Thanks very much for reading our Need to Know blog this Sunday, March 9. Here are some of the biggest developments of the day so far:

• Flash flooding in Hervey Bay, 700mm rain forecast: The threat of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred is not over as downpours and flooding continue, with more than 300,000 homes without power and over a dozen defence force personnel injured in a truck accident.
• Qantas, Virgin resume flights as Alfred passes: Virgin Australia said it had resumed operations in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Ballina following the passing of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, in line with the latest meteorology advice and after conducting all necessary safety checks.
• Six defence force personal seriously injured in Lismore crash: Two defence force trucks carrying troops rolled while assisting in response to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, seriously injuring six people, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
• Australia to send official to Ukraine defence talks: Anthony Albanese says Australia will send a “senior representative” to a meeting of European defence ministers in Paris as he considers sending peacekeepers as part of ending the war in Ukraine.