US President Donald Trump called the Epstein files a "Democratic hoax" for months, but now his Justice Department has been ordered to publicly release them – and it's just his signature that stands in the way.

But what does that actually mean, and what comes next in the Jeffrey Epstein saga?

The US House of Representatives voted 427-1 in favour of publicly releasing all Justice Department investigative files into the convicted sex offender on Tuesday (US time).

READ MORE: Trump hurls outrageous slur at female reporter

Just hours later, the Senate unanimously agreed to pass the bill.

Trump, who railed against releasing the Epstein files before suddenly changing his tune this week, said he would sign the bill if it passes both chambers of Congress.

What happens next with the Epstein files?

Now that the Senate has agreed to pass the House-backed Epstein Files Transparency Act, it will pass to Trump himself.

The legislation will be transmitted to his desk as soon as it arrives to the Senate.

When that will actually happen remains unclear.

The Senate has yet to receive the bill from the House and it typically takes some time to transmit legislation from one chamber to another.

It could still be hours before Senate receives the bill and can pass it on to the president.

Trump wrote on social media that he "doesn't care" when that happens.

"I don't care when the Senate passes the House Bill, whether tonight, or at some other time in the near future," he said.

"I just don't want Republicans to take their eyes off all of the Victories that we've had."

Once the bill hits his desk, it will be up to Trump to actually sign it into law.

Despite previously calling the whole issue a "Democratic hoax", the president has said that he would sign the measure if it passed both houses of Congress.

READ MORE: Huge vote on Epstein files after Trump backflip

When will the Epstein files be released?

Once Trump signs the act into law, the US Justice Department will have just 30 days to release all of the Epstein files.

Some sensitive documents and details may be withheld or redacted, including:

• personal information about victims
• explicit depictions of child abuse
• anything that could jeopardise ongoing federal investigations
• depictions of death or injury
• information that has been classified to protect national security

Once the files have been released, the Justice Department will have 15 days to provide Congress with a full list of what has been released and what has been withheld.

It will also be required to provide a report on any redactions and a full list of government officials and "politically exposed persons" named in the files.

How would the material be released?

It's unclear at this stage how the Epstein files will be released.

Some documents that have already been made public by the administration have been released via the House Oversight Committee.

Additional files may be handed over to the Committee to release, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

READ MORE: 'It's just crazy': Youngest-ever Aussie baby to survive premature birth

Who voted against the Epstein files being released?

All but one member of the US House of Representatives voted in favour of releasing the Epstein files.

The one holdout was Congressman Clay Higgins, who voted against passing the bill.

"I have been a principled 'NO' on this bill from the beginning," Higgins said in a post on X after the vote.

"What was wrong with the bill three months ago is still wrong today.

"It abandons 250 years of criminal justice procedure in America."

Higgins voiced concern with the legislative language of the bill and claimed that if enacted in its current form, it could reveal and injure "thousands of innocent people".

"This type of broad reveal of criminal investigative files, released to a rabid media, will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt," he said.

The congressman said he would change his vote if the Senate amended the bill to "properly address privacy of victims and other Americans, who are named but not criminally implicated".

READ MORE: Legendary radio broadcaster John Laws to be farewelled at state funeral today

What are the Epstein files?

The so-called Epstein files are a collection of documents from multiple investigations into disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell.

One case is from 2008 and involved a 14-year-old girl.

Her parents alleged that Epstein had molested her at his Palm Beach home and photos of girls were later found in the home.

Epstein was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor and was registered as a sex offender, but a plea deal allowed him to escape a jail sentence.

Then in 2019, Epstein was charged with running a network of underage girls for sex.

He was arrested but died by suicide in prison before going to trial.

Over the years, the US Justice Department collected countless documents and other pieces of evidence pertaining to these and other investigations into Epstein, including victim interview transcripts, items taken in raids, and photographs.

Until now, most of these documents have been kept from the public.

Some have been put into the public domain in the years since Epstein's death, either through official releases or leaks.

Several of the released documents have mentioned Trump, including one email released this month in which Epstein wrote "I know how dirty Donald is".

