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‘Disgraceful’: Petrol stations running dry as suppliers cut off fuel
Independent petrol stations in regional Australia have been hit by a devastating fuel shortage after widespread panic buying triggered major oil companies to cut supply.
Transwest Fuels co-owner Sam Clifton said his bowsers around regional New South Wales and Queensland are running dry following an "unprecedented collapse in supply availability".
Clifton warned some regional independent chains like Transwest are either "completely out of fuel" or running out fast as national wholesalers ration fuel and funnel it into metro areas.
LIVE UPDATES: Seventh US soldier dies; Trump says new supreme leader 'won't last long'
United Petroleum confirmed it has suspended normal allocations to distributors as Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz impacts global oil supply.
Clifton claimed it was "disgraceful" that rural communities have been the first to be cut off.
"In Tamworth, we're completely out of unleaded and E95," Clifton told Nine.com.au.
"The major retailers are getting preferential treatment by the big players."
Transwest Fuels still has some supply of diesel but it won't last long, Clifton said.
WORLD: 'Apocalyptic' scenes as Iran's capital pummelled by air strikes
He said local farmers who bulk buy fuel for tractors have been hit the hardest by the shortage.
"Animals will start dying, crops are going to suffer," Clifton added.
"One farmer I spoke to had just 1000 litres left."
The opposition has written to the government for help monitoring prices for farmers.
"Australians should understand that while they can go to the servo and fill up, our farmers aren't getting their supplies," Nationals Leader David Littleproud said yesterday.
"If they run out, they can't produce your food and fibre."
If supply dries up completely, Clifton said around 100 employees at his company face losing their jobs.
"If we go down, there will be no jobs for them," he added.
Clifton called on the federal government to protect regional communities from more supply shortages by building refineries in rural areas.
Westlink Petroleum's Danny Kreitzer also told 2GB's Ben Fordham that the diminishing supply was getting "serious".
"We're getting about 45,000 litres a day out, which is probably 10 per cent of what we need."
READ MORE: Sydney rocked by two overnight shootings
Drivers panic-buying fuel as prices surge above $2 per litre around the country has worsened the domestic pressure on petrol supply, motoring bosses said.
"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.
Khoury said he has also heard "troubling" reports of people trying to stockpile fuel at home.
"Which, apart from not making an economic sense, is also extremely dangerous," Khoury said.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen last week confirmed that Australia had 34 days of diesel, 32 days of jet fuel and 36 days of petrol available.
Assistant Foreign Minister Matt Thistlethwaite told Sky News today that this was the "normal" reserve capacity, even without a conflict threatening global oil supply.
"We've got well over a month's worth of diesel and unleaded petrol," Thistlethwaite said.
"The majority of our fuel doesn't actually come through the Strait of Hormuz.
"It comes from other means and most of that is still getting to Australia."
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The Gulf’s most precious resource isn’t oil. It’s far more significant
The Persian Gulf has a resource more precious than oil. Water.
And there are fears the recent targeting of desalination plants in the US and Israeli war with Iran could severely disrupt water supply across the desert countries.
Bahrain reported an Iranian drone had caused damage to its water desalination plant, a day after Iran accused the US of hitting one of its plants on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
READ MORE: Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new Supreme Leader?
"The US committed a blatant and desperate crime by attacking a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X.
"Water supply in 30 villages has been impacted.
"Attacking Iran's infrastructure is a dangerous move with grave consequences. The US set this precedent, not Iran."
This marked the first time Gulf countries have reported targeting of their desalination plants in the nine days since the war erupted.
Here is why that is a big deal.
While oil has built the Middle East, it is water that keeps one of the world's driest regions going.
The majority of the Gulf relies on over 400 desalination facilities for much of its water supply due to the arid climate and irregular rainfall.
The facilities convert the seawater that surrounds these countries into safe drinking water through a process of reverse osmosis, which separates the salt from the water.
About 90 per cent of water comes from desalination in Kuwait, about 86 per cent in Oman and 70 per cent in Saudi Arabia.
These systems have long been recognised as a risk to regional stability.
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If the major desalination plants were damaged or offline, there is the suggestion some cities could even lose their drinking water in days.
A CIA analysis in 2010 warned that attacks on these facilities could trigger a national crisis, and critical damage could lead to months-long outages.
"Each of these critical plants is extremely vulnerable to sabotage or military action," the report read.
Several countries, like Saudi Arabia, have upgraded their water systems, but the region remains vulnerable to water supply issues.
