Qantas bookings to 'untouched gem' surge, man 'with camera' arrested on famous beach, firie hailed for Australia Day act

Also Donald Trump is slapping sanctions on one country after they refused to accept two flights full of deported migrants.

This firie has plenty of fans after his Australia Day move for a bunch of revellers. Source: Manly Observer/ Instagram
This firie has plenty of fans after his Australia Day move for a bunch of revellers. Source: Manly Observer/ Instagram

Yahoo's live news blog for Monday, January 27 has now concluded. Qantas has hailed one of their latest routes to the Pacific, saying Australians are loving heading to Palau – a real "untouched gem".

There could be Oz Lotto history tomorrow with one of its biggest ever jackpots on offer. Up to one in five Aussies are expected to have a ticket for the $70 million draw, and if one person was to win it all, it would be the most anyone has ever taken home from the game.

A firie has been hailed "a legend" after his Australia Day antics. Huge crowds flocked to beaches across Australia on Sunday, with a handful of revellers given a helping hand by one firefighter. Read more below.

See all of the day's updates below.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER14 updates
  • Featured

    Tributes flow for dad who died alongside four-year-old son after crash

    Tribute have poured in for a father who was tragically killed in a car crash with his four-year old son.

    Chris Vrbesic, 37, was driving a Holden Commodore VK Brock sedan when it collided with a a red Mitsubishi Lancer at the intersection of Rickertt Rd and Chelsea Rd in Ransome, Brisbane just before 9am on Sunday.

    He died at the scene.

    His son, a four-year-old, who was a passenger in the Holden, was taken to the Queensland Children’s Hospital, and later died.

    Vrbesic has been described as a “family man" with "such a big f****** heart".

    Brisbane father, Chris Vrbesic, identified as dad who died alongside son, 4, in shock crash at Ransome
    Brisbane father, Chris Vrbesic, identified as dad who died alongside son, 4, in shock crash at Ransome

    He was a project manager at Innate Developments - a company that specialises in residential and commercial construction.

    “I think you’re going to find this will be one of those tragedies … thousands of people it is going to affect,” a friend told Courier Mail. "He helped so many people."

    The Seven of Clubs Mazda Car Club of QLD paid tribute to Mr Vrbesic on social media sending heartfelt condolences to his family.

    “Chris has been a member of the club for many years and will be dearly missed by all. Rest in peace my friend,” the tribute said.

  • Melbourne surpasses 40C

    The mercury is soaring in Melbourne, with temperatures reaching 41.8C in the city's southwest.

    Point Cook reached the sweltering mark at about 2.30pm, while the CBD is nearing 39C.

    There is a total fire ban in the city for the public holiday as hot, dry and windy conditions pose a high risk to the area.

    "The conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start," CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said.

  • Albo breaks silence on Grace Tame's 'disrespectful' t-shirt

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Grace Tame's decision to wear a 'F*** Murdoch' t-shirt to Saturday's Australian of the year event was "disrespectful".

    Albanese was pictured posing for photos next to Tame and said he failed to declare his feelings about the shirt at the time to ensure attention wasn't taken away from the event.

    "I clearly disagree [with the message on the t-shirt]," Albanese told reporters on Monday.

    “I want debate to be respectful … and that’s a choice that she made. People are allowed to express themselves, but I thought it was disrespectful of the event and of the people who that event was primarily for,” he said.

    Albanese says he does not condone such stunts that former Australian of the year Grace Tame orchestrated. Source: AAP
    Albanese says he does not condone such stunts that former Australian of the year Grace Tame orchestrated. Source: AAP
  • Qantas bookings surge to 'untouched gem'

    Qantas says it has had a huge response from holidaymakers after adding a tiny island nation to its Pacific offering.

    Australia's flag carrier won the route in a tender last October and says Australians are lapping up the chance to head to the "untouched gem".

    “The reception so far has been nothing short of great,” Qantas regional general manager Anthony Penney told the Sydney Morning Herald. “We saw an immediate surge in searches and we’re now seeing that translate into bookings.

