‘To walk into a space we thought was safe and then be targeted … made us sick.’

Global social media giants are resisting the Australian government's proposed youth social media ban.

Labor is pushing for the controversial legislation to be passed by the end of the year and, if made law, it could see teenagers aged under 16 banned from signing up to Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and even LinkedIn.

Thousands of submissions were made to the one-day parliamentary inquiry into the proposed bill – including by tech behemoths Meta and Alphabet.

READ MORE: Canberra woman tried to have her parents killed. She was foiled by a podcast

Alphabet, which owns Google and YouTube, told the inquiry the government should delay the legislation until a trial of age-assurance technology is finished.

The company said the proposed bill shouldn't be rushed through parliament without allowing platforms to develop workable solutions for imposing the ban.

"This includes the viability of age assurance technologies and an appropriate minimum age for access to social media services," Google said in its submission.

"The trial is not due to finish its work until mid-2025.

"It is concerning that this bill is proceeding in advance of the trial's conclusion."

Google and YouTube said the government should also outline which media platforms it planned to include in the ban to "provide necessary clarity and certainty to Australian users".

Facebook and Instagram's parent company Meta described the bill in its current form as "inconsistent and ineffective" and supported Google's call for a delay.

READ MORE: What Christmas Day weather might look like in your city

Fellow social media giant TikTok, owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance, added its two cents to the debate.

It warned in a submission the bill would require Australians to have a "licence to be online".

"As the government's admissions in Budget Estimates make clear, age-restricted social media platforms will need to undertake age assurance for each and every Australian user in order to remove age-restricted users from their services," TikTok's Australian director of public policy Ella Woods-Joyce said.

"This effectively creates a mechanism whereby Australians need a 'licence to be online'."

Woods-Joyce urged the government to consider the negative impact of forcing potentially every Australian to verify their age online.

Microsoft-owned LinkedIn, which has sparked debate about its inclusion in the bill, told the inquiry teenagers don't use its platform anyway.

LinkedIn said it is "not popular with minors" and said it does not have content that would be deemed interesting to those aged under 16.

It remains unknown if LinkedIn would be included in the list if the ban is imposed.

READ MORE: Hoping for a hot, sunny summer? You'll get half of what you wished for

READ MORE: Hoping for a hot, sunny summer? You'll get half of what you wished for

The Elon Musk-owned X said in a submission the company would review its legal rights if the bill is passed.

"We have serious concerns as to the lawfulness of the bill, including its compatibility with other regulations and laws, including international human rights treaties to which Australia is a signatory," it said.

Musk also personally criticised the proposed legislation on X and claimed it was a "backdoor" way for the government to control Australian access to the web.

Snapchat is wildly popular with underage users and weighed in on the proposed bill earlier this year.

Snap Inc said in a submission that experts did not support the bill and warned it could "deny young people access to valuable mental health and wellbeing resources". 

In September, billionaire Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel told The Sydney Morning Herald parents should control a child's access to social media, not the government.

"Parents have already got these tools today," he said. 

"We use the iOS-level controls and screen time to limit what our teen – we've got an almost 14-year-old at home – what he's able to use. 

"We have 'family centre' as well inside of Snapchat that allows parents to monitor their teens' activity on Snapchat and put in place more stringent content controls and things like that."

The woman also claims she was forced to have sex involving toys several times a week.

US President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, have opened their final holiday season at the White House with the annual turkey pardons and Christmas tree arrival before they hosted “friendsgiving” in New York City for US Coast Guard members and their families.

“Simply put, we owe you. We owe your families,” Biden said at US Coast Guard Sector New York on Staten Island.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

READ MORE: British man captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine

The meal was part of the first lady's Joining Forces initiative to support military families.

“With all my heart, thank you for your service and your sacrifice," she said before the president spoke.

Both then tied dark aprons with the presidential seal around their dress clothes and joined the chow line, where they served a side dish of roasted Brussels sprouts.

Celebrity chef Robert Irvine helped with the menu of turkey, ham, side dishes and desserts.

READ MORE: Trump threatens new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, China on first day in office

Earlier at the White House, Biden issued the traditional reprieve to turkeys Peach and Blossom who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in southern Minnesota.

