Sunrise

Sydney petrol stations are implementing voluntary 50-litre purchase limits amid growing fuel shortage concerns. Independent service stations like Shell at Cromer are introducing these caps on a trust-based system, with owners relying on community relationships to enforce the restrictions. The limits significantly impact truck drivers who typically require 250-300 litres per fill, while average car...

South East Australia experiences its first winter cold snap with rain, hail and snow forecast for the Alps. Sydney faces severe storms with temperatures reaching 30 degrees before dropping to 20, while the Alps could receive 20-30 centimetres of snow above 1400 metres. Cyclone Narelle, currently a Category 3 system, is expected to strengthen to Category 4 and impact Western Australia's Kimberley a...

Surf Life Saving New South Wales operates drones across more than 80 beaches along the entire state coastline, conducting two flights per hour, seven days a week to detect sharks and protect swimmers and surfers. The drone program detected over 1,200 sharks during the 2026 summer season alone, using early detection systems and immediate response protocols including sirens, radio alerts to lifeguar...

Jack Simpson, an Australian barista, was crowned World Barista Champion in Milan after nearly a decade of dedication to his craft. The Melbourne International Coffee Expo features Simpson alongside cafe owners, roasters and coffee enthusiasts, showcasing equipment suppliers, roasters, milk companies and chocolate providers. Simpson emphasises the importance of quality equipment, fresh coffee withi...

A US jury has found Meta and Google guilty of negligence in a landmark social media addiction trial, ruling that the design of their platforms, not just content, caused mental health harm to users. The verdict opens the door to approximately 10,000 pending lawsuits in the US, with former Facebook Australian boss Stephen Skeeler noting that while addiction wasn't initially considered in early socia...

Australian Women's Weekly columnist Julie Goodwin demonstrates how to make a seafood pie topped with golden mashed potato using a béchamel sauce base with mustard and fresh dill. The recipe features ling and prawns but can be adapted with various seafood options including smoked fish, tinned tuna, scallops or mussels. The dish requires approximately 30 minutes of baking and can alternatively be to...

The Socceroos face Cameroon in a friendly match as final preparation for the FIFA World Cup. Players compete for selection in Tony Popovic's squad ahead of the tournament in the United States in June. The match coincides with a reunion of Australia's 2005 World Cup qualification squad at the iconic stadium where goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer made crucial penalty saves. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Whittlesea Bakehouse, a family-owned bakery north of Melbourne, has won the award for Australia's best hot cross buns, defeating more than 130 bakers nationwide. The bakery has previously claimed titles for best sausage rolls and plain mince pies, and recently placed third in the vanilla slice competition. Manager Adrian Caporetti attributes their success to quality ingredients, fresh spices, and...

Treasurer Jim Chalmers warns Australia could face an economic crisis comparable to the GFC as fuel prices surge 67% due to Middle East conflict disrupting supply through the Strait of Hormuz. The government is negotiating fuel supply deals with Asian countries, including potential energy swaps with Japan, while petrol stations across the country experience supply shortages. Australia's fuel distri...

The Prime Minister plans to convene National Cabinet on Monday to discuss emergency fuel-saving measures including public transport discounts, carpooling and work-from-home arrangements. The meeting follows international examples like South Korea asking citizens to reduce shower times and charge phones during daylight hours, and the Philippines considering grounding flights. A panel discussion als...

Australian households are increasingly using buy now, pay later services to manage everyday expenses amid rising costs and economic pressure from the Middle East conflict. Gen X leads spending at $693 monthly, followed by millennials at $613, with the services shifting from discretionary purchases to essential cash flow management. Financial experts express concern about younger generations using...

Dame Sarah Mullally has been installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to hold this position in the Church of England's 1,400-year history. The ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral was attended by approximately 2,000 people, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. In separate news, Pope Leo has appointed New South Wales Bishop Ant...

Australian farmers and trucking operators are facing severe financial pressure from a fuel crisis that has seen diesel prices double at the terminal gate. Independent fuel supply chains are particularly affected, with some operators forced to stop operating, while farmers ration fuel use and prioritise essential activities like harvesting. Industry leaders are calling for urgent government support...

