November 18, 2025 • 11 mins
Donald Trump has announced the US is going to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
Schools are closed for a fourth day in multiple states due to fears of asbestos contamination.
Consumer Group, Choice has found nearly 75 percent of toys it purchased online failed a "button battery" test.
7NEWS Headlines with Edwina Bartholomew for November 19, 2025.
For more news, head to www.7news.com.au
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
A crucial vote is about to get underway in the
US House of Representatives. That aside whether the remaining Epstein
files will be released to the public. Let's go straight
to Marley Hogan in Washington, d C. Maney, Donald Trump
will be watching very.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Closely, Eddie. This is a day that Donald Trump had
been trying to avoid. He had labeled calls for the
Epstein files to be released as a Democratic hoax. He
had attempted to pressure members of his own party not
to support this bill. But the bipartisan bill was gaining
momentum and support from members of his own party to
(00:37):
a level that it was expected to pass with or
without his blessing. And it appears that the US President
has cave to that pressure. Two days ago he dropped
his opposition to the bill and told Republicans to support it,
and now it is expected to pass the House of
Representatives with overwhelming support. Now, while this has been a
big political battle, it is very personal for the victims
(00:58):
of Jeffrey Epstein. Many of the women are here today.
They spoke earlier about wanting to have their voices heard.
We actually spoke to the brother of Virginia Dufrey. One
of Epstein's most prominent accusers, who took her own life
in Australia earlier this year. How important would this day
have been to your sister?
Speaker 4 (01:20):
That's what she thought for I don't believe we'd be
standing here today without her advocacy, with what she was
able to accomplish. I mean, she should, she should be here.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
If they vote for it, what will that moment be?
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Like? I think it'll be a huge step forward for us,
But you know it's just the beginning of the road really,
because we do need champions in the Senate.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Now, if the bill passes the House, it still has
to go through the Senate and then be signed into
law by the US President. Donald Trump says that he
will do that if it makes it to that level.
But just to point out, the president also has the
power to just release the files now immediately. He can
make that order.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Eddie a momentus stay in Washington, DC. Thank you, Miley. Now,
while you were sleeping at global outage brought tech systems
to their knees. The web security software company cloud Flare,
which is used by thousands of companies worldwide, suffered a
network failure that lasted for hours. It meant air traffic
control systems went down at airports in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth,
(02:26):
delaying many flights. Apps like x Chat, gpt, Uber and
Spotify went offline. Cloud Flair described the outage as an
internal service degradation, which it's in the process of fixing.
Radio Titan John Laws will be farewelled in a state
funeral this afternoon. The ninety year old died last week
(02:46):
at his Sydney home. His funeral, held at S and
Andrew's Cathedral, will be attended by close friends and family,
as well as dignitaries. Actor Russell Crowe will deliver the
eulogy and John Williamson will perform a musical tribute. Have
live coverage right here with Michae Lusher on seven from
one pm. The Victorian Liberal Party has elected its first
(03:07):
ever female leader, Jess Wilson. At thirty five, she'll become
the state's youngest premier if she should topple just into
Allen at next year's election. Yesterday, she outlined her key priorities.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Reducing the cost of living.
Speaker 5 (03:23):
I will ensure that we end the crime crisis in
this state, quality healthcare for Victorians.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Outgoing opposition leader Brad Batten has been booted to the backbench.
Quensand teachers of an auntser walking off the job for
a second time this year as pay talks break down.
Fifty thousand teachers will strike next Tuesday, the same day
as some year eleven exams. The industrial action will affect
more than half a million students with less than four
(03:50):
weeks to go in the school term. There's been a
fresh triple zero tragedy, a Southwest Sydney man dying from
a heart attack when his wife couldn't connect with the
emergence services.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
She couldn't get.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Through because her mobile phone software hadn't been updated on
her Samsung phone.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
This is a person, an Australian who has family members,
loved ones, people who care about them.
Speaker 5 (04:14):
It would be great if they could do a little more, like,
for example, having their call center try to call and
reach these people as that sort of a second layer.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Telco Giant TPG is offered its sincere condolences tech experts
of warning people to make sure they regularly update their phones.
