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In this bulletin;
- Grocery costs expected to rise for Australians;
- Donald Trump says US forces have successfully rescued missing crew member in Iran;
- And in sport, Stephanie Gilmore knocked out in the opening round at Bells Beach.
Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite has responded to reports by Nine media that grocery prices will rise by 20 per cent.
Nine media is reporting that retailers will now be passing on the massive costs they've been absorbing, in the weeks since the Middle East war began.
Meat, fruit and vegetables are all expected to cost 20 per cent more and in as little as three weeks, citing Independent supermarket Ritchies, adding some economists suggest this increase is just the beginning.
Matt Thistlethwaite told Sky News the costs are expected to be felt by consumers.
"Obviously it's going to flow through, the increased cost of fuel is going to flow through to other goods and services. And grocery prices will be, will be one of those. I think we're starting to see some of that already, unfortunately. But we're putting in place measures. The Treasurer wrote to the ACCC to make sure that they're aware of what's going on and that they're cracking down on it. And we've doubled penalties for price gouging. So, we've got no tolerance whatsoever for businesses that want to try and treat Australians like mugs (fools) and take advantage of this crisis."
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United States President Donald Trump says the US has rescued the missing crew member from a plane downed over Iran.
The New York Times is reporting that the Air Force officer was rescued by US Special Operations forces in a Saturday night mission that took US troops deep into Iran.
Hundreds of special operations troops were reportedly involved in the mission, with the injured airman ultimately extracted.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media is reporting that another US aircraft involved in the search was shot down over the province of Isfahan.
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Motorists are being warned to take care on the road after a spate of fatal incidents over the Easter long weekend.
Three people died and two are in critical condition after three separate road incidents across Queensland on Saturday.
In South Australia, two men died in a fatal motorcycle collision on Saturday afternoon.
Separately, a 19-year-old man died when his vehicle collided with a tree in the Northern Territory.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury has urged drivers to be patient when using the roads and to keep in mind police will be out in force.
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Iranian state media says air strikes hit a petrochemical zone in southwestern Iran, with five people reported injured.
They later said a fire there had been extinguished.
A spokesperson for Israel's military says it struck the plant, which it said is a production site for explosives and missiles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue attacks on Iran's infrastructure.
"I promised you that we would continue to crush the terrorist regime in Tehran, and that is exactly what we are doing. After we destroyed 70 per cent of their steel production capacity, which serves as raw material for their weapons, today we struck the petrochemical plants."
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Pope Leo has led his first Easter vigil service as pontiff, urging people not to feel numbed by war but to act and work towards peace.
For Christians, Easter commemorates the resurrection of Christ following his crucifixion.
On Palm Sunday, the pontiff, who has emerged as an outspoken critic of the war on Iran, said God will reject the prayers of leaders who start wars or use God to justify their violence.
Pope Leo says sin is a heavy barrier separating us from God, likening it to the stone that covered Jesus' tomb.
"Even today there are tombs to be opened, and often the stones sealing them are so heavy and so closely guarded that they seem immovable. Some weigh heavily on the human heart, such as mistrust, fear, selfishness and resentment. Others, stemming from those inner ones, sever the bonds between us through war, injustice and the isolation of peoples and nations. Let us not allow ourselves to be paralysed."
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To sport, and in surfing,
Eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore has recorded her worst result at Bells Beach, knocked out in the opening round by rising star Luana Silva.
The Australian’s return to full-time competition got off to a difficult start in Round One, with the 21-year-old Brazilian – last year’s runner-up – eliminating her.
The event marks Gilmore’s comeback to the World Surf League as a wildcard after a two-year break.
Silva says she was having a “fan girl” moment before shifting her focus to competition.
"I don't think I could have had a harder match up. She has won four Bells out here. She is the GOAT (greatest of all time): eight-time world champ. She had more to lose than I did, but at the same time, these last two years, I actually got her spot when she wanted to take the break. But I am stoked (excited). She has been my inspiration since I was 8-years-old. Her style is insane. I have the most respect for her. She is just the GOAT. I don't have much more to say. I love her!"
