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Shooter at large following armed robbery and carjacking on NSW south coast

A man has been shot in an armed robbery and carjacking at a hotel on NSW's south coast overnight.

Emergency crews were called to a hotel on Campbell Street in Narooma at about 10.30pm after a 31-year-old man was shot.

He was treated at the scene and taken to Moruya Hospital in a stable condition.

READ MORE: Peter Malinauskas is the favourite going into South Australia's state election but the win might not be that simple

Police were told an unknown man had gone into the hotel and shot the 31-year-old before stealing cash.

He allegedly threatened people inside the hotel, demanding more money before fleeing.

Police were told the man then approached a 17-year-old driver in a Toyota Land Cruiser in a nearby car park before demanding the teen get out of the car, threatening them with the gun.

The unknown man left the scene in the car, and it was found shortly after, burnt out on the Princes Highway in Narooma.

The fire was extinguished shortly after, and police are now investigating the incident.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an online report.

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US lifts sanctions on Iranian oil to lower petrol prices

The Trump administration has announced it will lift sanctions on Iranian oil in a bid to alleviate high prices.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a "narrowly tailored, short-term authorisation" for the sale of oil from the country the US is at war with.

The sanctions will be lifted for 140 million barrels of oil currently at sea.

READ MORE: Trump considering 'winding down' his war in Iran

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in the Oval Office with Donald Trump.

"In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down as we continue Operation Epic Fury," Bessent said.

"This temporary, short-term authorisation is strictly limited to oil that is already in transit and does not allow new purchases or production. 

"Further, Iran will have difficulty accessing any revenue generated and the United States will continue to maintain maximum pressure on Iran and its ability to access the international financial system."

The arrangement means that while other tankers are unable to move through the Strait of Hormuz for fear of being attacked by Iran, Iranian oil will still be able to be sold.

"At present, sanctioned Iranian oil is being hoarded by China on the cheap," Bessent said.

"By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets."

Most of Iran's oil is sold to China.

READ MORE: Son of ousted king positions himself to take over in Iran

Iran is a major producer of oil in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, other countries who export through the Persian Gulf are desperately looking for ways to store the oil they cannot put on ships.

About 20 per cent of oil sold in the world is exported through the Strait of Hormuz.

Last week the US also authorised the purchase of Russian oil that had previously been sanctioned.

Today's move comes as crude oil prices surged to a new high, and Wall Street plummeted.

Speaking to reporters today, US President Donald Trump was unfazed by the cost of oil.

"I expected worse," he said.

"I really thought that oil prices would go much higher when I did this."

READ MORE: How the war in Iran is impacting Australia's oil supply

An oil tanker going through the Strait of Hormuz.

In a Truth Social post earlier today, the president insinuated the US would be "winding down" the war.

His statement inferred the responsibility of ensuring the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened would be on other nations.

"The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not," he wrote.

"If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated. 

""Importantly, it will be an easy Military Operation for them."

READ MORE: Donald Trump lashes out at NATO 'cowards' for not joining war

But his claims come as Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared victory in his own statement.

"The enemy has been defeated," Khamenei said.

"(Iranians have) dealt him a dizzying blow so that he now starts uttering contradictory words and nonsense."

READ MORE: Trump considering ground invasion of critical Iranian island: reports

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United States: Tennessee’s TWRA and TVA Partner To Restore Critical Fish Habitat On Watauga Reservoir

Elizabethton, Tennsesee — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is partnering with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to replace vital fish habitat in Watauga Reservoir following widespread damage caused by Hurricane Helene. TVA contributed $100,000 to support the project, as both agencies work together to restore habitat essential to the health of the reservoir’s fisheries. […]

United States: Texas Governor Abbott Touts Texas Jobs Council At Teamsters Local 745

Governor Greg Abbott today delivered remarks on the creation of the new Texas Jobs Council, which will strengthen Texas’ workforce development initiatives and ensure Texans are prepared to fill the state’s growing number of high-demand jobs. “Here in Texas, we literally are building and manufacturing the future of the entire world,” said Governor Abbott. “For us to […]

United States: Democrats’ DHS Shutdown Enters 35th Day As Airports Plunge Into Chaos, Frontline Workers Suffer

As Radical Left Democrats force the Department of Homeland Security shutdown into its 35th day, everyday Americans are bearing the cost. More than 100,000 DHS employees — including 50,000 TSA officers — are working without paychecks for the third time in six months, leading to skyrocketing resignations and massive callouts that have crippled airports across the country. Americans are suffering from Democrats’ continued refusal to fund DHS: “I feel […]

Cruise News: Distinguished Guest Speakers To Join Seabourn Conversations On 2027 Cruise

Seattle, Washington – Seabourn, the leader in luxury cruises and expedition travel, has announced a distinguished lineup of speakers joining its acclaimed Seabourn Conversations program for the 2027 World Cruise aboard Seabourn Quest. The 145–day voyage will feature a curated roster of storytellers, adventurers, and thought leaders, who will share insights and perspectives designed to enrich the […]

‘Done what we have been asked to do’: Albanese says over Trump claims

Donald Trump has called America's NATO allies "cowards" for not involving themselves in the war in Iran as PM Anthony Albanese maintained the US President has not asked Australia to do anything else.

The president lashed out in an angry post on his Truth Social account.

"Without the USA, NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!" he wrote.

READ MORE: Trump berates allies as he finds himself alone on Iran war

Donald Trump called his NATO allies "cowards" for not providing military support for his war with Iran.

"They didn't want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran. Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don't want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices. 

"So easy for them to do, with so little risk. COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!"

