August 21, 2025 • 8 mins
The Menendez brothers are appearing before a California parole board to beg for their freedom 36 years after murdering their parents.
Education Ministers from around the country will meet today for urgent talks to tackle the childcare safety crisis.
The White House is pushing for it but Russia is stalling on a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.
7NEWS Headlines with Monique Wright for August 22, 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. We want to get straight to a breaking
weather emergency as we go to air this morning. Dozens
of communities from Sydney to the Queensland border are under
urgent warnings, with millions of residents across New South Wales
being told to stay alert. Record breaking rainfall has smashed
the state, dumping a month's worth of rain on Sydney
in just twenty four hours. Even more has fallen overnight,
(00:26):
only escalating the flood risk. Residents in Gunnada and parts
of Tamworth are now being told to prepare to isolate
if flooding does occur and a whether alert. Just In
the Bureau has just issued a warning to drivers across
the city. With heavy fog causing low visibility, motorists are
being urged to practice extra caution. With the fog likely
(00:48):
to hang around for some time. Commuters should watch out
for any updates about potentially canceled ferries. Will bring you
the very latest details as they come to hand and
to breaking news overseas now. The Menendez brothers are appearing
before a California parole board to beg for their freedom
thirty six years after murdering their parents. Live to us
(01:09):
correspondent Rob Scott, Rob, good morning to you. Now Eric's
up today, Lyle tomorrow. We understand they've of course been
waiting decades for this chance.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Yeah, they have one, and the question the parole Board
will be trying to answer today is whether or not
they would pose an unreasonable danger to society if they
were released. Now. Even if parole is granted, it's highly
unlikely that either Eric today or Lyle tomorrow will walk
free immediately, and that's because there has to be a
review of that decision, which could last up to one
hundred and twenty days. But the ultimate decision will come
(01:40):
down to the California Governor, Gavin Newsom, who has an
extra thirty days on top of that review period to
make up his mind. But I suppose after thirty six
years behind bars, a couple of extra weeks or a
couple of extra months won't really stretch the brothers. They
actually won the right to apply for parole back in
May when they had their life sentence for the shot
gun murders of their parents reduced to fifty years to life,
(02:03):
and today a number of their family members are going
to be giving testimony at that parole hearing. Advocating for
them to be released, believing that they have paid their
debt to society and have been reformed. But the district
attorney here is vehemently against them being released. He says
they have not taken full responsibility for their crimes and
do pose a danger to society. So a lot of
interest in today's case, and obviously whatever happens with Eric
(02:26):
today could give us a pretty good indication of what's
going to happen with Lyle tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Yeah, it be fascinating, all right, keeps up to date,
won't you? Rob? Thank you. A family is grieving the
loss of a father and son this morning after their
bodies were recovered by police divers north of Sydney. Their
car crashed into the flooded McDonald River while they were
driving in heavy rain nearsint Albans. Another son, aged twenty four,
managed to pull himself out of the vehicle.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
He was yelling and saying something about a car going
in and then he said, my brothers, brothers there.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
That surviving man was not physically injured. There's frustration and
some fury this morning after Adelaide Crow's star Isaac Rankin
was cleared to possibly play in this year's Grand Final
after using a homophobic slur, the AFL handed him a
four match ban, one less than expected, reportedly due to
(03:25):
mental health concerns. The league also quick to address double standards,
with rapper Snoop Dogg performing on the day, having used
the same.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
About for every lyric in every song ever written or
performed by any artist who has or will appear on
our stage, Australian or international. We have engaged Snoop Dogg
in twenty twenty five as the person he is today.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Commentators today questioning whether concerns about Rankin's mental health warrant
a reduced penalty. Well. Education ministers from around the country
will meet today for urgent talks to tackle the issue
of childcare safety. Let's go live to Isabel Mullen, who's
in Camber No nowzy. We could see some major reforms here.
