Dozens of Australians Feared Missing After Nepal-Tibet Border Flash Floods
Dozens of Australian tourists are reported missing after deadly flash floods struck the Nepal‑Tibet border.
The Nepal Tourist Board, citing Agence France‑Presse, said at least 291 foreigners were among those unaccounted for.
One of the missing was travelling with Kathmandu Holiday Tours + Travel.
Authorities quickly revised the totals, noting that the number of missing rose from 384 to 403, with 33 British nationals among 341 foreign citizens still unaccounted for.
According to the board, 203 of the missing are male and 200 female.
The list also includes 47 Americans, 34 from Australia, and 24 Canadians.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government is urgently checking on the welfare of Australians in the region.
double quotation markThe loss of life and destruction caused by flash flooding in Nepal and China is devastating. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those killed or missing and all affected by this disaster.
DFAT officials are urgently working to confirm the welfare of Australians in the area.
Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s 24‑hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135, or +61 2 6261 3305 (if calling from overseas).
Malinauskas Defends National Cabinet AI Data Centre Flexibility
Ima Caldwell
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas defended the national cabinet’s decision to lift strict requirements that new AI data centres be powered solely by renewable energy.
Following the national cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated that exemptions would apply to jurisdictions such as Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Speaking on ABC’s 7.30 program on Wednesday evening, Malinauskas rejected the notion that the prime minister had been overruled by state leaders, saying there was a genuine desire to coordinate the national rollout.
He added that, from an objective standpoint, the rollout of these data centres in Australia will likely rely on renewable power, as that is where the generation capacity can be sourced.
double quotation markThat’s where the very large scale of energy is able to be procured at relatively quick speed… we can get renewables online sooner rather than later…
What you saw today was a nationally consistent position, that gas will have a role to play when it comes to the firming of renewables, which has always been South Australia’s view.
Malinauskas noted that differing state energy profiles—for example, Queensland’s state‑owned generation—make a blanket federal mandate unnecessary. Nevertheless, all jurisdictions agreed that operators must build their own new generation capacity.
double quotation markWe cannot have datacentres connecting to the grid without bringing their own new generation. Water is also clearly a consideration, but, frankly, energy is the main game. And that is accepted by all states and territories.
