Australian researchers have made a huge breakthrough in the fight against Parkinson's disease after solving a decades-long mystery.

Scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) have for the first time been able to observe a key protein directly linked to the awful disease, and determine what it looks like.

The protein, PINK1, supports cell survival by detecting damaged mitochondria and tagging them for removal.

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In a healthy person, when mitochondria are damaged, PINK1 gathers on mitochondrial membranes and signals through a small protein called ubiquitin, that the broken mitochondria need to be removed.

The PINK1 ubiquitin signal is unique to damaged mitochondria, and when PINK1 is mutated in patients, broken mitochondria accumulate in cells.

In a person with Parkinson's and a PINK1 mutation, the mitophagy process no longer functions correctly and toxins accumulate in the cell, eventually killing it.

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Brain cells need a lot of energy and are especially sensitive to this damage.

Although PINK1 has been linked to Parkinson's, and in particular Young Onset Parkinson's Disease, researchers had been unable to visualise it and did not understand how it attaches to mitochondria and is switched on.

The idea of using PINK1 as a target for potential drug therapies has long been touted but not yet achieved because of the unknowns.

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The research team hope to use this new breakthrough to find a drug to slow or stop Parkinson's in people with a PINK1 mutation.

Parkinson's disease is insidious, often taking years, sometimes decades to diagnose.

Often associated with tremors, there are close to 40 symptoms including cognitive impairment, speech issues, body temperature regulation and vision problems.

In Australia, over 200,000 people live with Parkinson's and between 10 per cent and 20 per cent have Young Onset Parkinson's Disease – meaning they are diagnosed under the age of fifty.

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The impact of Parkinson's on the Australian economy and healthcare systems is estimated to be over $10 billion each year.

"This is a significant milestone for research into Parkinson's. It is incredible to finally see PINK1 and understand how it binds to mitochondria," corresponding author on the study Professor David Komander said.

"Our structure reveals many new ways to change PINK1, essentially switching it on, which will be life-changing for people with Parkinson's."

The full study can be found online here.

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Australia's youngest-ever convicted murderer will walk from prison following a court's refusal to keep him locked up four years after his sentence ended.

The child killer has spent almost two thirds of his life behind bars after abducting and fatally stabbing his three-year-old neighbour Courtney Morley-Clarke when he was 13.

His 20-year sentence expired in 2021 but concerns over his stunted maturity, institutionalisation and threats of inflicting violence against others have led to rare post-sentence detention orders.

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A brief foray in the community in 2023 on court-ordered close supervision resulted in him approaching about 200 women across 95 days, including several mothers with young children.

One unlawful interaction – talking to a mother dressing her young child at a beach – forced his return to jail.

An application to detain him for a further year was heard in the NSW Supreme Court as the state argued he posed too great a risk to the community.

Concerns were aired the man was "very institutionalised", had suffered a "deep freeze maturation process" and kept ruminating about taking revenge on a community corrections officer.

Psychiatrists previously diagnosed the 38-year-old with a severe personality disorder that made him self-centred and unempathetic.

But Justice Mark Ierace on Friday dismissed the state's application to detain the killer further.

His written reasons are expected to be published later in the day.

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It likely means Courtney's killer falls back onto his prior extended supervision order, requiring him to stick to a pre-determined schedule of movements, stay off encrypted apps and other conditions.

The order runs the maximum five years.

He entered custody the day he murdered Courtney, having left his adoptive parents' home on the Central Coast in the middle of a hot summer night before pulling the girl from her bedroom.

He later told police how he took the youngster to a nearby field.

"I stabbed her in the heart," the then-teenager said.

The boy then directed police to a pool of blood on a concrete driveway and a steak knife lying nearby.

The girl's naked and lifeless body was found in tall grass soon after.

The sentencing judge described the "exceedingly disturbing killing of a very young child" as utterly inexplicable and cruel.

"Somewhat disturbingly he gave one answer (in his police interview) which suggested that, once he had killed one person, he expected that it would become easier killing the next one and the one after that," the judge said.

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A Sydney tradie has woken up as a multi-millionaire after he won $10 million in last night's Powerball.

