7News Just In

A fierce fire swept through a home on Waverley Parade in Pascoe Vale South during the early afternoon. Fire crews battled intense flames and smoke at the rear of the property, successfully preventing the blaze from spreading to neighbouring homes. No one was home at the time of the incident, and the cause of the fire remains unknown.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has reversed his position on Iran, stating the US may end airstrikes within two to three weeks regardless of whether a deal is reached. The president has told NATO allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz themselves, saying America will no longer help and urging them to 'go get your own oil'. Britain and France are leading international efforts to help secure the strait after hostilities end, while Iran has threatened to target American tech companies including Apple, Google and Microsoft operating in the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A woman has died after her car crashed into a tree on Hallam Road in Hampton Park around 3am, with police believing no other vehicles were involved. Hundreds of health workers including medical scientists, pharmacists and psychologists marched on Parliament demanding better pay and conditions, claiming negotiations with the Allan Government have stalled for over a year. Vandals stole signal cables from Melbourne's rail network causing delays of up to three hours between Dandenong and Oakleigh, forcing thousands of commuters onto replacement buses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dezi Freeman's body has been formally identified by a coroner after he was shot more than 20 times at a Thologolong property, ending Australia's biggest manhunt. Police tracked the movements of a car belonging to a close family friend of Freeman, with intelligence emerging in February during a second major search of Paw Paw in which ballistics testing was conducted. The property, located 100 kilometres from Paw Paw on the New South Wales border, remains under police lockdown as forensic investigations continue ahead of a coronial inquest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Senate has passed new laws imposing tougher penalties on fraudulent NDIS operators, with offenders facing up to five years imprisonment and fines of $400,000. New research reveals three-quarters of Australians favour sports uniforms over formal school uniforms for students. A recent study shows Gen Z is abandoning digital entertainment in favour of traditional hobbies including scrapbooking, vinyl record collecting, and crafts like crocheting and knitting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASA has begun the countdown for the Artemis II mission, humanity's first crewed launch to the moon in 53 years, scheduled for tomorrow morning. The mission aims to establish a lunar outpost that will eventually serve as a launch pad for future Mars missions. Weather conditions remain the primary concern, with four launch attempts available over six days, though officials express optimism about the first launch window.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House prices in Sydney and Melbourne have declined for the second consecutive month, with Sydney values dropping 0.3% and Melbourne falling 0.6% in March. Rising interest rates, inflation and global tensions are deterring buyers from the property market. Population growth in both cities has slowed to its lowest level since the pandemic, contributing to the downward pressure on housing values.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Australia Police conducted a major raid on a home in Adelaide's western suburbs, seizing what is alleged to be a massive haul of stolen Lego products. The operation extended past midnight, with police horse floats used to remove the extensive collection of boxed Lego sets that filled the property. A resident was arrested and refused police bail, with court proceedings scheduled to follow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man is under police guard in hospital after a shooting at a Western Sydney home overnight, with a 33-year-old suffering a serious gunshot wound to his stomach. Donald Trump has criticised NATO allies, demanding they secure the Strait of Hormuz themselves and retrieve their own oil as fighting in Iran continues into its second month. New details emerge about the police hunt for Desi Freeman, including an intercepted phone call and the final confrontation where police fired 20 bullets after he emerged from his hideout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has told allied countries to 'get their own oil' and reopen the Strait of Hormuz themselves, expressing frustration that European nations and other allies are refusing to join a conflict with Iran. The US President posted on Truth Social telling allies to 'build up some delayed courage' and take the Strait, stating America won't help them anymore. Iran's Revolutionary Guard is now threatening to target American tech companies including Google, Meta and Apple operating in the Middle East.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queensland rail workers have launched protected industrial action, with approximately 200 union members walking off the job to demand higher pay. The strike has resulted in complete cancellation of Cleveland line services and partial cancellation of Ipswich and Rosewood line services between Rosewood and Darra, affecting thousands of commuters across South East Queensland. The timing is particularly challenging as the region has seen increased public transport usage due to 50-cent fares and rising fuel costs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 33-year-old man is under police guard in hospital with a serious gunshot wound to his stomach following a shooting in Sydney's west. The incident occurred just after 11pm, with police alleging a shot was fired at a Greystanes home on Mavis Street nearly an hour later. Police are currently investigating the overnight shooting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit the United States from 27-30 April to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, marking Charles' first visit to the US as monarch. The visit includes a White House banquet dinner hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania, and the King is expected to address Congress celebrating 250 years of shared history between the two nations. The tour will conclude with a historic first visit by a British king to Bermuda.