State brings back $100 pandemic gift, Ford CEO's big EV admission: Australia news live

Plus Jackie O has made a heartbreaking admission live on air.

Jim Farley says he's been driving a Chinese EV and absolutely loves it. Source: Getty
Jim Farley says he's been driving a Chinese EV and absolutely loves it. Source: Getty

Yahoo's live news blog for Thursday, October 24 has concluded. Ford CEO Jim Farley has admitted he's loving driving a Chinese electric vehicle as his daily car. Read on to find out which one.

Tasmania is once again set to offer its residents $100 in the shape of travel and dining vouchers. Find out more below.

China has taken aim at Australia, accusing the country of having a racism problem after Canberra called for Western access to Xinjiang.

Channel 10 host Sarah Harris has told Yahoo Lifestyle that she was blindsided by the network after she was replaced on Shark Tank by Osher Günsberg.

Radio host Jackie O'Henderson has revealed she spent time in rehab to battle drug and alcohol addiction.

Follow along as we bring you regular updates throughout the day.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER16 updates
  • Albo responds to China's 'racism' claim

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has offered a diplomatic response after China once again accused Australia of having a racism problem.

    It was a response often heard from Albanese, a routine utterance he rolls out when the two countries have had disagreements. Since he became prime minister, his government has worked hard to carefully navigate the testing relationship that was left in disrepair under the Coalition.

    “We, of course, will always stand up for Australia’s interests,” Mr Albanese told reporters.

    China's fury came after Australia’s UN envoy James Larsen moved a motion earlier this week calling on China to give independent observers “unfettered and meaningful” access to Xinjiang, a region that has faced serious allegations of human rights abuses.

    In response, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Australia was plagued with “systemic racism and hate crimes”, suggesting Canberra was in no position to be lecturing on the treatment of its citizens.

    “Australia have severely violated the rights of refugees and immigrants, and left Indigenous people with vulnerable living conditions,” Lin said.

    “Australian soldiers have committed abhorrent crimes in Afghanistan and other countries during their military operations overseas.

    “These Western countries turn a blind eye to their severe human rights issues at home but in the meantime point their fingers at other countries. This says a lot about their hypocrisy on human rights.”

  • Woman lands $115.000 after last-minute decision

    How's this for a spot of luck.

    A Melbourne woman has won $115,000 on Keno after changing one of her numbers last minute.

    "I swapped 27 for 23 – a number I hadn’t added before. And I got the win!” the Reservoir resident told lottery officials.

  • One dead, dozens more ill after outbreak at Macca's

    McDonald's is facing an E. coli outbreak in the US which has left one customer dead and nearly 50 people ill.

    The bacteria has impacted its quarter pounder burgers with early investigations pointing towards raw slivered onions as the likely source of the outbreak.

    Read all about the outbreak here.

    A McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburger and fries are shown in this photograph, in New York's Times Square, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
    A McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburger and fries are shown in this photograph, in New York's Times Square, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
  • China again calls Australia racists

    China’s foreign ministry has accused Australia of “systemic racism and hate crimes” after a senior diplomat voiced concerns over documented human rights abuses in annexed Tibet and the Chinese province of Xinjiang.

    Earlier this week, Australia’s Ambassador to the United Nations James Larsen said Canberra had called on Beijing to implement all recommendations made in a UN report into the systemic abuse of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

    He called on China to give independent observers “unfettered and meaningful” access to the province, as well as Tibet, which China annexed more than 70 years ago.

    In a harsh rebuke on Wednesday evening, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Li Jian said Canberra’s criticism was driven by “ideological bias” and “selfish political interest”.

    “Australia, long plagued by systemic racism and hate crimes, have severely violated the rights of refugees and immigrants, and left Indigenous people with vulnerable living conditions,” Mr Li said on state television.

    “Australian soldiers have committed abhorrent crimes in Afghanistan and other countries during their military operations overseas.