Trump has repeatedly downplayed his connection to Epstein.

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A shark alert has been issued for a popular surf spot in Western Australia today following the bumping of a diver by a 2.5m great white shark.

The diver was fishing for rock lobster off the Gnarabup Boat Ramp, near Margaret River, when he was jolted by the predator 30 metres offshore about 4.30pm yesterday.

The state government said the diver was not injured.

READ MORE: Shark knocks panicked foilboarder into the water at WA's Prevelly Beach

Officers from the Department of Primary Industries are monitoring the situation.

Beachgoers are being urged to take extra caution in the Gnarabup Boat Ramp area, which is about three hours south-west of Perth.

They should also follow any beach closures and keep up to date on shark activity in the area.

Anyone who spots a shark should report it to the Water Police by calling (08) 9442 8600.

The alert comes after a kite surfer had a lucky escape at a nearby beach when he was attacked by a shark.

Andy McDonald was on his daily surf at Prevelly Beach last Tuesday when the sail of his wingfoil was pulled under.

The 61-year-old managed to fight off the shark, making it out with only a bite to his board.

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Both Democrats and Republicans readied for a unanimous vote this morning to pass a bill that would force a release of the case files relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

But in the end, one man stood alone in opposition: Republican Representative Clay Higgins.

Higgins, who is in his fifth term representing a congressional district in south-west Louisiana, explained in a lengthy statement that he was "a principled 'NO' on this bill from the beginning".

READ MORE: Trump hurls outrageous slur at female reporter

He raised some of the same objections that House Speaker Mike Johnson, another Louisiana Republican, had with the bill, yet even Johnson said he would vote for it because, "None of us want to go on record and in any way be accused of not being for maximum transparency."

For Higgins, a fervent Trump supporter and a member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, that wasn't a problem.

He refused to give in to the building pressure, both within the Republican base and from survivors of Epstein's abuse, to pass the bill, even as both President Donald Trump and Johnson relented in their opposition to the legislation.

READ MORE: Huge vote on Epstein files after Trump backflip

He said that his concern with the bill was that it "reveals and injures thousands of innocent people – witnesses, people who provided alibis, family members, etc. If enacted in its current form, this type of broad reveal of criminal investigative files, released to a rabid media, will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt."

Higgins suggested he would be open to voting for the bill if the Senate amended it to protect the privacy of those "who are named but not criminally implicated".

But the bill's main sponsors have warned that was only a measure to protect people in Epstein's orbit from embarrassment, and Senate leaders have shown no interest in taking up the proposed changes.

READ MORE: 'It's just crazy': Youngest-ever Aussie baby to survive premature birth

Yet Higgins is also no stranger to controversy. As a former law enforcement officer, he faced a series of allegations of misconduct and became politically involved after achieving viral fame by creating brash Crime Stoppers videos.

In Congress, he chairs the subcommittee of the House Oversight Committee that initiated a subpoena of the Department of Justice for the Epstein case files.

But even when Democrats on the subcommittee convinced several Republicans to vote with them to issue the subpoena, Higgins was one of the few who stood opposed. He also pressed to have the subcommittee subpoena former president Bill Clinton.

"I've never handled a subpoena like this. This is some fascinating stuff," Higgins said at the time. On Tuesday, he pointed to the oversight panel's work to investigate the government's handling of the Epstein, saying that it was being done "in a manner that provides all due protections for innocent Americans."

READ MORE: The Epstein files: What can we expect to learn once they are released?

Last year, Higgins also faced an attempt by Democrats to censure him for racist comments he had made about Haitian immigrants after Trump's own comments about the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio.

In a social media post, Higgins called Haitians "wild. Eating pets, vudu, nastiest country in the western hemisphere, cults, slapstick gangsters."

But after members of the Congressional Black Caucus, a group of Democratic lawmakers, confronted him about the post, Higgins deleted it and partially walked back the comments, saying they were intended for gang members.

At the time, Johnson defended Higgins, calling him "a very frank and outspoken person."

"He's also a very principled man," Johnson added.

