A judge has ruled a 13-year-old boy is too young to be held criminally responsible for the murder of Declan Cutler.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced a judge-alone trial in July after he was identified as one of eight boys who attacked and killed 16-year-old Declan as he left a birthday party last year.

Declan became separated from his friends as he left the Reservoir party in the early hours of March 13, when a stolen Mazda hatchback pulled up.

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Eight boys got out, carrying four knives, and stabbed and kicked Declan.

He suffered more than 100 wounds, and died from four fatal stab wounds.

The youngest in the group, who is now aged 14, was charged with murder and an alternate charge of manslaughter for his part in stomping and kicking Declan while he was being stabbed.

He faced a weeks-long trial where his lawyer argued he was not guilty, citing the Doli Incapax argument that he was too young to be held criminally responsible.

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In the Victorian Supreme Court on Wednesday, Justice Rita Incerti found there was a "reasonable possibility" the boy did not know his conduct was "seriously wrong in a moral sense" when he committed the offending.

She said he cannot be found guilty of murder or manslaughter.

Declan's supporters screamed and cried from the public gallery upon hearing her verdict.

"It's disgusting," one person yelled.

"My son next," another said.

The boy will walk free from court.

About 14 per cent of Australian women, or one in seven, aged 44 to 49 have endometriosis, the latest research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has revealed.

And the rate of hospitalisations for the condition has doubled among women aged 20 to 24 in the past decade.

"Endometriosis is a progressive chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other parts of the body," AIHW spokesperson Katherine Faulks said.

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"Endometriosis causes inflammation and scarring, which can lead to painful adhesions joining together pelvic organs that are normally separate.

"Women may experience pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods, abdominal bloating, fatigue, anxiety, depression and reduced fertility, among other symptoms."

By age 31, 9.2 per cent of women born between 1989 and 1995 were diagnosed with endometriosis, compared with 6.9 per cent of women born between 1973 and 1978 at the same age, according to researchers from the University of Queensland.

"This increase may reflect increased awareness of endometriosis among the general public and health professionals, leading to increased diagnosis and/or reporting of diagnosis among women born more recently," Faulks said.

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Diagnosis and management of endometriosis is complex, with an average of between six and eight years between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis.

There were 40,500 endometriosis-related hospitalisations in 2021–22 and endometriosis was the 20th most common reason for hospitalisation among those aged 15–44.

The rate of hospitalisation has almost doubled in the last 10 years from 160 hospitalisations per 100,000 females in 2011–12 to 310 hospitalisations per 100,000 females.

While hospitalisations in Australia are generally increasing over time, the growth of endometriosis-related hospitalisations was greater than that seen for all female hospitalisations between 2011–12 and 2021–22.

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The greatest increase was seen among ages 20–24, with the rate doubling between 2011–12 and 2021–22 (from 330 to 660 hospitalisations per 100,000 females).

Endometriosis was among the leading causes of hospital admissions in this age group.

Endometriosis-related hospitalisations were more likely to be partly or fully funded by private health insurance than all hospitalisations for females, and around twice as likely to be self-funded as all hospitalisations for females.

The report also shows a lower rate of endometriosis-related hospitalisations among First Nations peoples, and people living in lower socioeconomic areas and remote areas of Australia.

But further work is needed to understand the impact of endometriosis on priority populations, particularly those who face barriers to accessing health care services.

Although the AIHW report uses the term "females" in its report, it also noted that endometriosis could also affect transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse people assigned female at birth.

With food prices soaring, new information could help Australians shave some dollars off their grocery bill.

Comparison website Finder trawled the aisles of Australia's big three supermarkets – Woolworths, Coles, and Aldi, to see which of them was easiest on the wallet.

The total price for a basket of 46 goods from Aldi was $199.69, compared to $208.85 at Woolworths and $214.32 at Coles.

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That's a difference of seven per cent from cheapest to most expensive.

Onion prices varied most wildly, with a 75 per cent difference between retailers.

Litre bottles of lemon lime and bitters had a 57 per cent swing from store to store.

The eye fillet steaks were the most expensive item on the list – with a 500g portion at Aldi costing $24.50 compared to $26 at Coles and Woolies.

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Finder's head of consumer research Graham Cooke said grocery bills were putting a huge strain on household budgets.

The average Aussie household spent $185 on their weekly grocery shop in September 2023 – up $15 a week compared to August 2022, according to Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker.

