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The majority of the US Senate's voted to block a resolution to stop military action against Iran, and this has effectively backed Donald Trump's campaign in the Middle East.Democrats and a few Republicans want attacks on Iran to be authorised by Congress given the US Constitution says only Congress has the power to declare war, not the president.This comes as members of the Trump Administration talk up the US's dominance over Iran.They've highlighted the sinking of an Iranian warship in the Indian ocean and moves to take full control of the country's airspace.New Zealand's ordered two military aircraft to the Middle East in preparation to evacuate its citizens from the region.The federal opposition argues the Australian Government should do the same.But Foreign Minister Penny Wong says commercial flights are the best way to get people out and the first of those are starting to arrive in Australia.The Middle East conflict is hitting people hard at the bowser but motoring groups say petrol prices rises are not justified, at least not yet.They're angry prices have jumped quickly after the conflict broke out and want the competition and consumer watchdog to make sure the margins are fair and not needlessly taking advantage of panicked customers.The Australian Government's warning that if the conflict drags on the economic impact through high energy prices and inflation could be significant. 

Motoring bodies in Australia are accusing petrol retailers of unfairly pushing up prices and taking advantage of the conflict and chaos in the Middle East.They argue while oil supplies have been disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz, that doesn't mean prices should jump up straight away, when fuel stocks haven't been depleted.The federal government's urging the competition and consumer watchdog to keep an eye on prices, while warning retailers not to use the war as an excuse to rip off motorists.The shadow defence minister wants the government to consider sending military planes to the Middle East to help repatriate stranded Australians.It's estimated more than 100,000 Australians are currently in the region including those living and working in the area.The first passenger flights have started to return to Australia since the conflict broke out and it appears Iran's struck a deal with countries with major airport hubs to keep those airspaces out of harm's way.Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visiting Canberra for a meeting with Australian PM Anthony Albanese.He's delivering a speech to federal parliament after now conceding the US and Israel's war in Iran is likely illegal.He wants all parties involved to seek diplomacy.

More Australians are expected to touch down on home soil today, as passenger flights continue to leave from the Middle East.Backchannel diplomacy between Iran and some countries where major airports are based is paving the way for special flights to leave.The government estimates about more than 100,000 Australians are stuck in the Middle East including those living and working in the region.But the government warns the latest flights could be cancelled if there are safety concerns.In other developments relating to the war in the Middle East, a US submarine attack on an Iranian warship's killed more than than 80 sailors off the Sri Lankan coastThe Trump Administration's warning the air force will have complete control of Iran's skies within days.And world leaders are calling for de-escalation in southern Lebanon as Israel warns residents to evacuate as it attacks the militant group Hezbollah.In other news, former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn's lost his bid for bail as he awaits a retrial for the alleged murder of an elderly camper in the Victorian High Country.An appeal court quashed his conviction late last year, and since then he's been making a bid for release.His defence team argued the "exceptional circumstances" of the case meant Mr Lynn should be bailed to live with his son, adding that widespread "sensational" media coverage had "totally obliterated" the possibility of a fair trial in the foreseeable future.

As the conflict in the Middle East rages, its impacts are being felt here.Stranded Australians are finally starting to return home on commercial flights from the region.One of Australia's main motoring bodies is referring major fuel retailers to the competition and consumer watchdog for pumping up petrol prices less than three days after the conflict broke out.The NRMA says prices in the majority of the nation's capital cities have already ballooned despite overseas disruptions taking seven to ten days to impact fuel prices.The White House says the US may start escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, as energy prices rise, so they aren't attacked by Iranian forces.The waterway's a key artery for around a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supply.The foreign minister Penny Wong says the government's "deeply concerned" the conflict in the Middle East is spreading, pointing out that Iran's now struck Türkiye which is a NATO country.Israel's also telling people in a large part of Lebanon to evacuate as it targets the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.Fans are descending on Albert Park in Melbourne for the first day of the  Formula-One Australian Grand Prix.Tickets to Friday, Saturday and Sunday sold out in record time and organisers expect hundreds of thousands of people to attend over the four days. 