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Criminals are offering "quick cash" to international university students heading home in exchange for their bank accounts and identity documents, Australian Federal Police warn.

Scam syndicates looking to launder millions are targeting students with deals ranging from $200 to $500 for access to their Australian bank accounts, plus a potential commission on the illegal funds that flow through. 

They are also offering to buy or rent identity documents – like passports and driver's licences – to open new, fake accounts.

READ MORE: 'Quiet, piggy': Trump insults female reporter after Epstein query

The AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre says these offers might sound like an easy way to make money before flying home, but they are a trap that links students directly to global crime networks.

"What might look like a harmless favour, or an easy money earner can result in criminal charges, visa cancellations, and permanent bans from returning to Australia," AFP Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson said.

The real price of 'easy money'

Det-Supt Andersson explained that by selling their accounts, students become "money mules" and enable serious fraud against innocent people, including retirees and other vulnerable Australians.

"We are seeing criminal networks overseas launder millions through bank accounts belonging to young people, and as a result, they too could be charged with offences like money laundering," she said, adding that once a student is caught, they are the one who faces the heavy consequences.

The AFP's new awareness campaign, "Your Name. Your Responsibility" is urging students to understand the massive risk.

Det-Supt Andersson stressed that leaving Australia doesn't make the problem disappear: "Leaving the country doesn't erase your digital footprint. Your bank accounts, name and identity are traceable by police around the world, and you'll still be connected to any crimes to which you are tied or responsible."

According to Scamwatch, $141.7 million was lost to scammers via bank transfers last year.

Speaking out about the crimes earlier this year, Australian Banking Association Chief Executive Anna Bligh said mule accounts were a key part of a scammer's business model and banks were focused on shutting them down.

"I urge Australians to steer clear if you've seen an advertisement or are approached to rent or sell your bank account," she said.

"There's a good chance you're being recruited to hide the profits of criminal activity."

If you are concerned your identity has been compromised, contact the national identity and cyber support service IDCARE.

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Kids are dropping sport, reading, music, and the arts as social media use soars, prompting concerns about their development.

New research from the University of South Australia found that social media use among children and teens had risen by more than 200 per cent since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The researchers tracked more than 14,000 South Australian students aged 11 to 14 from 2019 to 2022.

READ MORE: Optus hit with maximum fine over phone scam

Over the four-year period, the number of young people who used social media daily jumped from 26 per cent to 85 per cent.

This correlated with an increase of the proportion of children who never read for fun from 11 per cent to 53 per cent.

The amount of young people who never took part in arts activities rose from 26 per cent to 70 per cent.

READ MORE: Aussies sit on 209 million days of unused leave as job market shifts

The proportion of students who never did extra-curricular music activities rose from 70 per cent to 85 per cent.

And non-users of social media went from 31 per cent of the cohort to just 3 per cent.

Boys experienced a steeper drop in reading, while girls consistently used social media more often.

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The researchers said these figures had not reversed in the years since the pandemic restrictions were lifted.

Conversely, time spent watching TV, doing chores, and playing electronic games increased during the pandemic but returned to pre-pandemic levels by 2022.

"There's no doubt that social media has become deeply embedded in children's daily lives. But now it's at the point where it's replacing many of the activities that support healthy development – like sport, reading, and creative play," UniSA researcher and PhD candidate Mason Zhou said.

"Because these changes happened during a critical stage of adolescence, and because they've persisted three years after COVID restrictions ended, they may have lasting impacts on young people's health and wellbeing – and that's a real cause for concern."

With the looming implementation of Australia's social media ban for children under 16, the researchers said this study could show where extra support would be needed for younger teens and children.

Co-researcher Professor Dot Dumuid said more programs and policies that encouraged young people to re-engage in enriching activities such as sport, music, arts, and reading were needed.

"If we want to support young people's wellbeing, we need to help them rebalance their time – encouraging them to reconnect with real-world activities that build skills, confidence and social connection," Dumuid said.

"Children who participate in sports, arts and other extra-curricular activities generally have better academic outcomes, stronger self-identity, improved social skills and better mental health."

Dumuid said the dominance of social media posed developmental risks to adolescents.