– Reported with Associated Press
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China warns ‘flames of war’ spreading, but welcomes Xi-Trump meeting
China's top diplomat has cast his country as a defender of peace and stability as war in Iran rages, while striking a conciliatory tone towards the United States ahead of a highly anticipated summit between the two nations' leaders.
"This was a war that should never have happened, and a war that benefited no one," Wang Yi, China's foreign minister, said at a news briefing yesterday on the sidelines of the annual assembly of China's rubber-stamp legislature.
Wang, touting China as "the world's most important force of peace, stability and justice", reiterated Beijing's call for an immediate ceasefire to "prevent the situation from escalating and avoid the spillover and spread of the flames of war."
LIVE UPDATES: Seventh US soldier dies; Trump says new supreme leader 'won't last long'
"All parties should return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and resolve their differences through equal dialogue," he added.
China's growing concern about the war with Iran comes as its top leader, Xi Jinping, prepares to host US President Donald Trump in Beijing for crucial talks between the world's two largest economies toward the end of this month.
The summit is expected to address a wide range of key issues, from trade frictions to Taiwan.
Adding a new layer of complication to the impending talks is now a rapidly escalating war in the Middle East.
Iran's leaders have long had close relations with Beijing.
China – like many other nations – has looked on with alarm at the killing of Iran's leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as well as the spike in oil prices and hit to the global economy sparked by the escalating conflict.
More than a week after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, the war has shown no signs of abating.
Trump said on Friday that there would be no deal with Iran except "unconditional surrender", without elaborating on specific demands.
READ MORE: How can Aussie travellers get to Europe now major Middle East airports are shut?
Beijing has seized the moment to project an image of a reliable and responsible superpower – in a sharp contrast to the US, which has injected uncertainties into the world through new wars, the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and the launch of a global trade war against close allies and China.
Beijing has provided "the most precious source of stability and certainty for a turbulent world, becoming an irreplaceable anchor amid global chaos", Wang argued yesterday.
At the same time, however, Wang called for continued engagement with Washington to address key differences, as he signalled his welcome for the upcoming summit between Xi and Trump.
He said the two nations' leaders have set an example in helping the bilateral relationship achieve overall stability despite turbulence.
"What is needed now is for both sides to make thorough preparations, foster a conducive environment, manage existing differences, and eliminate unnecessary interference," Wang said Sunday, in response to a question by CNN's Steven Jiang.
"China and the United States are both major powers, and neither can change the other — but we can change the way we interact," he added, urging the US to move in the same direction.
A confident China
At the same venue last year – shortly after Trump fired the first tariff salvo against China of his new administration, Wang warned the US against a "two-faced approach" in its relations with China, emphasising that Beijing "resolutely opposes power politics and hegemony".
If the message last year was of warning amid uncertainties, the one this year was marked by confidence. China has largely weathered Trump's tariff attacks and validated its hardball strategy – while elevating its global standing as the American president triggers upheaval around the world.
A parade of traditionally close US allies, from French President Emmanuel Macron to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have visited China over the last few months – in a sign of Beijing's successful effort in courting them.
Wang made a nod to that development.
READ MORE: Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new Supreme Leader?
"We have noted that an increasing number of insightful figures in Europe recognise that China is not a competitor, but a global partner," he said, while urging more cooperation and trade between the two blocs.
The Chinese foreign minister also appeared to respond to Trump's attempt to position his Board of Peace as an alternative to the United Nations, vowing to champion multilateralism and protect the global organisation.
"Attempts to bypass the UN and start anew, to pursue a separate system, or to cobble together small blocs and exclusive circles gain no support and are unsustainable," Wang said.
Wang's press conference, however, did not address many of the issues that have rattled other countries and China's neighbours at a time of growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
China has flooded the global market with its exports and weaponised its dominance in the production of rare earths, risking major disruption to the global supply chain.
It has also stepped up military pressure against Taiwan as well as naval confrontations with the Philippines and Japan
Wang also made no mention of Ukraine, now in its fifth year of war with Moscow, while stressing China's relation with Russia is "unmoved by wind and rain, as stable as a mountain".
Since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Beijing has refused to criticise Russia and has remained its key partner, acting as a crucial economic and diplomatic lifeline.
"China and Russia share a high level of political mutual trust," Wang said.
"Standing back‑to‑back is a defining feature of the China–Russia relationship.
"We are not afraid of any external provocation or pressure."
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‘Apocalyptic’ scenes as Iran’s capital pummeled by air strikes
Iran's capital continues to be smashed by US and Israeli bombardment, with a strike on an oil refinery lighting up the night sky.