He welcomed 2500 guests to the South Lawn under sunny skies as he joked about the birds' fates and sounded wistful about the approaching end of his half-century in Washington power circles.

“It’s been the honor of my life. I’m forever grateful,” Biden said of his single term as president.

The reins of power will transfer on January 20 to Republican president-elect Donald Trump, the man Biden defeated four years ago and was battling again until he was pressured to bow out of the race amid concerns about his age and viability. Biden is 82.

Biden relished the brief ceremony with the pardoned turkeys named for the official flower of his home state of Delaware.

“The peach pie in my state is one of my favorites,” he said during remarks that were occasionally interrupted by Peach gobbling atop a table to Biden's right.

READ MORE: Father of missing Hawaii woman found dead in Los Angeles, police say

“Peach is making a last-minute plea,” Biden said at one point.

Biden introduced Peach as a bird who “lives by the motto, ‘Keep calm and gobble on.’”

Blossom, the president said, has a different motto: “No fowl play. Just Minnesota nice.”

Peach and Blossom came from the farm of John Zimmerman, near the southern Minnesota city of Northfield.

Zimmerman, who has raised about 4 million turkeys, is president of the National Turkey Federation, which has gifted Thanksgiving turkeys to US presidents since the Truman administration after World War II.

President Harry Truman, however, preferred to eat the birds. Official pardon ceremonies did not become an annual White House tradition until the administration of President George H.W. Bush in 1989.

READ MORE: Special counsel drops Trump election subversion and classified documents cases

With their presidential reprieve, Peach and Blossom will live out their days at Farmamerica, an agriculture interpretative centre near Waseca in southern Minnesota.

The centre's aim is to promote agriculture and educate future farmers and others about agriculture in America.

The first lady also received the official White House Christmas tree that will be decorated and put on display in the Blue Room.

The 5.64 metres Fraser fir came from a farm in an area of western North Carolina that recently was devastated by Hurricane Helene.

Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm lost thousands of trees in the storm “but this one remained standing and they named it ‘Tremendous’ for the extraordinary hope that it represents,” Jill Biden said.

Biden began his long goodbye Friday night with a gala in a pavilion erected on the South Lawn for hundreds of friends, supporters, Cabinet secretaries, Democratic donors and long-serving staff members who came to hear from the president and pay tribute — despite Biden effectively being forced off the Democratic ticket this summer and then watching Vice President Kamala Harris suffer defeat on November 5.

“I’m so proud that we’ve done all of this with a deep belief in the core values of America,” said Biden, sporting a tuxedo for the black-tie event.

Setting aside his criticisms of Trump as a fundamental threat to democracy, Biden added his characteristic national cheerleading: “I fully believe that America is better positioned to lead the world today than at any point in my 50 years of public service.”

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

As the end of the year approaches, an overseas holiday looks appealing. But when it comes to the cost of living crisis, every dollar counts.

The weather on Christmas Days forecast to be a scattered mix of soaring temperatures, afternoon thunderstorms and a sprinkling of rain across the country.

With just under a month until December 25, the Bureau of Meterology and Accu Weather already has some long-range predictions for whether Christmas will bring rain, hail or shine.

The outlook is peachy for most capital cities with sunshine with minimal cloud cover, while some are expected to see some late afternoon storms.

Here's what the weather is forecast to look like on Christmas Day in each city.

READ MORE: Hoping for a hot, sunny summer? You'll get half of what you wished for

Sydney, New South Wales

Christmas Day in Sydney is forecast to be mostly sunny with a bit of cloud cover throughout the day.

The morning could bring some early showers but it's only expected to be 0.8mm rainfall at the most.

There's a slight possibility of thunderstorms for Sydneysiders and it's expected to hit a maximum of 24 degrees, a bit colder than last year's temperature which hit 28 degrees.

It's forecast to be about the same on Boxing Day with a maximum temperature of 25-degrees, but clear sunshine all day.

READ MORE: Blackout fears for two states as generators stay offline for scorching heat

Melbourne, Victoria

Melbourne is expected to be a little cooler than Sydney this year.