And 42 per cent of Aussies say their grocery shopping is causing them financial stress, up from 19 per cent three years ago.

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"Food prices have skyrocketed over the past couple of years and despite overall inflation slowing down, high prices at the grocery store are a major pain point for consumers," Cooke said.

"A growing number of consumers are turning to low-cost grocery stores to find cheaper staples like eggs and bread to save funds."

Cooke said shoppers who scour the different supermarkets for the best possible prices stand to save the most money.

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And he suggested people consider loyalty points and programs that could see shoppers knock a few dollars off the total at the checkout.

"Larger supermarkets also offer a much wider range of brands, and not all the products are going to be the exact same quality," Cooke said.

"The no frills version of your favourite products could take a bit of getting used to."

Other tips included shopping at night, when products nearing expiry were more likely to be discounted, and buying fruits and vegetables in season.

The iPhone 15 is available this Friday. Here's our hands-on review of what Apple's changed for 2023.

If you take to the comments on almost any video posted about the iPhone 15 since it was revealed last week you'll see people suggesting Apple has lost its edge, that the phone is the same as the last few years, and in some way insinuating the company is on the verge of collapse.

Au contraire; in fact the iPhone 15 has the potential to be one of the most successful phones in several years, with its appeal ranging from people who own an iPhone from just the last couple of years, through to the ripe audience of users still clinging to phones older than the iPhone 11.

READ MORE: Ten new features available on every iPhone from today

Anything before the iPhone 11 is now on the edge of not getting Apple's latest software updates and the design and capabilities of those phones isn't even close to on par with what Apple is now doing.

I've been testing, albeit briefly, all four of the new iPhone models: the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro and for the most part the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

iPhone 15 USB-C change

The big talk of the whole last week has been the switch to USB-C. And let me tell you, it's equal parts a non-issue and a complete pain that will take a short while to get used to.

Of course in the box is a cable for you to charge your phone, easy! But then you get in the car and realise the reason the cable won't plug into your phone is that It's a lightning cable, same at work.

So everyone is going to need a few new cables, which kind of defeats the reduction of e-waste purpose behind the EU ruling on mandating USB-C, but we'll have to get over that.

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iPhone 15 colours, design and cameras

Colour choices on the iPhone 15 and Plus models are a standout with a lightly washed out pink, yellow, green and blue offering a vastly different palette to previous years.

The pink is subtle but still strong enough to really convey that colour well, while the blue is far more washed out; to be honest it seems white on the back.

Bringing the Dynamic Island to the iPhone 15 from the 14 Pro is a big step forward, as I feel now more than ever app developers are really embracing it as a location for data and information.

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The best thing about the iPhone 15 though is the 2x zoom camera, even though there's no third lens.

Instead, Apple brought the 48-megapixel camera sensor into the 15 and uses that sensor to obtain a high quality "crop" at would be the 2x zoom focal length. It makes making the use of basic zoom a decent reality in these base model phones.

iPhone Pro changes and cameras

However, it's really the Pro models where the real changes come.

That USB-C port is actually useful for charging your headphones, and not just Apple AirPods.

Any headphones you can connect via USB-C will charge as it outputs 4.5W power — enough to charge your Apple Watch too.

Apple's claim that the iPhone 15 Pro Max has seven lenses is a little bit of a white lie – clearly there are just three lenses on the back of the phone. But I guess if we call them "virtual lenses" you can see what it is getting at.

There's a macro lens, ultrawide, then the equivalents of 24-, 28- and 35-millimetre lenses on the telephoto lens, a 2x zoom and 5x zoom.

They are mostly doing what the 2x zoom on the standard iPhone does and cropping within the large sensor image.

Only the largest and most expensive iPhone 15 gets that lineup of photography options, including that 5x zoom using an innovative Tetraprism lens to create a 120-millimetre-equivalent zoom.

And it works well, really well — 5x doesn't seem like much when you've had 3x on other phones before it, but there's a real depth to the distance it shoots at.

Does the average Aussie need or want for this level of photography detail? Probably not. Will they pay for it "just in case"? Of course.

iPhone 15 Pro action button replaces mute switch

Perhaps other than the switch to USB-C, the biggest change is the removal of the "mute switch" — part of the iPhone since the first one in 2007.

It's still there on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, but it's replaced on the Pro models by the "action button".

