The AUKUS nuclear submarines deal – Australia's most expensive defence project – is facing major hurdles, a report by British MPs warns.

Under the defence pact, estimated to cost more than $360 billion in coming decades. – the Australian navy would acquire eight nuclear-propelled (but not armed) submarines from the US and UK.

But in a report published overnight, the UK House of Commons Defence Committee warned that the British government needs to inject more money and political impetus for AUKUS to become a reality.

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"We have deep concerns cracks are already beginning to show when it comes to funding. The investment pipeline has already faltered," said its chair, Tan Dhesi MP.

Australia signed up to AUKUS in 2021 to counter rising Chinese power in the Asia Pacific.

The former Coalition government and current Albanese government said the long range and ability to remain hidden underwater for months of nuclear submarines would help maintain stability in the Asia-Pacific.

Under part of the agreement, Australia and Britain are collaborating to develop and construct a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarine, known as SSN-AUKUS.

But the Royal Australian Navy's plan to take delivery of five vessels by the early 2040s, built in South Australia, faces major hurdles.

"For the UK, delivering SSN-AUKUS will be a lengthy and complex undertaking requiring a sustained financial commitment from government across several electoral cycles," the report said.

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Alarm bells have also been sounded on the plan by the US Navy to sell Australia up to five of its Virginia-class nuclear submarines by 2035.

Faltering production rates at US shipyards were a "a matter of concern", and "a potential risk" to the deal, the House of Commons report said.

Australian taxpayers have so far given a combined $10 billion to the US and Britain to bolster their shipbuilding industries as part of AUKUS.

The final cost for Australia has been estimated at about $368 billion by the mid-2050s.

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When Donald Trump knocked down the East Wing of the White House without authorisation, few Republican politicians were willing to publicly back his ambitious renovations.

But after the major security breach during the White House Correspondents' dinner on Saturday, they have changed their tune.

Soon after, an armed gunman allegedly tried to kill the president, Trump said the scare justified the need for a ballroom in the White House.

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And now prominent Republicans are agreeing with him.

Senator Rand Paul, a prominent conservative who has often clashed with the Trump administration, will introduce legislation to allow the ballroom to go ahead.

"Tomorrow, I'll bring my bill to the floor that allows it to proceed without new taxpayer costs and make it easier for Congress to review major White House projects going forward," he said.

A separate bill would set aside US$400 million in taxes to build the ballroom.

"Many people I think originally saw it as a vanity project… I don't see it that way," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said.

"I'm convinced if there had been a presidential ballroom adjacent to the White House, the guy would have never gotten in."

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Even one high-profile Democrat has joined the chorus.

"We were there front and centre," Senator John Fetterman said. 

"That venue wasn't built to accommodate an event with the line of succession for the US government. 

"After witnessing last night, drop the TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) and build the White House ballroom for events exactly like these."

Fetterman has been increasingly stepping away from his party by siding with Republicans on major issues.

Trump's renovations of the White House have been blocked by a federal judge because he did not have congressional approval to do so.

"The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families," Judge Richard J Leon wrote in his decision.

"He is not, however, the owner!"

In a scathing judgment, Leon declared the president could not carry out extensive renovations without congressional approval.

"No statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have," the judge wrote.

Leon said while presidents were able to carry out "care, maintenance and repair", the existing laws "bring to mind things like replacing the lightbulbs, fixing broken furniture, and changing the wallpaper".

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Trump has said his ballroom is being funded by donations, but will not reveal who has done so.

The secrecy behind the project has attracted the ire of Democrats.

"Who is funding Trump's $400m unlawful ballroom and what are they getting in return?" Representative Dan Goldman said.

"The White House is blatantly avoiding oversight by shielding their secret contracts and anonymous donors, all without Congressional authorisation or any meaningful conflict of interest protections."

The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) is not a government organisation and would not be obliged to hold its event at the White House.

Today WHCA President Weijia Jiang said the Hilton Hotel had donated the uneaten dinners from the cancelled event.

"They freeze-dried the steak and lobster for longer shelf life before giving them to two shelters for abused women and children," she wrote on X.

"HUGE thank you to the staff that worked through the night under terrible circumstances."

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Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was arrested after exchanging fire with law enforcement and the Secret Service at the Washington Hilton.