AccuWeather forecasts a top of 22 degrees with only a slight chance of showers.

Don't forget your sunscreen because the sun will be shining without much cloud cover on Christmas Day too.

Boxing Day will be much hotter, with temperatures reaching 28 degrees and a small change of thunderstorms during the day.

Brisbane, Queensland

It's forecast to be a scorcher in Brisbane on Christmas Day.

Temperatures are expected to it 30 degrees but it could feel like 33 degrees according to AccuWeather.

There's no chance of rain but could be a little cloudy throughout the day.

The evening may also bring some showers in Brisbane.

Temperatures will be a little cooler at 27 degrees on Boxing Day.

Canberra, ACT

Christmas Day in Australia's capital will be a warm day but still pleasant at 23 degrees.

It's forecast to be quite cloudy throughout the day with a small chance of rain.

The temperatures will drop to 11 degrees throughout the evening in true Canberra fashion.

December 26 is looking a little hotter at 25 degrees.

Perth, Western Australia

It's looking like a perfectly pleasant and sunny day in Perth this Christmas.

The temperature is forecast to be much cooler than last year at 25 degrees with a slight chance of rain throughout the day and evening.

Boxing Day will be much the same weatther at 24 degrees, cooling slightly in the evening.

Adelaide, South Australia 

Adelaide is predicted to enjoy a similarly sunny day with average temperatures.

It's forecast to reach 24 degrees on Christmas Day with a chance of some scattered showers throughout the day.

The next day will be the hot one – Boxing Day in Adelaide is forecast to reach 30 degrees.

READ MORE: Heavy fog impacts dozens of flights at Melbourne Airport

READ MORE: Australia's public holidays for 2024 and 2025: Make the most of your annual leave

Darwin, Northern Territory

Christmas Day may bring some thunderstorms for Darwin with tops of 32 degrees.

Morning showers are forecast with a bit of stormy weather and rain.

It'll still be a scorcher even into the night and the evening will also bring some showers.

Boxing Day will be a little warmer at 33 degrees and thunderstorms too.

Hobart, Tasmania

It'll likely be a lot cooler in Hobart with a top of 18 degrees forecast in Tasmania's capital on Christmas Day.

There will be a bit of cloud cover to shield from the sun and a slight chance of rain.

Boxing Day is expected to bring some thunderstorms in the afternoon in Hobart and a top of 21 degrees.

A teenage boy accused of murdering a grandmother during a carjacking faces more months behind bars before a magistrate decides if he will stand trial.

Vyleen Joan White, 70, died after being stabbed in the chest outside a shopping centre at Redbank Plains, west of Brisbane, on February 3.

Police alleged White was killed during the theft of her 2009 model Hyundai Getz hatchback.

READ MORE: Victoria introduces Australia's toughest pokie machine regulations

A 16-year-old boy from the nearby suburb of Bellbird Park was charged with one count each of murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and three counts of stealing.

The youth's charges had a committal mention in Ipswich Children's Court today but he was not required to appear in person or via video link from custody.

Crown prosecutor Chris Cook told Magistrate Melanie Ho that he had discussed potential dates for a committal hearing with the youth's solicitors at Hannay Lawyers.

"(Brief of evidence) disclosures have been made. The only item of substance outstanding is a statement on one of the issues with DNA. The Crown is content, if necessary, to proceed with a committal without that," Cook said.

Hannay Lawyers law clerk Jodie Layzell told Ho she consented to the dates suggested by the prosecution.

READ MORE: Heavy fog impacts dozens of flights at Melbourne Airport

Ho asked Cook if the committal hearing would last just one day.

"I would be surprised if it ran longer," Cook said.

He confirmed to Ho that he was still unsure of the exact number of witnesses who would give evidence at the committal.

Ho ordered that the youth face a committal hearing on March 14 and he would be required to appear in court.

The youth was remanded in custody.

Ho told Layzell she would need to file an application if the defence wished to cross-examine any witnesses.

White's death prompted changes to Queensland's juvenile justice laws and was mentioned by then-LNP opposition leader David Crisafulli in a debate with then-premier Steven Miles over youth crime before Labor's defeat at the October 26 state election.

