Australia news LIVE: Nuclear power plant seized by Russia forces; more wild weather to come for NSW, Queensland; Australian cricketer Shane Warne dead at 52

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Russian troops seize nuclear power plant as Zelensky urges Europe to ‘wake up’

Ukranian officials on Friday said Russian military offences had seized the Zaporozhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine’s south-east.

The Kremlin attacked Europe’s largest power plant about 2.30am on Friday, local time, setting a nearby five-storey training building alight. The US Department of Energy and the International Atomic Energy Agency both said their latest information showed no indication of elevated radiation levels at the plant.
However, in an emotional plea to the world, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky said Europe must “wake up”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky.Credit:AP, Bloomberg

“We must stop Russian soldiers now. Immediately call your politicians. Ukraine is 15 nuclear blocks, if there is an explosion it is the end for everyone. End to Europe,” Zelensky said.

“It’s the evacuation of entire Europe. Only immediate action can stop the Russian troops. Do not let Europe die in the nuclear catastrophe.”

Shane Warne dead at 52

Shane Warne, one of the greatest cricketers of all time, has died in Thailand of a suspected heart attack. He was 52.

Shane Warne clenches his fist as he holds the Cricket World Cup Trophy in June 1999.Credit:AP

The sporting world’s biggest names are paying tribute to one of Australia’s cricket icons.

Sir Vivian Richards, named alongside Warne as one of the five greatest Test cricketers of the 20th century, said on social media he was “shocked to the core” at the news of the Australian’s death.

“Unbelievable,” the West Indian great said. “This can’t be true…. There are no words to describe what I feel right now. A huge loss for cricket.”

Here, chief cricket writer Malcolm Conn remembers him.

You can follow all the latest tributes here.

Good morning

Good morning, and welcome to our live blog. I’m Sally Rawsthorne, and will be keeping you updated with what’s happening today.

On Friday, the death toll rose further in Ukraine, with 47 people killed following Russia’s attack on Chernihiv in the north of the country according to Ukraine’s government.

Nine women and 38 men were killed following Russia’s air strike, the Kyiv Independent, citing the Ukrainian government, has reported.

On the floods that have beseiged Australia’s eastern seaboard, Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Dean Narramore has warned a weather system is set to bring “another round of rain” to Sydney on Sunday and Monday.

“That is not good news for us here in eastern NSW and for much of the state as we know things are already saturated. Soils are also saturated as well,” he said.

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