Some of Donald Trump's most ardent supporters have turned on him over his overnight comments on Iran.

Trump amped up his rhetoric on Iran in a manner rarely seen by a world leader.

"A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again," Trump said.

READ MORE: Donald Trump storms out of Supreme Court as he faces loss

Trump's remarks have been hastily condemned by prominent Republicans.

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson has criticised the president's comments.

"I do not want to see us start blowing up civilian infrastructure. We are not at war with the Iranian people. We are trying to liberate them," he said.

And Texas House Republican Nathaniel Moran issued a lengthy statement distancing himself from Trump's comments.

"I do not support the destruction of a 'whole civilisation'," he said. 

"That is not who we are, and it is not consistent with the principles that have long guided America."

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But perhaps the biggest turnaround is coming from the man who was Trump's most prominent booster when he first ran for president.

As a Fox News host and conservative firebrand, Tucker Carlson was an ardent support of Trump.

Now Carlson has given a lengthy broadcast highly critical of the president.

He took particular issue with Trump's foul-mouthed Truth Social post made on Sunday.

"How dare you speak that way on Easter morning to the country?" Carlson said.

"Who do you think you are? You're tweeting out the f-word on Easter morning."

Carlson slammed the president for saying he wanted to take Iran's oil.

"That's not acceptable for Christians. That's not acceptable for Americans or any other civilised people," Carlson said.

"Taking other people's stuff by force cannot be allowed.

"In a civilised country you can't steal without penalty. You can't shoplift, you can't rob banks. You can't invade other countries to steal their stuff."

READ MORE: 'Double sided CEASEFIRE!': Trump pulls the plug



Carlson now hosts one of the most popular podcasts in America.

Former Representative Marjorie Taylor-Greene, who has already distanced herself from Trump, was highly critical of his Easter post.

"Everyone in his administration that claims to be a Christian needs to fall on their knees and beg forgiveness from God and stop worshipping the President and intervene in Trump's madness," she said.

"I know all of you and him and he has gone insane, and all of you are complicit.

"Our President is not a Christian and his words and actions should not be supported by Christians. 

"Christians in the administration should be pursuing peace."

Meanwhile, a senior Democrat has filed articles of impeachment against Trump over his actions in Iran.

"Donald Trump has blown past every requirement to be removed from office. And it's getting worse," Connecticut Representative John Larson said.

"His illegal war in Iran is not only driving up prices for American families — it has cost American lives."

Trump declared a ceasefire in the war in Iran this morning shortly before his imposed deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz.

READ MORE: Can Donald Trump be charged with a war crime?

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Two cyclones forming over waters near Australia could bring heavy rain and winds to the Queensland coast, though only one is expected to make a potential landfall.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila is in the Solomon Sea, between the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

The Bureau of Meteorology says it will move towards north Queensland by the weekend.

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As of about 4am, the cyclone was a category five storm, with sustained winds of 215km/hr near its centre.

"It may cross the Cape York Peninsula during the weekend or early next week," the Bureau's cyclone tracker says.

It's forecast to decline to at least a category three cyclone before then.

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Although not registered on the Bureau's cyclone tracker, Weatherzone has reported Tropical Cyclone Vaianau off Fiji could also bring weather changes to Australia.

"Vaianu is expected to track south during the week, more or less making a beeline towards the North Island of New Zealand," Weatherzone said.

"While it will no longer be a tropical cyclone, it is likely to hit Auckland and nearby areas during the weekend as an "extratropical cyclone", a type of system which can pack as much strength as a category 2 or 3 cyclone in terms of its central pressure and wind speeds."

READ MORE: Ben Roberts-Smith wakes after first night behind bars

The storm is currently category three and is not expected to make landfall in Fiji or Vanuatu.

Meanwhile, a third storm, currently a tropical low, is forming in the Indian ocean off to the north-west of Western Australia and Fiji.

The Bureau rates it a moderate chance to attain cyclone status from mid-next week.

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More Australians are preparing to pull the plug on their petrol cars, with new data revealing a massive 90 percent surge in loans for electric vehicles over the past month.

Petrol prices have climbed by 30 percent since the war broke out in the Middle East on February 28, strangling the fuel supply routes through the Straight of Hormuz.

