PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA: The USA is set for four full years of winter, according to the celebrated groundhog reputed to make a long-range weather forecast during a popular annual ceremony in the small town of Punxsutawney in the north-east state of Philadelphia.

Each year at the start of February the groundhog at the centre of the ceremony is claimed to predict the length of winter depending on whether or not he sees his own shadow after emerging from his burrow.

At this year’s ceremony held on Sunday (US Eastern time) handlers of the groundhog, Punxsutawney Don, (main picture) said they had interpreted his comments as a prediction for four full years of “deep, deep winter weather during which everyone will have permanent chills running up their spines”.

“Punxsutawney Don seemed quite happy with his prediction, although the rest of us are less pleased given we’ll soon be paying 10% more for the heating fuels we now import from Canada,” one handler said.

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Former Liberal Party federal health minister Greg Hunt has been criticised for allegedly embarrassing Opposition Leader Peter Dutton by planning to call for a national apology in the federal parliament from the Albanese Government over its response to anti-Semitic attacks. (below)

“Greg has certainly put his foot in it,” one senior Liberal Party source said. “He should know that Peter Dutton doesn’t do national apologies.”  

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WASHINGTON, DC: The White House has clarified a statement issued earlier today that suggested US President Donald Trump was “continuing to insult the leaders of Mexico, China, and Canada” about his plans to impose trade tariffs.

Reporters quizzed presidential press secretary Karoline Leavitt about the apparent typo, asking if the statement had meant to say that Mr Trump was continuing to “consult” the three leaders.

“I can clarify that. No, the statement is absolutely correct,” Ms Leavitt said.

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