Global pop superstar Ed Sheeran will return to Australia and New Zealand this summer to kick off a new tour.

Frontier Touring and MG Live today announced Sheeran will visit in January for his Loop Tour.

The announcement comes ahead of the release of the British singer-songwriter's album Play on September 12.

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Eight shows are on the cards for Aussie fans, including one Perth show, two each in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, and one in Adelaide.

Sheeran will also play to Kiwi crowds in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch from January 16 before heading across the Tasman.

Pre-sale tickets will become available on Friday for Telstra Plus members and Monday July 28 for Frontier members.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, July 29.

Sheeran has not played to Aussie fans since 2023, when he journeyed Down Under for his record-breaking Mathematics tour.

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‘Last week, my world was shattered,’ he wrote.

A man has been viciously beaten by a group of masked and armed attackers in front of two teenage girls during a home invasion in Western Sydney. 

Five men wearing face coverings and armed with a hammer, bat, machete and a gun broke into a home on Abbott Street in Merrlyands about 1.45am today, according to police.

They repeatedly beat 47-year-old resident Joseph Tannous over the head.

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A 13-year-old girl, an 18-year-old woman and Tannous' wife were also inside at the time.

The family claims the wife had a pistol held to her chest while the attack continued.

Neighbours could hear the commotion. 

"I heard screams and banging," a woman, who did not want to be identified, told 9News.

The group then fled the home on foot before getting into a Suzuki Swift. 

That same car was found engulfed in flames at Elizabeth Street in Granville.

Police are investigating whether the fire was linked to the attack.

Tannous was treated at the scene for facial injuries and taken to hospital.

His family told 9News his injuries are significant and he will undergo a brain scan today.

Tannous' hands were also smashed while he tried to shield himself during the assault.

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"It really feels very unsafe," resident Nishant Modak said. 

The five men remain on the run tonight.

Anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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One of Australia's financial watchdogs is cracking down on dodgy debt managers following a string of incidents targeting vulnerable customers, including one woman who was told to declare bankruptcy for no reason.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced today it is launching a review of the debt management and credit repair sector to better protect consumers experiencing financial hardships.

It said it had received a number of "disturbing" stories of illegal and unfair practices from licensed professionals.

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"In one instance, we heard that a woman could not get an answer on why her debt management firm was not making any payments to her creditors," ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland said. 

"After numerous calls to the firm, she was told to enter into bankruptcy with no further explanation.

"Another man was at risk of having his car repossessed after his debt management firm failed to respond to default notices from creditors. 

"When he cancelled his contract and asked for a partial refund from the debt management firm, they said there was a no-refund policy."

ASIC's investigation will review how well debt managers are following the law, following the introduction of a licensing scheme in 2021.

It will publish its findings next year.

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Another tenant escaped eviction despite her boyfriend attacking a neighbour.

The product had four times the allowable limit of the compound diacetyl.

Police are searching devices seized from a man accused of setting fire to a synagogue to find his motive for the alleged attack.

Angelo Loras, 34, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court today after being charged over the alleged firebombing at an East Melbourne synagogue.

The NSW man looked down for much of the short hearing where he appeared via video link from prison wearing a white T-shirt with a beard and long hair.

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Loras has been charged with multiple offences over the fire at East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on July 4, which allegedly forced a group of about 20 people inside the building to flee.

His charges include reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon, police have said.

Loras' lawyer told the court today there were several issues defence disputed with prosecution, as he opposed release of a summary document.

"There is ongoing investigation of this matter, you'd hope by September that investigation has been complete," defence lawyer Ben Mcgrath said.

Magistrate Malcolm Thomas asked prosecutors if there was a chance the matter could go to trial before a jury in a higher court.

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Police prosecutor Anthony Albore said that was "certainly a possibility" as he flagged two electronic devices seized by officers needed to be interrogated.

"Particularly if there is evidence obtained form those devices, that may establish a motive to this particular crime," he said.

"That may take this matter out of this honourable jurisdiction."

Loras will next face the court on September 12.

The synagogue fire is one of several recent alleged acts of anti-Semitism across Melbourne, including a protest incident at Israeli restaurant Miznon on July 5.

In December, fire tore through Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast.

A 20-year-old man was charged with car theft on July 17, which counter-terrorism police alleged was linked to that blaze.

However, no one has been charged with carrying out the Adass firebombing.

Warning: This story contains content some readers may find distressing.

Police have launched new searches to locate the missing remains of 39-year-old Julian Story, who was allegedly murdered by his former reality television star partner at their home on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula.

Tamika Chesser, 34, remains in police custody at a mental health facility in Adelaide after officers were called to a fire at the yard of their Flinders Highway home in Port Lincoln on June 19.

Police allege the former Beauty and the Geek dismembered Story's body, leaving it without a head, two days before the fire.

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A multi-agency search crew have been extensively scouring the Port Lincoln area for Story's head.

Today, Major Crime Investigation Branch Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said new information and specialist equipment had helped identify several more sites to search in and around Port Lincoln.

"New search areas have been identified and by undertaking these renewed searches, we hope to find Julian's missing remains, which will give comfort to his family and allow them to peacefully lay him to rest," he said in a statement.

"Police have reviewed a significant amount of CCTV footage since the incident which has provided a number of investigational leads."

The sites will be searched over the coming days.

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Late last month, police released vision of who they believe to be Chesser a few hours before the alleged murder.

The woman in the footage is seen walking with a dog.

Her sister previously told 9News that Chesser had been checked out of a mental health facility in Port Lincoln just weeks before the alleged murder, despite her family's pleas.

She said they had been concerned about her mental health for months. 

"It's my sister, but that's not who she is or the Tamika we know. That's not the Tamika anyone knows," she said.

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Anyone with information that may help the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

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The sexually explicit comments were made in an Auckland Council committee meeting.

The owners have cited economic struggles as one of the reasons behind its demise.