Speaker 5 (04:07):
We could mond good morning. That's the idea to completely
shake up the sector following those shocking child sex abuse
allegations nationwide. This is the biggest federal government funding package
ever pulled together, one hundred and eighty nine million dollars
tip to make the system a little bit safer. So
here's some of the things that will be discussed today
(04:28):
a national register for childcare workers so police and staff
can keep an eye on where those workers are, whether
they're moving between state and territory borders. Also mandatory child
safety training and a phone ban from September so staff
will have one phone that they can bring into centers
(04:49):
but not their personal devices, bringing them in and then
taking them home as well. CCTV will also be discussed
whether that could be an effective measure. All of these
measures aimed at making this system safer. That meeting will
take place in Sydney later this morning.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
On all right, thanks very much, I see. The Federal
Treasurer's Productivity round Table has come to a close, delivering
ten ideas for major change. They include paying copyright for
the material used by AI, cutting nuisance tariffs, slashing red
tape to speed up construction, and green regulation to free
up clean energy and mining approvals. The federal government will
(05:29):
now consider which ideas can be implemented quickly and which
will need some more work. A Melbourne family's first overseas
holiday has been ruined after a thief stole their van
packed with luggage as they were headed to the airport.
Parents Andre and Angela were lucky to avoid injury when
they attempted to stop the thief.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
How do you explain that they don't get to go
on holiday anymore.
Speaker 6 (05:54):
Our kids saw everything. They were scared, they were screaming.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Two.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Jetstar has offered them credits for the missed flights, but
the families lost their passports, luggage, a car and eight
thousand dollars in bookings. The White House is pushing for it,
but Russia is stalling on a face to face meeting
with Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelenski. As the war rages on,
Ukrainian defense chiefs have arrived in Australia desperate for backup.
Speaker 6 (06:25):
At international arrivals, a traditional greeting for a top level
Ukraine delegation.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Welcome to Australia.
Speaker 6 (06:31):
A reminder of the support a long way from home.
But the bottom line is Ukraine needs more. As momentum
builds for possible Australian peacekeepers on the ground every single day,
My brothers and sisters in arms, he says, Thanks the
Australian people. Australia is so far donated over a billion
(06:52):
dollars in bush masters Abraham's tanks howitzers, but nothing offered
this year all and despite ongoing peace talks, the attacks
are increasing. He says, more civilians and children are dying.
Ukraine has sent the delegation to plead for not just
military assistance, but fire trucks, search rescue and excavation gear
(07:16):
from the Emergency services chief. I need to meet anyone
who can help, because while both hope for peace talk's success,
would your men ever agree with handing territory to the Russians?
Speaker 7 (07:30):
No?
Speaker 6 (07:31):
Never, he said, This is our territory, our land. We
will not surrender.
Speaker 7 (07:36):
The delegation's visit coincides with Ukraine's Independence Day this Sunday one.
Australia will welcome another significant Ukrainian stopover here in this
park as part of a global tour. The world's biggest
Ukrainian flag sixty by forty meters. It's toured Europe, the US,
now Australia weighs one hundred and fifty kilos dry to
(07:58):
tons wet.
