Iran’s leadership is not at risk of collapsing any time soon, the report says.

The latest search for missing four-year-old Gus Lamont has been called off after police failed to find any new evidence.

Police began a renewed search of his family's remote Oak Park Station homestead in South Australia this morning.

There had been hopes that recent heavy rainfall in the area could help reveal new evidence.

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"The recent significant weather event with the rain up there is leading to assessing what other new opportunities might exist in relation to searching, but the current searching was planned," Acting Officer in Charge of Major Crime Andrew Macrae told reporters yesterday.

Police searched several areas but did not find any evidence and called off the operation late this afternoon.

They have not ruled out more searches of the area in the coming weeks. 

The four-year-old was last seen playing on a dirt mound at Oak Park Station around 5pm on September 27.

Nearly six months later, his whereabouts are still unknown.

No evidence of Gus has been uncovered despite extensive searches of the property, which Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said has been the "largest and most intensive" missing person search ever undertaken by SA Police.

Police have repeatedly said Gus's parents are not suspects.

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An Adelaide mother who admitted to criminally neglecting her six-year-old daughter, who later died, has been jailed for 17 years.

Crystal Hanley's daughter Charlie died in 2022 from severe malnutrition that caused her body to shut down.

She weighed 18 kilograms at the time of her death and was riddled with lice.

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She spent her final days in squalor and she was never enrolled in school despite her age.

In the days before she died, Hanley repeatedly lied and told concerned neighbours that Charlie had seen a doctor.

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Instead Hanley had shown what the court heard was a "callous disregard" for her daughter's deteriorating condition and joked about her inability to walk.

The judge told Hanley she failed as a mother at the most fundamental level.

She pleaded guilty to the criminal neglect of Charlie and two other children.

Hanley kept her head bowed as she was sentenced to 17 years this morning.

She must serve at least 12 years before she can apply for release.

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Victorians could finally have a small reprieve from household budget pressure as the state's energy regulator proposes to shrink electricity prices across the state.

The Essential Services Commission (ESC) today unveiled its draft benchmark prices for the Victorian default offer next financial year, which would see an average three per cent reduction across each of the state's five electricity networks.

Victorian households could see their annual power bills drop by an average of $46 next financial year if the draft proposal is accepted, while small businesses could save $172.

READ MORE: Aussies could pay more for groceries as farmers hit by dual fertiliser and fuel hike due to Iran war

Prices on the Powercor network would fall the most, with a $48 annual drop for an average household, while the United Energy network would have the slimmest reduction at $43.

"The commission has made this draft decision with the best available data and with consideration for long-term interests of Victorian consumers with respect to price, quality and reliability of essential services," ESC chair and commissioner Gerard Brody said.

The final price benchmarks will be announced on May 24 and come into effect in July.

The price drop is being driven by a decrease in the amount energy companies have to pay to support state and federal renewable energy programs.

"Meeting government renewable targets has become cheaper for the retailers and the regulator wants to pass these savings on to households," Canstar data insights director Sally Tindall said.

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Premier Jacinta Allan said the proposed price drop would put "downward pressure on energy bills across the board".

"It is a modest decrease that is being proposed but it's still a welcome one at a time when there are so many other pressures on household budgets, where households are watching every dollar closely," she said.

But Tindall warned Victorians not to get their hopes up too high.

"Canstar analysis of past draft decisions shows the final price can sometimes creep up after negotiations with market participants," she said.

Last year, the final benchmark prices were up to $25 higher than the draft figures for four of the five networks, Canstar analysis shows.

In addition to the default offer, other new rules coming into effect on July 1 are being hailed as a "huge step forward" for Victorians' right to a fair deal.

From July, energy retailers must make sure customers who have been on the same plan for more than four years are paying a "reasonable price".

If not, the provider must move them to a cheaper plan.

READ MORE: Stefanovic confronts Chalmers over shortage, price rise

"The new rule coming in from July 2026, which forces energy retailers to move customers on older plans to cheaper options, is a huge step forward," Tindall said.

