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TRANSCRIPT
A 12-year-old boy has died almost a week after being mauled by a shark while swimming with friends at a popular beach in Sydney’s east.
Nico Antic suffered critical leg injuries in the attack at Vaucluse last Sunday [[18 January]].
It was the first of four shark bites in the state within three days, prompting beach closures and community concern.
Nico's parents say he was a happy, kind and sporty boy, and have thanked first responders, hospital staff and their community for their support.
A fundraiser for Nico's family has raised more than $238,000, while all New South Wales beaches have re-opened for the Australia Day long weekend under an expanded shark management program.
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An alleged attempt to smuggle more than $24 million worth of methamphetamine and heroin into Australia has been foiled by border force officers.
Three men from Melbourne, all in their early twenties, are due to appear in court after allegedly trying to import more than 40 kilograms of illegal drugs.
The Australian Border Force intercepted the trio at Sydney Airport on Friday after they arrived from Thailand.
Authorities estimate 34 kilograms of heroin were discovered in the men's luggage with a street value of about $17 million, while eight kilograms of methamphetamine found are worth around $7.4 million.
The men have been charged with importing and possessing large quantities of border-controlled drugs, offences that carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
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A major manhunt is continuing in western New South Wales after three people were killed in a shooting in the town of Lake Cargelligo [[KAR-jel-eh-go]].
Police are searching for council worker Julian Ingram, accused of carrying out a domestic-violence related attack that also left another person injured.
Twenty-five year-old pregnant woman Sophie Quinn, and her 32-year-old friend John Harris, were shot dead in a car on Bokhara Street on Thursday [[22 January]] afternoon.
Minutes later, Ms Quinn’s 50-year-old aunt, Nerida Quinn, was killed at a nearby home.
A 19-year-old man remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
New South Wales Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland says the suspect is considered armed and dangerous.
"I want to reiterate at this time that the town of Lake Cargelligo is not in lockdown. People are free to move about the town. They just have to use extreme caution with their knowledge that in the back of their mind that their offender is still on the loose. He is still armed, we believe, and there is the possibility that they could come across you, as we spoke about before."
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Extreme heat is gripping large parts of Australia, with Victoria on high bushfire alert as temperatures climb into the high 30s and low 40s across the state.
Total fire bans are in place, with hot, windy conditions expected to increase fire danger in coming days.
In the regional Victorian town of Swan Hill, Mayor Stuart King says the council is putting heatwave measures in place to support residents.
"A couple of years ago, actually, there was, there was a few days in a row that were like this. And as a, I mean, as a council, we put measures in place. We've, we've opened public swimming pools, made them available to the community free of charge. You know, council spaces will be open for for people to attend, for example, the town hall, the library. So if they, if they don't have cool spaces to go to, then we'll provide them for them."
Authorities are urging people to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak heat, and monitor local fire conditions.
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A 55-year-old man has fallen to his death from a balcony in western Sydney, after what's believed to have been a domestic violence incident.
Police responded to a call last night [[23 January]] from a 46-year-old woman, who said the man was intoxicated, and on the balcony of her seventh-floor apartment.
He was still there when the police arrived, and, whilst they were at the scene, he slipped and fell.
The man who had an active apprehended domestic order to stay away from the woman, was treated for head injuries, but died at the scene.
Police say the set of circumstances surrounding the incident are complicated and tragic.
The incident is being reviewed by the police's Professional Standards Command.
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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says there are signs Israel is still seeking an opportunity to attack Iran, warning such a move could further destabilise the region.
Mr Fidan says he hopes such a move doesn't happen.
“I hope they find a different path, but the reality is that Israel, in particular, is looking for an opportunity to strike Iran — those signs are also there.”
Tenisons remain high between the U-S and Iran, with a U-S aircraft carrier group moving closer to the Middle East.
Iran is facing its worst domestic unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
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U-S President Donald Trump has launched his new Board of Peace to oversee a ceasefire in Gaza, though its membership remains uncertain.
Mr Trump says several countries have already signed on, while others are awaiting parliamentary approval.
He says Italy and Poland are among those seeking to join.
"In most countries, the prime minister or the president can sign. You saw a lot of them today. Don't forget, the letter only went out two days ago. We had almost 30 people already and very important countries, but there are some countries, like Italy, who told me she wants to sign, she wants to be desperately. But I think she has to go back to her legislative branch and we have that with Poland, too."
Several U-S allies, including France, Norway and Sweden, have declined to participate, raising questions about the board’s scope and credibility.
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Police admit at least six people buried alive by a landslide in New Zealand on Thursday have likely died.
Rescue operations at the holiday park in Mount Maunganui on the country's north island have been terminated, with police shifting their focus to recovering bodies.
Camper vans, caravans, and shower block were buried by a mudslide that was caused by heavy rain.
One foreigner, 20-year-old Mans Loke Bernhardsson from Sweden, is amongst the six presumed dead.
The other five are New Zealanders.
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In tennis, top Americans Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, and Amanda Anisimova are all through to the fourth round of the women's singles on day six of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Anisimova, ranked number four in the world, has blown away countrywoman Peyton Stearns 6-1, 6-4 in 71 minutes.
Pegula, ranked number six in the world, has taken 66 minutes to beat Olana Selekhmeteva 6-3, 6-2.
And Keys, ranked number nine in the world, has beaten former world number one Karolina Piskova 6-3, 6-3.
In the men's singles, Luciano Daderi of Italy, the number 22 seed, has upset the number 15 seed, Karen Khachanov of Russia, in four sets.
