The collision happened on Oxford St in the late afternoon.

The baths at a popular beach on Sydney's Lower North Shore have been closed after two sharks were reportedly sighted close to shore.

Two sharks were reportedly sighted swimming within the netted area of Balmoral Beach in Mosman early this afternoon.

The baths have been shut as a precaution.

LIVE UPDATES: US threatens 'most intense day of strikes' on Iran

A Mosman council spokesperson said a diver is now inspecting the area in and around the baths for signs of sharks.

"Warning signs have also been placed on the shore and barricades placed in front of the baths to alert members of the public," a Mosman council spokesperson said.

"Nets in the area were inspected in the past month as part of routine maintenance.

"Further inspections will take place once the water quality improves, as it is presently murky.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

A Melbourne woman has been charged with the alleged theft of a 10-month-old puppy after a member of the public identified her from widely shared footage.

Cavoodle puppy Dora captured hearts after she was taken from a pole she was tied to while her owner did the grocery shopping in South Yarra about 3.25pm on Monday.

A desperate plea for the dog's safe return followed, after CCTV footage showed three women leading Dora away.

READ MORE: Lululemon fined more than $700,000 over marketing emails

"Since Monday, extensive searches for Dora have taken place, with videos of the puppy and images of three women being widely shared online," Victoria Police said in a statement.

A call to Crime Stoppers by a member of the public led police to a home in Noble Park this morning.

Dora was found at the home, nearly 30 kilometres from where she was taken, police allege.

A 19-year-old woman was arrested in the Barnett Grove home and has since been charged with theft.

READ MORE: Australian family left shattered after package containing mother's ashes is cruelly swiped from doorstep

The Noble Park woman was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 28.

A 27-year-old Richmond woman handed herself into police this afternoon.

She was interviewed and released pending further enquiries.

Police are still searching for a third woman, who is described as Caucasian, aged in her 20s, with long brown hair.

She was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and Adidas-branded tracksuit pants.

Owner Frank Wong told media today his young family had been through " a rollercoaster of emotions" over the last 48 hours.

"So much fear and dread," Wong said.

"There was a rising tide of support from everyone involved here, so I think that kept our hopes up night by night."

READ MORE: Apple MacBook Neo review: The laptop market is redefined

A vet has checked Dora's health and she's now back in the loving arms of four-year-old Clare.

"It was just outstanding happiness to have her back," Wong said.

"She was a bit afraid still, which is understandable after everything she's gone through, but as soon as we got home she was already playing."

Wong said Dora was "almost like a sister" to his daughter.

"I think in dog years she's pretty much the same age as my daughter, which is why they get along so well," he said.

"I imagine they'll be in each other's arms for much of the rest of the night."

Anyone who witnessed the incident, with footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

A NSW government minister has apologised after two vulnerable children in the state's care were found living with a convicted serial killer.

Regina Arthurell, who was jailed under the name Reginald Kenneth Arthurell, was able to live in the same house as two foster children aged 12 and 14 in out-of-home care Sydney's west.

A whistleblower raised the alarm with Sydney radio station 2GB after she contacted multiple government departments.

LIVE UPDATES: Missile alarm raised in three countries as Australia shutters embassy

Once dubbed the "cowboy killer", Arthurell served almost 24 years behind bars for bludgeoning fiancee Venet Mulhall to death at Coonabarabran in 1995 while on parole.

She had earlier killed her stepfather in the 1970s and a sailor in the 1980s.

She was granted parole in 2020

NSW Minister for Communities and Families Kate Washington told 2GB host Ben Fordham she found out about the children's living situation through the radio station.

"What you've uncovered is shocking and the scenario that these kids were in is not allowed and should've never been allowed," Washington said.

"It is entirely unacceptable for a vulnerable child in the care of the state to be living with a triple murderer.

"It should've never happened and I'm deeply apologetic for what has happened."

READ MORE: Two dead at iconic NSW tourist beach

Arthurell is no longer living in the same home as the children.

Washington said she has ordered an urgent review and would make any changes necessary.

Later in the interview, she said as the minister responsible for the children "the buck stops with me on this".

"That's why we are going to get to the bottom of it and it's just something that ought to have never happened," she said.

"At least we do now know and we've acted and they're no longer in that house but the scenario should have never happened in the first place."

