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Environment Don't miss out on the headlines from Environment. Followed categories will be added to My News. Blazes in Victoria’s Grampians National Park are yet to be contained as of Christmas morning, with a total fire ban to take effect in the state from Boxing Day. The bushfire has already torn through more than44,000 ha of land and is expected to spread into the new year, with temperatures likely to skyrocket this week. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) reported on Christmas morning that the fire had moved north of the southern section of the national park overnight. “The fire could burn for weeks, as Grampians National Park has a lot of fuel and very little rain is forecast”, they said. Forecasters expect the mercury to soar above 40C across Victoria on Thursday and wind speeds to reach between 70 and 80km/h. Fires are set to get worse as a result of conditions forecast for Thursday. Picture: Instagram Country Fire Authority chief Jason Heffernan said the fires already burning and any new fires that could be sparked as a result of the extreme fire risk were both “major concerns”. “Follow the strict conditions associated with the total fire ban declaration and understand how the increased fire risk will impact you, and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies,” Mr Heffernan said. The bushfire burning in the Grampians. Picture: Hamilton Fire Brigade It comes as not safe to return orders were issued for Bellfield, Bellfield Settlement, Flat Rock Crossing, Fyans Creek, Grampians Junction, and Halls Gap on Christmas Eve. Authorities are also asking people to avoid travelling in or around the areas flagged by VicEmergency. More than 200 residents and business owners evacuated from Halls Gap on Saturday were permitted to return to collect personal items on Christmas Eve. With heatwaves forecast around much of the country from Thursday, Victoria is unlikely to be the only state enduring scorching conditions on Boxing Day. Parts of southern NSW including Wagga Wagga are expected to hit 39C. Sydney’s in for a cooler forecast of 29C on Thursday, but things are set to heat up on Friday with temperatures forecast to peak at 37C. Residents in Sydney’s western suburbs are expected to cop the brunt of the city’s heatwave with an anticipated top of 41C in Penrith on Boxing Day. Canberra is expected to reach 35C, with Brisbane to remain in the low 30s on Thursday before a searing top of 37C on Friday. Back in Victoria, authorities will likely continue their efforts to contain the fires into 2025, with eighteen firebombing aircrafts and 600 firefighters currently on the ground. That includes more than 100 personnel who have come from NSW, Queensland, ACT, and Tasmania to assist the CFA’s efforts. A total fire ban means no fire can be lit in the open air or allowed to remain alight. The ban will take effect from 12.01am on Boxing Day. Originally published as Total fire ban issued as authorities brace for Boxing Day threat More related stories Environment State’s huge move ahead of ‘extreme’ Boxing Day One Aussie state has issued a sweeping ban due to “extreme” dangers over the Christmas period – prompted by dual threats of scorching temperatures and raging fires. Read more Gadgets Huge new feature coming to AirPods One of the most common pieces of tech has been given a massive new dimension with the approval of life-changing technology in Australia. Read moreWoolworths has responded to shoppers who are currently “on the hunt” for a limited-edition after it was described as “unbelievable” by several popular foodies. The Australian retailer recently released its festive food collection into stores across the country, offering over 100 new products designed to help “take the pressure” off Christmas. While the new additions to supermarket shelves contained a number of festive favourites and classic dishes enjoyed over the holiday season, there was one new product that really caught the attention of food-loving Aussies. The Woolworths Biscoff Trifle is priced at $35 for a 1.4kg tub, and offers a modern twist on the cult-dessert item, often consumed at Christmas. Instead of the traditional sherry-flavoured sponge cake that is layered with custard, jelly and fruit, Woolworths has woven the popular biscuit spread throughout the classic recipe. Think a creamy Biscoff custard, layered with light vanilla sponge then paired with the iconic spread. It’s then topped with a classic Biscoff cookie crumble. If you think that sounds like heaven, you’re not alone, with TikTok foodies taking to social media in droves to rave about the item. Melbourne vlogger Nectorious Papi told news.com.au the Christmas release was “worth every cent” – despite its larger than expected price tag. “No shortage of Biscoff was spared and it is layers upon layers of deliciousness,” he said. “In my opinion it’s one of the best Biscoff releases that we’ve had in recent times.” 