A powerful earthquake has rocked the South Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu killing at least one person; Blackouts in parts of Western Sydney have left residents without fans or air conditioning on what was one of the hottest days of the year so far; A top Russian general has been killed in a bomb blast in Moscow. The high-profile assassination is reported to be the work of Ukraine's intelligence agency.

7NEWS Headlines with Edwina Bartholomew for December 18, 2024. 

For more news, head to www.7news.com.au