    “I think [Palau] is one of those untouched gems for a lot of people, and now being part of our network, it’s coming onto people’s radars.”

    ROCK ISLANDS, PALAU - AUGUST 26: Aerial shots of the Rock Islands in Palau on August 26, 2015. (Photo by Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images)
    Palau has not seen the levels of tourism some of its Pacific neighbours enjoy. Source: Getty
  • Woman, 24, charged over alleged murder of nine-year-old boy

    A nine-year-old boy in Townsville is dead and police have charged a woman with his alleged murder.

    Emergency services were called to a home on Saturday evening with reports that a boy was unresponsive.

    Police have charged a 24-year-old woman with murder and taken her into custody.

    Police say the woman and boy were known to each other. The woman is due to face Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday.

    Detective Senior Sergeant David Miles told reporters the boy had suffered a "significant head injury" and police are looking to whether a weapon was used.

    Investigations are continuing.

  • Man charged over alleged camera act around sunbakers

    A man was arrested at Sydney’s busy Bronte Beach after allegedly recording intimate images without consent on Australia Day.

    Police were called to the popular swim spot shortly before 4pm on Sunday following reports of inappropriate behaviour.

    Officers arrived and arrested a 63-year-old man, which was captured on camera by the NewsWire, before he was taken to Waverley police station.

    He has since been charged with three counts each of intentionally recording intimate images without consent and offensive behaviour in a public place.

    He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Monday.

    - NCA NewsWire

    BRONTE BEACH/ BEACHES
    A man has been arrested at Sydney’s busy Bronte Beach after allegedly recording intimate images without consent. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw
  • Dubious cabana act continues

    Another day, another line of cabanas. Source: Facebook/ The Bell Tower Times
    Another day, another line of cabanas. Source: Facebook/ The Bell Tower Times

    The divisive issue made national headlines earlier this month, with even the prime minister having his say.

    But that hasn't deterred beachgoers who are keen to reserve their spot on the sand.

    Photos shared by popular Facebook page the Bell Tower Times of the beach at WA's Busselton show at least a dozen unoccupied beach cabanas along the water.

    "How un-Australian is it to think you should be able to reserve a spot on the beach like that," one person responded.

    While the majority of people agreed it was a dodgy move to try and reserve a spot, what are your thoughts on cabanas in general? Have your say below.

  • Elderly woman charged with alleged murder of roommate of four days

    An elderly woman has been charged with the alleged murder of her roommate at a Perth aged care home.

    Emergency services raced to the Bethanie Waters Aged Care Home in Port Kennedy early on Friday morning after an 88-year-old woman was found dead.

    A 75-year-old woman, who had been the woman’s roommate for the last four days, was arrested and has been charged with her murder.

    She was due to face Northbridge Magistrates Court on Sunday.

    “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” Bethanie chief executive officer Roulé Jones said in a statement.

    “Our staff responded quickly and professionally when the alarm was raised, and followed all Bethanie procedures. We wish to reassure the public that no Bethanie staff were involved in this incident.”

    - NCA NewsWire

  • 'Will target children': Dingo warning after toddler rushed to hospital

    A toddler has been rushed to hospital after she was bitten by a dingo on Queensland’s Fraser Island in the third reported attack in as many days.

    Emergency services were called to K’gari shortly after 1pm on Sunday after reports a two-year-old girl had been bitten on the leg at Lake McKenzie.

    Park rangers provided first aid to the girl who encountered the dingo in the carpark at Boorangaroo, before she was later flown to Hervey Bay Hospital.

    A Queensland Ambulance spokesperson said paramedics had been called to meet the child at a resort on the island and that they were in a stable condition.

    It comes after a four-year-old girl was earlier bitten by a dingo when it reportedly charged at her and her 12-year-old sibling in shallow waters at Boorangaroo.

    QPWS said in a statement that it was investigating the multiple incidents to determine next steps, with travellers to the island being urged to look out for dingoes.

    Senior Ranger Dr Linda Behrendorff said visitors needed to remember the importance of carrying a dingo stick while on the busy island and keeping children close.