The bosses of two major banks have been grilled in
the nation's capital. Westpac and Commonwealth Bank chiefs gave starkly
different views on when we could see another interest rate cut.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
For the near one third of Australian households with a mortgage.
The country's biggest mortgage lin day.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
More than six hundred billion dollars of.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Home lines, has a deflating forecast.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
No, I don't think our reduction in the cash raiders
is likely in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
No rate cuts. WESTPEC disagree, likely two rate cuts next
year in May and August. The bank bosses dragged into
a couple of political punch ups today courtesy questions from
the House Economics Committee. As the coalition dumps net zero
emissions by twenty to fifty. Westpac talks up the transition
(05:18):
away from fossil fuels.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Nation building opportunity of a lifetime.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
The Commonwealth Bank says the Albanese government's new emissions target
is important but hard work.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
I think it's very I think it's stretching, but you
know it's an ambitious target by its design.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Committee members here also questioned the bank chiefs on the
coalition's next big policy rethink. Net overseas migration above three
hundred thousand in the year to March is forecast to fall,
but not as much as the coalition, nor apparently the
banks reckon it should.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Perhaps that number is something in the order of one
hundred and eighty thousand per annum.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Sure, Matt's very close to write, if not right. Tim
Lester seven.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
News, there's some pictures justin now. Donald Trump has announced
the US is going to sell F thirty five fighter
jets to Saudi Arabia. It comes as he welcomes the
Saudi crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmon to the White House.
This is their first meeting in Washington, d C. Since
Saudi agents brutally murdered journalist Jamal Koshoki seven years ago.
(06:27):
Donald Trump describing the prince as a great ally of
the United States. So African neo Nazi Matthew Gruter is
in immigration detention this morning, expecting to be deported along
with his wife and child. Gruterer is being boosted out
after he appeared at an anti Jewish rally in Sydney yesterday.
A fellow neo Nazi tried to ambush the Prime Minister
(06:48):
south of Perth while he was visiting at w A.
Here's what happened.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
A bit lonely, not at all, and with fellow white people.
Speaker 6 (07:00):
Who you report it.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Gruta can challenge his deportation in court, but it's unlikely
to succeed. Schools are closed for a fourth day in
multiple states due to fears of asbestos contamination. The number
of schools in childcare centers found to be using the
contaminated Kadink sand in Victoria has grown to more than
nine hundred. There are three hundred and fifty in South
(07:22):
Australia and more than forty in Tasmania and the Act.
Some states like New South Wales and Queensland are yet
to reveal how many of their schools are affected. A
city siters can sin be slugged with a two way
toll on the Harbor Bridge. They already pay a toll
when troubling south, Soon they could be forced to fork
out when they head north to The Premier says it's
(07:42):
to help pay for the sixty dollars cap, which allows
drivers to claim rebates of up to three hundred and
forty dollars. The extra toll won't come into effect until
the Western Harbor Tunnel opens. The heartbroken parents of two
Australian teenagers fatally poisoned in laoos of S spoken out
with the warning to other schoolies. They've launched a national
(08:04):
campaign about the dangers of alcohol tainted with methanol.
Speaker 6 (08:09):
Back to where their nightmare began, the International Terminal where
the parents of Holly Bowls and Bianca Jones farewelled their
daughters for the last time. Both were fatally poisoned on
their gap year in Laos.
Speaker 7 (08:23):
Very very wrong, especially the departure and trucks there where
we see out goodbye to our girls.
Speaker 6 (08:30):
The grieving mothers have helped launch a new national campaign
on planes, airports and social media, warning schoolies and other
young travelers about the dangers of methanol poisoning. They were
smart and they knew how to look after themselves. The
nineteen year old best friends died after being served contaminated
alcohol at their youth hostel last year.
Speaker 7 (08:53):
I think that parents should have the conversation to set
them down before they go away.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
Make sure they know what to do if they do
get sick.