With the cost of diesel now well over $3 a litre and the price of unleaded fuel hovering at around $2.20 in major cities, the prolonged pain at the bowser is causing motorists to rethink whether they want to remain at the mercy of rising fuel prices and supply issues.

READ MORE: Gina Rinehart takes aim over Ben Roberts-Smith charges

According to non-bank lender MONEYME, applications for its Autopay EV loans nearly doubled between February and March 2026.

However, the shift isn't just a monthly blip, with EV demand surging 270 per cent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, the appetite for traditional fuel-only vehicles has plummeted, dropping 22 per cent in the last month alone.

"What is notable is the speed of change," Clayton Howes, CEO of MONEYME said. 

"A 90 per cent increase in a single month indicates that external shocks, including fuel shortages and price spikes, are accelerating decisions that may otherwise have taken years."

Demand for hybrid vehicles has also risen with the fin-tech lender, climbing 44 per cent year-on-year, and 9 per cent in the last month.

The shift in sentiment towards electric cars is echoed in carsales.com.au data, which showed searches for electric vehicles on the platform tripled in March compared to late February.

According to the carsales data, 55 per cent of Australians would now consider purchasing an EV—a massive jump from the 35 per cent recorded only last November. 

"Australians are responding directly to fuel price volatility and supply uncertainty," Howes added. "Access to finance is becoming a key enabler as more Australians move to secure vehicles that reduce their exposure to fuel price risk."

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A British expat has copped a fine for driving under the influence in Sydney while riding a Lime Bike on a footpath.

The maximum penalties for a first DUI offence in NSW include a court-imposed fine of $3300 and 18 months imprisonment.

Shocked that they could even be charged with DUI while riding an e-bike, the expat went to social media for lawyer recommendations.

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"That's f–king tragic," one person responded to the post.

Another said they knew someone who had lost their licence after being charged with DUI on a bike.

Lime has strict rules against riding while intoxicated and requires riders to follow the same blood alcohol content laws that apply to their driver's license.

Riders without a license must have a BAC of zero.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson also confirmed it is an offence to ride a bicycle or e-bike while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in NSW.

"Driving while impaired can affect a rider's ability to properly control a bike and place themselves and other road users, including pedestrians, at risk," they told nine.com.au.

"Penalties can include court-imposed fines, licence disqualification and, in more serious matters, imprisonment."

In fact, it's illegal to ride a bike, including e-bikes, while intoxicated across most of Australia.

Can you get a DUI on an e-bike?

It's an offence to ride an e-bike under the influence of drugs or alcohol in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, the ACT, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.

It's technically not illegal to ride while intoxicated in the NT, but you can be fined $25 for riding dangerously.

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What are the penalties for riding an e-bike under the influence?

Penalties for riding an e-bike under the influence vary, depending on the jurisdiction where the offence occurs.

In NSW, the maximum penalty for a first offence is $3,300, imprisonment for 18 months, or both.

In Victoria, compliant e-bikes are considered bicycles, so riders are subject to the same rules as cyclists.

Those caught consuming alcohol while riding may face fines starting at $254.

Non-compliant e-bikes are considered motorcycles so riders are subject to the same rules as motorists.

Those caught riding under the influence face fines starting at $508, minimum three-months disqualification, and losing their license.

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In Queensland, e-bike riders caught riding under the influence face a $500 fine.

In the ACT, the same drink driving rules and penalties apply to e-bike riders as car drivers.

Penalties include fines starting at $825 and a minimum three-month disqualification.

In WA, e-bike riders are subject to the same drink and drug driving laws as motor vehicle drivers with fines starting at $1000.

In SA, e-bike riders caught riding while drunk face fines starting at $500, minimum three months disqualification, and demerit points.

In Tasmania, it's illegal to ride any bike while intoxicated, including e-bikes.

Those caught breaking the rules face fines starting at $410, minimum three months disqualification, and potential jail time for repeat or serious offenders.

Can you lose your license for drink driving on an e-bike?

It depends on the state or territory where you're caught riding under the influence, and whether the case goes to court.

Riding an e-bike while intoxicated may lead to demerit points, disqualification and/or license suspension in NSW, Victoria, WA, SA, the ACT, and Tasmania.

What is the alcohol limit for e-bike riders in Australia?