Sydney Swans midfielder Isaac Heeney discusses his hamstring injury recovery and availability for the upcoming match against West Coast Eagles following the team's first loss of the 2026 season to Hawthorn. The Swans started the season with two consecutive wins before their bye round. Heeney is also working with Telstra on their footy grants programme, which has supported nearly 600 local football...

A four-storey medieval castle in Logan, Brisbane South, built by hand over 40 years by an 83-year-old artist, is going to auction. The unique property features gargoyles, gallows, stocks, and sits on 10 acres of land, with the owner's family now deciding to sell after four decades of residence. The fortress includes authentic medieval touches and could potentially be redeveloped into residential d...

The Australian government has access to emergency fuel rationing measures, including a potential $40 daily cap at petrol pumps, though Federal Transport Minister Catherine King states this is not currently being considered. The government is addressing fuel supply distribution challenges and price monitoring through the ACCC, while urging Australians to avoid hoarding fuel as it creates dangerous...

Queensland introduces nation-leading e-bike and e-scooter laws banning children under 16 from riding these devices, requiring all riders to hold a valid learner's permit or licence. The new laws, effective from 1 July, give police powers to seize and destroy illegal devices, with parents facing fines if their children are caught riding. The measures respond to over a dozen deaths and 6,000 injurie...

Queensland's Fitzroy River in Rockhampton requires major upgrades, including widening and dredging, to meet international standards for the 2032 Olympic rowing venue. The proposed upgrades carry an estimated cost of half a billion dollars, with early testing showing promise but concerns remaining about compliance with international requirements. Alternative venues are under consideration as debate...

Australian drivers face potential fuel rationing measures including a $40 cap at petrol stations as the government responds to supply chain disruptions caused by the Iran conflict. Over 166 petrol stations have run dry across the country, with demand spiking up to threefold in certain areas despite the government maintaining there is adequate national fuel supply. Housing Minister Clare O'Neill an...

Australian online shopping reached $82.6 billion in 2025, marking a 14% year-on-year increase, with 9.8 million households (82% of the country) regularly purchasing goods online. While average spending per transaction dropped to a five-year low of $96, Australians are shopping online more frequently, with four in ten shopping fortnightly. Millennials lead this trend, increasingly using AI tools no...

Iran and the United States are engaged in indirect diplomatic talks through intermediaries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Egypt, with a potential meeting in Islamabad expected within 24 to 48 hours. The discussions aim to find a diplomatic solution to Iranian military actions, including ballistic missile strikes and nuclear weapons pursuit, while US President Trump has paused planned...

South Melbourne Market, established in 1867, remains an iconic Melbourne destination featuring specialty food vendors like Emerald Hill Deli. The market's cheese shop has operated continuously since the market's beginning, with staff member Maria having worked there for 42 years. Popular cheeses include Lista Borgogna, various bries, artisan cheddars, and Australian craft cheeses from Top Paddock....

Two teenagers, aged 14 and 15, died after their motorbike collided with a bus in a dedicated transit way in Bosley Park, Western Sydney. Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone states the council had warned the New South Wales government for months about illegal motorbike and e-bike riders using the bus lane, with 20 to 30 riders reportedly playing chicken with buses. The mayor criticises the governmen...

A humpback whale has been spotted off Bondi Beach weeks ahead of the usual May migration period, heading north from Antarctic feeding grounds towards breeding areas. False killer whales, a rare species of oceanic dolphin, have also been sighted in Sydney Harbour by a local kayak tour operator. Pan-tropical spotted dolphins, capable of leaping over five metres high, have been documented off Sydney'...

The Australian Senate is voting today on whether to scrap cash payment mandates introduced earlier this year. Current rules require supermarkets and fuel retailers with turnover over $10 million to accept cash for in-person purchases under $500. Critics debate whether the mandate should be expanded to include pharmacies and medical services, or removed entirely due to costs imposed on businesses....