Speaker 6 (09:01):
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says she's pressed the Lous government
fifty times for an update on the poisonings which claimed
six lives, but still no one has been charged.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
We've made clear to Laos this matters to Australia.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
It matters to the families.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
We want full accountability, and we're really angry. This weekend
marks one year since Holly and Bianca passed away. Their
families say they're planning on going away together and doing
something special to remember their girls.
Speaker 7 (09:33):
We might never have answers, but we're going to keep trying,
and we're not going to stop.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Beth and Yeomen seven News consumer group Choice has found
nearly seventy five percent of toys that purchase online failed
a button battery test. It's a serious warning to parents
head of Christmas. The cheap and colorful presence could be
death traps.
Speaker 8 (09:55):
They may look flash to dazzle kids, but these toys
are drawing attention for all the wrong reasons.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
So with this one, it is very very easy to
open the compartment key change.
Speaker 8 (10:08):
You can pull apart light up batteries small enough to swallow.
Seventeen out of twenty four tested products failing safety standards.
Speaker 5 (10:17):
Sadly, we've had three little ones die as a result
of swallowing button batteries in five years.
Speaker 8 (10:23):
Choice finding Sheen, Ali Express and eBay pieces with button
batteries had serious failures, dodgy compartments and a lack of
warning labels. Only two of five from Amazon past the
safety tests, Cogan came out on top, meeting mandatory standards.
Speaker 5 (10:40):
We recommend avoiding the cheap online sellers because time and
time again that's where we find that safety failures arise.
Speaker 8 (10:47):
Under Australian law, products must have secure and screw shut
compartments and clear safety warnings. The worry is that online
marketplaces aren't held to the same national standard as local manufacturers, and.
Speaker 5 (11:02):
So we're calling for stronger safety laws. And really it
shouldn't be up to parents to have to check. They
should have the confidence that is what is for sale
is safe.
Speaker 8 (11:12):
Angelique Op seven News.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Checking Wednesdays where they now are Mercy sunny in Brisbane,
heading for twenty eight degrees sunnay in City twenty nine
camera most is sunny the top of twenty eight cam
Ram mostly sunny, Melbourne Brother mostly Sunday in twenty two,
A late chow for Hobart heading for sixteen degrees, Adelaide,
mostly sunny twenty one per the late chower thirty two
and mostly cloudy in Darwin thirty five
Good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
A crucial vote is about to get underway in the
US House of Representatives. That aside whether the remaining Epstein
files will be released to the public. Let's go straight
to Marley Hogan in Washington, d C. Maney, Donald Trump
will be watching very.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Closely, Eddie. This is a day that Donald Trump had
been trying to avoid. He had labeled calls for the
Epstein files to be released as a Democratic hoax. He
had attempted to pressure members of his own party not
to support this bill. But the bipartisan bill was gaining
momentum and support from members of his own party to
(00:37):
a level that it was expected to pass with or
without his blessing. And it appears that the US President
has cave to that pressure. Two days ago he dropped
his opposition to the bill and told Republicans to support it,
and now it is expected to pass the House of
Representatives with overwhelming support. Now, while this has been a
big political battle, it is very personal for the victims
(00:58):
of Jeffrey Epstein. Many of the women are here today.
They spoke earlier about wanting to have their voices heard.
We actually spoke to the brother of Virginia Dufrey. One
of Epstein's most prominent accusers, who took her own life
in Australia earlier this year. How important would this day
have been to your sister?
Speaker 4 (01:20):
That's what she thought for I don't believe we'd be
standing here today without her advocacy, with what she was
able to accomplish. I mean, she should, she should be here.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
If they vote for it, what will that moment be?
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Like? I think it'll be a huge step forward for us,
But you know it's just the beginning of the road really,
because we do need champions in the Senate.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Now, if the bill passes the House, it still has
to go through the Senate and then be signed into
law by the US President. Donald Trump says that he
will do that if it makes it to that level.
But just to point out, the president also has the
power to just release the files now immediately. He can
make that order.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Eddie a momentus stay in Washington, DC. Thank you, Miley. Now,
while you were sleeping at global outage brought tech systems
to their knees. The web security software company cloud Flare,
which is used by thousands of companies worldwide, suffered a
network failure that lasted for hours. It meant air traffic
control systems went down at airports in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth,
(02:26):
delaying many flights. Apps like x Chat, gpt, Uber and
Spotify went offline. Cloud Flair described the outage as an
internal service degradation, which it's in the process of fixing.
