7News Just In

Donald Trump is sending more troops to the Middle East as plans are made for face-to-face peace talks between the US and Iran. But Israel isn't backing away from the fight, now vowing to take control of southern Lebanon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The war in the Middle East is already putting family budgets under pressure but we're being warned it's only going to get worse. The real inflation rate is likely much higher than today's official figure, which was taken before the war began. There is a silver lining: borrowers may be spared another interest rate hike because drivers are already copping it at the pump.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cheap flights to Asia and London are now being offered to lure the first passengers to Western Sydney Airport.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been a major arrest in the case of Chris Baghsarian, the 85-year-old who was kidnapped and then killed in Sydney last month. Police say they have made a crucial arrest, hauling a man from a Seven Hills home that also contained guns and drugs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celine Dion is teasing fans with cryptic clues in Paris suggesting a potential comeback tour as soon as September. The French-Canadian singer has posted Instagram photos with the caption 'I don't know how to tell you', while signs featuring her song titles have appeared around the city. This would mark her first tour since the Courage World Tour was cancelled during COVID due to her battle with stiff person syndrome, and her first performance since the Paris Olympics opening ceremony at the Eiffel Tower.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show has opened at Carlton Gardens, featuring seven show gardens by leading Australian designers. Landscape designer Jamie Durie returns after 20 years with a future-focused garden showcasing 100% Australian native plants, recycled materials, electric vehicles, and smart technology including AI-powered security cameras and robotic lawnmowers. The garden demonstrates sustainable design principles for smaller urban spaces, featuring recycled concrete aggregates, shade-tolerant buffalo grass, and mulch from Melbourne's FOGO bin waste programme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rock and heavy metal memorabilia, including costumes and instruments, is being auctioned at New York's Hard Rock Cafe in a Music Icons sale. A guitar belonging to KISS lead guitarist Ace Frehley is expected to fetch up to $800,000. The auction also features items from Metallica, Guns N' Roses and Mötley Crüe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New domestic violence legislation will close a legal loophole that previously prevented former partners still listed on a lease from being charged with break and enter offences when forcing their way back into a home. The loophole left victims, typically women who had ended relationships, vulnerable to former partners returning without facing criminal charges. State Attorney General Michael Daley says the legislation will provide victims with greater protection in their own homes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two teenagers, aged 15 and 14, were killed when their trail bike collided with a bus on the Liverpool-Parramatta T-way on Monday night. Hundreds of people have visited a makeshift memorial in Bossley Park to pay their respects to the young victims who died at the scene.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices fluctuated dramatically, dropping 14% before surging past $100 USD a barrel amid conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran about potential diplomatic talks. US President Donald Trump claims Iran has agreed to abandon nuclear weapons ambitions and made concessions on the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran's military leadership vows to continue fighting until complete victory. Ongoing military strikes continue across the Middle East, with Israeli operations in southern Lebanon and Iranian missiles penetrating Tel Aviv's Iron Dome defence system, causing damage to residential areas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASA has announced plans to establish a $30 billion lunar base on the moon's surface, marking a significant shift from its previous Gateway space station project. The space agency will invest approximately $20 billion over seven years, building the base in stages through dozens of missions with commercial and international partners. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman also revealed plans for a nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars by the end of 2028.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A driver has been sentenced to nine years in jail for killing siblings Alina Kauffman and Ernesto Salazar in a horror crash in Heckenberg in 2023. The driver was speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road when he struck the victims' car. The siblings' mother, Angelina Kauffman, has expressed devastation at the sentence and vowed to continue fighting for justice, stating her children's lives meant nothing to the court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tropical Cyclone Narrelle has re-formed off Western Australia's north and is tracking roughly parallel to the Pilbara coast. The Category 1 storm is expected to intensify to at least Category 3 over Carnarvon and Geraldton by the weekend. Perth is on high alert for gale force winds and up to 100 millimetres of rain by the end of the week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydney venues hosting live music have quadrupled to more than 550 following new government incentives. The program offers an 80 per cent discount on liquor licence fees and an extra two hours of trading for venues that host live performances. The initiative is putting musicians back in work while bringing communities together through live music experiences.