Hello, it's Monday, July 4. Here's what you need to get caught up on today's news.
One thing to know: 21 people are stranded on a cargo ship
- A cargo ship with 21 crew on board lost power off the coast near Sydney after leaving Wollongong this morning.
- The bulk carrier is double-anchored about a kilometre off the Royal National Park.
- Authorities say the ship has been drifting towards rocks due to the rough sea conditions.
- Tugboats have been sent to try and push the boat away from the cliffs towards deeper water.
- A rescue operation was underway to retrieve the crew but a helicopter rescue was abandoned because of the severe weather.
- The crew will stay on board because the ship's master says he is confident the engine can be fixed.
- NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the boat was in a "precarious position".
We heard more about the flooding in Sydney
Here's the latest:
- There are more than 70 evacuation orders in place across Sydney and NSW.
- More than 30,000 people are subject to evacuation alerts across the state.
- Severe weather warnings remain in place.
- SES Commissioner Carlene York said more rainfall was expected this evening.
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Rain is expected again tomorrow but authorities say it won't be as heavy as the past 72 hours.
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The weather bureau has warned that while an eastern low that has battered the New South Wales coast is weakening, major flooding remains a risk.
The news Australia is searching for:
- Copenhagen: Danish police say the 22-year-old suspect charged after the deadly shopping centre shooting in Copenhagen was known to police "but only peripherally". At least three people have been killed, with three in a critical condition in hospital.
- Novak Djokovic: The reigning Wimbledon champion beat wildcard Tim van Rijthoven in four sets on Sunday, setting up a quarter-final against young gun Jannik Sinner.
News you might have missed
- At least 30,000 people in NSW are under evacuation warnings as floods hit parts of NSW. Rain will continue on the coast all week.
- WorkSafe has charged St Basil's aged care facility in Victoria with alleged safety breaches over a 2020 COVID outbreak that killed 45 residents.
One more thing: behind the scenes on PM's Ukraine trip
This morning we heard about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's trip to Ukraine to visit areas hit hardest by the war, and to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He has returned to Poland now, but how does a trip like that happen? What are the logistics and is it even safe?
Reporter Ben Packham went to Ukraine with the PM on behalf of the Australian travelling media.
Here's a snippet of his report from behind the scenes:
The PM entered the country from Poland under a veil of secrecy, travelling on an armoured diplomatic train.
At least a dozen Australian special forces soldiers dressed in sports coats, chinos and dark sunglasses were on the ground to ensure the Prime Minister's safety.
They were discretely armed, but the travelling party was assured there was "no way in hell" that any harm would be allowed to befall them.
Their vehicles carried additional weapons, body armour for the Prime Minister and other members of his team, and mobile medical facilities in case of emergency.
Ukrainian special forces, in full battle kit, also shadowed the Prime Minister's every move.
Mr Albanese's presence in the country was supposed to remain a secret until he was back in Poland.
But his presence in the country was revealed on social media as he travelled around the Ukrainian capital and its surrounds.
Mr Albanese travelled first by motorcade to Bucha, to pay his respects at the mass grave where 416 civilians were buried by Russian forces after they were killed.
Mr Albanese travelled in an armoured Land Cruiser in a motorcade of about 10 vehicles.
Local traffic was blocked wherever they went, with soldiers and police stationed along the route.
That's it for now
We'll be back tomorrow with more.
ABC/wires
