Brisbane news live: Private health giant to close most of its Qld psychology clinics
Latest posts
6.48am
Friday, dry day: Weather into the weekend
We can expect a sunny Friday, with light winds and a chance of morning frost in the west.
Enjoy the clear day – the weather bureau predicts a 95 per cent chance of rain tomorrow, with the chance of up to 20 millimetres to fall.
Showers should ease on Sunday, for a mostly sunny start to the week next week.
6.48am
While you were sleeping
Here's what's making news further afield this morning:
Male childcare workers have been turned away from centres and had casual shifts cancelled, potentially breaching gender discrimination laws, following horrific allegations of child abuse in daycare facilities.
Imported American steak is a topic many of Australia's fine-dining restaurants would rather avoid. The operators of more than 10 hatted restaurants have declined or failed to respond to Good Food's requests for comment on their appetite for US steak.
Hulk Hogan, the mustachioed, headscarf-wearing icon in the world of professional wrestling, has died at the age of 71.
US President Donald Trump has denied he was seeking to ruin the business empire of his one-time ally Elon Musk as retribution for their dispute over the US president's signature tax law.
An Australian man has been found dead inside a hotel room in Thailand one day before his flight back home, according to local media.
A passenger plane carrying about 50 people has crashed in Russia's far east and initial information suggested everyone on board was killed, Russian emergency services officials said.
And in sport, David Warner is among 16 Australian cricketers caught up in the collapse of a T10 league in the Cayman Islands, after players refused to take the field due to non-payment.
Plus, the likes of Kalyn Ponga and Isaiya Katoa could be free to play State of Origin and represent New Zealand as the ARL Commission considers a landmark change in the game's eligibility rules.
6.46am
The top stories this morning
Good morning, and welcome to Brisbane Times' live news coverage for Friday, July 25. Today should be a sunny day, with a top temperature of 22 degrees.
In this morning's local headlines:
A public servant working for the Department of Main Roads has been reprimanded after she admitted calling her German co-worker 'Helga' behind her back and using the phrase 'nein, nein'.
As former boxing champion Anthony Mundine prepares to launch Australia's first bare-knuckle fighting event in Brisbane – and issued a fight challenge to Conor McGregor – medical experts say the sport is 'brutal, outdated and dangerous'.
Two months after Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek intervened in a fellowship for an author accused of glorifying terrorism, new details of his efforts have emerged.
Brisbane's Siang Lu has won the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award for his novel Ghost Cities, becoming the first male Asian writer to take out the coveted $60,000 literary prize.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
Brisbane's Ekka winds a sign the Royal Queensland Show is just around the corner
The Ekka is almost here – and Brisbanites know it before they even check the calendar. The telltale sign? Those infamous dry, gusty westerlies that locals love to hate: the 'Ekka winds'. Every August, a familiar chill sweeps through the southeast, announcing one of the most anticipated events of the year: the Royal Queensland Show. So, what's behind this seasonal phenomenon? 7NEWS Queensland meteorologist Tony Auden said it is a mix of geography, timing and tradition. 'The so-called 'Ekka westerly winds' are famous in southeast Queensland because they feel very different to winds at most other times of the year,' Auden said. These winds are typically dry, bringing clear sunny skies. But that's not what makes them memorable. 'The westerly direction means the wind flows over mountain ranges, which creates waves in the air and gives us that distinct gustiness,' he explained. 'It can be calm for long periods, then a strong gust comes out of nowhere.' The name dates back to the show's early days when these winds often blew through Brisbane during Ekka week in August. But Auden said the timing of these winds isn't as predictable anymore. 'These days, due to yearly variations and possibly a warming climate, they tend to peak earlier. 'In fact, we're just as likely to get a 30-degree day and a thunderstorm during the Ekka as we are to get any extended period of gusty westerlies.' While the Ekka winds aren't usually dangerous, they can still pack a punch. 'Most of the time, these westerlies peak around 60 to 70km/h. 'Warnings aren't required, but we do see a lot of debris come down from trees.' The strongest winds are often felt along the valley from Ipswich through to Brisbane, while the mountain ranges can shield the Gold and Sunshine Coast s from the worst of it, Auden added. In rare cases, unusual wind patterns can even form on the southern Gold Coast, creating a light easterly breeze. These winds also cause headaches for pilots as they've turned deadly before. 