Over 10,000 vehicles use the bridge daily, including nearly 1000 trucks.

Dinosaur Nights and Lights runs at Auckland Zoo until July 13, 5pm-8.30pm.

Armed intruders allegedly stormed a home in regional Victoria and assaulted a man, before throwing him into his car boot and burning his house to the ground.

Three unknown people broke into a home on Melba Highway in Yea, about 110km north-east of Melbourne, just before 2am today, according to Victoria Police.

The trio were allegedly armed with two firearms and a machete.

READ MORE: Australia supports US military strike on Iran, PM says

Police believe they demanded cash and firearms from a 58-year-old man at the home, then assaulted him before dragging him out of the house and into the boot of his own vehicle.

He allegedly got out of the vehicle and was threatened again by one of the offenders, whilst the other two set the house on fire.

The offenders allegedly poured petrol on the man, then fled the scene in a vehicle.

READ MORE: Friends of Melbourne woman Julia Neira make plea after her mysterious death

Three firearms were stolen from the property during the incident.

Firefighters arrived to find the home engulfed by flames.

It took them about two hours to bring the blaze under control.

READ MORE: Man charged after allegedly assaulting bus driver

"The house was destroyed by fire," the Country Fire Authority said. 

The man was treated by paramedics for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police are investigating the matter and urge anyone with information to come forward.

No arrests have been made.

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The federal government has launched an anti-vaping campaign using popular online influencers to educate young people on the dangers of nicotine addiction.

Six high-profile Australians, including a singer, a two-time Paralympian, and a TikTok star, have been enlisted to clear up misinformation and change the narrative on vaping.

Among them are Paralympic swimmer Col Pearse, TikTok star Veronica B, known online as Aunty Salma, Australian singer Cxloe and content creator Tedsthetics.

READ MORE: 'Obliterated' or 'quite superficial'? What's really happened to Iran's nuclear sites

Research found these high-profile Australians are particularly popular with young people aged between 14 and 20, the federal government said in a statement.

Vaping and the use of e-cigarettes is the most common among young people aged between 18 and 24 in Australia, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

The latest campaign comes after Cancer Council research found government education targeting vaping has contributed to it becoming less "socially acceptable".

In one video shared by Veronica B in character as Aunty Salma, she pretended to be an older relative asking a family member why they vape.

"What are the pros of vaping? Zero, minus one even," she said in the footage.

"The risks of vaping… coughing, breathing problems, nicotine dependence, waste of money and it can affect your brain development."

READ MORE: 'MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN': Trump threatens to topple government

Two-time Paralympian Pearse shared a video with a more serious note, discussing how vaping can impact your performance as an athlete.

He also urged young people to avoid being peer-pressured into trying vaping.

"It can be hard to say no at first, but back yourself and your friends are there to help and support you along the journey," he said.

"You might even help them say no, too."

READ MORE: Operation Midnight Hammer: How US used 'decoys' in Iran attack

Each video asks viewers to download the federal government's My QuitBuddy app, which provides tips and information about staying smoke and vape-free.

The Australian government said the influencers have already generated a combined eight million views and 650,000 likes during the first phase of the education campaign.

"There is an enormous amount of misinformation and online advertising designed to lure teenagers into vaping," Health Minister Mark Butler said.

"Together with the Albanese government's world-leading vaping reforms, education is a key step to stopping Big Tobacco companies from luring a new generation into nicotine dependency.

"It's pretty clear that teenagers don't watch TV or listen to health ministers, much as I might like them to, which is why we've partnered with influencers that young people listen to: from comedians, to sport stars and gamers, and everyone in between."

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US President Donald Trump's strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran have left some of the staunchest Republicans divided.

Before yesterday's military operation targeting nuclear enrichment sites in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, rifts were beginning to form within the party over the prospect of the US joining Israel to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Trump had campaigned for his second term opposing US involvement in the Middle East, promising to adopt an "America first" approach if elected for a second term.

READ MORE: Fears oil prices could surge in US after Iran strikes

He had also previously criticised the then-president Barack Obama, posting to social media that he would start a war with Iran because of his "inability to negotiate properly" and to "save face".

Last week, Trump indicated Iran would have two weeks before he decided on whether to support Israel's efforts in Iran, but broke his own deadline after announcing the US had completed a "spectacular military success" in Iran.

Within minutes of the news, strong condemnation began to roll in.

Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who has been leading a War Powers Resolution to prevent the US from becoming involved in another Middle East war in a rare cross-party alliance with California Democrat Congressman Ro Khanna, criticised the strikes as unconstitutional.

"Congress has the sole authority to authorise war. Speaker Mike Johnson should bring our resolution to the floor for a vote immediately," he said on X.

READ MORE: Australia supports US strikes on Iran nuclear sites, Wong says

https://x.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1936573183634645387

Georgia's Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right conservative and staunch Trump supporter, opposed the country's involvement.

"Every time America is on the verge of greatness, we get involved in another foreign war," she said on X.