Washington also said there were "some complexities in the situation" that she could not share publicly to protect the privacy of the children involved.

https://omny.fm/shows/ben-fordham-full-show/i-m-so-sorry-government-was-aware-foster-kids-were-living-with-serial-killer/embed?style=Cover&media=Audio&size=Wide

"But the fact is something has gone terribly wrong here," she said.

"I want to be as open and transparent and accountable as possible.

"I know that's what everyone expects.

"The department was made aware of the situation in late December and some very poor decisions were made at that time.

"I wish I could turn back the clock but I can't."

A whistleblower told Fordham earlier this week she had been in contact with the NSW Police and NSW Department of Corrective Services since February 12 about the issue.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

Independent petrol stations in regional Queensland are reportedly starting to run out of fuel as shortages continue to impact rural areas.

Goondiwindi Mayor Lawrence Springborg said that several independent petrol stations near the Queensland and New South Wales border had completely ran out of fuel over the last few days.

"We certainly did have supply issues, particularly over the weekend," he told the Today Show this morning.

"Indeed, the small community of Texas ran completely out of fuel on the weekend."

LIVE BLOG: Two more members of Iranian football team claim asylum

Two service stations in Goondiwindi also ran out of diesel yesterday evening, he added.

"They are not sure when they are able to be resupplied." 

Springborg said the shortages were so far only affecting independent service stations and suppliers, with the major fuel companies favouring their own bulk distributors and retailers.

"If you're smaller, and particularly if you're an independent, there are some serious disruptions and a major part of our area relies on bulk fuel supplies to be delivered by independents," he said.

Springborg said local farmers were being hit with the brunt of the shortages and the inevitable increase in fuel prices, with some having to stop work over the weekend as they had no petrol.

"There is a problem on the ground (and) it will drive up fuel prices for farmers. By the end of week I'm told we could have a three in front of our fuel prices. Last week it was around about $1.70."

Springborg said the federal government need to step in and help the independents out.

"Government does have a role in this, government can't solve the Middle East (conflict), but what it can do is plan, coordinate and potentially regulate."

READ MORE: Aussies could face $4400 fine over 'dangerous' jerry can act

The world's oil markets have been driven into disarray by the Iran war, which has led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's key oil transit points, which typically carry about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas.

On Tuesday, world oil prices surged by 25 per cent, with Brent crude surpassing $US115 a barrel, as analysts label it a "furious rise" amid war in the Middle East.

It is the first time oil prices have exceeded $US100 since the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Nationally, fuel prices have soared over $2 a litre as some residents panic-buy petrol.

"What we are now seeing is some service stations running low on supply and that is because Australians are buying fuel at a far greater rate than they normally would," NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said yesterday.

Concerns have also been raised about the national fuel supply after Energy Minister Chris Bowen last week said there were only 32 days' worth of jet fuel, 34 days of diesel and 36 days of petrol available.

From today, Victoria has introduced daily fuel price caps to prevent price-gouging at the pump, as residents are urged not to panic buy petrol.

Under the new law that comes into effect today, retailers must set their daily price of fuel at 2pm on the previous day.

That price is then capped and will apply for the 24 hours from 6am the following day.

READ MORE: Tests paused, students escorted from exam halls amid widespread NAPLAN issue

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

VPN services have exploded in popularity after PornHub and other popular adult sites cut Australian users off from all nude content last week.

A virtual private network (VPN) works by making it look like a device is accessing the internet from another location, usually a different country.

Doing so allows users to bypass local laws and restrictions and access content that is region-locked or banned in their area.

LIVE UPDATES: US threatens 'most intense day of strikes' on Iran

Unsurprisingly, several VPN services have surged to the top of the app store download rankings this week.

Proton VPN, a free option, jumped more than 10 places from number 19 to number seven on the Google Play store on Monday.

NordVPN, another popular service, is also among the most downloaded apps on iPhone and Android this week, while the VPN SurfShark has seen a marked spike in interest from Australians.

But these workarounds may not work for long.

The eSafety Commissioner's guidelines say that "service providers are expected to detect whether a user is using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)" and take reasonable steps to prevent workarounds.

READ MORE: Fears Australia could see another record flu season as 'Super-K' spreads

Aylo, one of the world's largest online porn organisations, blocked access to its websites – including PornHub, RedTube, YouPorn and Tube8 – for all Australians on Friday.

