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TRANSCRIPT
- Australia marks the 30th anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre
- Muslim leaders call on the federal government to help IS group brides in Syria
- The AFL taking its time to respond to Carlton's report on Elijah Hollands
The Prime Minister has released a statement to mark the 30th anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre that claimed the lives of 35 people.
In the statement, Anthony Albanese has called the mass shooting on this day in 1996 a 'terrible indiscriminate cruelty' that remains beyond understanding.
He says his thoughts are with everyone whose world was shattered by what happened, as well as the courage of first responders' and those present as the tragedy unfolded.
The PM says Australia is a better place because the government and Parliament of the day responded with the National Firearms Agreement, which paved the way for uniform laws on gun ownership and licensing.
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Pressure is mounting on the federal government to facilitate the return of Australian women and children currently in Syria.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has maintained the government will do nothing to help the four women and nine children who media reports have suggested are en route to Damascus with plans to board a flight back to Australia.
Opposition home affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam has called the policy of self-managed returns an abdication of the government's responsibility to make hard decisions in the national interest.
Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) President Dr Rateb Jneid says leaving Australian citizens in dangerous and unstable conditions overseas cannot be justified, and will only magnify the human cost.
"It is neither appropriate nor responsible to leave this to other countries. If wrongdoing has occurred, it should be dealt with under Australian law, by Australian institutions. That is what accountability looks like."
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A search is due to resume this morning for a five-year-old girl missing near Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory.
Sharon Granites disappeared from her home early on Sunday morning and police say they suspect she's been abducted.
Police have launched a manhunt for 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who is suspected of abducting the five-year-old.
Police say he was staying at Sharon's Old Timers Aboriginal town camp residence and went missing at the same time of her disappearance.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has met Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Saint Petersburg, as Moscow and Tehran reaffirm their strategic partnership.
The meeting comes as Iran and the US are engaged in a precarious ceasefire which will expire in May.
The conflict continues to reshape regional alliances, with Russia positioning itself as a key backer of Tehran and calling for a broader push towards stability.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Iran’s resilience, vowing Moscow will support Tehran and push for a swift peace across the region.
“We observe with what courage and heroism the people of Iran are fighting for their independence and their sovereignty. ... For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests as well as the interests of all the peoples of the region, to ensure that this peace is achieved as swiftly as possible.”
Mr Araghchi welcomed Russia’s support, saying the relationship remains a strategic partnership that will continue.
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US authorities say they are confident the Secret Service agent shot during an attempted storming of the White House correspondents dinner will make a full recovery.
US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says the latest information he has about the man's condition is very promising.
The agent was injured during the security response to the gunshots that Cole Tomas Allen is accused of firing in an apparent plot to target Donald Trump and other senior administration officials.
Washington-based SBS Russian correspondent, Milkhailo Komadovsky, was at the dinner, and says it was the first time the US President had ever attended.
"He had previously avoided these events during both his first term and his second, well, second term. The thing is, it's customary to laugh at these events. Journalists and comedians make fun of the current government. And Donald Trump genuinely disliked such entertainment. This year, he decided to make an exception and attend, but, as we see, things didn't go as planned."
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To sport and in AFL news, football department boss Greg Swann says the league has received a report from Carlton on the health of Elijah Hollands, and it's no rush to review it.
The Blues reported to the AFL after Hollands' on-field problems during their April 16 loss to Collingwood, which Carlton said involved a mental health episode.
Questions have been asked about why the player was allowed to take the field and stay on for a significant part of the match.
Greg Swann says the AFL's response will take some time because of the sensitive nature of the issues involved.
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