He has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president. 

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Farmers in South Australia are being forced to resort to shooting mice with rifles or burning their precious crops as a mouse plague ravages southern Australia.

Videos of hordes of mice sweeping across the country have been shared on social media, with millions making their way from Western Australia in an easterly direction.

It is another huge blow for farmers, who have already been ravaged by wild weather and the fuel crisis, and experts warn it could threaten $3 billion in grain and food exports to Asian neighbours.

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The plague has already hit the wheatbelt region in Western Australia, and is now making its way towards South Australia, which is recovering from an intense period of rain and floods.

These conditions are perfect for mice plagues to occur, due to the warmer temperatures and larger amount of crops they feed off.

Some farmers have been forced to take drastic action, with one shooting mice on his property with a rifle, and another has been forced to burn the crops he had already grown after he found hundreds of holes burrowed by mice.

"Look how busy these little bastards have been," the farmer said as he posted a video of the remains.

In previous mouse plagues, especially in the 1980s, farmers used flamethrowers to kill the swarms of mice attacking their crops.

Experts fear the plague will continue as it spreads across South Australia and even into Victoria.

The impact could pass from the farmers to millions of Aussies as it could massively impact Australia's trade with many Asian neighbours.

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"This is another kick in the guts, not only for our farmers impacted, it's the community, it's anybody. It's small business, it's supermarkets, it's the baker," Andrew Weidemann from Grain Producers Australia said.

Australia's grain export industry brings in $3 billion, but this could be in jeopardy if the plague continues.

An emergency application was launched with the federal chemical regulator – Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority – asking to double the lethal ingredient in baits from 25 grams to 50 grams.

"Our research shows that with the 50-gram bait, you kill over 80 per cent of the mice, 80 per cent of the time," Henry said.

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Aussies around the country will today withdraw cash as part of protest "Cash Out Day", designed to highlight the importance of cash to the lives of millions in Australia.

While cash use has declined in recent years, data released this month by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) showed the number of cash payments had risen to 15 per cent, and that half of all Aussies use cash at least once a week.

The RBA highlighted that older Australians and those in regional areas were more likely to be reliant on cash, and Aussies are being urged to show they still value cash in hand by withdrawing some cash today.

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Jason Bryce, a financial journalist and supporter of Cash Out Day, claimed it was important for Aussies to show cash is still king.

"Aussies have become increasingly concerned that banks are trying to herd us towards a cashless society," he said.

"Yes we like tag and go, yes we like to use our phone and our cards, but nobody's voted for a cashless society, no one's voted for the government or banks to take our cash away."

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Regional communities have been hit by several banks closing branches, further hampering people's access to cash.

And while the federal government introduced a cash mandate this year, requiring businesses to accept cash as payment for essential goods, they have also moved to remove surcharges for card payments.

Bryce claimed the mandate was "way too weak" and said the removal of surcharges will help move people away from cash.

EXCLUSIVE: Zoe was fined $300 after forgetting her car. This is the hidden cost of ADHD

He said all Aussies should be worried by this news.

"The banks continue to close ATMs and continue to close bank branches, and that's got to stop," he said.

"All of these are bad for the future of cash in our economy. Cash is so important for so many people."

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If she doesn't set an alarm, a run-of-the-mill trip to the shopping centre can turn into a financial headache for Zoe Sheehan.

On a recent sunny Sydney day, the 30-year-old parked in a 30-minute zone at a Westfield, bought a coffee, promptly forgot about her car and walked home.

Only hours later did she realise her car was still sitting at the shops – with an unwelcome $300 fine attached to the windscreen.

This, Sheehan told Nine.com.au, is a common example of the "ADHD tax" that Australians are paying every single day.

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Sheehan has paid dearly for her neurodivergence, something she chalked up to forgetfulness until just four years ago.

After being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at age 26, it dawned on Sheehan just how much unnecessary money she had been paying simply because of the way her brain is wired.

"There's so many times when I've done that. It is all the key symptoms of having ADHD – like forgetfulness, impulsivity, distraction, procrastination, time blindness, all coming together," Sheehan said.

"The intention is there… but you might get distracted or hyperfocussed, and then eight hours later you realise and it's like… holy s–t.