    “These Western countries turn a blind eye to their severe human rights issues at home but in the meantime point their fingers at other countries. This says a lot about their hypocrisy on human rights.”

    Read more here.

  • Increased heat linked to suicidal thoughts in the young

    The number of young Australians presenting to hospital with suicidal thoughts or behaviour increases during hotter weather.

    University of NSW-led research found suicidal emergency department presentations by 12 to 24-year-olds increased by 1.3 per cent for every one degree rise in daily mean temperature.

    The study analysed 55,000 presentations at hospitals across NSW between November and March from 2012 to 2019.

    The spikes occurred on single hot days and were not limited to heatwaves when trouble sleeping was likely to be a contributing factor, lead author Cybele Dey said.

    "The heat itself looks to be doing something to increase people's distress and that is supported by other literature," said Dr Dey, a UNSW psychiatrist and lecturer.

    "We know that calls to mental health crisis lines go up with temperature and there are overseas studies showing a link between heat exposure and suicidality presentations."

    Read more here.

    Lifeline can be contacted on 13 11 14, or www.lifeline.org.au

    Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can also contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

  • Sam Armytage's move from 7 to 9 confirmed

    Well there had been plenty of rumours and we can now confirm Sam Armytage has joined Channel Nine after a long career with Channel Seven.

    The popular TV host will host The Golden Bachelor next year. The show is a spin-off of the Bachelor and sees hopefuls try and match with an older-than-usual Bachelor.

    Read more here.

  • Boy, 12, hospitalised after scary kangaroo attack

    A 12-year-old boy was hospitalised after he was attacked by a large kangaroo on Melbourne's outskirts.

    Phoenix, 12, had just left the house on the school run on Monday when one member of a large mob went for him.

    "He was running and he said he could hear it behind him," his mother Sarah told Nine.

    "He said he fell over and the kangaroo was on top of him clawing, scratching, kicking. It pinned him down. He reckons it was going on about two minutes."

    A neighbour managed to scare the kangaroo away before calling an ambulance. Phoenix was taken to hospital and needed surgery on his head and leg thanks to deep cuts.

    "If the neighbour hadn't have called out, who knows what would have happened?" Sarah asked.

    Phoenix has been described as a
    Phoenix has been described as a "tough cookie" by his mother. Source: Nine
  • Thunderstorms to hit east coast

    Millions along Australia's east coast should prepare for storms later today, with some areas set to be hit by severe thunderstorms.

    A low pressure trough interacting with an "unstable" atmosphere will bring a high risk of "copious lightning, damaging winds and large hail" for some areas of NSW and Queensland, Weatherzone warns.

    While Brisbane and Sydney will avoid the worst of it, see the large area set to be impacted below.

    Australia's east coast will get a soaking later today. Source: Weatherzone
    Australia's east coast will get a soaking later today. Source: Weatherzone
  • Man captures late-night intruder

    How's this for a late-night visitor.

    Sydney wildlife rescuer Ricardo Lonza was called to a nearby home in the Campbelltown area at 3am after the resident discovered Rob the koala on their backyard porch.

    They were woken up by their dogs barking and thankfully managed to contain their pets before Ricardo came to rescue Rob, who had been previously tagged.

    Rob the koala is now in the hands of Sydney Wildlife. Source: Ricardo Lonza
    Rob the koala is now in the hands of Sydney Wildlife. Source: Ricardo Lonza
  • 'Do everyone a favour': Karl's brutal interview

    Karl Stefanovic didn't mince his words this morning as controversial senator Lidia Thorpe appeared on the Today show.

    "I think it’s fair to say you might very well be the most loathed woman in parliament in Canberra at the moment. And that’s really saying something," Stefanovic said in a brutal opening to the interview.

    Thorpe, who made global headlines after she disrupted a King Charles event in Canberra to express her views on the monarchy, remained defiant, embracing what she called her identity as parliament's "black sheep".

    But Stefanovic wasn't finished there, asking for Thorpe to "do everyone a favour".