'None on shelves' Hunt for new Woolies item. Picture: TikTok/Woolworths Logan Reserve The Three Food Guys declared the item 'unbelievable'. Picture: TikTok/NectoriousPapi Foodies lose their minds over $35 item The foodie, who co-hosts the popular Three Food Guys Podcast with fellow foodies Ange Eats and Dub Eats Everything, added that part of the allure of Biscoff is that no one really knows exactly what it is. “I believe people love Biscoff in Australia as we’ve been used to chocolate and peanut butter spreads and then came Biscoff which is one of those spreads you can’t even describe,” he shared. “Is it cinnamon, is it caramel? It’s amazing, that’s all I know. Also it’s vegan so it caters to a much wider audience too.” In a video the trio shared, Ange Eats described the dessert as “f**king unbelievable” and told Aussies they “need to try” the sweet product. “Look at the layers on this,” Dub Eats Everything added. “We’re going to demolish this.” Nick Vavitis – the mastermind behind cult-dessert brand Choclt – said it was ‘beautiful’. Picture: TikTok/NickVavitis The boys aren’t the only fans, with Melbourne food entrepreneur Nick Vavitis – the mastermind behind cult-dessert brand Choclt – telling news.com.au the Woolies Biscoff Trifle was “beautiful”. The sweet-treat fan, who is famed for doing food reviews inside his vehicle, said it “captures the taste of Christmas”. “Times like this is why it’s so important to carry a spoon in your car because there is a Biscoff trifle out in the wild which is BEAUTIFUL,” Mr Vavitis said. “I love how there is so many different textures and layers through it. You’re really getting a full Biscoff experience.” Shoppers ‘on the hunt’ for Woolies Biscoff Trifle Meanwhile other social media users, such as Samantha Khater and the team at Sweet Sundayz, also described the festive product as “unreal” and “crazy”. Many raved about the $35 Christmas item. Picture: TikTok/SweetSundayz But it’s popularity meant that some struggled to find it in stores. Picture: TikTok/createwithcarlie Woolworths said shoppers who find 'bone on shelves' should check the store availability function. Picture: TikTok/createwithcarlie But despite the rave reviews, some shoppers pointed out in the comments section that the trifle was “impossible to find anywhere”. “I looked everywhere for this, it’s sold out near me! Just their regular trifle was in stock,” one lamented. “Yeh you can’t get them anywhere,” another agreed. One “hopeful” shopper even documented her “hunt” to find the popular product, reporting there were “none on the shelves” at any stores she visited. Woolies responds to Biscoff Trifle frenzy Woolworths told news.com.au that “due to the popular demand, customers are encouraged to check the in store availability function on our website to see where it is available at their local store”. “Australia’s love affair with Lotus Biscoff continues to grow, with millions of products flying off our shelves every year,” Donald Keith, Woolworths Merchandise Manager for Bakery, added. “Which is why we’ve partnered with Lotus Biscoff to bring Aussies this decadent new trifle just in time for Christmas. “The Lotus Biscoff Trifle captures the iconic flavour in a convenient and festive way, perfect for sharing with loved ones this holiday season.” More Coverage Common act explains Aus divorce rates spike Rebekah Scanlan Shock find in pimple mum ‘squeezed too hard’ Claudia Poposki Originally published as Woolies responds as shoppers ‘hunt’ for new $35 Biscoff Trifle Eat Don't miss out on the headlines from Eat. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Eat Surprise reaction to bare shelves at Woolies Australians have been left facing empty shelves thanks to a supermarket warehouse strike — and some are saying it’s worse than the pandemic. Read more Eat Major change for popular fast-food chain The popular fast-food chain has announced the major change which will impact multiple stores across the country. Read more

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The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . BOISE, Idaho (AP) — LeJuan Watts had 20 points in Washington State’s 74-69 victory against Boise State on Saturday night. Watts had 11 rebounds and six assists for the Cougars (8-2). Dane Erikstrup scored 14 points while shooting 6 for 10 (2 for 5 from 3-point range) and 0 of 3 from the free-throw line. Isaiah Watts had 12 points and shot 5 for 9, including 2 for 5 from beyond the arc. Andrew Meadow led the Broncos (6-3) in scoring, finishing with 21 points and seven rebounds. Tyson Degenhart added 18 points for Boise State. Alvaro Cardenas Torre also had 10 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Isaiah Watts scored nine points in the first half for Washington State, who led 44-24 at the break. LeJuan Watts led Washington State with 12 points in the second half as their team was outscored by 15 points over the final half but hung on for the victory. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Kirk LaPointe: Surrey directors sound alarm over Metro Vancouver governanceKreutzer, 38, was also sentenced to serve two-and-one-third to seven years for first-degree reckless endangerment, two-and-one-third to seven years for first-degree criminal trespass, both class D felony's, and three months for prohibited use of a firearm, a misdemeanor, to run concurrently with her sentence. Kreutzer will also be required to complete five years of probation when she is released. Kreutzer was found guilty of second-degree attempted murder after nearly two days of deliberation by a Columbia County jury in August. The jury did not find Kreutzer guilty of the top charge, attempted murder of a police officer, and the charge of second-degree assault was dismissed during an Aug. 29 court appearance following the guilty verdict. The charges against Kreutzer stemmed from a Nov. 9, 2020, incident where Kreutzer barricaded herself in a home at 438 Doodletown Road in Gallatin. Kreutzer eventually surrendered and was she taken into custody by state police. In court Wednesday, Columbia County Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Botts said in the presentencing report prepared for the case, there were mentions of mental health issues Kreutzer may have been facing at the time of the 2020 incident. “There was nothing about any actions to deal with the mental health issues affecting her on