The sites are also no longer accepting new account registrations from Australian users.

The move was in protest of the second phase of Australia's social media ban for under-16s, which requires all websites and platforms hosting adult content to bolster their age-verification measures.

That could mean using facial age estimation, digital wallets and photo ID to ensure users are over 18.

The new rules came into effect on Monday and companies found to be in breach risk fines of up to $49.5 million.

But an Aylo spokesman argued it won't work.

He told the Sydney Morning Herald that Australia's new approach "does not effectively protect minors, and instead creates harms relating to data privacy and exposure to illegal content on non-compliant platforms".

READ MORE: Senior Iranian community figure says more footballers seek asylum

Head of policy at industry group Digital Rights Watch Tom Sulston told The Australian Financial Review there's no evidence assurance schemes work.

"Young people will trivially side-step age-verification with VPNs or similar tools, while the rest of us take a privacy hit when our IDs become associated with our internet browsing," he said.

Mish Pony, chief executive of peak sex worker body Scarlet Alliance, warned the Herald the new rules may also push Australians to offshore sites hosting stolen and illegal content.

Especially if they need to provide ID to access adult content in Australia, which may leave some Aussies concerned about their viewing habits being linked back to them.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

A fast-moving strain of influenza that has led to the deaths of dozens of children in the United States is evading the protective effects of past vaccines and community immunity, a new study has confirmed.

The new and highly mutated strain of influenza A (H3N2), dubbed 'Super-K', was first detected in the USA in June last year and led to a summer surge of influenza in Australia.

In January, 63 people died from influenza in Australia – roughly double the number seen in the same month in previous years.

READ MORE: David Littleproud announces shock resignation as Nationals leader

That comes on the back of 2025 being confirmed as Australia's deadliest flu season this century with 1,701 deaths, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.

AMA Vice President Julian Rait said high caseloads and low vaccination rates had led to a perfect storm for influenza in Australia.

"We could easily see the same situation this year and we could even exceed that with this new 'Super-K' variant," he told nine.com.au.

Rait has pointed the finger squarely at Australia's low – and falling – flu vaccination rates for multiple years of horror flu seasons.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than half of all Australians were receiving a flu shot – now, that figure is closer to one in three.

Older people and children under the age of five are at increased risk of flu-related death.

But in 2025, only 25 per cent of children under five received a flu shot, while 60.5 per cent of people over 65 were vaccinated. – the lowest number in six years.

READ MORE: Protesters try to block bus as Iranian footballers taken to airport

A new study by Harvard Medical School researchers in JAMA today confirms experts' suspicions that last year's flu vaccinations were not as effective against the 'Super-K' variant.

In the 46 patients studied, getting vaccinated only prompted a 1.7 to 2-fold increase in patients' antibodies to H3N2 subclade K – nicknamed 'Super-K' – compared to an almost 3-fold increase for other strains.

Combined with a lower baseline immunity to 'Super-K' due to it being a new strain, this means those studied had as much as 7.8 times lower levels of antibodies to fight off a 'Super-K' infection than previous strains of flu.

However, the AMA said this wouldn't apply to Australia's new seasonal flu shot, due to be rolled out next month.

New recommendations by the World Health Organization have seen a subclade K variant incorporated into this year's trivalent flu shot for Australia, which should boost its efficacy against the 'Super-K' strain.

Epidemiologist Dr David Muscatello said the influenza virus was "constantly mutating", with a significantly new and more infectious strain popping up around once every 10 years.

"The virus is drifting all the time because it's constantly mutating, so every ten years or so we might see a drift that more easily infects people in the population," he told nine.com.au.

However, Muscatello was quick to point out that there is no evidence to suggest that the 'Super-K' strain causes more serious illness.

Nevertheless, lower prior immunity and high infectivity have led the CDC to label 2025-26 a "high severity" flu season amongst children in the United States.

There, more than 90 per cent of influenza A cases are now the 'Super-K' variant.

So far, 90 children have died from flu-related complications.

The Australian Medical Association is now urging Australians to roll up their sleeves and help boost vaccination rates.

"Super K is much more easily transmitted and clearly with our low vaccination rates, it could well take off in winter when people spend more time indoors together," Rait warned.

