House in Essendon with links to convicted gangland figure goes up in flames

Man dies after taser deployed during SA arrest

A 44-year-old man died after becoming unresponsive during an arrest in South Australia's mid-north when police deployed a taser. Police were called to Opie Street around 12:30pm following reports the man was damaging property with a metal pole, and officers attempted to subdue him when he allegedly threatened them. A commissioner's inquiry has been launched to investigate the death, with body camera footage expected to be crucial to the investigation. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

One Nation surges ahead as major parties slump

One Nation has surged to 31% of the primary vote in the latest Newspoll, overtaking both Labor and the Coalition to become Australia's leading party. Labor and the Coalition combined now hold less than half of first preferences for the first time in history. The Prime Minister's approval rating has dropped to its lowest level since taking office in 2022, with voters indicating Australian politics is overdue for a major shake-up. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Big Freeze honours Neale Daniher's legacy

Melbourne's Big Freeze event proceeds for the first time without footy legend Neale Daniher, who passed away after a 13-year battle with motor neurone disease. Hundreds gather at Federation Square before marching to the MCG, where celebrities including Amy Shark, Andy Lee, and the Governor-General will ride the ice slide. The event aims to raise over $20 million for MND research, with rugby player Jai Arrow, recently diagnosed with MND himself, tossing the coin at the Melbourne-Collingwood match before a record-breaking crowd of 90,000. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Cancer pioneer Richard Scolyer dies after glioblastoma battle

Professor Richard Scolyer, former Australian of the Year and pioneering cancer researcher, has died after a three-year battle with glioblastoma. The renowned medical figure transformed melanoma treatment from a death sentence into a survivable disease through groundbreaking immunotherapy research spanning 35 years. After his own brain cancer diagnosis in May 2023, he became the first person in the world to receive experimental treatment based on his own melanoma research, turning his final battle into a scientific trial. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Westmead unit block fire forces overnight evacuation

A garage fire at a three-storey unit block in Westmead, Sydney's west, forced the evacuation of almost 20 residents from their beds just before 10pm. The building sustained extensive damage in the blaze, with three residents treated for smoke inhalation and transported to hospital as a precaution. An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.