The site in Tehran was one of several oil storage sites and refineries struck over the weekend, with a huge fireball sending plumes of smoke and ash into the air and being visible from across the city.
Thick plumes of black smoke were swept over the city, resulting in the rare weather phenomenon of black rain, or "acid rain" falling over the city.
LIVE UPDATES: Iran names new Supreme Leader
The fires are continuing to burn into the night in Tehran.
As the war enters its second week, the bombardment of Iran has continued, with the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) claiming to have destroyed the headquarters of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Air Force Headquarters in a strike.
The facility in Tehran operated "the ballistic missile command, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) array, and other air force units," according to IDF spokesman, Brigadier-General Effie Defrin
Around 140 targets were hit on Sunday alone, Defrin said.
READ MORE: Iranian player's desperate 'help act sign'
WATCH: Fire tears through tower amid 'wave of hostile drones'
US strikes also continue to have an impact, with an attack on a warship reportedly killing 104 people.
Around 32 people were injured as the IRS Dena was sunk last week, according to semi-official sources in Iran.
The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency estimates over 1200 civilians have been killed in the strikes since the conflict broke out last Saturday, including 194 children.
Reported with Associated Press and CNN
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Police investigate explosion outside US embassy in Oslo
Norwegian police are investigating an explosion outside the US embassy in the capital, Oslo, officials say.
Police received reports of a "loud bang" or explosion about 1am (11am AEDT) on Sunday, Oslo police said in a news release. No injuries were reported.
The explosion was caused by some sort of incendiary device, Oslo police representative Frode Larsen said during a news conference on Sunday.
READ MORE: Fire tears through tower amid 'wave of hostile drones'
READ MORE: 'Heartbreaking': Off-duty guard allegedly murdered
Investigators believe the embassy was the target and are searching for the perpetrators and their motive.
Local media reported minor damage to an entrance of the embassy, and people nearby said the street was blanketed in thick smoke following the blast. Police are seeking to talk to witnesses.
PST, the Norwegian police security service, called in additional personnel following the incident but has not changed the country's terror threat level, according to communication adviser Martin Bernsen.
"This is an unacceptable incident that is being treated with the utmost seriousness," said Justice and Security Minister Astri Aas-Hansen.
"The police have stated that they are investigating the case with significant resources, and that nothing indicates the situation poses any danger to the public."
The US embassy in Oslo referred media queries to the US State Department, which did not immediately return a request for comment. Nor did Oslo police.
Other details were not available.
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Have you seen Anna? Police search for missing Wellington woman
She last contacted her family around lunchtime today, saying she was lost near Cone Hutt.
Tributes flow for security guard allegedly stabbed to death
An off-duty security guard who died at a Melbourne train station on Friday night is being remembered as a "quiet hero" by his friends and colleagues.
Aidan Becker, 22, was allegedly stabbed to death after intervening to help a 14-year-old who was being robbed by four teenagers.
His friends said they were heartbroken by the loss of their mate who always put himself before others.
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"He was the type to go out of his way and do what he did, and that's probably the biggest thing I love about him," his friend JD said.
"It's just heartbreaking – I miss him."
The spot where he died has turned into a shrine to the brave man, with members of the public leaving floral tributes throughout the day.
"It's just every parent's worst nightmare," local resident Rachael Taranto said.
"We really want the family to know we're all thinking of them, and their son is a hero."
READ MORE: Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia considering military aid for Gulf states
Becker was a local to the area, who loved animals, travelling, and making music.
He worked at the Alfred Hospital, which released a statement this afternoon mourning his death.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of young security officer, Aidan Becker," it said.
"Aidan's colleagues at The Alfred describe him as a dedicated, respected, and much-loved member of our security team.
"He will be remembered for being full of life, and for his positive energy, kindness and dedication. He was a quiet hero who gave his all for those around him."
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Two 17-year-olds, a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old were all arrested by police.
The 16-year-old, a 17-year-old boy from the Whittlesea area, and the 18-year-old were charged with murder and armed robbery.
One of the 17-year-old boys is still in hospital under police guard, and has not been interviewed or charged yet.
The 18-year-old man appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court today and did not apply for bail.
He will remain behind bars until his next court hearing in June.
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Suppression ends for Auckland business owner Latifah Afoa, who exploited illegal Samoan workers
She slid cash to corrupt INZ employees, but it was the same agency that brought her down.
One person dies following water related incident on Waimakariri River
Emergency services were called to the scene about 4.30pm.