McDonald's Australia has quietly launched proceedings in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) after a Melbourne council rejected its bid to build a 24-hour restaurant on a trendy inner-city street.

Residents and businesses in Northcote fiercely opposed the plan to transform a fire-damaged and vacant building at 323 High Street into a McDonald's.

Darebin councillors in November voted 6-3 in opposition to the planning motion, but the proposal has returned to the table as McDonald's makes a bid to challenge this decision in VCAT.

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Documents seen by nine.com.au reveal the fast food giant has made an application to review a refusal of a permit.

McDonald's said in the application that a restaurant would "not result in unacceptable traffic flow" nor would it "detrimentally impact on the presentation of the building".

In a statement to nine.com.au, a McDonald's Australia spokesperson said the Northcote location had "potential".

"We see strong potential in Northcote and initiated proceedings to ensure the application is fairly assessed on its merits," the spokesperson said.

"The Northcote site is appropriately zoned for commercial use, and our application meets all planning requirements.

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"The proposed restaurant represents an investment of more than $2 million and will mean more than 100 new local jobs, as well as more support for local community groups in the area.

"We've been part of Melbourne communities since 1973, employing thousands of people, serving up a locally sourced menu and providing convenient destinations for customers looking for great everyday value and those iconic Macca's moments."

In its initial planning application, McDonald's said converting the site to a restaurant would create more than 100 local jobs and help the Northcote community.

There will be a compulsory conference on January 14 and it is listed for a hearing on April 14.

Northcote resident Salar Tavakoli told nine.com.au he filed a statement of grounds slightly too late but still planned to object the appeal bid.

He was among 110 people who lodged a formal objection before the council vote.

A petition against the proposal also garnered more than 11,000 signatures.

"High Street is special because of the hardworking local businesses that built its unique vibe and global reputation. Dropping a massive McDonald's into that ecosystem does not fit," Tavakoli said.

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"It is a single lane street shared with trams, already congested, and adding delivery traffic will make it unsafe for cyclists and pedestrians.

"Parking is scarce, especially for people with disabilities. McDonald's is hiding behind an old permit never intended for a 24/7 outlet like this. It would be the only shop open all night, inviting anti-social behavior."

Tavakoli said he was disappointed the VCAT appeal was lodged over the holiday break.

He worries the timing may have resulted in missed opportunities for the community to push back.

Darebin Council said it was party to the appeal.

"The applicant and objectors were notified in writing. The applicant has appealed the decision at VCAT and council is party to the appeal," the council said.

"A VCAT Compulsory Conference is scheduled for January 2026 and the hearing date is scheduled for 14–17 April 2026."

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CES, the biggest technology show in the world, is happening this week in Las Vegas, a place for the biggest brands and the newest startups to demonstrate their innovation to the world in the hope of making it into retail stores this year.

Before the show kicks off, LG has announced a staggeringly thin TV they're calling the Wallpaper TV, and Samsung took aim at those looking for a bigger screen with a new 130-inch model coming this year.

Seven years ago, LG had their first "Wallpaper" TV with the OLED W, and while it was as thin as a $2 coin, it needed to be connected to a bulky soundbar via a ribbon cable.

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Today, the new OLED Wallpaper TV has a thickness of 9mm with the ability to be mounted flat on your wall.

A single thin power cable to the TV is all you need on the wall.

Your antenna and other HDMI inputs all then connect to the TV wirelessly using LG's "Zero Connect box," which you can put anywhere in the room, freeing up space around the TV so the screen itself can be the feature on your wall.

"The Wallpaper TV represents the beautiful convergence of our True Wireless leadership, form factor innovation, and 13 years of OLED mastery," LG Media Entertainment Solution Company president Park Hyoung-sei said.

"LG continues to raise the bar for OLED TVs, setting the standard for what's next."

This TV won't be cheap, but it is coming to Australia later this year.

The LG Wallpaper TV will be the most premium TV in the company's range; however, 9News understands the TV will attract only a marginal premium above a traditional top-of-the-line OLED TV.

LG's OLED Wallpaper TV will come in 77-inch and 83-inch sizes.

Taking size to another level this year will be Samsung, who are looking to bring the biggest ever TV to Australian retail with a 130-inch Micro RGB TV expected in the second half of 2026.

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For the last two years, we've seen 115-inch TVs and even a 116-inch from Hisense late in 2025; however, a surge to 130 inches will catch the eye of many but will only be available to those with the deepest pockets, given the 115-inch version of this TV from Samsung is currently selling for $29,999.

But it's about demonstrating scale, and Aussies are buying the bigger range of TVs more than ever.

Simon Howe from Samsung Australia says this new "Micro RGB" technology allows them to produce such big TVs.

"Big screens are no longer the exception; they're the expectation," Howe said.

"Responding to this demand, Samsung is introducing its largest Micro RGB TV with a timeless design that transforms the best picture quality into an artistic centerpiece to elevate home decor.

"Micro RGB is ideal for bringing friends and family together to share in moments that matter via life-like realism through unmatched colour accuracy, glare-free display, and added brightness, ideal for Australian living spaces."

Both these TVs are at the top of the range and price brackets; however, there's a vast range of new TVs coming across all price points in 2026.

Trevor Long travelled to Las Vegas with support from Hisense, Samsung, LG, LEGO, and Reolink.

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Despite being 15,000 kilometres away from Caracas, Australia's Venezuelan community has been rocked by the developments overseas with concerns for the safety of their friends and families.

Normary Chudnovsky fled the Maduro regime a decade ago. Her mother still lives in Caracas and her daughter has moved to safety in Spain.

"When you see the violence is there and it's happening, you don't know how to handle it. I didn't sleep the whole night, still last night I didn't sleep properly," she said.