    “Some dingoes will target children because they are seen as the weaker links of the pack. This is why it is so important to keep children within arm’s reach,” she said.

    “We have increased our ranger patrols during this busy long weekend period, but urge people to remain vigilant, particularly parents with young children.

    Read more from NCA NewsWire here.

  • Melbourne set to reach a sweltering 41C

    There are soaring temperatures for the public holiday today as millions across the country are set to swelter.

    Melbourne is predicted to hit 41C later today, while every other state and territory capital is set to rise above 30C.

    Hot, dry and windy conditions are of a big concern to fire authorities in Victoria, where the heat will reach a high of 44C in the border city of Mildura.

    Read more about the conditions here.

  • Firie hailed over Australia Day move

    A firie is being hailed for his role in Australia Day celebrations, helping out a bunch of revellers enjoying the day on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

    Video shared by community outlet The Manly Observer shows the firie pull out his hose from his truck and soak a slip-and-slide in Freshwater before a group of young men hurtle down it.

    "This is why I love Australia," one person declared online.

    "Firefighters are the best," another said.

    Take a look at the video below.

  • Man and four-year-old son die in 'horrific' crash

    A young boy and his dad have been killed following a horror crash in Brisbane’s east.

    Chris Vrbesic was driving a Holden Commodore VK Brock sedan when it collided with a a red Mitsubishi Lancer at the intersection of Rickertt Rd and Chelsea Rd in Ransome just before 9am on Sunday.

    The 37-year-old driver from Manly West died at the scene.

    His son, a four-year-old, who was a passenger in the Holden, was taken to the Queensland Children’s Hospital, where he has since died.

    A man and toddler both died in a the crash in Brisbane’s east. Picture: 7 News
    A man and his son both died in a the crash in Brisbane’s east. Picture: 7 News

    The driver of the Mitsubishi suffered minor injuries in the crash. The 29-year-old Birkdale man was the sole occupant of the Mitsubishi.

    It is understood the vehicles T-boned at the intersection.

    Mr Vrbesic has been described as a “family man”.

    He was a project manager at Innate Developments - a company that specialises in residential and commercial construction.

    “I think you’re going to find this will be one of those tragedies … thousands of people it is going to affect,” a friend told Courier Mail.

    “He helped so many people, he had such a big f**king heart.”

    A neighbour described it as “horrific” and “tragic”.

    The Forensic Crash Unit launched an investigation, and anyone with information has been urged to come forward.

    - NCA NewsWire

  • Oz Lotto eyes history with $70m draw

    We could have lottery history tomorrow if one person is lucky enough to claim the $70 million Oz Lotto jackpot.

    It would be the highest amount in the game's 31-year history someone has claimed. The $70 million figure is the fourth highest Oz Lotto division one prize ever, with previous higher jackpots being shared.

    "We anticipate a rush across the country as Aussies vie for the chance to score the biggest jackpot of any Australian lottery game this year and become 2025’s first Oz Lotto multi-millionaire," The Lott spokesperson Anna Hobdell said of Tuesday night's draw.

    “This is the time when office chatter turns into work syndicates, and everyone becomes a dreamer, plotting how they’d spend a share of the $70 million Oz Lotto prize."

  • Trump vows sanctions 'just the beginning'

    Donald Trump says he will slap tariffs and sanctions on Colombia after it refused to accept two deportation flights as part ofthe US president's crackdown on immigration.

    Trump's punitive action appeared aimed at making an example of Colombia and was a demonstration of a more muscular US foreign policy and showed a renewed willingness by Trump to use the might of the United States to force other countries to bend to his will.

    Trump wrote on Truth Social that the refusal by Colombian President Gustavo Petro to accept the flights jeopardised US national security.

    The retaliatory measures include imposing 25 per cent tariffs on all Colombian goods coming into the United States, which will go up to 50 per cent in one week; a travel ban and visa revocations on Colombian government officials; and emergency treasury, banking and financial sanctions.

    Trump said he would also direct enhanced border inspections of Colombian nationals and cargo.

    "These measures are just the beginning," he wrote. "We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States!"

    - Reuters

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