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, is an alliance involving the US, Canada, and most countries in Europe.

Trump's outburst marks another turnaround for the president, who said on Wednesday that the US didn't need the help of other countries.

"Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance," he said on his social media site.

"WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea."

READ MORE: 'Dead by June': Trump announces congressman's private diagnosis

Donald Trump has given mixed messages on whether he needs the support of his allies.

Albanese said Trump hasn't asked for anything else.

"The truth is that we have said yes to the request of the UAE for the E7 wedgetail aircraft that's operating there with personnel," he told a press conference on Saturday.

"In addition to that we've sent AMRAAM that's making a difference as well to intercept missiles or drones aimed at the UAE.

"So we continue to provide the support we've been asked to support.

"We have done what we have been asked to do.

"We've signed up to the statement that's been issued, that's been coordinated by the United Kingdom, that speaks about the work that we're doing to ensure the Straits of Hormuz remain open. That's critical."

He said he spoke to Trump a week ago and said they continue to "engage constructively".

READ MORE: The comments from Trump's right-hand man that should annoy every Aussie

Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Mina Al Fajer, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

On Tuesday Trump said unnamed countries were "coming already" to support the US in the Middle East.

The US is now deploying more warships and another 2500 Marines in the region.

The president also brushed off the importance of the Strait of Hormuz.

"We don't use the strait, the United States, we don't need it," Trump said.

"At a certain point, it'll open itself."

While the US sources most of its oil domestically, 20 per cent of the world's oil is shipped through the strait.

That includes a substantial amount of oil used in Australia.

Overnight Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a statement praising the Iranian people's steadfastness.

"The enemy has been defeated," Khamenei said.

"(Iranians have) dealt him a dizzying blow so that he now starts uttering contradictory words and nonsense."

Meanwhile, US Central Command has confirmed that 232 American service members have been injured since the war began three weeks ago.

Of those, ten are seriously wounded, and 207 have been able to return to duty.

READ MORE: Trump compares Iran attack to Pearl Harbor in front of Japan's PM

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How are planes still flying through the Middle East?

The war in the Middle East has caused significant disruption to air travel around the world, including Australia.

With hubs such as Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai being used by countless Aussie travellers to get to Europe, thousands were left stranded when conflict began earlier this month.

Despite the threat of drone strikes and missiles in the area, thousands of Australians have been safely evacuated on repatriation flights offered by multiple airlines, but how are they able to do it, and what alternative flight routes should Aussies use if they want to get to Europe or other parts of the world?

READ MORE: Major law change could block millions from obtaining powerful passport

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - AUG 07, 2015: Qatar Airways Airbus A330 tail livery at Manchester Airport Aug 07 2015.

Has Middle East airspace opened?

This question is hard to answer because it changes frequently.

For example, on Tuesday morning AEDT, the UAE announced it had closed all of its airspace as "an exceptional precautionary measure."

They announced they had lifted the closure just a couple of hours later, meaning major airlines Emirates and Etihad were able to resume operations.

READ MORE: 'Fuel added to the fire': Aussies braced for cost-of-living triple whammy

Much of Middle Eastern airspace remains closed, including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria and Bahrain; Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman still have their airspaces open, but with restrictions in place that limit where exactly planes can fly over.

As it stands, most flights that traditionally fly through the Middle East are having to either fly over Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Armenia through to Turkey, passing over the Middle East region.

However, Afghanistan's current conflict with Pakistan could also dissuade airlines from using this route.

Does Qantas fly to the Middle East?

Australia's national airline Qantas does not currently fly to the Middle East.

For a time during the 2010s it used Dubai International Airport as a hub to connect itself to European destinations such as London, but this changed in 2017 when it shifted its focus to Singapore.

The Middle East conflict has forced it to change the way it flies, however, with its usual non-stop flight from Perth to London Heathrow Airport having to go via Singapore.

This is because a fuel stop is now required due to "adjustments required on flight paths", the company said on its website last week.

What airlines fly to the Middle East?

Several airlines fly to the Middle East, departing from multiple airports within Australia.

Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth have daily flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi with Emirates and Qatar Airways respectively, with the latter also flying out of Adelaide.

Qatar Airways also flies to Canberra, but the flights travel via Melbourne.

Etihad Airways also has daily flights departing from Sydney and Melbourne to their main hub of Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

READ MORE: Government's grim admission about petrol as war drags on

Emirates passenger plane

What are the alternative flight routes avoiding the Middle East?

Travellers who would normally travel through the Middle East to reach destinations in Europe or Africa can still do so via several hubs in Asia.

Singapore, with connections to many major cities around the world and relatively close to Australia, could be considered the best option for Australia travellers, as it flies out of multiple Australian cities.

Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Tokyo also serve as hubs that connect to several major destinations in different continents that Aussies would normally use the Middle East as their connection point.

However, the cost of flights in these regions are now beginning to soar due to increased demand.

LIVE UPDATES: Authorities scramble after drone strike on hotel

Former winner Singapore Airlines came in second place this year.

Is travel time longer for flights that avoid the Middle East?

Flights that connect to Europe through Singapore and other Asian destinations are actually a little bit shorter in time than those which would go through the Middle East.

If Aussies are travelling to Europe via the Middle East, like through Dubai or Doha, it can take around 24-26 hours due to having to be re-routed around restricted airspace, and due to congestion problems that can occur at the busy airports.

Flying through Asia, for example thorough Singapore or even Hong Kong and Tokyo, can take between 22 and 24 hours depending on the specific flight.

This is because flights through Asia, particularly in the northern regions, avoid the restricted airspace in and around the Middle East, allowing them to fly a more direct route to Europe.

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