Barnaby Joyce Announces Defection & Death Toll Rises In Hong Kong Fire

Barnaby Joyce has announced he is resigning from the National Party after more than 30 years as a member; Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot in the U.S. today, just blocks from the White House; A large fire at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has killed at least 44 people, including a firefighter, and left 279 residents missing; Police are seeking the mother of a newborn baby found outside a fire station in Canberra’s South; A woman in her 20s has been killed and a man seriously injured in a shark attack at Kylies Beach in Crowdy Bay National Park; Robert Irwin is celebrating his win on Dancing with the Stars, but says his body still needs time to recover after a rib injury. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to Amoma mea podcast.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Hi, I'm Tully Blackman from MoMA MIA's twice early news podcast,
The Quickie with your Headlines for Thursday November twenty seven.
Barnaby Joyce has announced he is resigning from the National
Party after more than thirty years as a member, and
says he's certainly considering contesting the Senate for One Nation.
Joyce says he won't stand for his seat of New

(00:32):
England again as he feels he's been pushed into the
ejection seat and has had no communication with the party
leaders to resolve the issue. He says leaving the party
is with a heavy heart and apologizes for the hurt
his resignation may cause others.

Speaker 1 (00:47):
What is really important is the Chinese Communist government of
breathing down our next and each day become more provocative.
What is really important. We have regional hospitals with our
doctors in them. And what I have to do if
I'm going to continue on that fight is get myself
into a better position than the ejection chair at the

(01:07):
back bench of the coalition in opposition.

Speaker 2 (01:10):
Joyce's departure comes amid ongoing political debate over energy and
climate policies, with shadow Energy Minister Dan Tahan criticizing the
government's approach as costly and disruptive. The National Party has
not yet responded to his resignation. Two West Virginia National
Guard members were shot in the US today, just blocks

(01:30):
from the White House, in what authorities are calling a
targeted attack. Both were hospitalized in critical condition. Officials identified
the suspected shooter as Ramanala Lakanwa, who entered the US
in twenty twenty one and was living in Washington State.
Investigators say he ambushed the troops, opening fire as he
rounded a corner. At least one Guard member returned fire,

(01:53):
and other soldiers helped to restrain the suspect, who was
also shot and remains in stable condition. The shooting prompted
President Trump to order five hundred additional National Guard members
to Washington, meeting nearly two thousand and two. One hundred
troops are now assigned to the city. Authorities have not
confirmed a motive, but law enforcement and federal agencies, including
the FBI and Secret Service, are investigating. The incident occurred

(02:16):
near a metro station, where witnesses reported chaos and first
responders performing emergency care on the troops. A large fire
at Hong Kong's Wanyingo Court in Typo has killed at
least forty four people, including a firefighter, and left two
hundred and seventy nine residents missing. Firefighters have brought flames
under control in four of the estate's eight residential blocks,

(02:39):
while three buildings continued to burn. The eight towers had
been undergoing renovations since July twenty twenty four with bamboo
scaffolding and green mesh. Authorities say highly flammable styrofoam contributed
to the fire's rapid spread. Three people linked to the renovation,
a contractor's two directors and a consultant, have been arrested
for gross negligence. More than nine hundred people are taking

(03:02):
refuge in temporary shelters, with city leader John Lee calling
the blaze a massive catastrophe and promising a full investigation,
including criminal probes. President Shi Jing Ping extended condolences and
called for all our efforts to limit casualties. Police are
seeking the mother of a newborn baby found outside a

(03:22):
fire station in Canberra's South. The infant, estimated to be
less than twenty four hours old, was discovered just after
seven a m. Outside the South Tuggeranong Fire and Rescue
Station in Conda. The baby was taken to Canberra Hospital
and is reported to have no obvious injuries. ACT Policing
said their main concern is the health and welfare of

(03:43):
the baby's mother. Authorities urged anyone who knows the mother
to encourage her to seek medical help immediately by going
to a hospital, calling an ambulance or contacting police. Police
are also asking anyone who saw activity near the station
overnight or early Wednesday to contact Crime Stoppers ACT. A
woman in her twenties has been killed and a man

(04:04):
seriously injured in a shark attack near Kylie's Beach in
Crodi Bay National Park, south of Port mcquarie on New
South Wales Mid North Coast. Emergency services were called shortly
after six thirty am this morning. The man, also in
his twenties, suffered a severe leg injury and was flown
to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital in critical condition. New South

(04:25):
Wales Ambulance officials praised a witness who applied a tourniquet
at the scene, potentially saving his life. Kylie's Beach and
surrounding areas have been closed for at least twenty four
hours while authorities deploy drones and drum lines to locate
the shark. The species involved has not yet been identified.
Robert Owen is celebrating his win on Dancing with the Stars,

(04:46):
but says his body needs time to recover after a
rib injury during the competition. The twenty one year old,
who won the Mirror Bowl trophy with dance partner Whitney Carson,
like a true Ossie said it's painful, but you know,
no pain, no gain. Owen praised Carson for adjusting their
routines after the injury and described their freestyle performance as

(05:06):
a thank you to fans. Despite the challenges, he stayed positive.
I'll heal up, mate, I catch crocs. I'm used to it.
It's all good. And that's your evening news headlines. On
tomorrow's episode of The Quickie, we're bringing you the latest
good news stories for your Friday. Listen to The Quickie.
Wherebe you get your podcasts? Momma Mea acknowledges the traditional

(05:31):
owners of land and waters that this podcast is recorded
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