Prince Harry has claimed a monumental victory as Rupert Murdoch's UK tabloids made an unprecedented apology for intruding in his life over decades and agreed to pay substantial damages to settle his privacy invasion lawsuit.

News Group Newspapers offered a "full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the serious intrusion by The Sun between 1996 and 2011 into his private life, including incidents of unlawful activities carried out by private investigators," attorney David Sherborne read from the settlement statement in court.

Wednesday morning's (Wednesday night AEDT) statement even went beyond the scope of the lawsuit to acknowledge intruding on the life of his mother, the late Princess Diana.

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It was the first time News Group Newspapers has acknowledged wrongdoing at The Sun, a paper once known for featuring topless women on page three.

Harry had vowed to take his case to trial to publicly expose the newspaper's wrongdoing and win a court ruling upholding his claims.

But under English law, he faced astronomical legal bills even if he won, and his lawyer said he achieved the accountability he sought for himself and hundreds of others, including ordinary people.

News Group acknowledged "phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators" aimed at Harry. NGN had strongly denied those allegations before trial.

"This represents a vindication for the hundreds of other claimants who were strong-armed into settling without being able to get to the truth of what was done to them," Sherborne said outside the High Court in London.

"We acknowledge and apologise for the distress caused to the duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages," the settlement statement said.

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The bombshell announcement in court came as the Duke of Sussex's trial was about to start. Harry, 40, the younger son of King Charles III, and one other man were the only two remaining claimants out of more than 1,300 others who had settled lawsuits against News Group Newspapers over allegations their phones were hacked and investigators unlawfully intruded in their lives.

Sherborne said the company had engaged in "perjury and cover-ups" to obscure the truth for years.

"There was an extensive conspiracy," he said, in which "senior executives deliberately obstructed justice".

In all the cases that have been brought against the publisher since a widespread phone hacking scandal forced Murdoch to close News of the World in 2011, Harry's case got the closest to trial.

Murdoch shut down the News of the World after The Guardian reported that the tabloid's reporters had hacked the phone of Milly Dowler, a murdered 13-year-old schoolgirl, while police were searching for her in 2002.

As the case was about to start on Tuesday morning, his lawyer asked for a one-hour recess, then got a longer adjournment and finally asked to have the rest of the day as it became clear a settlement was in the works.

The case was one of three lawsuits Harry has brought accusing British tabloids of violating his privacy by eavesdropping on phone messages or using private investigators to unlawfully help them score scoops.

His case against the publisher of the Daily Mirror ended in victory when the judge ruled that phone hacking was "widespread and habitual" at the newspaper and its sister publications.

During that trial in 2023, Harry became the first senior member of the royal family to testify in court since the late 19th century, putting him at odds with the monarchy's desire to keep its problems out of view.

His feud with the press dates back to his youth, when the tabloids took glee in reporting on everything from his injuries to his girlfriends to dabbling with drugs.

But his fury with the tabloids goes much deeper.

He blames the media for the death of his mother, Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash in 1997 while being chased by paparazzi in Paris. He also blames them for the persistent attacks on his wife, actor Meghan Markle, that led them to leave royal life and flee to the US in 2020.

The litigation has been a source of friction in his family, Harry said in the documentary Tabloids On Trial.

He revealed in court papers that his father opposed his lawsuit. He also said his older brother William, Prince of Wales, and heir to the throne, had settled a private complaint against News Group that his lawyer has said was worth more than £1 million ($1.97 million).

"I'm doing this for my reasons," Harry told the documentary makers, though he said he wished his family had joined him.

Harry was originally one among dozens of claimants, including actor Hugh Grant, who alleged that News Group journalists and investigators they hired violated their privacy between 1994 and 2016 by intercepting voicemails, tapping phones, bugging cars and using deception to access confidential information.

Of the original group, Harry and Tom Watson, a former Labour Party member of parliament, were the holdouts headed to trial.

News Group had denied the allegations.

