OPINION: There is more merit in other proposals to curb the habit.

A man has been charged with the alleged rape and assault of nine women he met on dating websites in Western Australia.

The 23-year-old man has been charged with 64 offences, including 12 counts of aggravated sexual penetration without consent, two aggravated threats to kill and six counts of aggravated assault causing bodily harm.

Police said the alleged incidents took place between 2016 and 2023, starting when the man was a teenager.

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Detectives raided the man's home in the Perth suburb of Treeby and seized electronic storage devices, cameras and computers.

Police said one mobile phone allegedly contained more than 232,000 images and 9300 videos of women.

The man will also face charges of stealing, trespassing, burglary and criminal damage.

He is due to appear in Perth's Magistrates Court on Thursday.

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Rules around sprinklers aren’t the only area of our building legislation to worry about.

Investigators are hoping dozens of decades-old unsolved murders and missing persons cases in Western Australia will be resolved after the government announced $1 million rewards.

There are now 64 open investigations with a $1 million incentive for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the cold case homicides.

For 39 of those cases, it's the first time a reward has been offered while 21 others had smaller amounts attached.

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The government hopes the reward will encourage people to come forward with crucial information to help solve the cases.

"These significant rewards give people who have vital information one million reasons to come forward," Police Minister Paul Papalia said.

"The financial incentive will hopefully ensure those responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to justice and assist grieving families in finding closure."

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Police Commissioner Col Blanch said police never give up on unsolved homicides but the $1 million rewards may help provide the missing pieces to the puzzle in these cases.

"For those families who have lost loved ones and are still waiting for justice, we hope this reward money is able to deliver the closure they deserve," he said.

"We know there are people in the community who are able to provide valuable information on these unsolved cases, which is why we need you to contact us – so here is a million reasons why."

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Blanch said there are people in the community who know what happened in these crimes.

He added advances in forensic technology can also help solve the cases.

Here is the full list of unsolved homicides that now have a $1 million reward attached.

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A light plane has crashed at Melbourne's Essendon Airport this afternoon.

Authorities say the Cessna 172 Skyhawk flipped onto its roof near runway 26 about 3.50pm.

An Essendon Fields spokesperson said the pilot of the aircraft was safe, with no other passengers on board. 

Emergency services are on scene providing assistance.

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He was sentenced last year to more than three years in prison for importing meth.

Seth Frater went to the mall and used his phone to record unsuspecting victims.

Police in New Zealand are treating the deadly hostel fire that killed at least six people at Wellington's Loafers Lodge as arson, launching a homicide investigation into the blaze.

"I can confirm that we are treating the fire as arson," Inspector Dion Bennett, the acting Wellington district commander, said on Wednesday afternoon, adding that "because it is an arson with deaths involved, it is homicide inquiry".

He also confirmed police have a list of people they want to speak to in relation to the fire, but didn't say who they were.

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While six people have been confirmed dead, Bennett said there are less than 20 people who remain unaccounted for.

"Our reconciliation teams have been working fast and accurately today," he said.

"I can say that we have accounted for 92 people and that the number still to be accounted for is less than 20."

A small reconnaissance team of police officers has entered Loafers Lodge after the fire tore through it in the early hours of Tuesday morning, but a more extensive search of the building isn't expected to start until tomorrow.

READ MORE: Guest 'almost didn't leave' after false alarms as blaze engulfed NZ hostel

Bennett's comments came after he had confirmed earlier on Wednesday that there had been a couch fire at Loafers Lodge about two hours before the separate, deadly blaze, and that police are investigating any link between the two.

"There was a couch fire at Loafers Lodge at around 10.30pm on Monday night, prior to the fatal fire which occurred around two hours later," he said.

"The couch fire was not reported to emergency services at the time.

"As part of our enquiries, we will be seeking to confirm any link between that couch fire and the subsequent fatal fire."

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Bennett warned at the time it could take days before the building is completely examined.

"This scene examination will be an extensive and methodical process, and we expect it to take some time – likely several days," he said.

"Alongside the scene examination, officers will be working to locate and recover those who lost their lives in the fire.

"We know there are many people waiting for news of family and friends – including the residents who escaped the fire and are keenly waiting for news of their fellow tenants.

"I again want to provide the reassurance that we have a large number of officers working on this investigation, with the aim of providing them the answers they need as quickly as possible."

While there were no fire sprinklers in Loafers Lodge before Monday night's devastating blaze, Wellington City Council confirmed yesterday the building passed an independent safety inspection just two months ago.

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"The Loafers Lodge has a Building Warrant of Fitness issued in March this year," the council said in a statement.

"There were no concerns raised by the independently qualified person who inspected and tested the life safety systems in the building."

While new buildings are required to install sprinkler systems, older ones like the hostel are exempt from having to retroactively fit them, however Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the fire could lead to a review of the country's building regulations.

Hipkins told reporters on Wednesday he has asked Housing Minister Megan Woods to look into "issues around building regulation", although said any government review would need to wait until after the current police investigation of the hostel.

"What comes out of their work, of course, will inform decisions about what a future review might look like."

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Police are investigating an alleged hit and run in Adelaide last night.

Emergency services were called to Mawson Lakes Boulevard to reports of a crash between a Hyundai sedan and a Honda sedan.

Police said the crash was so severe it caused the Hyundai to flip and land on its roof before the driver allegedly left the scene.

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Officers in checks revealed the Hyundai had been stolen in early April from Redbank in Queensland.

The other driver involved was not injured.

The police found the driver of the Hyundai, who is a 29-year-old man.

He has been taken to the Lyell McEwin Hospital for treatment.

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The search for a missing man has been called off by Queensland Police after an unsuccessful three-day rescue mission.

A man in his 60s went missing from Sandy Kape, K'gari (Fraser Island) three days ago after a yacht sunk five nautical miles (nine kilometres) from the shore.

The distress call was made at 8:30pm on Sunday.

Police have been searching the area extensively since.

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A 25-year-old female crew member was rescued, but emergency services have not found the missing skipper, and have decided to call off the search.

"Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to locate the man and bring him home to his loved ones," Wide Bay District Regional Search Coordinator Rowan Treiguts said.

"We have liaised closely with his family and discussed the sad news regarding the likelihood of survival, they have asked for privacy during this difficult time.

"We want to thank each and every person who assisted and who provided support during the search."

"While we hold serious concerns for the man's welfare, I ask the boating community to be vigilant and to report any sightings or information to police immediately."

The search effort included police, volunteer marine rescue crews and several helicopters. 

Police advise boaties to wear their life jackets and to be mindful of changing weather conditions. 

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