"People might say, Oh just set a reminder, and they just don't understand the way that our brains work.

"It's literally the same thing as telling someone with dementia to just remember."

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Parking fines are just the tip of the iceberg.

Sheehan said the hidden cost of ADHD also includes late payment fees (she has set up direct debit for all her bills to avoid this), payments for unused services like apps or gym memberships and impulsive online shopping.

According to the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA), the average productivity losses associated with the disorder amounted to $9.98 billion in 2019, which is around $17,483 per person living with ADHD.

Psychiatrist and Pandion Health co-founder Dr Brendan Daugherty agreed the ADHD tax is a financial complexity that can come with the disorder.

"The ADHD tax is the running cost of having an ADHD brain in a system designed for neurotypical brains," Daugherty explained.

"It can easily cost thousands a year.

"The modern world has a lot of demands, and it's not made for the neurotypical brain, much less the neurodivergent brain."

Since her diagnosis, the Sydney woman was able to get a "leniency letter" from her doctor, which explains her diagnosis and how it can lead to the offence or penalty.

She is yet to use it, but said it is an important tool which could soften the financial burden for many adults with ADHD.

"I don't want to be pushing for people to be abusing the system and not being responsible, because they still need to follow the law," she said.

"But it is a disability, so there needs to be some sort of support."

Because ADHD is invisible, Sheehan said, diagnosed adults are not offered the same leniency or help.

"For anyone disabled, you've got disabled parking spots…. for pregnant women, things that are visible, people [are treated] differently," she added.

"When it's invisible, it doesn't get the same treatment."

According to Fines Victoria, you can apply to review your fine under special circumstances if you can prove you committed the offence, in part, because you "had a mental or intellectual disability, disorder, disease or illness".

Daugherty said adults with ADHD often need more nudges and support – including alarms, stricter planning or detailed calendars.

"Mitigation is mostly about reducing reliance on memory and willpower. Automate bills and savings on payday," he said.

"Use phone reminders and calendar notifications for anything important. Audit subscriptions quarterly. Have one fixed spot at home for keys, wallet, phone. Use a 24-hour pause rule on impulse buys."

He described untreated ADHD is the most "expensive scenario".

"Because medication, therapy and coaching directly address the executive function gap that drives the tax in the first place."

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ADHD rates soar in Australia

More than a million Australians have ADHD, according to the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA).

New analysis by UNSW Sydney researchers has found the number of adults being treated for ADHD has surged by more than 600 per cent since 2017.

And women have now overtaken men in the prescribing rates of ADHD medication in Australia.

The statistics have laid bare the sheer volume of Australians who don't fit the neurotypical mould.

Sheehan has been a vocal advocate for ADHD awareness and education online.

She is also developing an app to help other neurodivergent Australians with "time blindness" to mitigate the financial toll of ADHD tax.

On her platforms, Sheehan speaks candidly about how she navigates the pitfalls – and silver linings – of living with ADHD.

She said it doesn't need to be a burden. It can also be a superpower.

"ADHD is so misunderstood. And it's not until you experience it and live with it first-hand, that you realise," she said.

"I just would love to bring more positivity around it, because I think that people are ashamed of ADHD because of the negative talk around us."

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A missing dog has been rescued from a 13th-storey ledge days after escaping from a balcony at an apartment block on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

Elbie the two-year-old Jack Russell went missing on Saturday after squeezing past pot plants and through a narrow gap on the balcony at the Meriton apartments in Dee Why.

"We looked around the entire apartment and looked everywhere, every small, little spot, and there was nothing," friend James Tomac said.

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"We started thinking the worst possible thing, maybe she fell off the balcony."

After her owners raised the alarm on social media, a neighbour flying his drone spotted Elbie stuck between a railing on the ledge on the other side of the high-rise just after lunchtime.

Fire and Rescue firefighter Joel Spillane was tasked with the challenge of bringing Elbie to safety in front of dozens of anxious onlookers on the ground.

Spillane scaled the high-rise building using vertical rescue equipment and placed a lead on Elbie and a tarpaulin below the ledge to catch the dog if she fell.

"He was a little bit stuck, it took me a while to get him out, he was stuck in between the awning up there, but he was calm which helped a lot," he said.

