The activist said the demonstrators were ‘not being threatening’.

A decision on introducing local council rates caps is due before December.

A man accused of spraying a busy street with up to 100 bullets, injuring 16 people, has had to settle an advocate argument in his first court appearance.

Artemios Mintzas, 60, allegedly peppered a busy Sydney shopping strip with bullets on Sunday night, leaving one person seriously injured and sparking a shootout with officers.

The incident in Croydon Park, in the city's inner west, plunged residents into an hours-long lockdown after up to 100 bullets were sprayed and bullet holes were left in nearby cars.

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In Burwood Local Court today, a battle broke out between competing lawyers to represent Mintzas.

Solicitor Diana Sabouni indicated she had been communicating with Mintzas and his family since the shooting and was ready to represent him in court.

Barrister Dymphna Hawkins rebuffed her colleague to indicate she, too, had instructions from the alleged shooter.

"Lower the aggro," magistrate Jennifer Price told Sabouni when she protested for a speedy resolution.

Mintzas was eventually brought into the dock handcuffed and with puffy red eyes to confirm his wish for Hawkins to be his legal representative.

"I've asked for Hawkins … to represent me," Mintzas told the court.

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He's accused of engaging in a shootout with NSW Police after officers were allegedly targeted.

While no officers were hurt, more than a dozen people were treated for minor injuries, many of which were caused by broken glass, NSW Police acting Superintendent Stephen Parry confirmed yesterday.

One man underwent surgery and is expected to survive after being shot in the neck while riding in the back seat of a car.

The shots were allegedly fired from the window of a unit above a shop during a nearly two-hour stand-off.

Mintzas was arrested after tactical officers stormed the unit, where they allegedly seized a rifle and ammunition.

Mintzas was taken to hospital for minor injuries and was later taken to a police station to be charged.

He was late yesterday charged with 25 offences, including 18 counts of shooting with intent to murder, as well as possessing an unregistered firearm and unlicensed possession of ammunition.

Mintzas did not apply for bail today.

His case will return to court on December 3.

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The very first supermoon of 2025 is expected to cast its celestial glow across Australian nightskies tonight.

The October full moon – also known as harvest moon –offers a resplendent astronomical view of the moon as it sits at its closest position to our planet.

It will be hard to miss if it is not a cloudy evening.

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This spectacular harvest moon will rise high in the eastern skies just after sunset on the east coast.

The sun will set today at 7.02pm AEDT.

Astrophysicist Dr Laura Driessen from the School of Physics at Sydney University told 9news.com.au the moon will be so bright, it may be hard to see anything else in the sky.

"The moon is going to be really nice and bright, so everyone should be able to see it so long as the sky is clear. It doesn't matter if you're out in the bush or in the city, we'll all get a great view," she said.

"The full moon is so bright that it makes it hard to do any other stargazing. So it's the perfect time to see the moon, but not much else in the night sky.

"It's the ultimate, night-time, natural light pollution."

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But if you're busy tonight and will miss the harvest moon in all its glory, don't fret.

The harvest moon will also be visible tomorrow night (October 8), but it won't be as full.

According to Sky At Night magazine, the harvest moon is also unique this month because it rises each evening at the exact same time.

It's also the closest full moon to the September equinox.

This harvest moon will also be a supermoon, which is when the moon is closest to the earth in its orbit.

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"It is technically a 'supermoon', though that's not an astronomical term," Driessen added.

"The Moon's orbit around Earth is slightly oval/elliptical instead of being perfectly round.

"That means that on one side of it's orbit, the moon is closer to the Earth than the other."

It will be the first of three supermoons we will see for the rest of this year.

On November 4, the 'Beaver' supermoon will make an appearance.

And on December 4, the 'Cold' moon will arrive in the nightsky.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he isn't feeling at all nervous about this month's visit to the White House to meet US President Donald Trump.

While some world leaders have been subjected to an Oval Office ambush this year – most infamously Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – Albanese said he wasn't concerned about his October 20 meeting, pointing to a "quite lovely" letter he received from the Trump administration.

"Not at all," he said when asked if he was nervous about the meeting on Today this morning. 

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"I've had really warm discussions with President Trump and I received a quite lovely letter, I've got to say, of invitation to attend the White House."

While the US under Trump has pressured Australia to increase its level of defence spending, Albanese is expected to receive good defence news ahead of his visit, with a Pentagon review expected to lock in the future of the AUKUS deal, despite earlier concerns the pact might have been on the chopping block.

"Our defence and security relationship is so important through the AUKUS agreements," Albanese said. 

"I've just been in the UK talking with Prime Minister (Sir Keir) Starmer and the Defence Minister (John) Healey and others there as well, about how important that is."

READ MORE: Australia finally inks landmark alliance with closest neighbour

The prime minister will also be armed with a good-news story of his own making for his trip to Washington, following the signing of a defence agreement with Papua New Guinea that will limit China's ability to gain a military foothold in the largest Pacific Islands nation.

"It's a fantastic deal, as Prime Minister (James) Marape put it in this very corridor here just yesterday, the idea of one fence, two neighbours," Albanese said.