    “The question this morning you were being asked is, why the hell doesn’t Lidia Thorpe just do everyone a favour and get out of Canberra? Will you?” His question comes after some in Canberra suggested it was time for her to resign after her stunt.

    But as she said in the wake of her disruptive moment, she warned the public to "get used to it".

    Karl Stefanovic got stuck into Lidia Thorpe. Source: Today
    Karl Stefanovic got stuck into Lidia Thorpe. Source: Today
  • Metallica coming to Australia after more than 10 years

    Metal giants Metallica have announced they will be playing six shows across Australia next year, more than 10 years since they were last here.

    The band last played in Australia in 2013 after having to cancel their 2020 tour dates following the revelation band member James Hetfield had entered rehab.

  • Albo follows King Charles in telling China move

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined King Charles in Samoa as he looks to keep Australia at the forefront of discussions in the Pacific with China continuing to apply pressure in an ongoing strategic struggle in the region.

    Albanese joins Charles and Queen Camilla who are presiding over their first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting since taking the throne. And the Albanese government would have identified the trip as a way for Australia to make its presence known with China continuously sniffing around Pacific nations to gain a foothold in the region.

    Albanese said Australia "values the significant role Samoa plays in our region and the close partnership between our two countries" as he makes his first trip to the Pacific nation as leader.

    Although experts are warning Australia mustn't simply behave in a way to benefit itself, with Labor urged to "create expectations" for its Pacific partners. Read more here.

  • Pharmacist found dead in home, homeless man charged with murder

    A Melbourne pharmacist has died and a homeless man will face a murder charge in court on Friday.

    A friend of the pharmacist discovered the man’s body at home in the northeast suburbs when he did not show up for work on Wednesday.

    A 54-year-old man was arrested nearby and is expected in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later today.

    A crime scene was established at the townhouse on Davidson Street, Bellfield, on Wednesday.

    Emergency services were called about 11.30am, and arrived to find the man’s body.

    Police said a homeless man was located near the house.

    Read more here.

  • Jackie O'Henderson reveals rehab stay

    Jackie 'O' Henderson, one half of radio stars Kyle and Jackie O, has revealed this morning she spent time in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction.

    The 49-year-old star broke down live on air this morning, revealing two years ago she had been binging on pain killers, sleeping pills and alcohol.

    “I was in a really, really dark place,” she admitted.

    It comes after she revealed in August her upcoming book, released later this month, would reveal details she's never spoken about before.

    Jackie O Henderson has an exciting career update. Photo: Getty
    Jackie O Henderson has revealed she spent time in rehab. Source: Getty
  • Tasmania to dish out $100 to residents

    In a case of deja-vu, the Tasmanian government is once again set to hand out $100 worth of vouchers to residents as it did during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    “Our package... will benefit Tasmanians directly, but also sends a message to the rest of the country and world that Tasmania is the place to visit,” Premier and Tourism Minister Jeremy Rockliff told Pulse.

    The ‘Eat Local, Stay Local’ offer will be funded by a $26.5 million pledge from the state government to ramp up vacations in Tasmania.

    Tasmanians will be able to use the vouchers on travel and dining with more details to come.

  • Ford CEO's big China admission

    While Ford is delving into the world of electric vehicles, this news might upset a few patriotic petrolheads in the US.

    Ford CEO Jim Farley has revealed he's been driving a "fantastic" Chinese EV for the past six months and he absolutely loves it.

    "I don't like talking about the competition so much, but I drive the Xiaomi," he revealed on The Fully Charged Podcast.

    "We flew one from Shanghai to Chicago, and I've been driving it for six months now, and I don't want to give it up."

    Xiaomi, which rose to prominence in China making mobile phones, ventured into EVs with its SU7 model. The car is only available in China despite the surging popularity of Chinese EVs abroad. However the US government remains reserved about Chinese manufacturers and continues to impose hefty tariffs on the vehicles, similar to European restrictions.

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