"Penalising loyalty is a concept that has become entrenched in the way so many bills operate.

"This rule, and the other reforms coming down the line designed to help people in hardship, won't fix everything, but they will make the system fairer."

The Victorian default offer acts as a safety net against high prices for Victorians who don't shop around or are on an embedded network.

Almost 17 per cent of households and 21 per cent of small businesses are currently on the VDO.

"The default offer gives people confidence that they'll continue to receive a fair deal without having to test the market each year," Brody said.

"If you're someone who is willing and able to review your electricity plan each year, you'll be able to find cheaper deals.

"But if you don't want to be swapping deals each year, the default offer is a good, fair option."

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The US-Israel joint air assault on Iran is nearing its 13th day, having hit more than 5500 targets with no indication of any end in sight.

Iran's retaliatory strikes on the Gulf region also escalated following a fresh wave of missiles and drones in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Bahrain.

Iranian attacks against commercial ships, including a Thai cargo ship set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz, foreign oil tankers in Iraq's port of al-Faw and drones targeting Dubai International Airport, have intensified an offensive of squeezing the oil-rich region as global energy concerns mount.

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There are also Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) reports of an ongoing onslaught of Iranian strikes directed at Israeli territory.

Meanwhile, the ongoing war has resulted in surging global oil prices due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent crude oil reaching $US100 ($139) per barrel for the second time this week.

As a result, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has agreed to release the largest volume of emergency oil reserves in its history to calm surging petrol prices around the world.

Australian motorists are still being hit hard at the bowser – despite repeated assurances from the federal government that Australia has healthy oil reserves.

The federal government said it has addressed a supply shortage in regional Australia by relaxing its fuel standards for 60 days, allowing an extra 100 million litres to flow through the economy.

Australians assured there is plenty of fuel amid supply concerns

Tensions have flared on both sides of politics over the supply of fuel in Australia, however the federal government repeated the same point it has continued to make during the war: there is no shortage.

"I understand that people are worried about this. I can assure people that we have enough fuel in total," Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.

"We are incredibly well-placed as a country and as an economy to deal with the worst the world can throw at us."

PM Anthony Albanese also urged Australians "not to panic" and said the reserves were healthy.

"The big message for every Australian is don't panic, the supplies are there," Albanese said today.

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"What the minister has said is this: on the minimum stock holding obligation, petrol: 36 days. Jet fuel: 29 days. Diesel: 32 days.

But the domestic market is not immune to the global price surges.

The Iranian military has warned the world should prepare for the price of crude oil to reach $US200 per barrel, as it reached $1US00 per barrel again this week.

This is despite dozens of countries agreeing to release a record amount of oil from emergency reserves to ease soaring prices and buffer potential shortages.

CBA economists believe the war will last for months rather than weeks, and global energy markets have yet to realise this.

READ MORE: Police to continue Gus Lamont search as rain could expose fresh ground

Expats in Middle East urged to come home

Flights are now regularly touching down in Australia from Middle Eastern transit hubs, carrying passengers stuck in the region when the conflict began.

About 3600 Australians have returned from the Middle East, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.

Wong also said Australian expats living in the Middle East should return home.

"Our advice is that you should, if you can secure a seat, you should leave," she said.

"Please don't wait until it is too late.

"We don't want to see a situation where commercial flights – which are operating but obviously on a limited schedule – where they dry up."

Trump sidesteps blame over Iran school bombing

US President Donald Trump denied any knowledge of a Pentagon report confirming the US was responsible for a missile strike on a primary school in Iran.

An investigation found the US military was attempting to target an adjacent Islamic Revolutionary Guards base in the town of Minab.

But using outdated information, the Tomahawk missile struck the school instead, killing 175 people, mostly children.

When asked about the report, the president told reporters: "I don't know about that".

Trump had previously claimed Iran itself had struck the school.

Fresh wave of missile, drone strikes in Gulf region

Iran launched a fresh round of drones and missiles in the Gulf region today.