The Manly resident, on Sydney's Northern Beaches, held the only division one winning entry nationally and took home the entire prize.

The man said he had a sleepless night after the unlikely win.

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"I honestly thought I'd wake up and it wouldn't be there in the morning, like it was all a dream," the tradesman said.

"I started shaking and I definitely wasn't sleepy after that. I couldn't help but shed a tear.

"Although I'm running on no sleep, I'm at work today like normal."

The man said he would seek financial advice after the multi-million dollar win.

"I'm going to see a financial advisor and set myself up," he said.

"It means I might not have to work anymore. I'll be able to help my family too."

There are many different ways to get help and information about gambling. You can visit the National Gambling Helpline or call on 1800 858 858.

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Melbourne teenagers have been left in tears and parents claim they are out hundreds of dollars after a local debutante dress store closed without warning them, on the back of a slew of complaints.

Addison Rose Deb Dresses in Keilor East shut its doors on March 4, with a handwritten note in the store window advising customers that it would reopen in two weeks.

Several days later, a new note appeared claiming the store had closed due to a break-in on March 5, during which thieves allegedly stole custom ordered dresses.

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A spokesperson for Victoria Police told 9news.com.au confirmed police were called after an alleged burglary and the investigation into the incident was ongoing.

On March 11, the store announced on its now-deleted Instagram that it had "experienced two break-ins in recent months" and had been forced to close for "safety reasons".

The post also alluded to "harmful rumours" circulating about the business.

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Some customers have turned to Paula Parra, who owns Parra Gowns 5km down the road, after bad experiences with Addison Rose Deb Dresses.

Parra told 9News that girls turn up "week after week crying" about missing gowns.

She also owns an alterations business and previously supplied alterations for Addison Rose Deb Dresses, but cut ties over Arzanov's business practices.

"There was so many things that were going on that were so wrong," Parra alleged.

"I said, 'I can't deal with her anymore. This is wrong. She's gonna go down in flames, and she's not bringing my business down with her.'"

Addison Rose Deb Dresses remains temporarily closed and customers told 9News the store has been cleared of dresses.

Many are still seeking refunds on dresses that they fear will not arrive in time for their daughters' debutantes – if at all.

Grab your suitcase and your passport – Time has just released its list of the world's 100 greatest places to visit in 2025.

Millions of Australians have the chance to witness a rare 'blood moon', the first of its kind in almost three years.

The exciting astronomical event will see the moon bathed in red light for a few short but striking moments tonight.

The blood moon will be visible in most parts of Australia but you'll have to be quick, as the eerie effect isn't going to last long.

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Here's everything you need to know about the blood moon including what it is, how to see it and when it will be most visible.

What is a blood moon?

It sounds spooky but a blood moon is actually just a kind of lunar eclipse; specifically, a total lunar eclipse.

This occurs when the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, blocking all direct sunlight from reaching the moon's surface.

However, some light can still reach the moon through the Earth's atmosphere.

This light appears orange or red because only longer wavelengths can make it through the atmosphere without scattering, leaving only the deepest, warmest colours visible.

While the term blood moon isn't scientifically recognised, it's commonly used to describe these kinds of eclipses which leave the moon bathed in eerie red light.

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What is a lunar eclipse?

A lunar eclipse occurs any time the moon moves into the Earth's shadow, leaving the moon partially or wholly darkened as light from the sun cannot reach it.

There are several different kinds of lunar eclipses and they can occur quite frequently, though some are more rare than others.

A penumbral lunar eclipse only causes a subtle dimming effect, while a partial lunar eclipse typically dims only part of the moon's surface.

A total lunar eclipse, wherein the whole surface is dimmed and may appear red, is more rare.

A central lunar eclipse is relatively rare and occurs when the moon passes near and through the centre of Earth's shadow and a selenelion or 'horizontal eclipse' is when both the sun and an eclipsed moon are visible in the sky at the same time.

Unlike a solar eclipse, lunar eclipses can be safely viewed without eye protection.

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How rare is a blood moon/total lunar eclipse?