"And it really strengthens the national sovereignty of both of our countries.

"It is our first alliance in more than seven decades, so it's a very big deal.

"It says that should there be a common threat, we will combine our efforts to defend our respective nations and help each other out."

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But ahead of the diplomatic visit, Albanese was also keen to push an economic message as well.

He pointed to the US's trade surplus with Australia – a clear and obvious reminder directed to the White House, where Trump has railed against nations with which Washington has a trade deficit.

"We have an important economic relationship as well," Albanese said. 

"They're major investors here in Australia, America enjoys a trade surplus with Australia."

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US President Donald Trump said he would "take a look" at a pardon for convicted sex trafficker and his long-time friend Ghislaine Maxwell.

The president was asked today whether he would consider a pardon after Maxwell's appeal to the Supreme Court was rejected today.

The rejection means Maxwell's only hope for freedom would be a pardon from the president.

READ MORE: Supreme Court rejects appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell

Trump appeared to be unaware that Maxwell's appeal bid was knocked back when in the Oval Office.

"You know, I haven't heard the name in so long. I can say this, that I'd have to take a look at it. I would have to take a look," he said.

"I'll take a look at it. I will speak to the DOJ (Department of Justice).

"I wouldn't consider it or not consider, I don't know anything about it."

He then brought up Sean "Diddy" Combs, another acquaintance convicted of sex crimes.

"I have a lot of people have asked me for pardons. I call him Puff Daddy, (he) has asked me for a pardon," Trump said.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison term after being found guilty of sex trafficking a teenage girl.

Earlier this year, she was moved from a low-security federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas after she was interviewed in July by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

Maxwell and Trump were long-time friends, along with her partner Jeffrey Epstein.

Presidents have the legal authority to pardon or grant clemency to anyone in a federal prison.

Meanwhile, Republicans in the House of Representatives have refused to swear in a newly elected Democratic congresswoman.

Typically, new representatives are sworn in the day after winning their election.

But a fortnight after winning a special election in Arizona's 7th congressional district in a landslide, Adelita Grijalva has not been sworn in.

Democrats in the House are tying the delay to a crucial vote on the release of the Epstein files.

If 218 signatures from representatives are filed on a discharge petition, the House will have to vote on requiring the Trump administration to release all files related to Epstein.

There are currently 217 signatures on the petition, and Grijalva would be the 218th.

READ MORE: New Epstein files mention Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, top Trump aide

Since Grijalva's election, the Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has cancelled all votes in the House.

"This is all about a continuation of the Epstein cover-up," top Democrat Jim McGovern said.

"They're not bringing us back primarily because they're afraid of the discharge petition, you know, and getting the clock started to move a vote on the Epstein files."

Grijalva said the delay was "suspicious".

"You know, I really am not a conspiracy theorist–type of person in general," she told MSNBC.

"I try to come up with, like, 'What is the most plausible reason why this would be happening?'

"And respectfully, I can come up with nothing else."

Johnson said he will swear in Grijalva when Congress returns to a regular session.

After making that promise, he declared this week a "district work period", sending members of Congress home.

READ MORE: Newly uncovered page in Epstein's 'birthday book' implicates Trump

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Posties around Australia are being injured by unsafe drivers at least five times a week.

Australia Post has released footage of some of the terrifying accidents after it was revealed more than 280 posties have been injured in the past financial year.

Injuries have ranged from broken limbs and concussions to lacerations and serious trauma.

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The injuries have required posties to undergo hospital treatment, take time off work and manage ongoing psychological trauma.

Australia Post general manager of safety Russell Munro said the figures were concerning.

"Every day our team members are out in communities delivering for Australians, but increasingly, they're also being put at risk by unsafe driver behaviour," Munro said.

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"We are taking comprehensive measures, such as reducing our motorcycle fleet, expanding the deployment of electric delivery vehicles, and implementing upgraded telematics systems, including video and data monitoring across thousands of vehicles.

"Our data shows that the severity of injury to a postie when involved in a motor accident is reduced when operating an electric delivery vehicles.

"In some instances, our team have walked away from the accident with only minor injuries."

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Posties have been involved in accidents when drivers have failed to give way, not left enough space to stop safety and cut corners.

Drivers have also put posties at risk by overtaking on the wrong side of the road, driving distracted while using a mobile phone and not looking on footpaths when using scooters and bikes.

"Our priority is to deliver for all Australians whilst ensuring the safety of our team members, so they return home to their families safely each day," Munro said.

"However, road safety is a shared responsibility, and we urge all drivers to keep an eye out for our posties."

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An Australian food stylist has taken out a major prize with a rather unique offering at the 2025 World Porridge Making Championship in Scotland.

Caroline Velik, who also has lengthy experience in restaurants and as a food writer, took out the award for "best speciality dish" at the renowned international championship, for her porridge toasted sandwich.

The jaffle was made from a yoghurt flatbread and filled with Velik's mother's recipe for rum bananas, with Bundaberg banana toffee rum liqueur, bananas, oatmeal, and waffle seeds, tossed in Davidson plum sugar.