Speaker 6 (08:00):
Hoping for no rain. Chris Reason seven.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
News Brisbane's in battled New Casino Precinct is looking to
swap bougie for burgers in a bid to turn around
its money troubles. Far East Consortium, who will run Queen's
Wharf after Star Entertainment's exit, have revealed it wants to
make the precinct more family friendly, so that means plans
for high end stores like Gucci and Chanel are gone,
(08:26):
likely to be replaced by comparatively cheaper alternatives like Lululemon
and Machas well more on Friday's weather, now early fog
in Brisbane with the top of twenty four, lots of
fog about and some showers in Sydney with the top
of nineteen. A possible shower in Canberra today eighteen for you,
a Clarti one in Melbourne a top of nineteen degrees,
(08:46):
a possible shower in Hobart eighteen partly Clardi in Adelaide
eighteen partley Clardy in Perth with the top of nineteen
and a sunny day in Darwin with a top of
thirty three degrees
Good morning. We want to get straight to a breaking
weather emergency as we go to air this morning. Dozens
of communities from Sydney to the Queensland border are under
urgent warnings, with millions of residents across New South Wales
being told to stay alert. Record breaking rainfall has smashed
the state, dumping a month's worth of rain on Sydney
in just twenty four hours. Even more has fallen overnight,
(00:26):
only escalating the flood risk. Residents in Gunnada and parts
of Tamworth are now being told to prepare to isolate
if flooding does occur and a whether alert. Just In
the Bureau has just issued a warning to drivers across
the city. With heavy fog causing low visibility, motorists are
being urged to practice extra caution. With the fog likely
(00:48):
to hang around for some time. Commuters should watch out
for any updates about potentially canceled ferries. Will bring you
the very latest details as they come to hand and
to breaking news overseas now. The Menendez brothers are appearing
before a California parole board to beg for their freedom
thirty six years after murdering their parents. Live to us
(01:09):
correspondent Rob Scott, Rob, good morning to you. Now Eric's
up today, Lyle tomorrow. We understand they've of course been
waiting decades for this chance.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Yeah, they have one, and the question the parole Board
will be trying to answer today is whether or not
they would pose an unreasonable danger to society if they
were released. Now. Even if parole is granted, it's highly
unlikely that either Eric today or Lyle tomorrow will walk
free immediately, and that's because there has to be a
review of that decision, which could last up to one
hundred and twenty days. But the ultimate decision will come
(01:40):
down to the California Governor, Gavin Newsom, who has an
extra thirty days on top of that review period to
make up his mind. But I suppose after thirty six
years behind bars, a couple of extra weeks or a
couple of extra months won't really stretch the brothers. They
actually won the right to apply for parole back in
May when they had their life sentence for the shot
gun murders of their parents reduced to fifty years to life,
(02:03):
and today a number of their family members are going
to be giving testimony at that parole hearing. Advocating for
them to be released, believing that they have paid their
debt to society and have been reformed. But the district
attorney here is vehemently against them being released. He says
they have not taken full responsibility for their crimes and
do pose a danger to society. So a lot of
interest in today's case, and obviously whatever happens with Eric
(02:26):
today could give us a pretty good indication of what's
going to happen with Lyle tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Yeah, it be fascinating, all right, keeps up to date,
won't you? Rob? Thank you. A family is grieving the
loss of a father and son this morning after their
bodies were recovered by police divers north of Sydney. Their
car crashed into the flooded McDonald River while they were
driving in heavy rain nearsint Albans. Another son, aged twenty four,
managed to pull himself out of the vehicle.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
He was yelling and saying something about a car going
in and then he said, my brothers, brothers there.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
That surviving man was not physically injured. There's frustration and
some fury this morning after Adelaide Crow's star Isaac Rankin
was cleared to possibly play in this year's Grand Final
after using a homophobic slur, the AFL handed him a
four match ban, one less than expected, reportedly due to
(03:25):
mental health concerns. The league also quick to address double standards,
with rapper Snoop Dogg performing on the day, having used
the same.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
About for every lyric in every song ever written or
performed by any artist who has or will appear on
our stage, Australian or international. We have engaged Snoop Dogg
in twenty twenty five as the person he is today.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Commentators today questioning whether concerns about Rankin's mental health warrant
a reduced penalty. Well. Education ministers from around the country
will meet today for urgent talks to tackle the issue
of childcare safety. Let's go live to Isabel Mullen, who's
in Camber No nowzy. We could see some major reforms here.