NGN had issued an unreserved apology to victims of voicemail interception by The News of the World and said it settled more than 1300 claims. The Sun has never accepted liability.

The outcome in the News Group case raises questions about how Harry's third case — against the publisher of the Daily Mail — will proceed. That trial is scheduled next year.

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Construction of the athletes' village in Paris began five years out from the Olympics, which leaves just two years for the Queensland government to decide on a plan for Brisbane.

The deputy premier today claimed that it could cost about $3.5 billion to build enough apartments to house 10,000 athletes across four villages.

"If the athletes' villages continue in those four locations as planned by the former Labor government, it's going to cost Queenslanders $3.5 billion," Jarrod Bleijie said.

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"Only Jarrod Bleijie can release to you how that number has been determined, and why he says it's going to cost $3.5 billion" Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick said.

"There hasn't been any planning work, there hasn't been any site determination yet, there hasn't been any costings done."

Bleijie insisted the figures came from the Treasury.

"I'm now disclosing that the cost of these athlete's villages is a budget black hole of $3.5 billion," he said.

Like with the Commonwealth Games, the 2032 Olympic villages would likely be built in partnership with developers, and either sold off or used in build-to-rent schemes.

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The games' independent infrastructure coordination authority is currently conducting a 100-day review and assessing options for the villages.

9News can reveal that $2.4 billion will be budgeted in the forward estimates for the athletes' village.

It is expected to be revealed in the mid-year fiscal and economic outlook tomorrow.

Once the independent infrastructure panel has decided what the village will look like, it will likely be built in partnership with the private sector, so the entirety of that funding might not be needed.

Exactly where the village or villages will be built is still up in the air, but Northshore is a likely site, since much of it is state-owned land.

The State Government wants to factor it into expenses as a signal to the industry that the project will go ahead.

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A person is trapped in a car after strong winds knocked a tree on top of the vehicle south of Sydney's CBD.

Rescue efforts are under way to free the driver stuck in a car on Danks Street in Waterloo.

Moments before the car was crushed, strong winds on the Mid North Coast caused a massive tree to collapse onto a house.

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The roof of the home on Lisa Valley Close in Wahroonga suffered serious damage from the massive tree.

There are no reports of injury, the SES said. 

It comes as the Bureau of Meteorology records winds of 50 to 90 km/h at Sydney Harbour and the eastern suburbs beaches.

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The State Emergency Service warned earlier that wind gusts of up to 90km/h will hit the South Coast this afternoon before moving up to Sydney and the Hunter.

Wind speeds will average 60 to 70km/h, and the SES has urged residents to be prepared for falling trees and debris.

"Strong winds could bring down trees and powerlines, as well as cause damage to properties," SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns said.

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"Residents and holidaymakers across greater Sydney should download the Hazards Near Me app and set up local watch zones to stay across the latest warnings and information.

"Taking the time now to prepare your home by securing or putting away loose items around your yard or balcony will ensure you're as prepared as possible."

Sydney is expected to be hit by the winds mid-afternoon before they reach Newcastle by the early evening.

Thunderstorms are also possible tonight over parts of Sydney and the Hunter, however, there are no severe storm warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Heatwave grips half the nation

Meanwhile, a heatwave warning is in place for NSW, Queensland and Western Australia over the next three days. 

Residents in Brisbane will swelter through a top temperature of 36 degrees today, but in some inland regions it is expected to surge to more than 40.

The areas expected to be hit the hardest by the heat include the Brisbane metropolitan area, Clermont, Dalby, Emerald, Gladstone, Goondiwindi, Longreach, Rockhampton, Roma and Stanthorpe.

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The sweltering weather will remain for most of this week, with a minimum overnight temperature in the high 20s offering little relief.

A milder southerly change will bring some relief to eastern parts of Queensland over the weekend.

Similar heatwave conditions are also building over northern parts of NSW.

Areas likely to be impacted over coming hours include Byron Bay, Glen Innes, Inverell, Moree, Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads.

Central Sydney is heading for a top temperature of 35 degrees today, but the mercury will surge to 39 degrees at Penrith in the city's west.