Total lunar eclipses are more rare than penumbral or partial lunar eclipse.

The last blood moon occurred in November 2022 and was visible with the naked eye in the Australian night sky.

After the March 14 blood moon, the next total lunar eclipse is expected to take place in Australia on September 7 and 8, 2025.

What is the best time to see the blood moon in 2025?

The blood moon will appear tonight and will last between 55 and 80 minutes, however only part of the eclipse will be visible as it will begin before the moon has risen in most capital cities.

The best time to view the blood moon will be right on moonrise, as the eclipse is likely to finish soon after in most cities.

Expected moonrise times in Australia's capital cities are as follows:

• Sydney – 7.13pm
• Melbourne – 7.40pm
• Brisbane – 6.04pm
• Canberra – 7.22pm
• Adelaide – 7.35pm
• Darwin – 7.02pm
• Hobart – 7.32pm

The blood moon is unlikely to be visible in Perth, where moonrise will be at 6.37pm local time.

More details on when the blood moon will be visible in cities around the country can be found on TimeandDate.com.

Where is the best place to see the blood moon in 2025?

The best place to witness a lunar eclipse of any kind is a high vantage point with a clear view of the eastern horizon and limited artificial light sources.

Somewhere dark without any visual obstructions is best, but the blood moon will be visible from most major cities too.

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A delivery driver has been left with serious facial injuries after being assaulted inside a fast-food restaurant in Melbourne's west last month.

The incident unfolded at McDonald's Sunshine on Ballarat Road about 1.45am on February 1.

Police allege an unknown offender got into a physical altercation with the delivery driver.

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The offender punched and kicked the victim, before tackling him to the ground.

The victim, a 31-year-old Springvale man, suffered facial injuries and was taken to hospital.

The unknown offender fled the scene, last spotted running along Ballarat Road.

He is perceived to be Middle Eastern/Indian, in his 30's, about 175cm tall with a solid build.

He was last seen wearing a black cap, black t-shirt, navy pants, gold necklace and has a religious cross tattoo on right arm.

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The death of a woman who was partially paralysed in the Columbine High School shooting in the US has been ruled a homicide, raising the death toll of the 1999 attack to 14.

Anne Marie Hochhalter died February 16 of sepsis – a reaction to infection – and complications from her paralysis were a "significant contributing factor" in her death, the Jefferson County Coroner's Office said in an autopsy report obtained overnight.

She was 43.

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At the time, her family and friends suspected her death was due to natural causes related to her injuries in the shooting, which immediately led to the deaths of 12 students and a teacher.

The two student gunmen died in the attack.

Due to the role her paralysis was suspected of playing in her death, the investigation was transferred to the office that also reviewed the deaths in the school shooting.

Hochhalter struggled with intense pain from her gunshot wounds in the years following the shooting, but fought hard to to overcome the complications of her injuries and remain positive, family and friends said.

She was tireless in her drive to help others, including people with disabilities and members of her family, and she loved dogs, they said.

Hochhalter chose to forgive the mother of one of the gunmen, writing in a 2016 letter to Sue Klebold: "'A good friend once told me, 'Bitterness is like swallowing a poison pill and expecting the other person to die.' It only harms yourself. I have forgiven you and only wish you the best."

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On the 25th anniversary of the shooting, Hochhalter posted on Facebook, "This anniversary has been the most healing for me."

"25 years have gone by but it doesn't seem that long.

"I wasn't able to attend the ceremony for the 20th anniversary 5 years ago due to PTSD, but I attended the vigil last night. I've truly been able to heal my soul since that awful day in 1999."

The shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, shot and killed 12 classmates, a teacher, and then themselves.

Hochhalter advocated for victims of mass violence, attending a vigil for the victims of the Aurora theatre massacre in 2012.

She said she wanted to offer hope to the victims' loved ones and survivors.

At the vigil, she advised that "trying to figure out the shooters' motives was a waste of time, and it gives them exactly what they want."

She forgave Klebold's mother, who released a book about her own experience, stating she was happy the profits from the book would be donated to charities focused on mental health.

-with CNN.