"There would not be bombs falling on the people of Israel if Netanyahu had not dropped bombs on the people of Iran first. Israel is a nuclear-armed nation.

"This is not our fight."

Ohio Republican Warren Davidson said it was "hard to conceive a rationale that's constitutional".

He later questioned when Congress would be weighing in on the matter.

Trump, however, insisted he had the full support of the Republican Party.

"Great unity in the Republican Party, perhaps unity like we have never seen before," he said on Truth Social.

READ MORE: 'MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN': Trump threat

Democrats have condemned the President for ordering the strikes without approval from Congress, which they say went against Article I of the Constitution.

"President Trump came into office promising to 'end the endless foreign wars.' Tonight, he took steps that could drag the United States into another one, without consulting Congress, without a clear strategy, without regard to the consistent conclusions of the intelligence community, and without explaining to the American people what's at stake," Democratic Virginia Senator Mark Warner said on X.

"The Constitution makes clear that the power to authorise war lies with Congress."

New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez went further to claim that Trump's strikes were "grounds for impeachment".

But one of the top Republicans in Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson, said Trump had evaluated that the "imminent danger outweighed the time it would take for Congress to act".

"The President fully respects the Article I power of Congress, and tonight's necessary, limited, and targeted strike follows the history and tradition of similar military actions under presidents of both parties," he said on X.

— Reported with CNN 

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The groups targeted say action is needed as unrest rises to levels seen before March 15.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the federal government supports action to stop Iranian nuclear capability after the US struck three facilities.

Albanese called for "dialogue and diplomacy" following the US military's attack on three nuclear sites in Iran while speaking to media today.

"The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that – that is what this is," Albanese said.

READ MORE: 'MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN': Trump threatens to topple government

"The US action was directed at specific sites central to Iran's nuclear program.

"We don't want escalation and a full-scale war."

Albanese echoed earlier sentiment about urging Iran to come to the negotiating table and to abandon its nuclear program.

"Iran didn't come to the table just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations," he said.

"We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region."

When asked if he has spoken to US President Donald Trump since news of the Iran strikes broke, Albanese said no.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government is continuing to work with Australians stranded in Iran and Israel.

She said Australia has deployed support at the Azerbaijani border to help those able to make it there.

Wong earlier today also said the government supports the United States' strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Speaking on Today this morning, Wong said the sites targeted by the United States were specific to Iran's nuclear program.

"We support action to prevent Iran getting a nuclear weapon," Wong said.

"We know what the UN nuclear watchdog has said … and that is that Iran is enriching to almost military levels … enough for multiple nuclear weapons."

READ MORE: Donald Trump threatens Iran with 'regime change'

Donald Trump announced yesterday that the United States had dropped "a full payload of bombs" on three of Iran's nuclear sites, claiming the country's nuclear enrichment facilities had been "completely and totally obliterated".

An Australian government spokesperson yesterday stopped short of offering an endorsement of the strikes.

In a statement, the spokesperson called for de-escalation in the Middle East, while also acknowledging the risk posed by Iran's nuclear program.

Wong said despite supporting the US strikes, ultimately what she and other world leaders were still calling for was "de-escalation and diplomacy", adding Australia did not want to see "a full-scale war and continued escalation in the Middle East".

Wong said the US had not made any request for involvement in the war from Australia.

"No such request has been made and I wouldn't speculate," Wong said. 

"But I again would say we are concerned, as are so many people around the world, about continued escalation. No-one wants to see full-scale war in the Middle East."

READ MORE: Operation Midnight Hammer: How US used 'decoys' in Iran attack

Wong acknowledged the plight of thousands of Aussies who are still stuck in both Israel and Iran and said Australia was still working on trying to help them evacuate.

"Obviously, this is a highly risky and precarious situation, and my heart goes out to Australians in Iran and in Israel, and to their friends and families in Australia who are so deeply worried about them," Wong said.

The security situation in Israel meant land crossing were not possible, but the government was working on trying to arrange contingency flights, Wong said.

"There are reports … of airspace opening for Israel for a limited period. We are working on contingency arrangements to see if we can get a flight in to collect people, and we have notified people on the ground about that." 

The situation in Iran was even worse and more serious, Wong said.

"We obviously have had to make the difficult decision to close our embassy," she said.

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Emergency CareFlight crews came to the rescue of a man and his dog in the Northern Territory after they became stranded in a boat in crocodile-infested waters.

A rescue helicopter was deployed to the South Alligator River in the Kakadu National Park earlier this month after the man in the boat activated his emergency beacon.

Upon arrival, both the man and his dog were safely winched from the vessel into the helicopter – neither had sustained any injuries.

READ MORE: Robbers make bizarre getaway after home invasion

"This was certainly one of the more memorable rescues for our team," Dean Blackney, Flight Nurse at CareFlight, said.

"We're trained for all kinds of scenarios, but it's not every day we winch up a dog!"

CareFlight said the successful rescue highlighted the importance of carrying an emergency beacon when travelling in remote areas.