Radio Titan John Laws will be farewelled in a state
funeral this afternoon. The ninety year old died last week
(02:46):
at his Sydney home. His funeral, held at S and
Andrew's Cathedral, will be attended by close friends and family,
as well as dignitaries. Actor Russell Crowe will deliver the
eulogy and John Williamson will perform a musical tribute. Have
live coverage right here with Michae Lusher on seven from
one pm. The Victorian Liberal Party has elected its first
(03:07):
ever female leader, Jess Wilson. At thirty five, she'll become
the state's youngest premier if she should topple just into
Allen at next year's election. Yesterday, she outlined her key priorities.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Reducing the cost of living.
Speaker 5 (03:23):
I will ensure that we end the crime crisis in
this state, quality healthcare for Victorians.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Outgoing opposition leader Brad Batten has been booted to the backbench.
Quensand teachers of an auntser walking off the job for
a second time this year as pay talks break down.
Fifty thousand teachers will strike next Tuesday, the same day
as some year eleven exams. The industrial action will affect
more than half a million students with less than four
(03:50):
weeks to go in the school term. There's been a
fresh triple zero tragedy, a Southwest Sydney man dying from
a heart attack when his wife couldn't connect with the
emergence services.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
She couldn't get.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Through because her mobile phone software hadn't been updated on
her Samsung phone.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
This is a person, an Australian who has family members,
loved ones, people who care about them.
Speaker 5 (04:14):
It would be great if they could do a little more, like,
for example, having their call center try to call and
reach these people as that sort of a second layer.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Telco Giant TPG is offered its sincere condolences tech experts
of warning people to make sure they regularly update their phones.
The bosses of two major banks have been grilled in
the nation's capital. Westpac and Commonwealth Bank chiefs gave starkly
different views on when we could see another interest rate cut.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
For the near one third of Australian households with a mortgage.
The country's biggest mortgage lin day.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
More than six hundred billion dollars of.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Home lines, has a deflating forecast.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
No, I don't think our reduction in the cash raiders
is likely in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
No rate cuts. WESTPEC disagree, likely two rate cuts next
year in May and August. The bank bosses dragged into
a couple of political punch ups today courtesy questions from
the House Economics Committee. As the coalition dumps net zero
emissions by twenty to fifty. Westpac talks up the transition
(05:18):
away from fossil fuels.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Nation building opportunity of a lifetime.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
The Commonwealth Bank says the Albanese government's new emissions target
is important but hard work.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
I think it's very I think it's stretching, but you
know it's an ambitious target by its design.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Committee members here also questioned the bank chiefs on the
coalition's next big policy rethink. Net overseas migration above three
hundred thousand in the year to March is forecast to fall,
but not as much as the coalition, nor apparently the
banks reckon it should.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Perhaps that number is something in the order of one
hundred and eighty thousand per annum.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Sure, Matt's very close to write, if not right. Tim
Lester seven.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
News, there's some pictures justin now. Donald Trump has announced
the US is going to sell F thirty five fighter
jets to Saudi Arabia. It comes as he welcomes the
Saudi crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmon to the White House.
This is their first meeting in Washington, d C. Since
Saudi agents brutally murdered journalist Jamal Koshoki seven years ago.
(06:27):
Donald Trump describing the prince as a great ally of
the United States. So African neo Nazi Matthew Gruter is
in immigration detention this morning, expecting to be deported along
with his wife and child. Gruterer is being boosted out
after he appeared at an anti Jewish rally in Sydney yesterday.
A fellow neo Nazi tried to ambush the Prime Minister
(06:48):
south of Perth while he was visiting at w A.
Here's what happened.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
A bit lonely, not at all, and with fellow white people.