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But other parts of NSW – such as Bourke in the state's north-west and Dubbo – are forecast to hit 40 degrees or more.

The extreme conditions are not expected to linger, with a cool change sweeping in from this afternoon, bringing the chance of a thunderstorm in the evening.

In Western Australia, similar conditions are forecast with top temperatures expected to reach 45 degrees or higher.

The areas expected to be impacted include Perth, Carnarvon, Denham, Geraldton, Gingin, Kalgoorlie, Kalbarri, Meekatharra, Mount Magnet, Mandurah, Newman and Northam.

Temperatures are expected to cool by Saturday.

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https://twitter.com/NSWRFS/status/1881507764779823294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The bureau said the heatwave was driven by hot dry winds from western and northern Australia.

Fire authorities in Queensland and NSW are warning about an increased fire danger.

Meanwhile, Western Australia is experiencing its third heatwave of the summer, with Premier Roger Cook insisting the power grid is performing well enough in the sweltering conditions.

Perth's temperature peaked at more than 40 degrees on Monday, resulting in record power usage.

Australia is grappling with a shortage of essential prescription medications, leaving patients struggling to access some life-saving treatments. 

Harrison Cal, a 24-year-old with type 1 diabetes, has been enduring months of  battling to obtain the medications he relies on twice daily.

"I have to call 8-10 pharmacists, and they won't even stock levimere or sometimes even novorapid they do not have," he said.

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A recent study conducted by the University of South Australia revealed the gravity of the crisis. 

Of 142 pharmacists, nearly 90 per cent said they are compelled to seek alternative suppliers weekly, while the same proportion is frequently substituting medicines.

"There have been particular groups of medicine that have been in very short supply and extremely difficult to source," Matthew Gillespie from the Pharmacy Guild said.

Adelaide pharmacist Theo Skrembos said the shortages have hit medications related to diabetes, cholesterol, and even antibiotics.

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With 90 per cent of medication in Australia sourced from overseas, supply issues can often be lengthy and unpredictable.

"And obviously that comes with an increased cost, which you have to pass on to your patient then, which during a cost of living crisis, is a little bit unreasonable," Skrembos said.

The federal government says the shortages are unavoidable and that work is under way to ensure more critical medications are made in Australia.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.

Australian researchers have found a new treatment that can dramatically improve survival rates for a common form of breast cancer.

Researchers at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne have found the treatment can reduce the chances of it returning. 

More than 500 newly-diagnosed women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer (ER+/HER2) took part in the global trial, which tested whether adding an immunotherapy drug to chemotherapy helped kill cancer cells before a patient's surgery.

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The findings show cure rates among patients were dramatically improved.

Dr Sherene Loi said the breakthrough was an exciting step.

"It trains our own body and our own immune system to guard against recurrence of breast cancer," Loi said.

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"In the patients who just got chemotherapy, 15 per cent cleared their cancer at surgery but adding on the immunotherapy increased that to over 20 per cent."

Cancer Council Victoria's head of strategy and support, Danielle Spence, said researchers will need to monitor participants over the next few years to see if they remain breast cancer-free.

"We obviously need to follow that data for longer to make sure it is a trend that continues," Spence said.

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An NDIS provider will pay the largest ever penalty of its kind over the death of an intellectually disabled man, who choked on a toasted salami and cheese sandwich.

The man died in May 2020, three days after being fed by workers at a residential home operated by Valmar Support Services in the Canberra suburb of Richardson.

The disability and aged care provider admitted numerous shortcomings, including improperly trained staff, after being pursued by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner in the Federal Court.

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On Wednesday, Justice Elizabeth Raper "reluctantly" ordered the company pay a fine of more than $1.9 million due to 24 breaches of legislation governing how NDIS providers operate.

She noted the penalty was low given the seriousness of the breaches and their fatal results, saying the court was likely to impose a much higher fine next time over similar conduct.

The judge described the resident's death as a terrible event.

