Parts of Queensland, Victoria and South Australia can expect severe storms on Saturday, moving into NSW and Tasmania by Sunday

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Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain will sweep across most Australian states this weekend, adding to the deluge in an already drenched Queensland.

Flash flooding in south-east Queensland this week prompted hundreds of SES callouts and the closure of multiple schools. On Saturday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology had nine flood warnings in place for south Queensland.

Australian of the Year would become the first astronaut in space to qualify under the Australian flag if she embarks on the 2028 mission

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The federal government has sent an offer to the European Space Agency (ESA) to send the Australian of the Year, astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, to the International Space Station.

The mission, slated for 2028, will mark the first time a qualified astronaut has flown to space under the Australian flag.