It is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.05 per cent or higher in Australia.

The same limit applies to drink riding in the states and territories that enforce drink riding offences.

READ MORE: Can Donald Trump be charged with a war crime?

Do drink driving laws apply on bike paths and footpaths?

Drink riding laws apply wherever you are riding, including on roads, bike paths and footpaths.

"Road safety is a shared responsibility, and we all have a role to play in helping each other get to our destinations safely," the Transport for NSW spokesperson said.

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Donald Trump has shrugged off a question about whether he was worried about committing a war crime.

The president has threatened to bomb civilian infrastructure in Iran such as bridges and power plants.

He was asked if he was concerned the attacks would constitute war crimes.

READ MORE: Donald Trump storms out of Supreme Court as he faces loss

"I'm not worried about it," he replied.

"You know what's a war crime? Having a nuclear weapon.

"Allowing a sick country with demented leadership having a nuclear weapon."

It comes after 100 international law experts penned an open letter warning that the US actions in Iran violated international law.

But it raises the question: could the US president face trial over what has happened in Iran?

The answer is technically yes.

"He absolutely could," said University of Sydney law professor Emily Crawford.

"The question is whether or not he would ever actually face trial, and that's the thing that would probably never happen."

The usual avenue for war crime prosecutions is the International Criminal Court (ICC), but neither the US or Iran have signed on to the body.

The ICC, based in the Dutch city of The Hague, has previously sought to put other world leaders on trial.

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But Iran or another country could request an investigation into war crimes. The prosecutor of the court could also open an investigation off their own bat.

"That's how it's possible that, at least in theory, arrest warrants could be issued," Crawford said.

"Even though there's basically no probability of any of these personnel, up to and including Donald Trump ever appearing in The Hague."

Trump could join a list of other prominent individuals to have had arrest warrants issued for them by the ICC, but are not brought into custody.

That list currently includes Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu and Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony.

But it is theoretically possible for Trump to face charges in the United States, according to ANU Professor of International Law Donald Rothwell.

READ MORE: Iran attacks Pete Hegseth on reports he sought to profit from the war

"The US does have mechanisms and processes under which US citizens could be charged with war crimes," he said.

"On the other hand, the President, of course, has immunity."

So a prosecutor in the US could press charges but it would likely be knocked back by a judge.

Even a particularly vindictive successor in the White House may not want to seek war crimes charges against Trump.

This is in large part because just about every US president has committed an act that could retrospectively be viewed as a war crime.

READ MORE: It takes two to TACO: Why Trump can't end war with Iran by himself

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Former Special Air Services soldier Ben Roberts-Smith will spend the night behind bars after being formally charged with five counts of alleged war crime – murder.

Roberts-Smith, 47, was arrested at Sydney Domestic Airport today after he arrived on a flight from Brisbane.

Images show officers handcuffing Roberts-Smith in what appears to be an air bridge between the plane and the tarmac.

READ MORE: Witnesses describe moment former decorated soldier was arrested at busy airport

Roberts-Smith was wearing a baseball cap, a blue polo shirt, trainers and jeans as he was led from the plane and into an AFP car.

The Victoria Cross recipient was formally charged with five counts of alleged war crime – murder this afternoon.

He will not face court today, and as a result will remain behind bars until at least tomorrow morning, when he will be able to apply for bail. He was taken from Mascot police station to Silverwater Correctional Complex this evening.

The charges, if proved in a court of law, carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

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The Victoria Cross recipient served in multiple theatres overseas during his service with the armed forces, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said Roberts-Smith would be charged today and was expected to face court.

It will be alleged that Roberts-Smith either carried out or "aided, abetted, counselled or procured" others to carry out the killings in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.

Roberts-Smith has been charged with five offences under section 268.70(1) of the Criminal Code:

• Aid, abet, counsel or procure an offence – War crime – murder-SI
• Actual offence – War crime – murder-SI
• Aid, abet, counsel or procure an offence – War crime – murder-SI
• Aid, abet, counsel or procure an offence – War crime – murder-SI
• Joint commission to an offence – War crime – murder-SI

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Barrett said the alleged victims were not believed to have been "taking part in hostilities" when they were killed.

She alleged they were all shot dead, either by Roberts-Smith, or by subordinates on his orders and in his presence.

