"Unprecedented" floods kills 300,000 cows in Australia
/ AP
An Australian cattle giant warns of 'extreme losses' from floods after record-breaking floods. Producers say more than 300,000 cows were drowned or washed away in the vast continent's northeast.
After more than five years of drought ,heavy rains over an almost two-week period turned dusty and parched land in Queensland state into vast swathes of mud that bogged down already weakened cattle.
Australian Agricultural Company Ltd (AACo) said Monday that four of its properties were "severely impacted" after "unprecedented levels of flooding" in the region, with "extreme losses" forecast for one 30,000-head station.
A clearer assessment of the losses, which AACo said would have a "material" impact on its earnings, would only be possible as floodwaters recede, the company added.
Around half of Australia's 25-million strong cattle herd are bred in Queensland, with an estimated one in 40 animals killed in the disaster.
"We think that there's over 300,000 head of cattle that have been lost, drowned or washed away" in the state, Georgie Somerset of farm lobby group AgForce said Tuesday.
Graziers have been trying to keep their remaining stock alive across 49 million acres of flood-affected land.
"We are literally ferrying one bale of hay at a time to feed the stock that we can find," Somerset added.
Australia's weather bureau warned Tuesday that Queensland's longest river was "experiencing its most significant flood in at least the last 50 years".
"Major flooding will continue along parts of the lower reaches of the Flinders River this week and into next week," it added.
Australia's tropical north typically experiences heavy rains during the monsoon season, but the downpours saw some areas get a year's worth of rainfall in just a week.
First published on February 13, 2019
© 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Shutdown watch: Trump poised to sign border deal — live updates
Trump is "very likely" to sign the agreement reached by congressional negotiators, according to an administration official
updated 4M ago 
"El Chapo" attorney claims unfair trial included "out of his mind" witness
Defense attorney Jeff Lichtman, who also defended American mobster John "Junior" Gotti, said he was "restricted" from going into "very basic areas" of the case
1H ago 
T-Mobile, Sprint execs defend $26.5 billion deal to lawmakers
The telecom executives are likely to face a skeptical audience and concerns about lack of competition
1H ago 
U.S.-China trade talks enter crucial phase before Trump's tariff call
At stake as senior negotiators meet in Beijing is whether he'll pull the trigger on much higher tariffs on Mar. 2
updated 2M ago 
Commentary: Inadequate living conditions are a disservice to military families
As a nation, we must make the health and safety of military families our priority
2H ago
Shutdown watch: Trump poised to sign border deal — live updates
Trump is "very likely" to sign the agreement reached by congressional negotiators, according to an administration official
updated 4M ago
U.S.-China trade talks enter crucial phase before Trump's tariff call
At stake as senior negotiators meet in Beijing is whether he'll pull the trigger on much higher tariffs on Mar. 2
updated 2M ago 
Ted Cruz wants "El Chapo" to fund Trump's border wall
Cruz urged his Senate colleagues to pass his "El Chapo Act" to help fund the border wall and "secure the border"
2H ago 
New Mexico House Speaker says he won't impeach governor for National Guard pullback
House Speaker Brian Egolf of Santa Fe said "no way, forget about it" regarding prospects for impeachment
2H ago 
Howard Dean to head new Dem voter data exchange
Dean told the AP he's signed on to lead a planned data exchange hammered out by DNC officials, state party leaders and Democratic consultants
3H ago 
"Unprecedented" floods kills 300,000 cows in Australia
One in 40 of Australia's cattle thought to have drowned in flooding unleashed by downpour after 5 years of drought
updated 10M ago 
Kim Jong Un is upgrading North Korea's pop culture
But the isolated nation's cultural renaissance remains firmly within parameters set by Kim, and it's unclear what's driving it
2H ago 
Philippines arrests prominent journalist who warned of threat to democracy
Maria Ressa, editor of news website Rappler, is accused of cyber libel based on a law enacted months after the allegedly offending article
updated 11M ago 
Venezuelan opposition sets date for showdown with Maduro's forces