Australia Post stamp price hikes of up to 60c per letter can be expected from next month after the national consumer watchdog announced it would not oppose the changes.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) today said it will not object to Australia Post's 13.3 per cent price increase, which is now slated to take effect from July 17.

Under the new price system, basic postage rates will rise from $1.50 to $1.70 for small letters, from $3 to $3.40 for ordinary large letters (weighing up to 125g) and $4.50 to $5.10 for the largest letters (up to 250g).

READ MORE: 'MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN': Trump threatens to topple government

The price of concession stamps and seasonal greeting cards won't change.

"We understand that these price increases will mean extra costs for consumers. However, our decision to not object to Australia Post's proposed price increase is based on evidence that the costs to Australia Post of providing the letter service are greater than the revenue it produces," ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

Brakey said Australia Post has incurred "significant losses" on its letter services over the past few years.

On average, the national postal service only delivers around two letters per household each week.

Letter volumes are also expected to plummet by another 10.6 per cent until 2028.

The ACCC has found it unlikely that Australia Post will recover its letter revenue, even with the proposed price increase.

READ MORE: Operation Midnight Hammer: How US used 'decoys' in Iran attack

READ MORE: 'Obliterated' or 'quite superficial'? What's really happened to Iran's nuclear sites

"Our final decision recommends Australia Post examine ways to alleviate affordability issues for businesses, including those subject to requirements to send physical mail," Brakey added.

"Further we made recommendations to address a number of other concerns expressed by stakeholders during consultation.

"We are especially mindful of the impact price changes can have on vulnerable Australians, and so our decision paper recommends that Australia Post increases the number of concession stamps per customer, which is currently capped at 50 per year."

Brakey noted the price increase of $1.70 for a single postage stamp is still below the median price of $1.93 for private postal operators.

Australia Post first proposed the price hike in November last year.

While the consumer watchdog did not have the authority to approve the proposed increases, it can object to the plan.

Unless rejected by the federal minister for communications, stamp prices are expected to increase from July 17.

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The American economy faces the unwelcome prospect of reignited inflation after the US launched strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran.

High oil and petrol prices are a near certainty, experts say. The big question now: how long will the fossil fuels price spike last?

Oil prices are expected to rise by about $US5 ($7.72) a barrel when markets open on Sunday night local time, according to experts.

READ MORE: 'MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN': Trump threat

"We are looking at $US80 oil on the open," said Andy Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates.

US oil hasn't closed above $US80 a barrel since January and has largely hovered between $US60 and $US75 a barrel since August 2024.

Relatively tame oil prices have lowered petrol prices to below $US3 a gallon (about $1.22 a litre) in many parts of the country, a major source of price relief for inflation-weary consumers.

It's unclear if any major spike in oil prices will be sustained for a long period. Oil prices have risen about 10 per cent since Israel's surprise attack on June 13 and then fell on Friday after US President Donald Trump announced a two-week deadline on whether to strike Iran.

READ MORE: Senator says Australia can't back US in Middle East

"One shouldn't necessarily assume that just because the price of oil goes up, it's going to stay there. It doesn't," said Joe Brusuelas, chief economist for the accounting firm RSM.

The direction oil prices take is likely to depend on whether Iran's parliament decides to block the Strait of Hormuz, a key trade route that accounts for about 20 per cent of the world's crude oil.

On Sunday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country had "a variety of options" when deciding on how to respond to the US attacks; and a prominent adviser to Iran's supreme leader has already called for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

READ MORE: 'Obliterated' or 'quite superficial'? What's really happened to Iran's nuclear sites

Bob McNally, president of consulting firm Rapidan Energy Group and former energy adviser to president George W Bush, said that should Iran cut off the world's oil supply by closing the strait, it would risk more military force from the US and its allies.

Iran could also attack infrastructure in the Persian Gulf that treated and exported oil and gas.

"It's possible they will decide the only thing that can dissuade President Trump is the fear of an oil price spike," he said.

"They have to actually create that fear."

Appearing on Fox News, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on China to prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, adding that closing it would do more damage to other economies than the US economy. China buys a third of all oil that comes from the Persian Gulf, while the US buys less than 3 per cent.

"I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that, because they heavily depend on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil," Rubio said.

Rubio added that closing the strait would hurt other countries' economies more than the US economy.

Meanwhile, American consumers may soon feel a price shock at the pump.

"It takes five days or so for stations to pass along the prices they see in one day. If oil markets do surge today and then tomorrow, it could start showing up at the pump in a matter of hours," said Patrick De Haan, vice president of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, a fuel tracking platform.

According to Lipow, should the Strait of Hormuz be affected, the price of oil could rise to $US100 ($154.50) a barrel, which would raise petrol and diesel prices by about US75 cents a gallon (about 29c a litre) from recent levels.

Meanwhile, US trade policies combined with the Israel-Iran conflict "strongly suggest inflation will be moving faster and higher over the next 90 days," according to Brusuelas. Many mainstream economists argue that the low inflation of the spring represents a calm before the summer storm, when they expect prices to rise because of Trump's tariffs.

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