If found guilty, Roberts-Smith faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Barrett took the time to urge Australians to offer support to the ADF and families of service members and ex-service members, who she said she expected to be affected by the news.

"The overwhelming majority of our ADF do our country proud," she said.

"Today's charges are not reflective of the majority (of) members."

READ MORE: How a five-year investigation led to Ben Roberts-Smith's arrest at Sydney Airport

She confirmed the investigation remained open and urged anybody with information to approach the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI).

OSI director of investigations Ross Barnett emphasised the complexity of the investigation, noting the obvious restrictions on access to witnesses and crime scenes, as well as Afghanistan being a hostile country under Taliban rule.

Pauline Hanson speaks in support of Roberts-Smith

Most political leaders today steered clear of what will now be a legal battle but One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott doubled-down on their support

"I remain steadfast in my support of Ben Roberts-Smith despite news of his arrest today," Hanson said.

"Ben, his immediate and broader defence family need the Australian people's support right now and I will not abandon him like so many other politicians."

Abbott said it was "wrong to judge the actions of men in mortal combat by the standards of ordinary civilian life".

"If Ben Roberts-Smith transgressed, why wasn't this picked up prior to his gallantry awards and why wasn't any culture of brutality towards prisoners detected by his more senior officers, and dealt with quickly, rather than being allowed to fester, as has been alleged, for over a decade?" he said, in a social media post.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had "no intention of commenting on a matter that's clearly before the courts".

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said the "The vast majority of our special forces do the right thing.

"They are incredible people serving this nation and playing an extremely difficult role," he said.

Five-year investigation

The investigation began in 2021.

"Often we have to start our investigation with a photo or two of the battlefield, some contemporary ADF reporting, and potentially some third-party eyewitness testimony," Barnett said.

In 2023, Roberts-Smith lost a defamation suit he launched against Nine newspapers The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald after an investigation published reports he had committed alleged war crimes during his Afghanistan deployment.

Nine is the publisher of this website.

The judge found, to the civil standard of defamation law, that Roberts-Smith had killed four unarmed Afghan men and had broken the rules of military engagement.

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Roberts-Smith has always denied any wrongdoing in his service.

Once celebrated as Australia's most decorated soldier, Roberts-Smith received the Medal for Gallantry in 2006, the Victoria Cross in 2011, and the Distinguished Service Medal in 2012.

He joined the armed forces in 1996, and was appointed to the Special Air Service Regiment, Australia's most elite fighting force, in 2003.

He was discharged in 2013.

If you are a current or former ADF member, or a relative, and need counselling or support, you can contact the Defence All-Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036 or Open Arms on 1800 011 046.

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Australia's three largest phone providers will soon hit mobile customers with monthly price hikes.

Telco giants Optus, Telstra and Vodafone have simultaneously informed customers of fresh price increases on certain mobile plans by up to $5 per month.

The price changes have caught the attention of the consumer watchdog as Australians battle an ongoing cost of living crisis.

LIVE UPDATES: Donald Trump says Iran wants him to 'keep bombing'

READ MORE: How a five-year investigation led to Ben Roberts-Smith's arrest at Sydney Airport

Telstra was the first cab off the rank to announce a new pricing structure, with increases scheduled for most post-paid and pre-paid mobile plans.

Impacted Telstra post-paid customers will fork out an extra $4 per month, with a basic 50GB plan jumping from $70 to $74.

The price of premium post-paid plans will not change.

Meanwhile, pre-paid mobile customers will pay another $5 per month – but with the offer of extra data allowances.

This will increase the cost of a basic 25GB plan from $49 to $54 per month.

Telstra's price increases will be in effect from May 5, marking the telco's second price rise in less than a year.

"In addition, eligible concession card holders will receive a 10% discount on any in-market Upfront postpaid mobile plan (excluding the Access plan) from 1 July 2026," a Telstra spokesperson said.

"This is a significant improvement as previously concession discounts have been limited to one specific plan.

"We know our customers are doing more on our network than ever, and we're investing so we can deliver the best experience available. That includes launching new technologies like satellite-to-mobile, upgrading to the most advanced version of 5G in more locations, improving resiliency, and growing coverage where we can."