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The speciality dish title was open to any offering that included oatmeal, but the main porridge-making competition is much more traditional.

Contestants are limited to three ingredients – water, oatmeal, and salt.

This year's championship, the 32nd, was celebrated by organisers as the most international ever.

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Velik was the sole Australian representative this year, but she was joined by contestants from 14 countries as far away as Estonia and Pakistan, as well as a hefty crop of home-grown heroes.

But the winner of the covered Golden Spurtle was Sven Seljom, a care technology consultant from Norway.

His porridge was made with Norwegian black oats, an ancient grain that all but disappeared in the 1800s, Norwegian sea salt, and water he brought to Scotland from Norway.

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"It's a great honour. I'm lost for words," Seljom said.

"It has been such great fun to be here – the welcome in the village, the hall arrangements, it's just been tremendous."

Velik also took out silver in the traditional porridge competition, taking to Instagram to say she "can't believe" her success.

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One house has been destroyed and two others damaged by fire in Melbourne's north overnight.

Emergency services were called to Vida Street in Aberfeldie just after 3am after the fire broke out.

When firefighters arrived, a two-storey house was fully alight with neighbouring houses also under threat.

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Up to 60 firefighters were involved in the effort to protect neighbouring houses, with one sustaining serious damage.

"This was an extremely intense fire," a firefighter who responded told Today.

"It was well established at the time, they had to work unbelievably hard to protect neighbours' properties."

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Fire Rescue Victoria said a third house sustained superficial damage but the occupants should be able to return shortly.

Overall, the blaze took more than an hour to bring under control, with the fire deemed contained about 5am.

Emergency services are still on the property this morning, with a crime scene declared and roadblocks in place in the surrounding streets in the suburb.

Investigations have commenced into the cause of the fire, and there have been no reports of any injuries.

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Exclusive: Australian employees may be more lax about work from home (WFH) expectations in summer, according to a nine.com.au reader poll.

More than half of the 515* respondents think it's OK to clock off early to hit the beach during the warmer months.

One in four also said it's fine to take longer breaks to enjoy good weather while WFH in summer.

READ MORE: Alleged gunman 'fired indiscriminately' in Sydney shooting spree

Nearly 40 per cent want companies to introduce more relaxed WFH rules in summer, like allowing staff to work half days on Fridays.

One third said employees should be allowed to work more days from home during summer.

The same amount said it's fine for Aussie employees to work from the beach or another outdoor location when WFH.

"As long as the work is being done why does it matter where it is done?" one respondent said.

Some respondents noted that these privileges should only be extended to workers who have proven they're reliable and get all their work done on time and to a high standard.

But Associate Professor of workplace and business law at the University of Technology, Sydney Giuseppe Carabetta said these habits raise practical and legal concerns.

"For employees working under traditional arrangements, it's risky to assume such freedom without prior approval," he told 9news.com.au.

"If the location compromises productivity or confidentiality, it could breach a company policy or even your employment contract."

He added that though flexible work arrangements are increasingly common, "employees generally can't unilaterally change their schedule".

So clocking off early or taking a longer break in summer isn't wise.

"For employees with set hours, clocking off early without approval could be considered time theft or a behavioural breach," Carabetta said.

"For your typical salaried or award-regulated employees, longer breaks without approval could be seen as a breach of workplace expectations."

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But he wouldn't be surprised to see more Australian workplaces experimenting with or embracing "seasonal flexibility" in the future.

That could look like summer hours of increased WFH allowances in the warmer months to boost morale and retention.

Such approaches would likely only be introduced in sectors where productivity isn't tied to physical presence.

But not everyone is on board.

A significant number of Aussies said that taking liberties with WFH policies in summer is tantamount to "stealing company time".

Of the 515 users surveyed, 35 per cent were against workers clocking off early in summer and almost 60 per cent said taking longer breaks was never OK.

More than 45 per cent also said WFH rules shouldn't change with the weather.

And 54 per cent said it's never OK for Aussie employees to work from the beach or another outdoor location while WFH.

An additional 57 per cent said it would be inappropriate for workers to take work video calls or attend virtual meetings while working outdoors.

"Work means at work, not at the beach or some other location simply because of the day of the week or the season of the year," one said.

A number of respondents said working from public locations like a beach or park could raise privacy concerns, depending on the work being done.

Carabetta agreed.

"Confidentiality is a cornerstone of professional conduct, and outdoor locations—whether it's a beach, café, or park – can pose risks," he said.

"If you're dealing with confidential material, it's best to stick to secure, private locations."

READ MORE: Masked attackers set UK mosque on fire with people inside

It's always better to ask for permission than forgiveness when it comes to WFH arrangements, even at relaxed workplaces.

"Acting without approval could lead to disciplinary action or erode trust," Carabetta said.

"That said, many employers are open to flexibility – especially if approached transparently and respectfully and both parties are on the same page."

*The nine.com.au poll, which runs once a fortnight, canvases the views of the nine audience on 9Nation, which is an online community of our readers and viewers.

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