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cyclone Narelle has left the Western Australian tourist town of Coral Bay cut off during peak Easter season, with flooded access roads preventing visitors from reaching the destination. The town faces hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses from mass cancellations, damaged buildings, low food supplies, and limited fuel, with April alone worth $140 million and 800 jobs to regional WA. Local businesses and workers are struggling with lost income as the community races to repair damage and reopen before the school holidays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 53-year-old Carnarvon man survived 12 hours clinging to a tree after being swept away by raging floodwaters in the Gascoyne River. Noel Glanville was caught in fast-moving floodwaters on Sunday night while waiting on the riverbed, and after swimming to shore at dawn, he was rescued at a riverside cafe before kayaking back to his family. He is now warning others to stay away from floodwaters after his near-death experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A five-bedroom, fully furnished, two-storey home in Tarneit has been built through the collaborative efforts of tradies and suppliers, then donated to the Royal Children's Hospital by Henley Homes and Villawood Properties.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melbourne Zoo's new snow leopard cubs have earned their stripes for the school holiday spotlight. The four babies delighted fans at today's public debut, delivering the perfect sneak preview.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Kuwaiti tanker carrying two million barrels of oil has been targeted in an Iranian drone strike off the coast of Dubai. The vessel burst into flames as Donald Trump threatened to obliterate Iran's utilities if the regime refuses a deal to end the war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior Liberal figures are calling for the Victorian Party's President to resign over a pre-selection bungle involving Moira Deeming. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fuel excise cut of 26.3 cents per litre takes effect, though service stations may take days to pass on the full savings as they sell through existing stock purchased at the full tax rate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands of Victorians are taking advantage of free public transport to beat the fuel crisis. The month-long free-for-all kicked off today, letting commuters board trams, trains and buses without a Myki. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two men have been arrested over a deadly unit fire that claimed the life of a woman in Geelong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Making the most of your money has been made even harder with the war in the Middle East upending global economies. Stocks have fallen since Donald Trump triggered the conflict but we're being urged to stay patient, even as the value of super and share portfolios crumbles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydney scientists have uncovered a lethal link between e-cigarettes and cancer, finding vapes are just as harmful as conventional cigarettes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Marrickville business has lost almost $50,000 worth of camera equipment, suspected stolen by an Uber driver. The courier was supposed to deliver it to a production company, but he never made it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydney's Southwest Metro has just passed another major milestone as testing reaches a critical phase, with the government promising it will change the way we move around.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former radio host Jackie O has made explosive allegations against her longtime co-host Kyle Sandilands, as she sues for unfair dismissal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A U.S. Army Apache helicopter crew performed a low-altitude fly-by manoeuvre at country-rocker Kid Rock's Nashville home while he saluted from the ground. The Trump supporter shared footage of the incident on social media, prompting an official U.S. Army investigation into the stunt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three priceless paintings by Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse were stolen in under three minutes from a museum near Parma in northern Italy. The artworks, estimated to be worth millions of dollars, were part of a private collection that also included works by Monet. Police believe an organised gang was responsible for the theft and are investigating the case.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marine Rescue New South Wales has deployed more than 3,000 volunteers to patrol waterways across the state during the Easter long weekend. The Easter bunny has joined the water safety campaign, which comes after nearly 300 people required rescue during last year's Easter period. The initiative aims to promote responsible boating and water safety practices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A garbage truck caught fire in Dulwich Hill, Sydney's inner west, forcing workers to dump two tonnes of burning rubbish onto the street. A worker attempted to control the blaze with a fire extinguisher before firefighters arrived and extinguished the flames. The incident left crews with a significant clean-up operation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria's public transport network is operating free of charge for the entire month of April as a cost of living measure by the Allan government. The initiative aims to reduce car dependence and ease household budgets as fuel costs remain high due to the Middle East conflict. Myki gates remain open with passengers not required to tap on or off, while Metro and V/Line monitor demand with standby buses ready for potential surges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nine sounds have been formally recognised as Australian national treasures by the National Film and Sound Archive, including breakthrough songs, jingles, landmark speeches and the iconic 'Democracy Manifest' arrest. Singer Marcia Hines' 1977 hit song has been added to this prestigious list, spending 25 weeks at number one and becoming a defining sound of Australian music history. The American-born performer, who chose to make Australia her home in the 1970s, reflects on the unexpected honour and her enduring connection to the country that adopted her.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydney's Southwest Metro has passed the halfway point of testing on the converted Bankstown line, with over 15,000 of 30,000 testing kilometres completed. Trains are being tested up to 22 hours a day to ensure seamless integration of trains, platform doors, gap fillers and station systems. The new metro will run every four minutes during peak times, carrying 18,000 passengers per hour and cutting travel time from Bankstown to Central to 28 minutes, halving the previous journey time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Monteleone, a 47-year-old Sydney man, is facing trial for allegedly attacking his ex-girlfriend in a gym car park in 2024. A police interview has been released showing Monteleone admitting to injuring the victim around the neck region, though he handed himself into police and claims he never intended to cause harm. He has pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent to murder.