READ MORE: Kyle Sandilands breaks silence on shock radio split

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

Police have seized a water pistol and spoken to a 16-year-old girl after a TAFE campus was put in lockdown over reports of suspicious behaviour.

Officers had been going classroom to classroom and building to building at the Campbelltown TAFE after security alerted them to two people seen acting suspiciously about 4.30pm today.

"Police attended the campus and reviewed CCTV holdings and commenced inquiries into the whereabouts of the two people," NSW Police said.

"Police completed a sweep of all classrooms and buildings within the campus, with no items of interest located."

About 7pm, officers went to a Campbelltown home where police said they spoke with a 16-year-old girl.

"As part of those inquiries, police seized a water pistol," police said.

"Investigations continue."

Earlier there were reports that someone had been spotted holding what was believed to be a firearm.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

A man had not engaged in formal diabetes education for almost three decades before he suffered severe hypoglycaemia behind the wheel and killed five people.

Diabetic driver William Swale, 69, spoke publicly for the first time today as he gave evidence to Melbourne Coroners Court on the collision in Daylesford, 110 kilometre north-west of Melbourne.

He suffered a severe hypoglycaemic episode and passed out while driving his white BMW SUV, causing it to crash into patrons outside the Royal Daylesford Hotel, about 6.07pm on November 5, 2023.

READ MORE: New footage raises likelihood the US struck an Iranian school where a blast killed at least 165

Swale mounted a kerb and drove into patrons seated in the pub's beer garden.

Pratibha Sharma, 44, her daughter Anvi, 9, and partner Jatin Kumar, 30, their friend Vivek Bhatia, 38, and his son Vihaan, 11 were killed, and six others were injured.

Swale was charged with 14 offences, including five counts of culpable driving causing death. But all charges were struck out by a magistrate in September 2024, who found his actions were involuntary.

Coroner Dimitra Dubrow is investigating how the collision occurred, including Swale's prior diabetic management, in the nine-day inquest.

Counsel assisting Rishi Nathwani KC described the crash as deeply distressing and tragic.

"It is hoped that an incident such as this does not occur again," he told the court.

He said the coroner will investigate awareness, education and management of diabetic drivers, as well as laws around outdoor dining.

Swale had objected to giving evidence to the inquest but was compelled by the coroner to do so.

READ MORE: Bundaberg on emergency alert for major flooding similar to 2010 disaster

He told the court today the only time he recalled engaging in a diabetes training course was in 1994, when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

He was shown documents Nathwani said were sent to him, including emails from his endocrinologist and a brochure from VicRoads, in the years before the crash, on driving and diabetes.

"Not formal training, but that doesn't mean I didn't have conversations with Dr Cohen (his endocrinologist)," he told the court.

Swale said he was not aware he was under any obligation to register he was a diabetic with VicRoads until June 2021, and said he could not remember reading the brochure they sent him.

He said he had not told RACV, his insurance provider, that he had diabetes in the 30 years he was with them.

Swale said he did not drive anymore, but at the time he had a general rule that he could drive if his fasting blood glucose levels were at 8mmol/L, and at 5mmol/L he would normally have something to eat.

READ MORE: The timeline of events leading up to the US-Israeli strikes on

He said he always carried jellybeans and other snacks in his car in case his sugar dropped, and fruit and nuts were inside his car on the day of the crash.

However, he did not eat anything as his levels dropped to 2.9mmol/L in the hour before the crash.

"At that stage I was feeling hypoglycaemic and unable to make rational decisions," Swale said.

He was leaving the town of Clunes after spending the weekend at a clay shooting event and pulled over in Daylesford to go into the Winespeake Cellar + Deli to get some food.

Swale accepted he must have checked his blood glucose monitoring device about this time, at 5.17pm, as records showed he did, and it had dropped to 2.9mmol/L.

He felt "dark" and "vague" as he entered the deli but was told he couldn't get a table, and the last thing he remembered was leaving the store, he said.

Asked whether he tried to get takeaway food, Swale said "no because I was in a very, very hypoglycaemic state at the time".

The court was told his device's alarm went off 10 times to indicate he had low glucose, but Swale said he did not hear it.

After leaving the deli, the next thing he said he remembered was speaking to paramedics at the scene.

Law expert Simon Schofield warns tough sick leave crackdowns risk legal action.