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"We're here, and we're safe, but we're still worried for our loved ones. We're still worried for the people over there."

In one of the biggest international displacement crises in the world, about 8 million Venezuelans have left the nation.

"It's become normal to be kidnapped, and you don't know who it was. And there are no guarantees, anything can happen to you," Chudnovsky said.

"We're not looking for luxury. Just food, water, electricity."

While there is a range of emotions amongst the Venezuelan diaspora about what is taking place in their homeland after the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, hope for a democratic future keeps them united.

About 1600 Venezuelans are living in NSW, including a small community in Newcastle.

While the future of the nation and its 6000 expatriates in Australia remains uncertain, it's clear what they want is unequivocal.

"We want Venezuela free, free from ignorance, free from hunger, free from sickness," Chudnovsky said.

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NSW's public assembly restriction has been extended due to safety concerns following the terror attack at Bondi Beach last month.

After the state rushed through new laws, Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon was given the power to temporarily restrict protests from public areas on December 24.

He has reviewed the 14-day declaration and has extended it again until January 20 due to heightened fear within the community.

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"I have decided that the holding of public assemblies for the next 14 days has the potential to cause fear and public safety issues," he said.

"This is not about stopping free speech. It's about making sure that the community has time to feel safe." 

During the initial 14 days, there was a protest held for Venezuela on Sunday following US President Donald Trump's capture of Nicolas Maduro.

A protester who wore a jacket with the phrase "globalise the intifada" was arrested and later released without charge.

The renewed declaration means police will not accept any form 1 applications for protests in the South West Metropolitan, North West Metropolitan and Central Metropolitan policing areas.

While gatherings are still allowed, anyone who causes obstructions to roads, businesses or others, behaves in an intimidating or harassing manner or causes fear in others can be ordered to move on.

Anyone who fails to do so can be charged with an offence. 

Police also have the power to require anyone suspected of committing an offence to remove any face coverings.

The declaration is in place for 14 days at a time.

The NSW Police Commissioner has the power to extend the declaration for up to three months. 

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A coalition of protest groups has planned to hold a "Genocide is a crime, Protest is Not" rally amid the latest declaration in Sydney on January 16.

Lanyon said he would assess the behaviour at any unauthorised protests and the community sentiment when the 14 days are up to determine whether to extend the declaration after January 20.

"We will consider all of those factors. It is very premature to talk about what may happen post these 14 days," he said.

"I'm constantly looking at the community and working very closely with the community to understand the fear and the level of comfort within the community.

"My job is to ensure public safety."

Police Minister Yasmin Catley said police had the full support of the government.

"The NSW government unequivocally supports the commissioner's decision and remains committed to ensuring NSW Police have the powers, resources and backing they need to keep the community safe."

The new powers have been criticised by demonstrators and civil rights groups, who argue the rules impede the democratic right to protest.

The Stop the War on Palestine group has condemned Lanyon's decision today to extend the declaration.

"It is blatantly obvious that the ban has nothing to do with 'social cohesion' and everything to do with removing democratic rights to oppose government policy and genocide," the group said in a statement.

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WA Police have released eerie images of graffiti believed to be linked to the 14-year-old disappearance and suspected murder of 66-year-old Charlie Park. 

Park was last seen entering his home on Richardson Street in Boulder about 10.30pm on January 3 in 2012 after spending time with a coworker at the nearby Recreation Hotel.

He was reported missing three days later and, despite several appeals and a $1 million reward for information, he has never been found.

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Police suspect he was murdered.

Today, police released images of graffiti targeting Park that was found in the laneway behind the Recreational Hotel days before he went missing between December 21 and 22 in 2011.

The graffiti is believed to be linked to his disappearance.

Anyone with information is urged to come forward and speak to police, who have set up a mobile police facility near the pub from today until 2pm tomorrow.

Police will then remain in the area as investigations continue.

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Cold Case Investigations Detective Senior Sergeant Uwais Cuff said Park's family deserves answers.

"This week marks 14 years since Mr Park went missing, and although that time has passed, we are leaving no stone unturned to find out what happened to Charlie," he said.

"Someone out there knows something which could be the vital piece of information we need to solve this, someone out there may hold the key to bringing answers to Charlie's family.

"If you know anything, no matter how minor it may seem, contact police." 

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Kane Dawson was then charged after he refused to hand over the blade.

Under the proposal, all 38 New Zealand stores and the distribution centre would shut.

Metservice has forecast temperatures as high as 36C in Hawke’s Bay on Sunday.

The disappearance of a mother in South Australia's far north is being treated as suspicious.

Trisha Graf, 41, was last seen in the Roxby Downs area almost a month ago with her Ford Territory found abandoned east of Andamooka on the day she went missing.

South Australia Police have grave fears for her safety. 

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Graf had been with friends at the Roxby Downs hotel until at about 12.30am on Friday, December 12.

The pair hit a kangaroo on the way home a short distance from the Andamooka township.

After striking the kangaroo Trisha and her friend continued onto Andamooka where they visited a home in the north-western area of the town.

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At 2am Graf left to travel a short distance home and was last seen alive driving along Dunstan Drive.

Her car was found abandoned near Blue Dam just after midday. 

"This is highly unusual and particularly out of character for her," South Australia Police detective superintendent Darren Fielke said.

"The dam has been searched by police divers, polair has been involved in aerial searching and we've also utilised specialised drone equipment," Fielke said.

"Police have spoken to a number of people and in Roxby Downs who have assisted piecing together the movements of Trisha."

Detectives are now urging anyone who saw Graf in the hours before her disappearance on December 12 to contact them.

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‘Don’t worry, this will be over soon,’ the person identifying as the hacker Kazu said.