"The pending social media bans are certainly an intervention aimed at protecting children," she said.

"When access is restricted, children may shift to alternative platforms like gaming, messaging apps or TV. Tracking these behavioural shifts and examining their short- and long-term impacts on young people's health and wellbeing will be important as we move beyond the ban."

The full paper can be found here.

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Australians are being warned to watch out for dodgy sales tactics and false advertising as the Black Friday sales continue.

The ACCC has already put retailers on notice for misleading or deceptive sales advertising urged consumers to watch out for shopping scams.

Here a consumer law expert breaks down how to spot misleading deals and what to do if you think you've been misled by false advertising during the Black Friday sales.

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Are Black Friday deals really worth it?

They can be if you shop smart, according to University of Melbourne law professor Jeannie Marie Paterson.

That means watching out for manipulative advertising tactics like countdowns and timers designed to pressure consumers into overspending.

"Retailers and marketers want people to buy more than they need," Paterson told 9news.com.au.

"People who run marketing campaigns have studied psychology [and] we need to realise that they know more about us than we know about ourselves, so just beware."

How do retailers create fake or misleading discounts?

The ACCC has warned retailers it is on high alert for misleading advertising tactics during the Black Friday sales period, including:

• advertising a sale as 'up to X per cent off' but the 'up to' text is not prominently displayed, or few products are on sale at the advertised rate
• using misleading time representations (e.g. saying sale is for 'X days only', using a countdown timer) that don't reflect the true duration of the sale
• claiming a sale is store-wide or site-wide when some products are excluded
• using fine print or disclaimers to limit headline claims about a sale (e.g. members-only deals)
• using misleading pricing representations that inflate the pre-sale price of a product

Paterson said many of these tactics boil down to creating a misleading sense of pressure for consumers to buy and warned Aussie shoppers to avoid such deals.

Companies caught breaking the rules can face investigations and fines.

Michael Hill, My House and Hairhouse online paid penalties earlier this year for allegedly making false and misleading representations about their Black Friday sales in 2024.

READ MORE: Are we really in an AI tech bubble and what happens if it bursts?

What can I do if I've been misled by false advertising?

Businesses that mislead consumers through false advertising or claims can be subject to fines and other penalties in Australia.

To protect yourself from potentially false or misleading advertising, Paterson recommends taking screenshots of online advertisements, product listings, and shopping carts.

It takes just a few seconds and can provide crucial evidence if you don't get what was promised.

If you think you've been a victim of false advertising, you can report it to the ACCC.

Is it legal for stores to inflate prices before a sale?

No, but that doesn't stop it from happening.

Some retailers increase the price of a product before discounting it, resulting in a sale price that seems better than it really is.

This is misleading and illegal, but it's hard for consumers to spot unless they were tracking the product's price before it went on sale.

Some use online archives like The Wayback Machine to check a product's price history before buying, but it doesn't always work.

It's better to plan ahead if you want to avoid being duped.

"Go and do some research on the products you might be interested in first," Paterson said.

"Then when sales times comes, you can shop from an informed position that you're getting the discount you actually think you are."

READ MORE: Cancelling a gym membership? These are your consumer rights in Australia

What are the most common Black Friday scams to look out for?

Aussies have lost millions to shopping scams already this year and they're currently the most reported scam type involving financial loss in 2025, according to the ACCC.

It's warning consumers to watch out for these scams over the Black Friday sales period.

"Scammers love Black Friday sales too because they know shoppers are looking for bargains and they rely on creating urgency and pressure that can come with a busy shopping period," ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

"We remind consumers to take their time, check the legitimacy of websites and its offers, and be cautious about sharing personal or financial information online."

Shopping scams initiated through fake websites, advertisements, social media, and mobile apps have already resulted in $122 million in losses this year.

Paterson said that if a Black Friday deal sounds "too good to be true", it probably is.

She also issued a specific warning for the 'ghost store' scam, which has tricked plenty of Aussies out of their hard-earned cash in a matter of minutes.

"Ghost stores are stores that often say they're closing down and selling off their stock, but in fact don't really exist," she explained.

