Northeastern Australia prepares for 'destructive' cyclone

The northeastern Australian cities of Cairns and Port Douglas were readying on Tuesday for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which is forecast to bring "destructive" winds and potential flooding. The Category One storm has been slowly churning across the Coral Sea, with the core of the cyclone expected to hit Australia's eastern coast around midday Wednesday (2300 GMT Tuesday). Meteorologists have forecast it will strengthen to a Category Two storm, bringing winds of 140 kilometres (87 miles) per hour, heavy rain and possible storm tides.