brisbane to a bit south of Sydney," Raupach said. One of the major concerns about an increase in hail in that heavily-populated area, is the vulnerability of solar panels – though Raupach said this should not deter investment in renewables. "We should also think about how to strengthen our cities to resist hail damage, especially if hailstone size is increasing with climate change," he said. But in the meantime, Australians should become more acquainted with hail preparation. "To be protected from hail you can move undercover, move your car undercover, have good insurance and have strong roof tiles," Raupach said. He says some farmers use hail nets. QBE Insurance's Dr Joanna Aldridge, co-author of the study, warned that Australian building standards don't include hail resistance. This left many properties "vulnerable", she said. If Australians need to take steps in the short term, Raupach also urged long-term action, both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to further the study of future hail trends and how they could affect urban environments in particular. "It's very early days, but maybe one day we could design cities with a reduced storm risk," he said. science storm Wild Weather Australia national climate change CONTACT US
9 News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- 9 News
NSW government 'not ruling out' banning e-bikes on public transport
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here The NSW government is not ruling out the possibility of banning e-bikes and e-scooters on public transport following growing fire concerns. The potential ban comes after the escalating cases of lithium-ion batteries bursting into flames. "Across Transport, safety is our absolute number one priority," NSW Secretary of Transport Josh Murray said this morning. Josh Murray has stated a potential ban of e-rideables on public transport as soon as September (SMH) A 2022 report by We Ride Australia found that 3.6 million Australians have used an e-scooter before and in NSW, 1.3 million households currently own an e-rideable. Murray said that NSW Fire and Rescue teams are working closely with Transport NSW to understand the risks of e-vehicles on public transport. "We are constantly assessing our risk assessments of any new technology," he added. "We will be talking to our passengers about the risks." The government's analysis of a possible ban comes after reports that one-third of all lithium-ion fires relate to e-scooters or bikes. Mobility scooters will not be included in the ban as they do not pose the same risk as lithium-ion powered e-vehicles. If bans are carried out, they could be enacted as soon as September. Transport NSW Transport New South Wales national CONTACT US Auto news: BYD speaks out about their ongoing battle with Tesla.
9 News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- 9 News
Tasmanians head to the polls again for an election 'no one wanted'
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Tasmanians are heading to the polls today for an election that Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff said no one wanted after he received a damning vote of no confidence. The polls opened across the island state at 8am and will close at 6pm today, with electoral officials to begin counting soon after. Voters are deciding whether to re-elect Rockliff, who has held the position since 2022, or replace him with Labor Leader Dean Winter. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff. (Alex Ellinghausen/SMH) The election was called last month after Winter tabled a no-confidence motion in parliament, arguing that rising debt, delayed ferries and a previous plan to privatise state assets made Rockliff's leadership untenable. The Liberals' state budget in May revealed that debt was forecast to reach almost $11 billion by the end of the decade. The motion was passed and, instead of resigning, Rockcliff decided to take the state through their second election in 15 months. "Another election is not what I wanted, and I know that it's not what Tasmanians wanted," he said in June. "But it was forced upon us by the leader of the Opposition." Governor Barbara Baker granted the dissolution of parliament to hold another election because she believed there was "no real possibility that an alternative government can be formed", but acknowledged the "public interest in avoiding the cost of another election and the prevailing public mood against holding an election". Tasmania has been in political turmoil after having a total of four elections in seven years. Tasmanian Labor Leader Dean Winter. (LinkedIn) Rockliff called an early election last year in the hope of regaining majority rule in parliament after two of his MPs quit the Liberal Party and defected to the crossbench. He suffered a 12 per cent swing at the polls, but won more seats than Labor, creating a hung parliament. He later reached a deal with three MPs from the Jacqui Lambie Network to form government. Then-Labor leader Rebecca White conceded defeat and resigned following her third straight loss at the polls, allowing Winter to successfully contest the role. There are concerns the turbulence will derail Tasmania's incoming AFL team, which is due to join the league in 2028. One thing is for sure — Rockliff and Winter have a lot to prove at this election. The Liberals have held Tasmania since 2014, but the vote of no confidence means that Labor may have a fighting chance. tasmania national Australia Politics elections CONTACT US Auto news: BYD speaks out about their ongoing battle with Tesla.
The Australian
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Australian
Mark Latham lashes media ‘galahs and fools' as accusations grow
Mark Latham has dismissed claims he breached confidentiality over a medical report on Sydney MP Alex Greenwich in a wild radio spray during which he blasted members of the media as a 'pack of galahs and fools'. The former Labor and one-time NSW One Nation leader has faced a week of controversy, including allegations he abused his former partner, Nathalie Matthews, and sent her sexual messages from the parliament chamber. Mr Latham has strenuously denied Ms Matthews' allegations, which are untested and contained in an application for an apprehended violence order (AVO) filed in court this week, and has not been charged with any offence. Speaking during his weekly slot with Brent Bultitude on Radio 2SM, Mr Latham said he 'couldn't say much' about the case, which is before the courts, but instead used his half-hour slot to lash out at negative reporting. Mr Latham accused journalists from The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper of being the 'biggest pack of galahs and fools' who had a 'manic determination to engage in the politics of personal destruction against me'. Mark Latham has dismissed claims he breached confidentiality. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer The former Sky News presenter's criticism of the SMH focused on an opinion piece published on Thursday that described Mr Latham as a 'cockroach' and alleged he shared a confidential psychologist's report. The article alleged Mr Latham used parliamentary privilege to share the confidential medical information about Sydney MP Alex Greenwich that was presented to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). Mr Greenwich began proceedings in the tribunal alleging homosexual vilification and workplace sexual harassment after the Federal Court found that Mr Latham had defamed Ms Greenwich in a series of tweets. Mr Latham told Bultitude that he ascertained the 'nature' of the medical material by googling the name of the treating clinician after they were mentioned during NCAT proceedings and in affidavits to the Federal Court and NCAT. He went on to call NSW upper house leader Penny Sharpe to withdraw a motion over the matter and claimed he had 'never received notification of any complaint' from the parliamentary ethics committee over his behaviour. Mr Latham also bizarrely claimed to have received a phone call from SMH editor Bevan Shields on the day of the 2025 federal election but told Bultitude that he was unsure if it was Shields and could not call the number. Alex Greenwich began proceedings in NCAT alleging homosexual vilification and workplace sexual harassment. Picture: NewsWire/Tamati Smith. 'When the fella saying he's Bevan Shields, the editor (of The Sydney Morning Herald) rings me up on federal election day, if indeed that was him … Bevan, come out and out yourself,' Mr Latham went on to tell Bultitude. Bultitude defended his relationship with Mr Latham during the program on Friday afternoon and described criticism of Mr Latham by Premier Chris Minns as 'payback' for his opposition to the Rosehill Racecourse sale. He said he had received 'abuse for still having him on'. Latham was re-elected to the upper house in 2023. He had previously served in the NSW parliament from 2019 with One Nation before being sacked from the party by Pauline Hanson in 2023. Before that, Mr Latham took the Labor party to defeat in the 2004 federal election. Mr Latham is further alleged to have filmed sexual acts within his office in parliament, covertly photographed female colleagues, and not disclosed tens of thousands of dollars given to him by his ex, Ms Matthews.
