An Auckland mother has recounted the terrifying moment her children were sent flying after being hit by a cyclist. The two boys, aged 5 and 9, were on a pedestrian crossing in Kohimarama on Tuesday when a cyclist struck them down,…

The former partner of a Melbourne mother has been charged with murder almost 14 years after the singer was allegedly strangled in her home.

Paul Charlton was arrested at his Casterton home, in Victoria's south-west, this morning and has since been charged with one count of murder over the death of his ex-girlfriend Joanne Howell.

Ms Howell's sister Lisa Hennessy said she and her family were going through a range of emotions today.

"As a family we've come together even stronger and we're going to see this through for Jo … happy and sad, mixed emotions," Ms Hennessy said.

Ms Howell was allegedly strangled and bashed to death before she died in her Poath Road apartment in Hughesdale on April 21, 2007.

The Melbourne mother was a well-known singer who performed on the ABC music show Countdown in the 1970s.

Ms Hennessy said she and her family never gave up looking for 'Jo's Justice' and over the years had never stopped thinking about their sister.

"We talk about it on any birthday, Christmas, on special occasions, Jo's birthday, the day it happened.

"We get together and talk about it as a family, so we have been waiting for that phone call to happen for so long that it's surreal."

Ms Howell's sister thanked police for their efforts over the years and hope they can "finally get the answers we need."

"We are so grateful as a family."

Ms Hennessy also hopes her sister's death was an opportunity to shine a light on violence against women.

Mr Charlton's arrest comes after police appealed for further information relating to the 51-year-old's cold case killing last month.

He faced the Hamilton Magistrates' Court this afternoon and has been remanded in custody until his next court date in June.

The prosecutor told the court police would need additional time to prepare the brief of evidence while telephone intercepts were transcribed.

At the time of Ms Howell's death, Mr Charlton was taken into custody and interviewed, but released without charge and has always denied being involved in her death.

Last month during the public appeal for additional information, head of the homicide squad Detective Inspector Tim Day said Ms Howell's death was violent and tragic.

"This was an incredibly brutal and tragic end to Joanne's life," he said.

Police believe Ms Howell died within a half hour window of 9pm on April 21 after a phone call about 8.30pm.

Neighbours have said they heard a loud noise coming from her home between 9pm and 9.30pm.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

NSW Health has confirmed COVID-19 testing is free after reports several people had been charged for the service at some private clinics in Sydney.

People who showed up to the clinics without a Medicare card were reportedly charged a fee.

NSW Health today said the service does not cost anything and those people will be reimbursed for what they paid.

"While you can provide your Medicare card at the clinic you attend for testing, you do not need a Medicare card to be tested and you will not be charged," NSW Health said in a statement.

NSW Health also confirmed they will continue to waive fees for suspected cases of COVID-19 in overseas visitors who are ineligible for Medicare and present to NSW hospitals for testing.

There are more than 350 testing sites available across NSW with many open seven days a week.

There is no charge for having a test done at any of these sites if you don't have your Medicare card with you.

READ MORE: Pandemic haunts new year as virus growth outpaces vaccines

https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1346643824328601602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

NSW Health said the only time there will ever be a charge for a COVID-19 test is "for the purposes of travel to other jurisdictions that require a negative test prior to travel".

A Lotto player in Te Aroha has scooped up a $4.5 million windfall in tonight’s Powerball draw. The winning ticket was sold at Te Aroha Supermarket and is made up of $4 million from Powerball First Division and $500,000 from Lotto…

One person has died following a water incident in Taupō this evening. A police spokeswoman said the incident happened at Two Mile Bay. Emergency services were alerted at 6.07pm.”Sadly attempts to revive the person were…

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called a special meeting of National Cabinet this Friday to discuss strengthening Australia's COVID-19 protocols for returning travellers.

Announcing the unscheduled meeting via social media, Mr Morrison said the UK's new highly transmissible strain will be discussed.

It's thought measures such as mandatory testing of passengers before they board a flight to Australia will be considered.

READ MORE: Four new local cases of coronavirus in NSW

"This afternoon I contacted Premiers and Chief Ministers to convene a special meeting of National Cabinet on Friday morning," Mr Morrison wrote.

"The meeting is to consider a proposal that I requested through our Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, from our national expert medical panel, the AHPPC.

"The proposal is to further strengthen the COVID safety of end to end international travel processes (from arrival at Airport of embarkation in the exit country, to final clearance from hotel quarantine in Australia). This is being done particularly in the context of the UK strain."