"Valmar did not provide the level of supports they were required to provide under the NDIS, leading to very grave and tragic circumstances where one of the residents died," she said in her judgment.

The man was non-verbal, with an intellectual disability, autism, type 2 diabetes and Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic disorder linked to an excessive appetite.

Dietary and meal-time management plans prepared for the man recommended cutting soft or moist food up into small pieces.

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"It's important that I'm supervised when eating, as sometimes I force food into my mouth too fast and a choking hazard is present," his quick-reference guide read.

Valmar and 13 inadequately trained staff placed two other residents in danger of choking by failing to include information provided by dieticians in their eating and drinking plans, Justice Raper said.

The firm had not upheld the fundamental purpose of the NDIS scheme, which was to provide high quality support services, she found.

"Such services cannot be provided if the workers who provide them are given no training," the judge wrote.

"The whole scheme fails."

There was a need to send a clear message to Valmar and other disability support providers about the consequences of a failure to train, audit or supervise compliance with dietary plans, the judge said.

In imposing the penalty – which had been agreed by the NDIS commissioner and Valmar – she noted the firm had no prior breaches of the same type and it had taken steps to improve its training, assessments and compliance.

The NDIS commission says it's the biggest civil penalty imposed for the death of an NDIS participant

Commissioner Louise Glanville said the regulatory body would take strong action against providers who did not provide safe services and support to those with disabilities.

"As the NDIS regulator, we will forcefully uphold the rights of people with disability to ensure they are provided safe and high-quality services and supports," she said.

"Failure to meet these obligations is unacceptable and, in cases like this, will result in substantial penalties for providers."

Valmar has not responded to a request for comment.

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

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A massive fire has torn through an iconic leagues club on the NSW Mid North Coast, destroying four decades of history.

Firefighters were called to Nambucca Leagues Club on Sports Street in Nambucca Heads about 6am today after receiving several calls to an alarm activating.

The leagues club, built in 1982, has been gutted by the fire.

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Heartbroken locals couldn't do anything but watch as the fire tore through the club and its memorabilia.

"All the executives were up there on the wall … photographs of people I know growing up as little kids," former president Roby Aiken said.

"We could just see windows exploding and the fire travelling through.

"Tried to get a fire extinguisher to it but it was already too much and he just had to get out … It's just a really hard day."

The Nambucca Roosters have been calling the club their home since it was built.

"There's trophies and shields and things that we're never gonna get them back,"  Nambucca Roosters president Peter Bellden said.

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One worker inside the club at the time was able to escape and was being treated by paramedics for non-life-threatening injuries.

He was taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital for treatment.

About 40 firefighters arrived at the scene to find "intense fire activity".

Their efforts to control the fire were complicated by several large gas cylinders nearby and the club's roof and structure collapsing.

They were also facing issues with water supply and were forced to access more hydrants.

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FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell was travelling through the area when the fire broke out and rushed to help.

"Our crews initially entered the building to attack the fire internally, but retreated as the building began to collapse, prioritising the safety of firefighters while continuing operations from the outside," he said.

"Firefighters worked tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to protect life and property and contain the blaze".

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The fire sent black plumes of smoke over the area.

"This has been a devastating loss for the Nambucca Heads community, with the destruction of a much-loved local facility," Fewtrell said.

The property is still unstable and unsafe for fire investigators to enter, NSW Police Chief Inspector Darren Jameson said.

Investigations continue as authorities try to identify the cause of the fire.

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The family of a five-year-old boy who died from his injuries after he was crushed by a parking meter in Western Australia has remembered him for "bringing joy with his cheeky, playful nature".

Sammy was hospitalised in a critical condition last week after he was hit by a parking meter in a courtyard of the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre, about 175 kilometres south of Perth.

He died from his injuries at Perth Children's Hospital on Friday.

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"We are so grateful for the support that we have received from family, friends and the general public," his family said in a statement today.

"We would also like to acknowledge the support from the staff at the museum, first responders and the care given to Sammy at the BRH (Bunbury Regional Hospital) and PCH (Perth Children's Hospital), which was so loving and respectful.  

