A freezing Antarctic blast is sweeping its way up Australia’s east coast with millions shivering through bitterly cold wind, showers and taking cover from sudden hail.

President Joe Biden on Thursday praised negotiators who helped avert a rail strike that could have cost the US economy $2 billion per day.

Catalan weather chiefs said the hailstones that fell in the area, near the tourist city of Girona close to Spain’s border with France, were the largest in twenty years.

The move has been welcomed by one taxi drivers association, which said the plans are ‘long overdue’ and called for cyclists to be held ‘accountable for their actions’.

Short thundery downpours have been reported in the south and southeast of the country today, as unsettled weather moves across the country bringing spells of rain, gusty winds and hail in some places.

Nadal fought back from two sets down in Melbourne to defeat Russia ‘s Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 after an epic marathon lasting five hours and 24 minutes.

Hordes of Sydneysiders lapped up the sunshine at popular Bondi Beach on Tuesday but woke up on Wednesday to a drenching – and it’s only going to get worse.