Optus has followed suit with similar markups for three different mobile plans.

All three of the plans will be an exta $5 per month.

The telco company's Small Choice Plus Plan will now be $60 per month, up from $55, with the addition of 10GB of data.

The Medium Choice Plus Plan will be $70 per month with an extra 40GB of data, while the Large Choice Plus Plan will now cost $90 per month, with 80GB more data.

Optus' price hikes will kick in from May 18.

"We are making significant, ongoing investments in our network to improve coverage, speed and resilience, while also strengthening the service and support we provide to customers," a spokesperson for Optus said.

"Changes to pricing on some plans supports this work."

It is second time Optus has increased prices in the past 12 months.

On average, impacted Optus customers are paying an extra 12 per cent for their monthly phone plans.

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The majority of Vodafone's pre-paid mobile plans will be hit with price hikes too.

Vodafone will charge customers on a handful different SIM plans between $1 and $4 more per month.

The network's $45 28-day SIM will now cost $50 per month, with an extra 5GB of data.

Meanwhile, Vodafone's 220GB SIM will be $30 more for a 12-month plan, along with 30GB more data.

The price hikes impact seven different pre-paid SIM plans.

These changes will be effective from April 5.

Vodafone was contacted for comment.

A spokesperson for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it was watching mobile plan price increases closely.

"The ACCC has observed price increases of mobile plans in recent years and is concerned about the impact that has on consumers, especially those relying on lower-cost plans who are disproportionately affected," a spokesperson told Nine.com.au.

"It is understood that some price increases have been accompanied by expanded data inclusions.

"However, ACCC reporting shows that consumers do not generally use all their data inclusions and may not value additional data.

"We encourage consumers to actively compare mobile plans and reassess their needs, including data usage, as there are a range of plans and offers available."

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The warning comes as an ominous deadline set by US President Donald Trump looms.

A mother gave her adult son a lethal smoothie following disputes over money and the family's intolerable living situation, a jury has been told.

Maree Mavis Crabtree has been accused of killing her 26-year-old son, Jonathan, with an overdose of painkillers on July 19, 2017, in the family's home north of the Gold Coast before making a $125,000 insurance claim.

The 59-year-old has also been accused of attempting to murder her son in January of the same year.

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Crabtree pleaded not guilty to the murder, attempted murder and fraud charges when her trial began at Brisbane Supreme Court today.

Her son was found dead by paramedics while lying on his bed at 9.55am with his legs hanging down to the floor and a Spider-Man backpack at his feet, Crown prosecutor Caroline Marco told the jury.

"A pathologist determined the cause of his sudden and unexpected death was an excessive amount of the drug oxycodone in his bloodstream," she said.

Investigators did not find the prescription painkiller or related packaging in the son's room or among his other drugs in the Spider-Man pack.

"The Crown will prove it was his mother who killed him by deliberately giving him a drink in the form of a shake that she prepared with a blender in the kitchen of their home that contained the oxycodone that killed him," Marco said.

The jury was told they would hear from Crabtree's daughter Tara, who would testify that she helped her mother by keeping a lookout as she prepared the drink and of later hearing the son struggling and coughing throughout the night.

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"Tara will tell you the next morning her mother told her Jonathan was dead but it was four hours later that (Crabtree) called Triple Zero," Marco said.

"Tara says that was not the first time that her mother had given a drink to Jonathan containing oxycodone with the intent of ending his life."

Jonathan was a "troubled man" with abusive behaviours who used drugs and had been charged with robbing a chemist, the jury heard.

A car crash in 2015 had left him with permanent injuries that meant he required physical care.

Crabtree lived in the Maudsland home that was jointly owned by her two children.

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"She told Tara that Jonathan's involvement in the robbery had put the family's finances in jeopardy, which was the reason why she needed to kill him," Marco said.

Crabtree found her living situation with her son "no longer tolerable" but she did not have the money to buy out his stake of the house, the jury heard.

Investigators found numerous bottles of liquid oxycodone in the family's home and a smoothie blender that tested positive for drugs, Marco said.

Defence barrister Angus Edwards was expected to make an opening statement.

The trial is due to run for five weeks before Justice Martin Burns and hear from 60 witnesses.

The person remains missing despite initial search efforts by the crew.