Mr Morrison said the rollout of a vaccine within Australia will also be discussed.

READ MORE: 'You will not be charged for testing', NSW Health confirms

"The AHPPC has continued to meet every day during this most recent outbreak, and had an initial discussion of their proposal today," Mr Morrison wrote.

"They will discuss the proposal further tomorrow before making a formal submission to National Cabinet.

"The meeting will also provide an opportunity to further update National Cabinet on the Federal Government's vaccination programme, where considerable progress is being made over the break."

READ MORE: Singapore COVID-19 contact tracing data can be accessed by police

Debate between state governments has raged over the way internal quarantining of overseas travellers has been conducted.

Currently, Sydney accepts the majority of international travellers and that is where they undertake hotel quarantine before taking a connecting flight to their home state.

You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800512348

For coronavirus breaking news alerts and livestreams straight to your smartphone sign up to the 9News app and set notifications to on at the App Store or Google Play.

People across the country have rallied together to help the owners of a beloved Auckland café get back on their feet after a burglary. Rockys Restaurant & Café was burgled earlier in the week. Read More Auckland cafe burglary:…

Flooding has occurred in parts of North Queensland after torrential rain from ex-Tropical Cyclone Imogen drenched the region.

Shops, cars and houses were inundated in Ingham, north of Townsville, after 122 millimetres fell in one hour this morning.

Dominic Zighoni spent the morning laying sandbags outside his seafood shop as the water rose.

The Ingham local told 9News this morning's downpour was unusually heavy.

"That was a bit of a wake-up call, I haven't heard one like that for a while," he said.

"It's unreal. Ten days a go we were in drought and now we've got 30 or 40 feet in the river running through."

The Severe Weather Warning for the region has now been cancelled but forecasters say the risk of severe thunderstorms and localised rainbands which may lead to flash flooding remains.

Drivers are being urged to take care, with dozens of roads still flooded across the state.

The SES has received more than 100 calls for assistance since Sunday.

The father of two young boys killed in an alleged hit-and-run by an unlicensed driver says it feels as though his heart has been ripped from his chest.

Shane and Sheldon Shorey, aged six and seven, were hit by a car about 4.30pm yesterday in Wellington, near Dubbo in regional NSW.

The boys both died at the scene. Their mother, 34, and two other boys, aged nine and 10, were also struck and injured.

The group was walking along grass by the side of the road on the way home from after leaving a local swimming pool when they were hit by a Holden Commodore.

"I have lost two beautiful boys who are just starting their lives," father Joseph Shorey said.

"It leaves my heart ripped out. I feel gutted, I feel empty.

"Two babies gone. I gotta bury two kids, I'd never wish that upon anyone."

Mr Shorey described his two sons as "the happiest kids in the world".

He said they were sporty, popular and loved playing footy at the oval near their home.

The heartbroken father visited the scene where his two sons were killed this afternoon, comforted by loved ones.

The boys, who lived in Queensland with Mr Shorey, had been in Wellington visiting their mother while on school holidays.

After the deadly crash, the boys' mother was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in Sydney where she remains in a stable condition.

The two other boys struck were both injured but are now stable.

The 10-year-old was also taken to Westmead Hospital with serious leg injuries and has undergone surgery.

The nine-year-old other boy suffered minor injuries and has been released from hospital.

The alleged driver Jacob Donn was arrested on nearby Elizabeth Street last night and has been charged today.

Police searched him and allegedly found he was carrying a prescription medicine.

He has undergone drug and alcohol testing, but results are still pending.

He has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death – driving in a dangerous manner; negligent driving occasioning death; negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm; dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – driving in a dangerous manner; two counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle; being a never licensed person driving a vehicle on a road; two counts of failing to stop and assist after impact causing injury; two counts of failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death; failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm; and possessing a prohibited drug.

Mr Donn was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court tomorrow.

Acting Commander of the Orana Mid-Western Police District Natalie Antaw said today the tragic accident sent shockwaves through the small community.

"Obviously, the incident is a complete tragedy – a tragedy for the families and the township of Wellington," she said.

"(It is) a tragic incident involving young children which always makes it that much more difficult."

She said the families of the children killed and injured were "obviously grief-stricken".

Police said they are not looking for anyone else who may have been in the car but asked anyone who many have witnessed the crash or have dashcam footage to come forward.

Investigations continue.

The prison staff union leader says it’s ludicrous to call six days of fiery destruction at Waikeria a “protest”.And prison authorities say the Waikato jail has insurance but it’s not yet known how much the damage will cost taxpayers.Corrections…