The button can be configured to be "Silent Mode", "Focus Mode", "Camera", "Torch", "Voice Memo", "Magnifier", a programmed "Shortcut", "Accessibility" or "Nothing".

I went for camera, making it easy to launch the camera for quick snaps. What's great is you can program it to launch into standard photo, selfie, video, portrait or portrait selfie.

But, when I have a meeting or need silence, I'm scrambling to work out how to get the phone silenced (swipe down top right, choose silence). It's an extra step I'm not used to, so it's frustrating.

Apple missed a trick here. It should have made this button programable like many headphones are. Single press, double press, triple press, with different actions for each.

That would be perfect, and would justify the removal of the mute switch. I can only hope that comes in a future software update. Perhaps iOS 18?

Overall, these are a bigger leap forward year-on-year than the previous two years, and with many iPhone X and XS users out there, I think there's a strong market for the iPhone 15.

With the addition of the 2x zoom on the base models, the Pro' seem more of a stretch, and would likely be the domain of those signing lengthy contracts with telcos to pay off the devices.

All four iPhones go on sale this Friday, September 22, ranging in price from $1499 to $2899.

Iconic Aussie television show Bluey is getting its first-ever video game, releasing later this year.

The award-winning show is coming to life, bringing together familiar characters, moments and locations for an all new adventure.

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The developers have referred to it as a "sandbox", with interactive elements on show. 

Players are encouraged to explore the game's world at their own pace, with plenty of freedom at their disposal, says the game's makers. 

In addition to a four-part main storyline, there are side quests and activities scattered throughout. Gamers can also take part in classic Bluey games like "Keepy Uppy" and "Magic Xylophone". 

The developers have confirmed there's a variable difficulty setting, meaning gamers of all skill levels can get involved. 

The game also has multiplayer support, allowing families to take control of their favourite Heeler family members.

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"It's very important for us to capture the essence of fun and games that is central to the series," said Kevin Jorge, head of games at BBC Studios.

"We know fans will be excited to explore Bluey's world and join in with the Heeler family's antics."

The BBC acquired the global commercial rights of the Emmy award-winning show in 2022, after co-commissioning with the ABC since 2017.

Bluey: The Videogame is being published by Outright Games and is coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox and PC on November 17. 

Cathy Freeman has joined the chorus of Australians calling for an Indigenous Voice to parliament.

In a new video for the Yes campaign, the Olympic champion is urging the public to vote in support of the referendum on October 14.

"I can't remember a time when change has felt so urgent, where momentum has been so strong," Freeman says.

READ MORE: Voice to parliament referendum: When, how and where do I vote?

"From small towns to big cities, something is in the air.

"I know all Australians feel it too.

"We have the chance to be part of a moment that brings people together, to work hard for something that we can all believe in.

"And right now, each of us can be part of something that really matters.

"To stand together and to show our support for Australians who need it the most.

"To recognise Indigenous peoples in our constitution for the very first time, to give our kids the very best start in life, an equal start in life.

"And to open our hearts and change our future.

"I'm voting yes, and I am asking that all Australians do too. So please stand with me and write Yes on October 14."

Freeman was born in Mackay in Queensland in 1973. Her mother is of the Kuku Yalanji people of Far North Queensland and along with Cathy's grandmother was born in the Indigenous community of Palm Island.

Her father was born in Woorabinda and is of the Burri Gubba people of Central Queensland.

This past weekend an estimated 200,000 Yes supporters marched across the country – in major metropolitan cities and regional towns alike, four weeks out from the vote.

The vote on October 14 will be Australia's first referendum since 1999.

The noise could only be heard on certain road surfaces and at a certain speed.

It’s the first debate between the two leaders vying to be PM.

National parks around Sydney will be closed tomorrow, with the record-breaking heatwave expected to continue.

The closures come as Sydney sweated through its hottest September day on record today and an El Niño event was declared.

The heat was so intense in some parts of New South Wales that tens of schools were forced to shut down.

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Tomorrow all tracks, trails, and visitor precincts at Ku-ring-gai- Chase National Park at West Head, Garigal National Park and Sydney Harbour National Park at Middle Head, Dobroyd Head, North Head and Bradley's Head will be closed.

Meanwhile, all remote area campgrounds, walking tracks and trails will be closed in other national parks across Sydney. 

These areas will remain closed until the total fire ban is lifted in New South Wales.