'They can cause turbulence for aircraf t, giving a bumpy ride at best and becoming dangerous in extreme cases,' Auden explained. 'Famous Australian singer Shirley Strachan from the band Skyhooks sadly died in a helicopter crash likely caused by severe turbulence in these westerly winds,' Auden said. So, while they might feel like a Brisbane tradition, the Ekka winds are more complex – and far less predictable – than most locals realise. And it's not just the gusts stirring things up. Health experts warn the mix of chilly winds and packed showgrounds creates the perfect conditions for spreading respiratory illnesses. Every year after the Ekka, Queensland hospitals report a spike in flu, RSV and COVID-19 cases. here.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Strong attendance as Albany remembers Korean War with annual commemorative service at St John's Church
The Albany RSL held its annual Korean War commemorative service at St John's Church on Sunday afternoon, which was a moving ceremony despite wet and windy conditions. Albany RSL services director Michael Tugwell said the weather forecast deterred some attendees, but a smaller congregation did not take away from the respect of the service. TS Vancouver naval cadets marched the flags of Australia, New Zealand and the UK in to begin the service, followed by the Australian and UK national anthems. Korean War veteran Ivan Tilney, who served in Korea as an engineer in the British Army, read the traditional verses after the opening address by Albany RSL president Rex Hendriks and the prayer by Reverend Karen Cave. Mr Tilney was joined by fellow veteran Ken Morrison, and the service again acknowledged the service of Albany's John Atkinson, who was killed in Korea at the Battle of Kapyong on April 24, 1951. Mr Tugwell gave the keynote address and said it was very special to have two veterans still in Albany and able to attend this year's service. 'There are very few Korean War veterans still alive in WA, so it's significant for us to have both of them in Albany with us,' he said. He said the peacekeeping operations following the 1953 ceasefire in Korea remained a significant part of Australia's involvement in the conflict, and its servicemen and women deserved to be remembered. 'Peacekeeping still has its risks, not in the same way as war, but the risk is still definitely there,' Mr Tugwell said. 'The Korean War was the first test for a newly formed UN. 'It was a hastily assembled force and not many people realise North and South Korea are still officially at war; there was a ceasefire, but never an end to the war. 'The large American force that remains in South Korea is what I think continues to act as the main deterrent to North Korea.' The service concluded with the Ode, read by Mr Hendriks, and the Last Post and Rouse, both played by City of Albany Band bugler James Cooper. A temporary reprieve in the rain enabled the TS Vancouver cadets to re-lay wreaths outside at the Albany War Memorial on York Street, led from the church by piper Andy Davis.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Leaked vision emerges of flood-ravaged Augusta National Golf Club
Leaked footage of floodwater ripping through America's world famous golf course, Augusta, has gone viral. Augusta, the home of the Masters, is famously private and officials have remained tightlipped over the new vision. The footage shows water raging through Amen Corner (the second shot at the 11th, all of the 12th, and the first two shots at the 13th hole) with the water moving like rapids from the 12th hole to the 11th fairway. There is some machinery and water pipes in the vision, as well, with speculation that repairs were already in process when the new flooding hit. It was first reported that the damage was from last September and related to Hurricane Helene, but that is incorrect, It was later clarified that the new flooding was from a weather event from a localised system earlier in America's summer (Australia's winter). The exact time of the weather event, however, remains unclear with Augusta staying quiet despite pressure from media outlets. reported that the vision was leaked by a subcontractor 'who has since been removed from the job'. Augusta was hit by intense rain at the start of the American summer. Along with the rain, ageing and blocked storm drains contributed to the flooding in the area. 'Off-season upgrades are common at the club, which traditionally closes in May, after the Masters, and doesn't reopen until the second Monday of October,' said. Augusta is no stranger to weather events. At the 2023 Masters, people scattered as a large tree crashed to the ground after strong winds. But the golf course also has reputation for rapid repairs. It has been reported that the latest damage to the course was 'nothing they can't handle'. 'Augusta has a history of disastrous floods, which led to the construction of the levee in the downtown area,' the city's website says. 'Due to the topography of the city, certain areas are prone to flood-related problems.'