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After 20 minutes trying to manoeuvre Elbie from the edge, she was lifted to safety through an apartment window, with crowds erupting into cheers below.

"We got him inside, he's drunk heaps of water, they gave him a shower, and I'm sure he'll be off to the vet, back tomorrow," Spillane said.

"We're not sure how long he was there, they mentioned a day or so but we're not sure."

Elbie was quickly reunited with her owner after spending two days without food or water.

"I was over the moon you know, I didn't know if I was going to see her again so, very happy," owner Jake Dobrin said.

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Police say it appears the people involved were known to each other.

Alicia Te Papa put items in a trolley then walk out of the store without paying for them.

Police are searching for a 47-year-old man who had recently been released from prison in relation to the suspected abduction of a young girl in the Northern Territory.

Five-year-old Sharon was reported missing about 1.30am yesterday from her home in Old Timers Camp on Marshall Court in Alice Springs.

She had been put to bed about 11.30pm on Saturday before she was later noticed to be missing.

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Acting Commander Mark Grieve confirmed police are asking for public assistance to find Jefferson Lewis, who was in the area at the time and staying at the residence, and who is believed to have disappeared around the same time.

"We do believe Sharon has been abducted and we believe Mr Jefferson may be able to provide us with some information in regards to this," Grieve said.

"He currently remains one of the few people who were in Old Timers Camp at the time and has not made themselves known to police, nor have police been able to locate him at this point in time."

He said Lewis had recently been released from prison, after being jailed for violent offences including assault and domestic violence.

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"We're still trying to work through his movements since he got out of prison, we certainly know that he was in and around Old Timers Camp at that particular residence Saturday afternoon and into that evening."

Grieve could not confirm how many people were at the home but said he understood Sharon's mother and other family were present.

Lewis is not directly related to Sharon, but is believed to have been known to the family, Grieve said.

"It's a terrible situation to have such a young child go missing, we're over 24 hours now so it would certainly be my worst nightmare as a parent," Grieve said.

He said police were "wrapping around" Sharon's mother and had provided accommodation and support to the family.

"We want to find Sharon healthy and we want to get her back to her family."

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Sharon was last seen wearing a dark blue short-sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around the neck and a white ring stripe around the end of the sleeves, and a pair of black boxer-style underwear.

The ongoing search has included officers on foot, on motorbike, dogs, horses, and drones.

It is not known if Lewis has access to a vehicle and police believe he is possibly still in the area.

The Northern Territory Major Crime Squad was en route to the home today.

Anyone with information should call 131 444.

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A group of women and children with alleged ties to the militant Islamic State group could be on their way back to Australia within days, having secured flights out of Syria.

The group of four women and nine children left the dire conditions at Syria's Al-Roj camp on Friday, after spending seven years in the camp following the fall of the Islamic State caliphate.

They all have obtained Australian passports.

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The group, who are all Australian citizens, hope to depart Damascus within the next few days.

It's understood the group will need to undergo security clearances in the Syrian capital, with an army official saying it could take around 72 hours from the time they left the camp last Friday.

Once those checks are complete, there could still be further security checks during their flights back to Australia – the exact details and stop-off points of which remain unclear.

At least some could face criminal charges.

The group of 13 are part of a larger group of 34 Australians – 11 women and 23 children – who attempted to return to Australian shores in February.

Only one of the women has been temporarily banned from returning to Australia by the federal government following their scuttled February repatriation attempt.

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Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke issued a temporary exclusion order on the woman, which prevents high-risk citizens from returning to Australia for up to two years.

The exclusion orders were introduced in 2019 to prevent defeated Islamic State fighters from returning to Australia.

There are no public reports of an order being issued before.

Burke said at the time that security agencies had not advised that any of the other Australians in the group warranted an exclusion order and they couldn't be made against children younger than 14.

However, the federal opposition is calling for most exclusion orders to be issued.

"We are talking here about people who deliberately chose a terrorist organisation ahead of Australia," Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Ted O'Brien said.

"They chose violence over peace."

Defence Minister Richard Marles said he has the utmost confidence in the nation's security agencies to bar anyone who poses a threat.

"Our intelligence agencies and our security agencies are always alert to anyone who might come into the country and we have utter faith in respect of what they do and of course they monitor people where that is appropriate," he said.

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