"They're just a scam."

READ MORE: Australia Post reveals deadline for mailing Christmas parcels

Are online deals better than in-store deals?

It depends on the retailer.

Some retailers offer online-exclusive deals, including discounts that may be better than what they can afford to offer in bricks and mortar stores.

"The overheads for retailers selling online are much lower than selling in store," Paterson explained.

"We also know that people are less likely to return products they buy online."

But she warned that digital deals may come with hidden catches.

For example, if you order a product from an overseas retailer your consumer protections will be more limited than if you buy from an Australian business.

"If you buy a product and it's faulty or it doesn't fit, you don't have a lot of return rights," Paterson said.

Can I get a refund on a Black Friday sale item?

It depends.

Some retailers say that products bought in Black Friday sales can't be returned, but that doesn't override your consumer rights.

"In Australia we have consumer guarantees, which means you do have a right to a refund or replacement for goods that are faulty," Paterson said.

"But there is no legal right for change of mind returns."

The rules also apply to overseas retailers that sell here as Australian law applies to goods sold into Australia, but it may be harder to enforce.

If in doubt, check the fine print before making purchases in the Black Friday sales.

Have you got a story? Contact reporter Maddison Leach at Google Play.

Stevie O'Reilly is a tiny warrior – Australia's youngest premature baby – born at just 22 weeks.

Her proud parents have revealed how Stevie is thriving, sharing their exceptional journey from heartache to happiness.

There's no other way to say it, Stevie is a miracle.

READ MORE: Reality star who allegedly beheaded boyfriend is pregnant

"It's just crazy, crazy how lucky we are," mum Bree Basile said.

Twenty-two weeks and three days ago, Stevie was born four and a half months early, the youngest baby in Australia to survive a premature birth.

"We've been through the ups and downs, and good days and bad days and bad weeks but we've got a result at the end and she's pretty special," dad Jake O'Reilly said.

The expectant parents from Perth's northern suburbs were on a plane to Queensland for a family holiday when the trip took a turn.

Bree had unknowingly caught an infection, which had silently spread, causing labour to come on early.

"Resuscitation usually isn't offered for babies under 22 weeks and that's just because babies being so immature," Basile said.

READ MORE: Flight delays across Australia as planes prevented from taking off

"Trying to hold her in just meant crossing my legs and holding on for dear life and nothing was going to happen."

The parents were told to prepare for the worst. 

Instead, she came into the world a fighter, weighing just 500 grams, about the same as a typical pack of dried pasta.

She has survived surgery, sepsis, a perforation in her bowel and two collapsed lungs, and is now thriving.

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But the family's story is not without heartbreak; twin brother Adrian died at 19 days old.

"We were allowed to hold him for three days, because we knew he was going to pass before he did and Jake slept with him on his chest for the whole night," Basile said.

"We were happy even in such a miserable situation."

Bree and Stevie spent three months in intensive care in Townsville before finally being given the all-clear to board a Royal Flying Doctor plane home with a pit-stop at Uluru.

Today, at four months old, Stevie's being cared for at King Edward Memorial Hospital under the watchful eye of a dedicated team. 

"You can really see the difference that you can make for parents and their babies," medical co-director for neonatal services Mary Sharp said.

"And they're very precious babies."

Stevie's now five times her birth weight, and her mum and dad hope to take her home for the first time in the next couple of weeks, just in time for Christmas.

They spoke to 9News last night to give hope to other families who desperately need it.

"There's a lot of grief in having a baby born early, or sick and spending a lot of time in hospital," Miracle Babies Foundation nurture program team leaderMegan Norbury said.

" … It's just not what you thought life as a parent was going to be like."

But there's no doubt special things are to come for Stevie, the brave little miracle.

"I really feel like she's got the strength of two in her, knowing that she can do whatever she sets her mind to, because she's already done that in many many ways," Basile said.

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Tamika Chesser, the former reality TV star who's accused of beheading her boyfriend in Port Lincoln, is pregnant.

The accused killer is being held at South Australia's James Nash House mental health detention facility after allegedly murdering, beheading and dismembering ex-partner Julian Story.