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 77-year-old partially deaf woman was woken by a knife-wielding intruder standing over her bed at her Port Melbourne home just after 3am. The startled offender fled the scene with stolen jewellery and electronics. Police have released security camera footage in hopes of identifying and tracking down the suspect.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Australian-led research from UNSW has confirmed that vaping alone can cause mouth and lung cancer, independent of any link to smoking. The study analysed case reports, human studies, chemical analysis and mouse experiments, with exposed mice developing significantly higher rates of lung cancer. Professor Bernard Stewart and researchers warn that a new generation may already be facing irreversible harm, though the full effects will take decades to fully understand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melbourne's on-street parking fees will increase by 20 to 30 cents per hour, marking the first rise in eight years, with parking revenue projected to soar by 23% to more than $70 million. Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece has reversed his promise to freeze parking fees for four years. Flinders Lane will close to cars during busy periods, with other CBD 'Little Streets' to follow as part of a pedestrian prioritisation plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASA's Artemis II mission will launch four astronauts from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida for a 10-day journey around the moon, marking the first crewed lunar flight since 1972. The astronauts will not land on the moon, but the mission represents a crucial step towards NASA's goal of establishing a lunar base camp that could serve as a launchpad for future Mars missions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celine Dion announces a 10-night concert residency in Paris scheduled for September and October, marking her return to performing after being diagnosed with Stiff Person's Syndrome. The French-Canadian singer revealed the comeback shows on her 58th birthday with a promotional campaign featuring a countdown and light show at the Eiffel Tower and posters throughout Paris streets. Her last performance was at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four masked men broke into a Queensland home in the middle of the night, threatening Elena Parolin with death and violence as she confronted them upstairs. Elena suffered a broken finger during the terrifying ordeal, during which the intruders yelled threats to shoot and kill her. The four suspects, believed to be youth offenders, remain at large following the home invasion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three Tesla vehicles were destroyed in a suspected arson attack at a Parramatta car dealership on Church Street in the early hours of the morning. Fire crews responded within five minutes of the 3:20am call, deploying 45 firefighters and 10 fire trucks to extinguish the blaze, which also damaged the building's facade. An accelerant was poured over all three vehicles, causing approximately $150,000 in damage, and police are investigating the incident with assistance from CCTV footage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat are facing accusations of non-compliance with Australia's under-16s social media ban. A new report reveals that many underage users have successfully re-entered these platforms after being removed. Since the ban commenced in December, at least 5 million social media accounts have been blocked.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shadow Police Minister Brad Battin walked out of State Parliament after Premier Jacinta Allan criticised his two-year service in Victoria Police during a heated exchange in the Chamber. The confrontation occurred when Battin questioned the government about potential suburban police station closures. The incident took place hours after both parties moved a motion in support of police officers killed by Dezi Freeman.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 13-year-old girl is facing 52 charges following an anti-Semitic attack in Ripponlea, Melbourne's east. The accused allegedly drove a stolen car erratically and shouted offensive slurs at members of the Jewish community. The incident is being treated as a serious hate crime with multiple charges laid.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to obliterate Iran's energy infrastructure, including electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island, if peace negotiations fail. The conflict has continued for 30 days, with the US claiming progress in discussions with what it calls a new Iranian regime, while Iran rejects the US's 15-point list of demands as excessive and unreasonable. Trump is considering asking Arab nations to help fund the military operation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jackie O Henderson has launched legal action against Australian Radio Network for unfair dismissal, seeking $82 million in lost wages plus interest and costs after the Kyle and Jackie O Show was axed. Henderson claims she made bullying complaints about Kyle Sandilands well before their on-air confrontation on 20 February, and alleges ARN misled the market in its announcement about her departure. The radio network now faces two blockbuster lawsuits, one from Sandilands and one from Henderson, with both cases expected to be explosive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A woman has died in a deliberately lit unit fire in Norlane, Geelong, with two men now in police custody. Fire crews called to Thompson Road just after 3am found the woman unresponsive inside, but despite efforts to save her, she could not be revived. Neighbours reported ongoing issues with a local man seen fleeing the scene, describing how they had been living in fear with some sleeping with weapons for protection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal government's 26 cent-a-litre fuel excise cut begins tomorrow but may take one to two weeks to reach motorists at the bowser as service stations sell through existing stock. Distribution issues persist with 462 service stations without diesel and 188 without any fuel, primarily affecting New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Reserve Bank minutes from the March 17 meeting reveal uncertainty about future cash rate paths due to Middle East conflict, with economists warning the three-month fuel excise cut could temporarily reduce inflation but ultimately push mortgage repayments higher.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A serious crash has closed all outbound lanes of the Monash Freeway, causing significant traffic disruption. Emergency services are responding to the incident, with aerial footage showing the impact on traffic flow. Drivers are being advised to avoid the area while authorities manage the situation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.