Speaker 6 (07:00):
Who you report it.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Gruta can challenge his deportation in court, but it's unlikely
to succeed. Schools are closed for a fourth day in
multiple states due to fears of asbestos contamination. The number
of schools in childcare centers found to be using the
contaminated Kadink sand in Victoria has grown to more than
nine hundred. There are three hundred and fifty in South
(07:22):
Australia and more than forty in Tasmania and the Act.
Some states like New South Wales and Queensland are yet
to reveal how many of their schools are affected. A
city siters can sin be slugged with a two way
toll on the Harbor Bridge. They already pay a toll
when troubling south, Soon they could be forced to fork
out when they head north to The Premier says it's
(07:42):
to help pay for the sixty dollars cap, which allows
drivers to claim rebates of up to three hundred and
forty dollars. The extra toll won't come into effect until
the Western Harbor Tunnel opens. The heartbroken parents of two
Australian teenagers fatally poisoned in laoos of S spoken out
with the warning to other schoolies. They've launched a national
(08:04):
campaign about the dangers of alcohol tainted with methanol.
Speaker 6 (08:09):
Back to where their nightmare began, the International Terminal where
the parents of Holly Bowls and Bianca Jones farewelled their
daughters for the last time. Both were fatally poisoned on
their gap year in Laos.
Speaker 7 (08:23):
Very very wrong, especially the departure and trucks there where
we see out goodbye to our girls.
Speaker 6 (08:30):
The grieving mothers have helped launch a new national campaign
on planes, airports and social media, warning schoolies and other
young travelers about the dangers of methanol poisoning. They were
smart and they knew how to look after themselves. The
nineteen year old best friends died after being served contaminated
alcohol at their youth hostel last year.
Speaker 7 (08:53):
I think that parents should have the conversation to set
them down before they go away.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
Make sure they know what to do if they do
get sick.
Speaker 6 (09:01):
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says she's pressed the Lous government
fifty times for an update on the poisonings which claimed
six lives, but still no one has been charged.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
We've made clear to Laos this matters to Australia.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
It matters to the families.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
We want full accountability, and we're really angry. This weekend
marks one year since Holly and Bianca passed away. Their
families say they're planning on going away together and doing
something special to remember their girls.
Speaker 7 (09:33):
We might never have answers, but we're going to keep trying,
and we're not going to stop.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Beth and Yeomen seven News consumer group Choice has found
nearly seventy five percent of toys that purchase online failed
a button battery test. It's a serious warning to parents
head of Christmas. The cheap and colorful presence could be
death traps.
Speaker 8 (09:55):
They may look flash to dazzle kids, but these toys
are drawing attention for all the wrong reasons.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
So with this one, it is very very easy to
open the compartment key change.
Speaker 8 (10:08):
You can pull apart light up batteries small enough to swallow.
Seventeen out of twenty four tested products failing safety standards.
Speaker 5 (10:17):
Sadly, we've had three little ones die as a result
of swallowing button batteries in five years.
Speaker 8 (10:23):
Choice finding Sheen, Ali Express and eBay pieces with button
batteries had serious failures, dodgy compartments and a lack of
warning labels. Only two of five from Amazon past the
safety tests, Cogan came out on top, meeting mandatory standards.
Speaker 5 (10:40):
We recommend avoiding the cheap online sellers because time and
time again that's where we find that safety failures arise.
Speaker 8 (10:47):
Under Australian law, products must have secure and screw shut
compartments and clear safety warnings. The worry is that online
marketplaces aren't held to the same national standard as local manufacturers, and.
Speaker 5 (11:02):
So we're calling for stronger safety laws. And really it
shouldn't be up to parents to have to check. They
should have the confidence that is what is for sale
is safe.
Speaker 8 (11:12):
Angelique Op seven News.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Checking Wednesdays where they now are Mercy sunny in Brisbane,
heading for twenty eight degrees sunnay in City twenty nine
camera most is sunny the top of twenty eight cam
Ram mostly sunny, Melbourne Brother mostly Sunday in twenty two,
A late chow for Hobart heading for sixteen degrees, Adelaide,
mostly sunny twenty one per the late chower thirty two
and mostly cloudy in Darwin thirty five
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