The Foreign Minister says another three Australia-bound flights are scheduled to leave from the United Arab Emirates today, as countries around the world try and get their citizens out of the Middle East.The Federal Government estimates more than 100,000 Australians are currently stuck in the region during the ongoing conflict.Overnight an Emirates flight from the Dubai touched down in Sydney, and passengers had emotional reunions with loved ones.The bombardment of gulf states seems to have subsided and details are emerging of a backchannel deal with Iran to open safe flight corridors from those busy airport hubs.Now the focus has shifted to intense fighting between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, which is aligned with Iran, and a large part of the population in Lebanon is being forced to evacuate.The French president's urging Hezbollah to stop attacking Israel and the country's military to refrain from any ground offensive into Lebanon.The US has also torpedoed an Iranian warship in the Indian ocean and the Trump Administration says it along with Israel will have complete control of Iran's airspace within a week.While that's going on, stories are emerging of Australians panic buying fuel due to fears the conflict will cut supplies.The federal treasurer is warning petrol stations not to use the chaos as an excuse to rip off motorists.The government's asked the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to monitor prices at the bowser during the ongoing war.

War in the Middle East is dominating headlines again this morning.There have been cheers and tears of relief at Sydney airport last night, as the first passengers to escape the conflict zone touched down on home soil on a commercial flight from Dubai.The first of six Federal Government crisis teams are on their way to the Middle East to assist thousands of stranded Australians.The government won't say where the teams are travelling due to security concerns.The Trump Administration says the Iranian regime is 'toast' and the secretary of war has also been talking up the torpedoing of an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, killing a large number of sailors on board.Israel's demanding the total evacuation of southern Lebanon as it expands strikes against Hezbollah which initially fired rockets at Israel in solidarity with Iran.NATO's shot down an Iranian ballistic missile which entered Turkish airspace, marking the first time a member of the alliance has been drawn into the conflict.Heavy rain is set to drench communities across parts of North Queensland, as a potential cyclone looms over the Coral Sea.The system's currently hundreds of kilometres east north east of Cairns.The weather bureau says there's a moderate chance it'll strengthen into a cyclone, before making landfall tomorrow.Forecasters are warning of severe impacts such as strong winds and flash flooding.

There have been emotional scenes at Sydney Airport after the first flight from the Middle East to Australia arrived safely late last night.Thousands of Australians remain stranded in the region. A second commercial flight is expected to leave Abu Dhabi later today.The federal government's also sending crisis teams to the region to help the thousands of Australians.Countries around the world are chartering repatriation flights from the Middle East, in an enormous logistical exercise that's likely to take days.There have been other developments relating to the conflict...Sri Lankan officials say at least 87 people have been killed after the United States torpedoed an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean.The latest figures show about 200 international oil tankers are stuck after traffic through the Strait of Hormuz ground to a halt, as owners wait to see if it's safe to cross through.The Australian treasurer's warning of big economic consequences impacting oil and gas prices as well as inflation.In other news, the alleged attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally in Perth has sparked a federal parliamentary inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Indigenous people.Police allege Liam Alexander Hall threw a homemade bomb into the crowd in Perth's CBD on January the 26th.The Labor-dominated committee is expected to explore the role of social media, and discuss ways to combat racism.Parts of North Queensland are on cyclone watch.The weather bureau says there's a moderate chance of a tropical low developing into a cyclone before making landfall between Cairns and Innisfail tomorrow.Heavy rain's forecast and winds are expected to pick up tomorrow.Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn will today learn if he'll be bailed as he awaits a retrial for the murder of Carol Clay in a remote campsite in Victoria's High Country.Mr Lynn's conviction for the murder of Ms Clay was overturned last year.Last week, Mr Lynn's defence team argued "exceptional circumstances" of the case meant their client should be released on bail to live with his son.

Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

Explosions are sounding in Tehran, as the US and Israel's joint military campaign on Iran enters day five.The US military says it's struck more than two thousand targets, while Iran has launched over 500 ballistic missiles, and more than two thousand drones, in retaliation.President Donald Trump says America has knocked out much of Iran's military and killed senior figures of its regimehuman rights activists report more than one thousand civilians have died in Iran since the start of the conflict.The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is surging consular capacity in response to the escalating Middle East war.Six crisis response teams are being sent to the middle east to help the thousands of Australians who are stranded in the region.Meanwhile, more than 200 Australians are on board a flight from Dubai to Sydney, the first since planes were grounded.WA's two AFL clubs have paid tribute to the sport's iconic commentator Dennis Cometti, who's died at the age of 76.Known for his one-liners and and expert timing, Cometti also called some of Australia's greatest moments at three Olympic Games.The West Coast Eagles say the club is deeply saddened by the news of his passing, reflecting on his memorable call of the team's 1992 Grand Final win.The Fremantle Dockers say the club's thoughts are with Cometti's family, remembering the commentator as a "true icon who saw and called the game like no other." 

US President Donald Trump says his country has knocked out much of Iran's military and killed senior figures of its regime.Both the US and Israel are conducting fresh strikes on Iran.Israel is also warning residents in parts of Lebanon to leave their homes ahead of what it says will be further attacks against Iran-backed group Hezbollah.Human rights activists say more than 1,000 civilians have been reported killed in Iran since the war began.The federal government is sending crisis teams to the Middle East to help Australians who are stuck in the region.It's estimated more than 115,000 Australians are stranded due to the ongoing conflict.Foreign Minister Penny Wong has revealed six new response teams will be deployed to  provide extra consular support.The minister wouldn't say how or where the teams were travelling due to security reasons.South Australia Police says "members" of Gus Lamont's family are "not cooperating" with investigations.The four-year-old disappeared from Oak Park Station in the state's mid north in September last year.Authorities have previously said a person residing at the Station is no longer cooperating and that police considered them a suspect.

The war in the Middle East is continuing to intensify with Israel and Iran trading more airstrikes on day four of the conflict.The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says more than one-thousand civilians have been reported killed in Iran since the 28th of February.The Israeli military says it's launched another broad wave of strikes on Iran while Hezbollah sites have also been targeted in Lebanon where authorities there say 50 people have been killed.The federal government is sending six crisis response teams to the Middle East to help the thousands of Australians stranded in the region.Foreign Minister Penny Wong won't reveal exactly where the teams will be going but she says they'll be assisting diplomats on the ground.Senator Wong says she's pleased one flight has taken off from Dubai and is on its way to Sydney.However, she says there are "many thousands" of Australians in the Middle East who need help.Legendary West Australian sport commentator Dennis Cometti has died, at 76.A former player and coach of WAFL club West Perth, Cometti began broadcasting in 1968.After 13 years at the ABC he joined Channel Seven in 1986, and became an icon of Australian broadcasting.

Israel says it's begun a fresh wave of airstrikes against Iran, targeting launch sites, defence systems and additional infrastructure of the Iranian regime.It says its fighter jets have also struck an underground nuclear site where it claims scientists were covertly developing a key component for nuclear weapons.Meanwhile, Iran has continued its own campaign of strikes on Israel and US-allied Gulf countries with the UAE saying it's faced more than one thousand attacks.It comes amid reports the former supreme leader son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been appointed as the new leader of the Islamic Republic.New figures show the Australian economy grew two point six per cent in the December quarter, year on year.It's a much higher rate of growth than expected and coincides with the reserve bank recently lifting interest rates.But with global markets taking a hit amid war in the middle east, and oil prices spiking, it's unclear how the world economy will be affected in the coming weeks and months.Liberal leader Angus Taylor has defended his party's decision to suppress the findings of an internal review into its disastrous 2025 election loss.The findings were leaked in recent days with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also tabling the review in parliament yesterday.Mr Taylor says the party's developing a plan to improve the Liberal's electoral appeal.