The 34-year-old was arrested in June following the discovery of Story's remains at their home. 

The remains of the 39-year-old were found inside their Port Lincoln unit, and his skull was located more than a month later in nearby scrubland after a lengthy police search. 

According to police, Chesser was seen just hours after Story's murder with a bag in hand while walking her dogs through town. 

Today, Health Minister Chris Picton confirmed Chesser fell pregnant before being taken to James Nash House.

"Our clinics and staff are working with corrections, appropriately following the protocols that have been in place for some time," he said.

Authorities have stated that the health of the unborn child is a priority. 

The identity of the child's father is currently unknown, and the baby is expected to be born early in the new year.

Chesser's next court hearing is scheduled for next month, at which time detectives will determine what charges to proceed with.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.

The family of a teenager who was killed in a suspected hit-and-run in Brisbane last night has paid an emotional tribute to the 17-year-old.

Olivia was walking along Margate Parade at Margate at 11.30pm when she was allegedly struck by a white Nissan Navara ute and left with life-threatening injuries.

Emergency services were unable to revive her and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

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It will be alleged that after the crash, the 58-year-old driver failed to remain at the scene and render assistance.

A 58-year-old Scarborough man has been charged with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and left scene of incident without obtaining help.

He was refused police bail and is due to appear at Redcliffe Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Olivia was one month away from her 18th birthday.

Her family has released a statement following the much-loved daughter and sister's death.

"Olivia was a beautiful and gentle soul, she cared deeply about everyone around her," the family said.

"She had a way of ensuring everyone she crossed paths felt cared for and understood.

"She loved those close to her with her whole heart and would always be the person to pick up on the small things that make people the way they are, often the things that others would miss.

"She could always tell when someone was having a bad day and would stay with you as long as you needed until she was sure that you were OK."

READ MORE: Ex-PM sentenced to death for crimes against humanity

The family said Olivia "didn't realise how loved she was by everyone around her".

"She never fully realised how beautiful she truly was and never realised how much she touched the people around her," the family said.

"When Olivia was little she always wanted to grow up, she wanted to play and hang out with the big kids.

"She used to become so excited by their hand me downs.

"She always wanted to be like her sisters but she never understood that it's them who wanted to be like her.

"She loved listening to Lana Del Ray on her record player and loved to draw.

"Olivia's favourite colour was pink and she loved her dog more than anything, before she even was sure she was getting a dog she had already saved up all her money and purchased dog toys for him."

The family said Olivia had been through more challenges in the last two years than most people realise.

"The world had been heavy and unkind to such a tender-hearted soul however she always tried her best to get through it and her resilience became a quiet rhythm in her life, a way for her to remind herself to never give up," the family said.

"Just as Olivia was getting better, getting her light back, she was taken from us far too soon."

Police urge anybody with CCTV or dashcam footage of the area, including Mabel Street and Margate Parade, from around the time of the incident, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.

The investigation continues.

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A man shot dead by police had been holding a knife to a woman's throat after stabbing another man on the street in Queensland.

Police were called out at 3.42am after reports a man had stabbed another man at the intersection of Beerburrum Road and Commercial Drive in Caboolture, north of Brisbane.

The knifeman then fled on foot.

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A short time later, police say, officers found the 26-year-old man as he was threatening a 28-year-old woman on Margaret Street.

9News understands the man was holding the knife to her throat.

An officer fired their gun and struck the man. The 26-year-old died at the scene.

The woman was not physically hurt.

Police have since confirmed all three people were loosely associated with one another, and that the alleged offender was known to police.

North Coast Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Superintendent Ben Fadian today said the man posed a threat to both the woman and the public.

"The woman was being threatened by that male person," he said.

"I can confirm there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time."

He said the incident was captured on body-worn camera and CCTV.

The man's mental health will form part of the investigation, he said.

"It was a traumatic experience for the officer involved, we've activated protocols and processes around that to support those officers," he said.

"We've also reached out to residents within that street to offer support to those people who may need it."

A 54-year-old man with a stab wound to the neck was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

An investigation into the shooting is underway with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission.

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