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Married at First Sight host Mel Schilling has died from cancer at the age of 53. Her husband Gareth Brisbane announced her passing on social media, noting they shared 15 years together. Schilling had been in remission from colon cancer before the disease spread to her lungs and brain, with fellow hosts and colleagues paying tribute to the television personality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Myeloma Australia has presented a delegation to Canberra seeking government funding to find a cure for the incurable blood cancer. Health Minister Mark Butler announced that Elrexfio, a revolutionary medicine, will be added to the PBS next month for advanced myeloma patients, saving approximately 300 patients $5,000 per script. The organisation released a report showing the disease costs Australia $7.1 billion annually in health expenses and lost productivity, and is requesting $132 million over five years for research and treatment, which they claim would save $1.5 billion over the same period.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meta has been ordered to pay $375 million in civil penalties after a New Mexico jury found the company misled users over child safety practices. The jury determined Meta exposed children to explicit content and child predators on its platforms. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced the company plans to appeal the decision, maintaining that Meta has been transparent about its inability to catch all harmful content.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia has launched its largest missile attack on Ukraine since the war began, firing 948 drones across Ukrainian cities within a 24-hour period. The strikes hit multiple locations including Lviv in western Ukraine, where a missile damaged a 16th century monastery that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. The attacks resulted in at least eight deaths and dozens of injuries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Western Sydney Airport launches its first commercial passenger flights through Singapore Airlines, with tickets on sale for services beginning 23rd November. Return fares start from $870 to Ho Chi Minh City, $900 to Singapore, $966 to Mumbai, and $1,800 to London. The airport will commence with daily non-stop flights to Singapore, with cargo operations starting in July and passenger services in November, providing improved connectivity for 65% of Sydney residents within 45 minutes travel time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

VCAT's new $106 million headquarters on La Trobe Street consolidates tribunal services and key legal agencies under one roof for the first time. The facility is designed to help Victorians resolve disputes more quickly, efficiently and affordably. VCAT processes more than 75,000 cases annually.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Samoan man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for the murder of his wife Lise in Melton South. The Supreme Court heard the 44-year-old stabbed his wife four times with a kitchen knife, driven by an unfounded belief she was having an affair with his brother, with the court noting his extremely low IQ of 61 and major depressive disorder. The convicted murderer will be eligible for parole in 18 years and faces likely deportation upon release.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 76-year-old man has been arrested after nearly 30 years as a fugitive, facing charges for two alleged armed bank robberies in New South Wales during the 1990s. Alexander Robert McDonald allegedly held a woman hostage during a shotgun robbery at a Coonabarabran bank in 1996, followed by a similar alleged robbery at a Laurieton bank on the Mid North Coast in 1997. He was arrested in Queensland on Monday, extradited to New South Wales, and denied bail during his court appearance via video link.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Swimming legend Ariarne Titmus returns to the Launceston pool where she began her career, carrying the King's Baton Relay as part of its final Australian stop in Tasmania. The Olympic and Commonwealth Games champion, who has won seven Commonwealth Games gold medals and four Olympic titles, meets with aspiring young swimmers at the facility now named in her honour. The visit comes 120 days before the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ABC staff have walked off the job for 24 hours over a pay dispute, disrupting programming across radio and television. Hundreds of journalists, producers, directors and studio staff rejected a 10% pay rise over three years, arguing it doesn't keep up with inflation. Major programs including the 7.30 program with Sarah Ferguson and the 7pm news bulletins have been cancelled or are uncertain to run.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 16-year-old Sydney boy has been charged with collecting and preparing documents likely to facilitate a terrorist act and possessing violent extremist material following a counter-terrorism police investigation. Police raided a home in Sydney's inner west in December, seizing a gel blaster and flick knife, initially arresting the teenager on weapons charges before laying the more serious terrorism-related charges. The accused faces up to 15 years in jail if found guilty.