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The mini heatwave in south-eastern Australia over the coming days will be short and sharp, and the message from weather forecasters is make the most of it.

Temperatures will nudge 40 degrees in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney from today until Sunday as warm, dry north-easterly winds blanket multiple states and territories.

But the millions of people impacted should enjoy the blast of summer-like conditions while it lasts because, come Monday, the mercury will plummet, reports Weatherzone.

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An advancing cold front will take hold by late Monday, paving the way for the first burst of autumnal weather this year.

Here is how the change in conditions will be felt in your region:

Sydney

On Sunday, some parts of the western suburbs will bask in temperatures of 40 degrees. Spare a thought for NRL players and fans as Parramatta host West Tigers, when at the 4.05pm kick-off, the mercury is forecast to hit 37 degrees.

The encounter will likely feature additional drinks breaks to provide heat relief for players.

But by Tuesday, temperatures across Sydney will have fallen to a maximum of 24 degrees.

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Melbourne

Qualifying sessions for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne will take place at 4pm tomorrow when temperatures are forecast to reach their highest at 37 degrees over the city centre street circuit.

Some outer Melbourne suburbs are heading for even hotter conditions, with the mercury peaking at a scorching 39 degrees in Tullamarine.

But Formula One fans can expect much cooler and wetter weather at 3pm on Sunday when the main race begins.

On Monday, residents will be waking to a top temperature of just 17 degrees, the coolest day of the year to date.

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Adelaide

The South Australian capital will begin feeling the heat from today before it peaks tomorrow when the maximum temperatures hits a scorching 38 degrees.

In sharp contrast, the warmest it will get on Monday is just 21 degrees. Unfortunately for farmers hoping for rain, they're forecast to receive falls of 5mm when the cold front rolls in.

Canberra

The national capital is perhaps the city where the change in conditions will be felt most.

Following a top temperature of 35 degrees tomorrow, the overnight lows from Monday will plunge to single digits, making for some cold mornings.

From Tuesday, sub-zero temperatures and frost are forecast for the NSW ski fields.

Hobart

Conditions across the Apple Isle will also dramatically change from early next week.

Hobart residents can look forward to a very pleasant maximum of 28 degrees tomorrow before the cold front advances and the mercury nosedives to a top of 17 degrees by Monday.

Snow showers are also heading for parts of Tasmania above 1000m, including Mount Wellington above Hobart.

Seasonal weather change

The approaching chillier weather comes ahead of the March equinox next Thursday night and the end of daylight saving early next month in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT.

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A Melbourne surfer is presumed dead after he was attacked by a shark in front of his girlfriend and helpless onlookers at a popular beach in Western Australia.

Steven Payne, 37, and his girlfriend were five weeks into a six-month holiday around Australia when they visited Wharton Beach in Condingup, about 60 kilometres east of Esperance, yesterday.

He was surfing in chest-deep water about 50 metres from shore with two others when he was attacked by the shark.

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The incident dragged on for minutes as his girlfriend, pet dog and crowds of people at the beach watched on.

"She's distraught, her life was turned upside down yesterday. You can imagine how she is, it's just horrible," Senior Sergeant Chris Taylor told reporters this afternoon.

Witnesses described hearing screams from the water.

"There were screams. There were people saying like 'get out', everything – it was a very panicked moment," bystander Joscelin Boissieux said.

"We heard a scream and everyone got out of the water."

"A lot of people on the beach just standing, staring out. A lot of people in disbelief," witness Tony Carmichael said.

There was only a surfboard left floating about 30 metres from the shore.

"The water next to it was dark, with a shark's fin circling around," Boissieux said.

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Police were called to the scene about 12.10pm yesterday, when a search was launched for Payne.

Today, police said they believe he is now dead. 

"Unfortunately, that search has not uncovered the surfer's body and I can also confirm our search is a recovery, not a rescue," Taylor said.

Payne's family are heading to Warton Beach as the investigation is passed on to the coroner.

"The family, they're distraught and trying to come to terms with what happened yesterday," Taylor said.

Wharton Beach remains closed.

There have been no reports of further shark sightings.

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