Iraq

Underwater drones targeted two foreign oil tankers in Iraq's territorial waters.

One person was killed and 38 others were rescued in the attack, for which Iran claimed responsibility.

Social media footage shows huge flames and smoke billowing from the damaged tankers.

Iraq's military group Saraya Awliya al-Dam later claimed seven attacks targeted US military bases across the country.

READ MORE: Stefanovic confronts Chalmers over shortage, price rise

https://x.com/Osint613/status/2031856121208525170

United Arab Emirates

Earlier today, a drone fell on a building in the Dubai Creek Harbour area, causing a small fire.

No injuries were reported, Dubai's media office said.

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Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Defence in Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed over 20 drones launched from Iran in the country's east.

The drones targeted parts of Saudi Arabia's oil fields.

Bahrain

Bahraini authorities said it responded to an Iranian attack on fuel tanks in the Muharraq Governorate, in the country's north-east.

Residents in the area were urged to remain indoors after the incident caused a small fire.

Kuwait

Authorities in Kuwait said it had responded to "hostile missile and drone threats" from Iran today.

Attacks in Lebanon and Israel

In Lebanon, eight people were killed in an airstrike on Beirut's Ramlet Al-Baida coast early Thursday, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health.

Israel said it launched another large-scale "wave of strikes" across the country, targeting Hezbollah launchers and infrastructure in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahieh.

CNN teams on the ground in Beirut heard and felt explosions overnight.

And Israel said it identified missiles launched from Iran toward its territory. Sirens sounded in central and northern Israel.

Iran confirmed it launched a "new wave of missiles" at Israel, according to state media, which claimed Hezbollah also joined in the attacks.

— Reporting with CNN

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Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been pressed as to why parts of Australia are suffering critical fuel shortages, as petrol prices around the country continue to rise.

Appearing on the Today Show this morning, he insisted Australia had no supply issues with fuel, but admitted a spike in demand have led to "localised pressures" that are impacting some communities.

Many of these are rural communities, with some farmers expressing concern that they do not have enough fuel to conduct their day-to-day activities.

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However, Karl Stefanovic grilled him about whether the government's response was adequate.

"Where is the fuel gone? Is it the cartels just hoarding it?" Stefanovic asked. 

"Where is the fuel? Can you answer that question?

"You know where the fuel is, you say you're working with industry to get that fuel on trucks, but where is it?

READ MORE: IEA agrees to record release of emergency oil reserves in an effort to calm surging prices

"There are people still waiting for it. Come on. Get your acts together."

Chalmers insisted there were two things going on at the same time, which meant while supply was not an issue, it means there are some short term shortages, he claims.

"Overall Australia has enough fuel, the shipments are arriving, we've got big stockpiles," Chalmers said.

"But we do acknowledge… that in some local communities – in particular regional communities – there have been shortages that we've been working with the ACCC and the industry to address that.

"The main reason for that is, even in regional areas, we're told by the suppliers that there was enough for usual patterns of consumption, but not for the elevated levels of buying."

Chalmers also said the government was working closely with the ACCC to combat price gouging at the petrol pumps, with the cost of fuel in some areas rising to three dollars a litre.

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The government has given the ACCC more discretion to punish petrol suppliers who are caught deliberately raising the price of fuel, and have also doubled the maximum fine that can be imposed.

He admitted there were some "concerning" price increases, but assured Australians the government was taking the necessary steps to protect them.

"Our message is clear to petrol retailers, we don't want petrol retailers doing the wrong thing by Australians, taking advantage of the situation in the Middle East," he said.

"Doubling of fines is important, increased surveillance some of these suspicious price spikes as well."

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The 39-year-old laundered $669,000 and helped build a $1.2m Governors Bay home.

The son and brother of the pair, Dip Pathak, was driving the car.

Fuel companies warned not to exacerbate ongoing global price movements.

The victim had a large open arm wound from the bite and was also bitten on the wrist.