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fierce blaze erupted in a Surry Hills garage just after 1am, destroying two cars and prompting the evacuation of nearby buildings. Firefighters battled the flames while police investigators suspect the fire was deliberately lit. The early morning incident required significant emergency response resources.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 2019 national fuel emergency response manual revealed through freedom of information laws details a contingency plan to cap motorist spending at $40 per tank during fuel shortages. State and federal governments have ruled out implementing the rationing plan despite 164 service stations running out of petrol and diesel in a single day. The fuel crisis is causing flow-on effects including Australia Post tripling its fuel levy to 12%, Jetstar cutting services, and waste collectors warning of rubbish pile-ups due to high diesel costs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's inflation rate cooled to 3.7% in February, down from 3.8% in January, with underlying inflation holding at 3.3%. Economists warn that inflation could surge above 5% in March as the impact of soaring petrol and diesel prices from the America and Israel war on Iran hits the economy. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has cautioned business leaders that the economic shock from the Iran conflict could exceed the impacts of COVID-19 and the Global Financial Crisis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Victorian government has announced a new electricity scheme offering households three hours of free power daily during midday periods, potentially saving families around $300 annually. The initiative, called Midday Power Saver, requires households to have a smart meter and opt in through their retailer, with the possibility of higher tariffs during other times of the day. The scheme will be available from October, approximately seven weeks before the state election, and is expected to benefit 2.6 million eligible households.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria faces a worsening petrol crisis with 134 fuel stations running low or out of at least one fuel stock. The transport industry held urgent talks calling for emergency powers, warning that garbage collection services could be affected if fuel surcharges aren't recognised. The federal government has ruled out $40 fuel purchase limits from a 2019 emergency plan, while companies like Australia Post are nearly tripling fuel surcharges for parcel deliveries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police have arrested 23-year-old Decklin Donnelly and his girlfriend Jenessa Thurston at a Seven Hills home in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian. Detectives allege Donnelly was contracted to kidnap an underworld figure's relative but mistakenly abducted innocent Mr Baghsarian from the wrong house in North Ryde on February 13. Police believe up to nine people were involved in the crime, with multiple guns, ammunition and drugs allegedly found at the property.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns calls for national COVID-style protocols including work from home rules and fuel rationing, with proposals for a $40 fuel cap revealed. Melbourne's City Council faces criticism as an eight-metre high kangaroo sculpture project costs blow out to $22 million, with ratepayers covering half the expense. Workplace culture debates emerge around reintroducing office lunchrooms, with experts arguing that eating lunch at desks is detrimental to business productivity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASA has cancelled its Lunar Gateway orbital space station project to redirect resources towards building a permanent base on the Moon's surface. Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the agency will invest approximately $20 billion over seven years to construct the lunar base in stages, working with commercial and international partners. The announcement precedes NASA's Artemis 2 mission launching next week, which will send astronauts around the Moon for the first time since 1972, while plans for a nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars by late 2028 were also unveiled.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate's February visit to Mar-a-Lago in Florida was funded by the Trump Organisation, including accommodation, meals featuring an expensive tomahawk steak, and airport transfers. Council documents confirm the expenses exceeded $500, refuting earlier criticism that ratepayers' money was used. The visit was to witness a deal between Eric Trump and a Gold Coast developer for a proposed 91-storey, $1 billion tower in Surfers Paradise, expected to go through council approval this year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson will receive a $100,000 salary increase, bringing her annual pay to approximately $310,000, following her party's elevation to minor party status in federal parliament. The party achieved this status after gaining five or more members, boosted significantly by Barnaby Joyce's defection to One Nation. Hanson has formally requested Prime Minister Anthony Albanese approve additional staffing resources to match those allocated to the Greens party.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices have fluctuated significantly in response to Donald Trump's statements about potential negotiations with Iran, dropping 14% to $96 per barrel before climbing back to $102 as Iran denied the existence of any talks. Intense fighting continues between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, with Israeli strikes flattening buildings in the south and Hezbollah gunfire killing a woman in northern Israel. The United States is deploying 3,000 additional troops to the Middle East, supplementing two vessels of Marines already en route to the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian government has a contingency policy document that recommends capping fuel purchases at $40 per motorist (equivalent to 16 litres) during fuel emergencies. Approximately 160 petrol stations across Victoria have run out of fuel, with the state experiencing a 300-400 per cent surge in fuel demand. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned the economic impact of the fuel crisis and Middle East conflict could rival the COVID pandemic, while electric vehicle purchases at auction dealerships have surged in response.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran appoints Mohammed Barger Zalgada as new security chief following the death of Ali Larajani in US-Israeli strikes. Two teenagers aged 14 and 15 have been killed after their motorcycle collided with a bus in Sydney's west, prompting tributes at the scene. Brisbane's new $3.8 billion Victoria Park stadium design has been unveiled, featuring 63,000 seats with shaded seating and giant digital screens, with construction beginning 1 June.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A petrol station worker in Armidale suffered serious facial injuries after attempting to stop a fuel drive-off and remains in stable condition in the state trauma unit at Royal Perth Hospital. Glenn McCaw, 39, was arrested after an 11-hour manhunt and faced court on charges including stealing, dangerous driving and failing to stop. The accused is currently remanded in custody with his next court appearance scheduled for next month.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Maylands couple's home construction project with Sovereign Building Company remains incomplete and riddled with defects, despite the building watchdog ordering fixes to more than 50 issues. The builder has ignored 40 of the ordered defects, leaving Rob and Pina Martin in financial and emotional limbo. Sovereign Building Company has requested an extension until May 25th to complete remediation work, while the case highlights systemic issues favouring builders over homeowners in Western Australia's construction industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electric vehicle sales are surging with demand fuelled by record high petrol prices, inflation and interest rates. Motorists are scrambling to cut costs sending new and second-hand EV sales skyrocketing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A selfless state MP is playing a powerful role in a new ad campaign to raise funds for MND care. Emma Vulin is fighting the incurable disease herself and wants to help others while she can. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's biggest airports are joining forces, calling for urgent immigration upgrades. They claim Australia is fast falling behind other nations which use safer and faster passport processing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former AFL umpire Troy Pannell’s legal woes are worsening with his estranged wife now declaring bankruptcy. She has been left in limbo by his alleged $10 million fraud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 160 petrol stations across Victoria have now run out of fuel. Demand has soared 400 per cent but the state government insists supply is not the issue, panic buying is. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heartless criminals have started siphoning petrol out of cars parked on the street as the crime wave from the fuel crisis gets worse by the day. Now the price of fruit and veggies across Sydney is skyrocketing as grocers try to cover their ballooning costs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 35,000 fed-up Victorian teachers have stormed out of classrooms and into the city, rallying for hours in their fight for better pay. It marked the biggest education strike in the state's history, leaving families in limbo with organisers promising more to come. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electric vehicle sales in Australia have surged to record levels, with dealerships reporting 25 EVs sold in just three days compared to the usual eight per month. More than 11,000 electric cars were sold nationally in February alone, double the number from the same time last year, driven by petrol prices reaching $2.50 per litre. Both new and second-hand EV sales are experiencing unprecedented demand, with Pickles Auctions reporting a 30% uplift in EV searches as Australians seek to save approximately $3,000 per year on running costs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electric vehicle sales in Australia have surged to record levels, with dealerships reporting 25 EVs sold in just three days compared to the usual eight per month. More than 11,000 electric cars were sold nationally in February alone, double the number from the same time last year, driven by petrol prices reaching $2.50 per litre. Both new and second-hand EV sales are experiencing unprecedented demand, with Pickles Auctions reporting a 30% uplift in EV searches as Australians seek to save approximately $3,000 per year on running costs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electric vehicle sales in Australia have surged to record levels, with dealerships reporting 25 EVs sold in just three days compared to the usual eight per month. More than 11,000 electric cars were sold nationally in February alone, double the number from the same time last year, driven by petrol prices reaching $2.50 per litre. Both new and second-hand EV sales are experiencing unprecedented demand, with Pickles Auctions reporting a 30% uplift in EV searches as Australians seek to save approximately $3,000 per year on running costs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.