Speaker 5 (04:07):
We could mond good morning. That's the idea to completely
shake up the sector following those shocking child sex abuse
allegations nationwide. This is the biggest federal government funding package
ever pulled together, one hundred and eighty nine million dollars
tip to make the system a little bit safer. So
here's some of the things that will be discussed today
(04:28):
a national register for childcare workers so police and staff
can keep an eye on where those workers are, whether
they're moving between state and territory borders. Also mandatory child
safety training and a phone ban from September so staff
will have one phone that they can bring into centers
(04:49):
but not their personal devices, bringing them in and then
taking them home as well. CCTV will also be discussed
whether that could be an effective measure. All of these
measures aimed at making this system safer. That meeting will
take place in Sydney later this morning.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
On all right, thanks very much, I see. The Federal
Treasurer's Productivity round Table has come to a close, delivering
ten ideas for major change. They include paying copyright for
the material used by AI, cutting nuisance tariffs, slashing red
tape to speed up construction, and green regulation to free
up clean energy and mining approvals. The federal government will
(05:29):
now consider which ideas can be implemented quickly and which
will need some more work. A Melbourne family's first overseas
holiday has been ruined after a thief stole their van
packed with luggage as they were headed to the airport.
Parents Andre and Angela were lucky to avoid injury when
they attempted to stop the thief.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
How do you explain that they don't get to go
on holiday anymore.
Speaker 6 (05:54):
Our kids saw everything. They were scared, they were screaming.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Two.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Jetstar has offered them credits for the missed flights, but
the families lost their passports, luggage, a car and eight
thousand dollars in bookings. The White House is pushing for it,
but Russia is stalling on a face to face meeting
with Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelenski. As the war rages on,
Ukrainian defense chiefs have arrived in Australia desperate for backup.
Speaker 6 (06:25):
At international arrivals, a traditional greeting for a top level
Ukraine delegation.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Welcome to Australia.
Speaker 6 (06:31):
A reminder of the support a long way from home.
But the bottom line is Ukraine needs more. As momentum
builds for possible Australian peacekeepers on the ground every single day,
My brothers and sisters in arms, he says, Thanks the
Australian people. Australia is so far donated over a billion
(06:52):
dollars in bush masters Abraham's tanks howitzers, but nothing offered
this year all and despite ongoing peace talks, the attacks
are increasing. He says, more civilians and children are dying.
Ukraine has sent the delegation to plead for not just
military assistance, but fire trucks, search rescue and excavation gear
(07:16):
from the Emergency services chief. I need to meet anyone
who can help, because while both hope for peace talk's success,
would your men ever agree with handing territory to the Russians?
Speaker 7 (07:30):
No?
Speaker 6 (07:31):
Never, he said, This is our territory, our land. We
will not surrender.
Speaker 7 (07:36):
The delegation's visit coincides with Ukraine's Independence Day this Sunday one.
Australia will welcome another significant Ukrainian stopover here in this
park as part of a global tour. The world's biggest
Ukrainian flag sixty by forty meters. It's toured Europe, the US,
now Australia weighs one hundred and fifty kilos dry to
(07:58):
tons wet.
Speaker 6 (08:00):
Hoping for no rain. Chris Reason seven.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
News Brisbane's in battled New Casino Precinct is looking to
swap bougie for burgers in a bid to turn around
its money troubles. Far East Consortium, who will run Queen's
Wharf after Star Entertainment's exit, have revealed it wants to
make the precinct more family friendly, so that means plans
for high end stores like Gucci and Chanel are gone,
(08:26):
likely to be replaced by comparatively cheaper alternatives like Lululemon
and Machas well more on Friday's weather, now early fog
in Brisbane with the top of twenty four, lots of
fog about and some showers in Sydney with the top
of nineteen. A possible shower in Canberra today eighteen for you,
a Clarti one in Melbourne a top of nineteen degrees,
(08:46):
a possible shower in Hobart eighteen partly Clardi in Adelaide
eighteen partley Clardy in Perth with the top of nineteen
and a sunny day in Darwin with a top of
thirty three degrees
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