Exclusive: An Australian woman arrested and convicted for inciting another person to murder her parents was caught after a podcast host uncovered a haunting "kill list" on the dark web.

The Canberra woman pleaded guilty in February after police accused her of trying to solicit a hitman's services online using Bitcoin. 

This "hitman", though, was a scam artist who was taking money for murders but never carrying them out.

READ MORE: Hoping for a hot, sunny summer? You'll get half of what you wished for

READ MORE: Judge delays sentencing decision for killer Menendez brothers

British author Carl Miller first stumbled across the Australian case after an IT expert found a horrifying murder-for-hire site on the dark net in 2020, 9news.com.au can reveal.

There was a fleeting mention of a high-profile Canberra couple who were assassination targets on the list in Miller's podcast Kill List, along with hundreds of other targets from the US, UK, Canada, India and Spain.

Miller alerted authorities in Australia's capital of the woman's plans to have her parents murdered in 2020 after she paid $6000 to the bogus hitman site.

His tip-off resulted in a conviction of inciting another person to murder after the woman, now 30, pleaded guilty in court before her trial began. 

The Australian Federal Police confirmed to 9news.com.au the podcast had played a role in their investigation.

She is yet to be sentenced in court.

"I remember it quite well, it was one of the first cases," Miller told 9news.com.au.

"When we first broke into the murder-for-hire site, this was one of the cases that we initially [saw] and identified."

The targets cannot be named for legal reasons, however Miller said they are "prominent business people in Canberra".

The identity of the woman has also been suppressed.

Do you have a story? Contact reporter April Glover at

Among the targets was US woman Amy Allwine, who was murdered by her husband Stephen Allwine in 2018 after her name appeared on the website.

It was too late for Amy, but Miller could try and save others from the same fate.

There were 500 names on the list but 175 had money change hands.

These people became Miller's priority as he combed through the list, found phone numbers and addresses and tried to alert them.

Since Miller's podcast was released, he has retired from working with police on the "kill list" and the website is now being accessed by authorities.

"No more having to comb through the most grotesque kind of orders you can possibly imagine," he said.

When asked if there are more scam hitman services sitting live on the dark web, he said: "We know there are".

"There's a whole industry of these things," Miller added gravely.

Kill List, from Wondery and Novel, is available everywhere you get your podcasts.

The former Auckland Central MP has died after a long battle with cancer.

Exclusive: Australians are braced for a stark cost-of-living Christmas this year, readers of Nine.com.au say.

The cost of living crisis isn't showing any signs of slowing down and it's hitting Australians where it hurts this holiday season.

According to an exclusive survey of 581 readers, high inflation will force Australians to tighten their belts even further.

READ MORE: More victims of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos named

The survey found 49 per cent of readers will be cutting spending on gifts, food and drinks due to cost of living constraints.

One reader said the rising cost of groceries and general living expenses has put a "dampener" on Christmas.

"Sadly, exchanging of gifts this year will be at an all time low. So disappointing," one said.

Another said their family will be sticking to a "tight budget" and are scrapping some major expenses.

READ MORE: What the Reserve Bank is looking at when it sets interest rates

"I can still have Christmas despite being on a tight budget. Make your own Christmas decorations and just have fun doing it," they said.

"My wife loves making things and cooking. Christmas is still going to be big but it's food and drinks that will be the only costs. No presents, just cards."

READ MORE: Major heatwave to sweep millions this week

Some survey respondents noted they can barely afford everyday expenses like bills or groceries and paying for Christmas feels like an impossibility.

However, 36 per cent of readers said they won't be making any financial changes at Christmas this year.

Another 15 per cent said they weren't sure if the cost of living will result in a budget Christmas just yet.

Research shared by The Salvation Army in Australia offered a similar grim snapshot of Christmas this year for millions of Aussies.

It also found more than half of Australians are expected to spend less on food during the festive season.

Another 48 per cent of people admitted they will slash spending on gifts.

*The nine.com.au poll, which runs once a fortnight, canvases the views of the nine audience on 9Nation, which is an online community of our readers and viewers.