"Allow in the humanitarian aid. That's an order," U.S.-backed Juan Guaidó tells military, announcing date for aid caravans to challenge blocked border
4H ago 
Instagram kills account depicting abuse of gay Muslims in Indonesia
The account was removed for being "pornographic" following widespread "moral" outrage
5H ago 
George Clooney defends Meghan Markle after treatment by press
"I believe she cried more to do with the press intrusion than anything else in her life," Prince William has said about their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales
updated 31M ago 
21 Savage granted release on bond from ICE custody, lawyers say
The Atlanta-based rapper was arrested by ICE on Feb. 3
15H ago 
Police use pepper balls to disperse Travis Scott fans
"Astroworld" was not the fantasyland fans hoped it would be
22H ago 
The 2019 Grammy Awards: Winners and highlights
Female performers dominated the 61st Annual Grammy Awards
Feb 11 
Alicia Keys shares story about John Mayer splitting his Grammy award with her 15 years ago
Mayer surprised Keys with the same award he split with her in 2004 — after he felt she deserved the trophy, too
Feb 11 
T-Mobile, Sprint execs defend $26.5 billion deal to lawmakers
The telecom executives are likely to face a skeptical audience and concerns about lack of competition
1H ago 
Tesla self-driving car gets confused and crashes on highway
"The driver was shaken. He was panicked by the accident," police said
13H ago 
Senator calls for Google, Apple to drop Saudi app that monitors women
Oregon's Ron Wyden says U.S. tech companies shouldn't facilitate "abhorrent surveillance and control of women"
18H ago 
Russian region declares emergency over polar bear "invasion"
It is illegal to hunt the species, already endangered thanks to climate change shrinking their habitat, but a cull has not been ruled out
Feb 11 
Crew hunts for fabled U.S. carrier in a graveyard for WWII ships
The explorers who located the wreck of the USS Indianapolis are searching for an aircraft carrier sunk by the Japanese 77 years ago
Feb 11 
Drugmaker behind ibuprofen recall has history of FDA violations
Federal watchdog previously found significant violations of manufacturing rules by Tris Pharma
updated 0M ago 
How to confront rising anxiety among young girls
Psychologist Lisa Damour offers practical advise on how adults can help address the "unique pressures" girls face
4H ago 
Teen defies mom, gets vaccinated after turning to strangers online
"I question her judgment, but not her care," says Ethan Lindenberger of his mother
Feb 12 
FDA announces crackdown on illegal dietary supplements
In one case, the FDA found a company claimed its product reduced "symptoms of cognitive decline"
Feb 11 
Medicare patients face surging costs for some life-saving drugs
Participants in the federal health program often struggle to afford treatments for cancer and other diseases
Feb 11
Drugmaker behind ibuprofen recall has history of FDA violations
Federal watchdog previously found significant violations of manufacturing rules by Tris Pharma
updated 0M ago
T-Mobile, Sprint execs defend $26.5 billion deal to lawmakers
The telecom executives are likely to face a skeptical audience and concerns about lack of competition
1H ago
U.S.-China trade talks enter crucial phase before Trump's tariff call
At stake as senior negotiators meet in Beijing is whether he'll pull the trigger on much higher tariffs on Mar. 2
updated 2M ago 
Katy Perry accused of evoking blackface imagery in shoe designs
Reactions to the shoes, released last summer, are a measure of the charge around imagery perceived as racist today
14H ago 
Toys R Us plots a 2nd act with new look, new name
Richard Barry started his career at the toy seller pushing shopping carts — now he's planning its comeback
15H ago 
2 kids found in dog cages, 2 more covered in waste in barn
All appeared malnourished; the local sheriff near Rhome, Texas, outside Dallas, called it the worst case of child abuse he's ever seen
5H ago 
NYPD officer killed by apparent friendly fire
Police recovered an imitation firearm at the scene
1H ago 
4 former firefighters charged for "racist, lewd" prank
Lt. Robert Webster discovered a hangman's noose during his shift; there were also sexual images drawn on his family photos
7H ago 
The craziest details from the "El Chapo" trial
Shooting bazookas, burying a rival alive, a naked escape — just to name a few of the twisted revelations
15H ago 
Porch pirate steals boy's cancer meds
The teen has been battling the disease since he was six months old, and in a matter of minutes, his cancer fight got harder
16H ago