"Sammy impacted everyone he met. 

"He was wise beyond his years and brought so much joy with his cheeky, playful nature."

St John Ambulance paramedics treated Sammy at the museum courtyard before he was rushed to a local hospital.

He was then airlifted to Perth Children's Hospital.

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City officials said their thoughts were with the child's family, and that they had offered them their support.

Outside the museum, flowers were laid in the little boy's memory, including from the City of Bunbury.

The council said it would work with authorities throughout the investigation into the tragic accident.

The Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre will remain closed for another week.

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Qantas has announced sweeping changes to its popular frequent flyer program, driving up the cost of reward seats.

The airline said loyalty members will soon earn more points while flying, but it will simultaneously hike up the points needed to redeem fares, as well as the monetary cost of those seats.

From August this year, Qantas Frequent Flyer members will need to use thousands more points to redeem seats and upgrades on domestic and international flights.

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Sydney to London economy reward fares will be bumped up to 63,500 points plus $263, up from 55,200 points.

Meanwhile, a Sydney to Melbourne business class reward seat will cost 19,300 points plus $76, up from 18,400 points and $55.

It's the first time Qantas has marked up its classic reward pricing since 2019 and the second time since 2004.

"A lot has changed in the last six years," Qantas loyalty chief executive Andrew Glance said.

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"These adjustments will ensure we can continue to invest in enhancing the program for the long-term and continue to grow the levels of classic and classic plus reward seat availability for members year on year.

"With a number of airlines making changes to their loyalty programs recently, we wanted to give our members as much notice as possible so they can plan their future travel."

Among the changes will be the ability for frequent flyers to earn up to 25 per cent more points on domestic flights.

A Sydney to Perth economy flight, for example, will now earn you 1815 Qantas points, up from 1450.

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Qantas is also introducing its lowest one-way economy reward seat in the country, adding Jetstar short-haul domestic flights in Australia and New Zealand for 5700 points.

The earning cap for tiered members travelling in premium cabins will also be scrapped.

"This year will see our members earn an additional four billion points thanks to an increase in points earned when travelling domestically and the removal of the earn cap for tiered members travelling in our premium cabins," Glance said. 

"This means tiered members flying in premium cabins domestically require fewer flights to earn their next reward booking."

Loyalty members will also be given access to up to one million international reward seats on partner airlines, including Air France, Finnair, KLM and Iberia, Qantas said.

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Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the federal government won't introduce any new taxes during this year's federal budget, reiterating the focus will once again be on cost of living relief.

Chalmers dispelled the suggestion when he was questioned about new tax policies at a press conference this morning.

"No, our focus is on the tax changes that we've already announced, that we're already either legislated or trying to legislate," he said.

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"The focus for us right now is making the very generous superannuation tax concessions for people with high balances, still generous, but less generous.

"We've made another number of other changes, but we've made it clear that when it comes to the budget, our priority is cost of living relief."

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton made his own tax announcement over the weekend, saying businesses with less than $10 million in turnover will get access to a tax deduction of up to $20,000 for staff or client lunches and entertainment if the Coalition is elected at the upcoming federal election.

He said it will address cost-of-living pressures. 

Chalmers had strong words for the uncosted policy and questioned how Dutton planned to pay for it, saying that the Coalition couldn't "answer the most basic questions".

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"Nothing could speak to the difference between the Labor and the Coalition more effectively than the absolute farce which is Peter Dutton's long lunch policy," he said.

"This again goes to the very stark contrast and the big choice we'll be asking Australians to make later this year.

"Anthony Albanese and Labor are for workers and trainees and tradies and Peter Dutton and the Coalition are for taxpayer-funded long lunches and that goes directly to the difference and to the choice between the two major parties contesting the election this year."

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Dutton said the costings will be released in due course. 

"We actually think it's quite an efficient spend of taxpayers' money," he said at a press conference this morning.

The date of the federal election has not yet been announced but must be held by May 17. 

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