9:50 am today

Australia: Chinese games, election guesses, spider drive

From Nine To Noon, 9:50 am today
This handout photo taken on February 13, 2025 and released by The Australian Defence Force shows the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Arunta (lower L) sailing near the People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) Fuchi-class replenishment vessel and Weishanhu Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang in the Tasman Sea. Australia's foreign minister voiced concern on February 21 over live fire drills conducted by three Chinese warships sailing off the country's east coast. (Photo by Handout / AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO /  AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Chinese drills in the Tasman Sea were spotted by passenger aircraft, more than 50 of which needed to be diverted. Photo: HANDOUT / AFP

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton looks at the pressure Australian officials are coming under to explain why it was a Virgin airline pilot who alerted the Australian and New Zealand governments to a live-fire exercise by China in the Tasman sea.

The stake out begins at Government House for hints of when an election date can be set, amateur spider catches are wanted to help trap deadly funnel web spiders for an antivenom drive and what happens in Vegas,doesn't stay there.

Two Canberra Raiders players have apologised for a hotel fracas involving an inflatable baseball bat.