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Body armour could be given to all senior custody officers after a sergeant was fatally shot at work, police chiefs said yesterday. Forces have been briefed on a pilot scheme to protect custody sergeants following Matt Ratana’s death in September. The National Police Chiefs’ Council said the goal was to better protect those in charge in case a suspect brought in for questioning launched an attack with a concealed weapon. Sergeant Ratana was allegedly shot in the chest by a handcuffed man who smuggled in a gun. Killed on duty: Body armour could be given to all senior custody officers following the death of Sergeant Matt Ratana who was fatally shot at work in September (Pictured: Matt Ratana with partner Sue Bushby) It comes after a recent officer safety review recommended body armour for ‘certain frontline roles’. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick last month announced the pilot scheme for her force, bolstering safety in custody suites after the 54-year-old sergeant was shot

Australians are enjoying the biggest relaxation of COVID-19 rules in months as the much-hated order forcing millions to wear masks in public places is scrapped. Restaurant capacity limits in both Victoria and New South Wales have doubled to one person per two square metres as of Monday, after both states enjoyed sustained periods without a COVID-19 case.  Victorian pub-goers will also be allowed to stand at the bar to enjoy a tipple, while those in NSW can do so as long as they are at an outdoor venue. Nightclubs will reopen in Victoria after the state went 37 days without a fresh infection - bringing them into line with clubs in NSW which allow 50 people onto the dance floor. Until a case was confirmed last Thursday, NSW had enjoyed 26 days without a  COVID-19 infection. In a welcome reprieve for Melbourne's five million residents, face coverings in the city will now only be needed when people can't socially distance. Families are seen lining up to take photos with Santa and h

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner look loved up in pictures taken on their tour of Melania's final White House Christmas decorations Friday night. The first daughter recycled a $2,750 silver and crimson Markarian dress she had first worn for the annual Gridiron dinner in March last year.  Posting three images of their night at the White House Ivanka said: 'Touring @FLOTUS’s dazzling 2020 White House Christmas decorations Friday evening! 'This year's theme, “America the Beautiful,” is a tribute to the majesty of our great Nation!'  First lady Melania had unveiled her final Christmas decorations at the White House on Monday, revealing a toned-down decor during a time the country is dealing with rising coronavirus cases and scaled-back holiday gatherings.  Her 'America the Beautiful' theme featured a room dedicated to front line workers, ornaments made by children across the country, and a stocking for Barron. 'During this special time of the year, I am deligh

Today show host Bobbie Thomas' husband Michael Marion has died at the age of 42.  The style editor, 46, made the announcement in a Instagram post Sunday, writing: 'Nothing is normal. Maybe nothing will ever be normal again. For me, it won’t. My husband is gone.' Michael's death came after he suffered a stroke in May last year. An obituary for the late lawyer said he died on Tuesday after a 'heroic struggle'. It adds: 'He had a smile that lit up every room he entered.' Sharing three pictures with her husband Thomas added: 'With all the fear, anger, and division going on in the world right now, it’s so easy to get upset about the lack of normalcy.  'But I beg you, everyone reading this, hold onto what you do have right now instead of focusing on what you don’t.  'One thing we all have is kindness. Absorb it, extend it, exhaust it.' Today show host Bobbie Thomas' husband Michael Marion has died at the age of 42. The style editor, 46, mad

A 'miracle' kitten that was thought to be dead was saved after falling down a six-foot pipe on an industrial site - as her rescuers fittingly renamed her Piper.  Piper, a six-week-old kitten, was discovered trapped with another kitten down a pipe at Moorfield Industrial Estate in Newcastle Road, in Stafford, West Midlands.  A passer-by was able to retrieve the first kitten, but it was assumed Piper was already dead as she was making no sound and lay lifeless at the bottom of the pipe.  However, when the RSPCA arrived and retrieved the tri-coloured kitten from the hole, they heard a tiny meow.  Piper, a six-week-old kitten, was found trapped down a six-foot pipe along with another kitten on an industrial estate in Stafford, West Midlands RSPCA inspector Caren Goodman-James said: 'We were sure the kitten was dead as she hadn't moved at all whilst the member of the public reached the other kitten, but then when I used my grasper to bring her out of the pipe, she finally ma

Residents of a Queensland town have been urged to 'leave immediately' as the devastating Fraser Island bushfire makes a beeline for their homes.  Most residents of Happy Valley evacuated on Sunday afternoon but 50 people remained to defend their homes from the bushfire on the tourist mecca.  Queensland Fire Emergency Services made a fifth 'leave immediately' warning at 8am on Monday following four desperate warnings in the last 24 hours.    'Currently as of 8am on Monday, a large fire is travelling in a south easterly direction towards Happy Valley township on Fraser Island,' the warning read.  'Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing.'   The island's fires have burned through at least 82,000 hectares of World Heritage-listed bushland since they were sparked by an illegal campfire on October 14.  The bushfire burning at Rooney Point on Fraser Island on Friday. The fire is now making its way

The top U.S. Navy official in the Mideast said Sunday that America has reached an 'uneasy deterrence' with Iran following months of attacks and seizures at sea.  Tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. Vice Adm. Sam Paparo, who oversees the Navy's 5th Fleet based in Bahrain, said Sunday he has a 'healthy respect' for Iran's regular navy and the naval forces of its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, during comments to the annual Manama Dialogue hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.   'We have achieved an uneasy deterrence. That uneasy deterrence is exacerbated by world events and by events along the way,' the vice admiral said.  'But I have found Iranian activity at sea to be cautious and circumspect and respectful, to not risk unnecessary miscalculation or escalation at sea,' he added. Iran's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request