A major fire has broken out at a key oil terminal in the Middle East as the threat of all-out war heats up.

One traveller told the Herald they were stuck at security for hours.

The search for an Australian hiker who went missing on a remote Canadian island has been called off after six days.

Denise Ann Williams, 62, was last heard from on April 15 after telling family she was travelling to Chéticamp, a fishing village on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia.

The Victorian woman was reported missing nearly two weeks later about 9.30am on April 28, kicking off an extensive multi-agency air and ground search.

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Her rental car, a Nissan Sentra, was later found parked at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre near the Acadian Trail head in Cape Breton Highlands National Park – narrowing the search to one of the region's most visited hiking routes.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police units were assisted by air services, police dogs, search and rescue teams, Parks Canada staff, and emergency responders during the six-day search.

The search for Williams ended on May 3.

"No further search activity is planned at this time," local police said.

Police described Williams as 5'4" with greyish-blonde, shoulder-length hair.

She was last known to have been wearing a dark winter jacket, a powder blue toque with "Antarctica" written on it, an orange and blue scarf and glasses.

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The Acadian Trail, where Williams is believed to have gone missing, is an 8.4-kilometre loop known for its moderate-to-difficult terrain.

Authorities cautioned that wildlife, including moose, coyotes, and black bears, are active in the area at this time of year.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Nova Scotia have urged anyone who may have encountered Williams in Cape Breton Highlands National Park to contact local authorities.

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Mohammed Aziz fled overseas after giving DNA but was arrested at Auckland Airport.

The CCTV trial has led to arrests, fire callouts and better police intelligence.

Mercury sent payment warning texts to some customers who were not in debt.

The 72-year-old was dining with wife Keely Shaye Smith and one of his sons.

Bernard Hickey warns long-term turmoil could push everyday retail prices higher.

Award‑winning author Craig Silvey has pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing child exploitation material, while a charge that he produced such material has been dropped.

Silvey, 43, was first charged in January after detectives from Western Australian Police's Child Abuse Squad raided his Fremantle home, allegedly catching him communicating online with child exploitation offenders and seizing his electronic devices.

The father of three was later hit with extra charges, including allegations he produced child exploitation material between February and June 2022, and possessed further material on January 12 this year.

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Those two additional charges have now been discontinued, and Silvey has admitted the remaining counts of possessing and distributing child exploitation material linked to offences in January.

Silvey faced the Fremantle Magistrates Court on Tuesday when he entered guilty pleas.

The popular author is best known for his 2009 coming‑of‑age novel Jasper Jones, which is considered a modern Australian classic and has been adapted into a feature film and several stage productions.

He has also been widely recognised for other books, including Rhubarb, Honeybee, which won the Australian Indie Book Award in 2021, and the children's novel Runt, which was also made into a film.

Publishers Allen & Unwin and Fremantle Press, which released Rhubarb, stopped promoting his books after the original charges were laid and most of his titles were removed from reading lists across the country.

Silvey's bail was continued, and he is next due to appear in the District Court on July 3 for sentencing.

Support is available from the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

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Russia has threatened to release a "massive military strike" in the centre of Ukraine's capital if the nation breaches two separate ceasefires put in place by both countries.

Earlier this week, Russia and Ukraine declared unilateral pauses in their four-year war, which has become the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II.

Russia announced on social media that the ceasefire declared by President Vladimir Putin would extend from May 8 to May 9, coinciding with the nation's annual military parade in Moscow marking Victory Day.

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"We hope that the Ukrainian side will follow suit."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said shortly after that he had not received an official notice from Russia, but that Ukraine would observe a separate ceasefire from May 5 to May 6.

"As of today, there has been no official appeal to Ukraine regarding the modality of a cessation of hostilities that is being claimed on Russian social media," Zelenskyy wrote.

He added that "human life is incomparably more valuable than the 'celebration' of any anniversary".

"It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war," he said.

The Russian Defence Ministry said in the lead-up to the parade that it would take measures to ensure the event's safety.

"If the Kyiv regime attempts to implement its criminal plans to disrupt the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Russian Armed Forces will launch a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the centre of Kyiv," it said.

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"We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city promptly."

Russia called the ceasefire a precautionary measure given the threat of Ukrainian strikes during the Victory Day anniversary.

Putin said he first suggested a ceasefire last week in a call with US President Donald Trump.

Ukraine said it would await details from the US, and would support a lasting ceasefire and peace settlement between the two nations backed by security guarantees.

Zelenskyy said earlier this week in a meeting with European Union leaders that Russia's decision not to display military equipment at the parade was due to fear of Ukraine's drones and proof of the nation's growing weakness.

"This summer will be a moment when Putin decides what to do next: expand the war or move to diplomacy. And we must push him toward diplomacy," Zelenskyy said.

"Russia has announced a May 9 parade in Moscow without military equipment.

"If that happens, it will be the first time in many, many years. They cannot afford military equipment – and they fear drones may buzz over Red Square.

"This is telling. It shows they are not strong now," Zelenskyy said.

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