The first flight from Dubai to Australia since Israel and the US invaded Iran has departed the United Arab Emirates.The Emirates flight to Sydney is the first to leave the UAE for Australia since the airspace was closed and travel halted due to the war in the middle east.Approximately 115 thousand Australians are in the area, and the foreign minister says the government's continuing to monitor the resumption of commercial flights.There are reports coming out of Iran that Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen as the new leader of the Islamic Republic.Iran International, citing information from Iran's remaining leadership, said the former supreme leader's second-eldest son, Mojtaba, has been appointed.It's been reported the decision has been made hurriedly, under pressure from Iran's Revolutionary Guard.Unions are pushing to increase annual leave entitlements for full-time workers to a minimum of five weeks, aiming to ease work pressures and compensate for unpaid hours.The Australian Council of Trade Unions will lobby for the extra week of leave to be added to the National Employment Standards as part of an upcoming federal inquiry.The ACTU says it's been 50 years since leave entitlements were updated.

The French president says his country doesn't condone the US and Israeli military action against Iran, and that the operation is taking place outside international law.But, Mr Macron has told a televised address, that Iran bears primary responsibility for the current war.He's ordered France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to move to the Mediterranean to help protect allied assets in the Middle East.The death toll from US-Israeli strikes in Iran is believed to be nearing 800 since bombing began on Saturday.The International Atomic Energy Agency says it has no evidence of Iran building a nuclear bomb.But the agency's director-general says that it's cause for serious concern that Iran had stockpiled near-weapons-grade enriched uranium and refused to grant inspectors access.He says unless Iran assists the nuclear watchdog in resolving outstanding problems, the agency wouldn't be in a position to provide assurance that the country's nuclear program is peaceful.The weather bureau's warning a tropical low will bring heavy rainfall and a possible cyclone to Queensland's north tropical coast as it approaches the mainland over coming days.A deluge saw roads cut and communities isolated in north Queensland around Ingham this week, and floodwater's still draining from the area.The tropical low's expected to cross the Queensland coast between Cooktown and Townsville tomorrow or Friday, and there's a 30 per cent chance the system could develop to a category one cyclone.

After twenty five years dominating Sydney's airwaves, the legendary partnership of Jackie "O" Henderson and Kyle Sandilands has come to an abrupt and dramatic end.

US President Donald Trump says the US navy will, if necessary, escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.Iran has blocked the narrow strip between the Gulf and the Indian Ocean, through which about a fifth of global oil and gas is transported.Gas and oil prices have surged and world stock markets are tumbling as concerns grow about how long the conflict with Iran will last.Shadow foreign minister Ted O'Brien has accused the government of not doing enough to warn Australians about the dangers of travelling to the Middle East before the outbreak of the conflict.The government began offering voluntary departures to the families of Australian diplomats and officials in the region last Wednesday, before the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.Mr O'Brien says it took the government another three days before it issued 'do no travel' advice for a number of the impacted countries.The government says a flight is scheduled to depart from Dubai to Sydney this morning, but will depend on airspace remaining safe.New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has expressed sadness at the break-up of veteran Australian broadcasting duo Kyle and Jackie O, on whose show he's been a regular guest.Jackie Henderson quit as co host of the Kyle and Jackie O show after an on-air argument last month, ending her 100 million dollar contractThe pair have drawn regular controversy across their 25-year partnership and was found to have breached radio codes of practice a dozen times just in the last year.

US President Donald Trump says Iran now has no navy, no air force and no air defences because they've all been knocked out by the US and Israel.He says the US navy is prepared to start escorting oil and gas tankers through the Strait of Hormuz to counter rising energy prices as a result of the escalating middle east war.But he also told journalists at the White House he believed Iran was going to attack first, which is at odds with with comments from his secretary of state Marco Rubio, and causing confusion around the reasons for the US going to war.The Foreign Minister says a flight is scheduled to depart from Dubai to Sydney this morning, but will depend on airspace remaining safe.The government estimates there are up to 115-thousand Australians in the Middle East - which includes residents and those in transit, with many stranded due to the ongoing conflict.Penny Wong says the best way to get people out is to resume commercial flights.Liberals have called billionaire James Packer's donation to conservative group 'Advance' a worrying sign.Mr Packer hadn't made a political donation for more than a decade until his $150 thousand contribution to Advance in 2024.Liberal MPs say its more evidence of the conservative lobby group's growing influence.