7News Just In

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.

The King's Baton Relay arrives in Sydney with 121 days remaining until the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. For the first time, all 74 Commonwealth nations have their own unique baton, with Australia's hand-painted by First Nations artist Chern'ee Sutton. The baton was carried by gold medallist Georgia Godwin and Matt Shirvington before being delivered to Governor-General Samantha Mostyn at Admiralty House, before continuing to Tasmania for the final leg of its Australian tour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The King's Baton Relay arrives in Sydney with 121 days remaining until the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. For the first time, all 74 Commonwealth nations have their own unique baton, with Australia's hand-painted by First Nations artist Chern'ee Sutton. The baton was carried by gold medallist Georgia Godwin and Matt Shirvington before being delivered to Governor-General Samantha Mostyn at Admiralty House, before continuing to Tasmania for the final leg of its Australian tour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Air Canada Express jet crashed into a fire and rescue truck while landing at New York's LaGuardia Airport, killing both the pilot and co-pilot. The collision occurred when the truck crossed onto the runway, with audio from the control tower suggesting the controller had given permission to cross just moments before impact. Investigators have recovered the flight recorder and are examining the wreckage, with early indications pointing to human error in what is being described as New York's worst aviation disaster in over three decades.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

84% of Australian employees use artificial intelligence tools daily, but only 7% are considered proficient, leaving 5 million workers classified as AI beginners. New modelling by RMIT Online and Deloitte Access Economics suggests that if half of these beginners improved their AI skills to intermediate level, it could boost the Australian economy by nearly $19 billion and increase individual worker earnings by approximately $7,000 annually. Almost a third of workers express anxiety about losing their jobs to AI, with admin and tech sectors already experiencing significant impacts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westmead Hospital's emergency department in western Sydney has been captured on video showing patients lying on the floor and waiting up to 20 hours for treatment. The Health Minister's office states many patients presenting are lower urgency triage levels 4 or 5, and is encouraging people to call Health Direct for advice. The government has announced its biggest ever recruitment drive for hospital staff to reduce wait times, while the opposition is calling for an inquiry into western Sydney healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 39-year-old man has been charged after allegedly mowing down a service station attendant while fleeing without paying for fuel in Perth's south-east. The accused was on the run for almost 11 hours before police arrested him. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch has warned that rising fuel prices may increase this type of offending, while the injured worker remains in a stable condition in hospital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.