Nov. 9, 2020,” Botts said. Letters of support from Kreutzer’s family, friends and others were also submitted as part of the presentencing report, but those individuals were not present during the incident, Botts said. The witnesses in the case, including Nayeli Jaurez, who was 17 at the time of the shooting and landscaper Louis Ciotola, explained what happened on the day of the incident in their testimony, Botts said. “They were the ones who told you what happened on Nov. 9, 2020,” she said. “They told you that they were afraid of her.” Botts also said retired state police Sgt. Paul Strobel, who Kreutzer shot at during the incident, was lucky he was not killed. “He was lucky that his wife didn’t lose her husband that day, and lucky his children didn’t lose their father that day,” she said. Throughout the three-day trial, jurors heard from several witnesses, including Strobel, a retired zone sergeant at the New York State Police barracks in Livingston. Strobel was the first officer to respond to the incident at Doodletown Road in 2020. Strobel said in court Aug. 26 that The call reporting the incident was assigned to another officer, but that Strobel took the call to the home after hearing reports of a female with a gun, he testified in court Aug. 26. When Strobel arrived at the home in Gallatin, he found two individuals and a dog near a utility terrain vehicle. He later saw the individual, who he later identified as Kreutzer, pull a handgun out of her waistband and point it at him. Kreutzer then shot the gun in Strobel’s direction, and when he began to reverse his vehicle down the driveway, she continued to pursue him with the handgun pointed at him. Strobel said a second shot was fired when he was reversing to maintain distance from Kreutzer. Two more state police troopers later joined Strobel at the scene, and were instructed to secure a perimeter around the home. Additional shots were fired toward the woods where Strobel and the other officers were attempting to set up a perimeter, Strobel said during his testimony. Botts urged Judge E. Danielle Jose-Decker, who presided over the case, to sentence Kreutzer to the maximum sentence of 25 years in state prison with five years of probation. The amount of character letters received in Kreutzer’s case was unheard of, James Knox, Kreutzer’s defense attorney, said in court Wednesday. “I’ve been doing this for a while and she has more support than any client I’ve represented,” he said. Kreutzer was also out of prison for the three and a half years leading up to her trial, and lived a law abiding life during that time, Knox said. “Those facts are articulated by her family and her friends,” he said. Kreutzer is also a different person than she was in 2020, Knox said. “She’s in a different place mentally, physically and in her social life,” he said. “I know that can’t excuse what she did, but this is one of those rare instances where the defendant has had an opportunity to better herself.” Knox asked Jose-Decker to consider imposing the minimum sentence on Kreutzer. “While I understand the severity of the offenses, we have a person that has shown they don’t need a lengthy prison sentence,” he said. Jose-Decker said she struggled to find an appropriate sentence for Kreutzer. “One one hand, Ms. Kreutzer has no prior record, and she did have a tumultuous childhood,” she said. Jose-Decker said in court that Kreutzer had experienced her parents being addicted to drugs, and later being placed with her grandparents. However, there was an “absolute failure” by Kreutzer to take responsibility for the incident, and show remorse, Jose-Decker said. “There was also a disregard for the safety of several human lives,” she said. After the sentencing, Kreutzer could be seen crying in the courtroom, and said ‘I love you’ to the members of her family sitting in the gallery.

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NatWest is giving its customers in Wales the chance to buy someone experiencing homelessness a Christmas dinner this year. The bank has introduced the initiative through its MyRewards programme. Customers can now donate their available rewards, if more than £5, to buy a Christmas meal for a person experiencing homelessness in partnership with Social Bite. NatWest has also promised to match all donations to any of its 16 MyRewards charities, including Social Bite, up to £50 until December 31, up to a total of £150,000. This initiative is part of Social Bite’s ‘Festival of Kindness’, an annual mission aiming to provide 300,000 meals, gifts, and essential items to people who are homeless and vulnerable during the festive season. Jessica Shipman, chair of the NatWest Cymru Regional Board, said: "Social Bite makes a positive difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. "The festive season often brings into focus the hardship so many face every day. We know that people want to help but don’t know how. "We’re excited to support Social Bite’s inspiring 'Festival of Kindness' initiative, giving our customers a way to gift a homeless person a warm meal. "We encourage everyone to join in and help make the festive season a little brighter for the most vulnerable in our society." Since the launch of Festival of Kindness in 2020, Social Bite has distributed 1.1 million meals, gifts, and essentials to people who are homeless during the festive period. Josh Littlejohn, founder of Social Bite, added: "Social Bite is proud to have had the support of NatWest for a number of years, and together, we've made great strides to help people break the cycle of homelessness. "A big thank you to all the wonderful NatWest customers who chose to donate their rewards to Social Bite."