Parts of the Far South Coast reached a "catastrophic" fire rating this afternoon, while the temperature soared to more than 15 degrees above the average in Sydney.

Sydney's Observatory Hill hit a peak of 34.6 degrees by 1.55pm.

READ MORE: El Niño event finally declared

The average maximum temperature for Sydney in September is 20 degrees.

The heat at Sydney Airport also broke records, peaking at 35.7 degrees by 2pm, beating the previous September peak of 35.6 degrees in 2000.

The record-breaking heat comes as the Bureau of Meteorology officially announces an El Niño event.

The fire danger rating for the Far South Coast was upgraded to catastrophic on Tuesday afternoon.

There are currently 72 fires burning at advice level and one at watch and act, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). 

Residents have been warned to avoid high-fire risk areas today, such as parks and bushland, as a total fire ban remains in place.

"Due to stronger than forecast winds along the Far South Coast, Catastrophic fire danger is expected this afternoon," the RFS said in a tweet.

https://twitter.com/NSWRFS/status/1703955418379149640

There were 61 fires burning across the state by 9am on Tuesday.

The RFS said more than 500 firefighters were battling the blazes.

Up-to-date information and alerts are available on the RFS website.

https://twitter.com/NSWRFS/status/1703908151479689662?s=20

Weatherzone's Ben Domensino posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the same record-breaking temperature was forecast for tomorrow.

"In data dating back to 1859, the city has only reached 34 degrees in September on three occasions (2000, 1980 and 1965)," he wrote.

"This would be its first pair of 34-degree days on record for September."

School shutdown

A total of 21 across the South Coast and Central West have closed for today due to the fire danger rating.

The NSW Education Department announced the closures yesterday, saying the decision was made in consultation with the NSW Rural Fire Service.

It came after a total fire ban was issued for Greater Sydney and the Far South Coast.

READ MORE: Fire warnings escalate as heatwave hits NSW, Queensland

Below is a list of the 21 schools that are closed today.

The most up-to-date information about school closures is available at the NSW Education Department's website.

• Batemans Bay Public School
• Bega Valley Public School
• Bemboka Public School
• Bermagui Public School
• Bodalla Public School
• Bournda Environmental Education Centre
• Broulee Public School
• Candelo Public School
• Central Tilba Public School
• Cobargo Public School
• Mogo Public School
• Narooma High School
• Pambula Public School
• Parkes Public School
• Quaama Public School
• Sunshine Bay Public School
• Tanja Public School
• Tathra Public School
• Towamba Public School
• Wolumla Public School
• Wyndham Public School

Meanwhile, Queensland is also on high alert ahead of temperatures soaring later in the week.

A heightened fire risk is anticipated tomorrow and Thursday, with temperatures across the state set to soar about 10 degrees above the monthly average.

A fire at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast is now contained after it burned through 172 hectares.

The family of an armed fugitive who has moved between states has urged him to turn himself in as specialist police continue to chase him.

Police said Stanley Turvey held a hostage at gunpoint, threatened police and assaulted motorists as he travelled from Victoria to New South Wales.

Officers swarmed the 33-year-old uncle's home at Finley, located in the NSW Riverina region,last night but did not find the wanted criminal inside.

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His uncle said he hadn't seen Turvey and urged Turvey to give himself up. 

"If you're listening, hand yourself in, mate, before it gets too bad. Do it for your father," he said. 

"There's probably only one way you can look at it. It's going to end badly."

Turvey first faced off with police yesterday at Katandra West near Shepparton.

Police said he took a gun from inside a home where it is believed he had asked to stay and fired a shot into the air when officers came to arrest him. 

"I heard a gunshot and then next minute he was taken off down the road in the car, swerving the coppers," one neighbour said.

It is alleged Turvey fled Katandra West in a stolen Holden, while two officers were injured when their vehicle rolled nearby. 

Police said Turvey forced a man to drive him to New South Wales, demanding to be taken to his uncle's house.

It is also alleged Turvey assaulted a woman at Yarrawonga this morning, threatened construction workers at Sacred Heart College and stole a white Hilux. 

"Any matter that involves a display of a firearm in order to secure goods or transport is a recipe for disaster and heartache," Henry said.

Police believe Turvey is now travelling in that Hilux, with a registration 1RA-8AN and was headed toward the greater Shepparton area.

Officers on both sides of the Victoria-NSW border are on high alert with extra police brought in from Melbourne.