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TRANSCRIPT:
- The Coalition unveils a plan to criminalise the helping of IS group connected families;
- More nuclear talks between Iran and the US will go ahead amid threats of war;
- South Africa ends India's winning streak in the T20 World Cup.
The Coalition has released details of its proposal for a new criminal offence that would target individuals who help people linked to the IS group.
Liberal Senator Jane Hume has told Sky News the Coalition has developed a draft bill.
"If somebody is facilitating the return of those that would pose a threat, yes they would be caught up in this legislation. This is about keeping Australians safe. This is not about targeting aid organisations that are delivering aid to those overseas. Of course, those organisations should be able to continue in their work. But at the same time, we want to make sure that the government has complete control over who it is that comes into Australia."
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor says the coalition will introduce the legislation in March, making it illegal to assist in the repatriation of people who have gone to declared terror hot spots or committed a terrorist offence.
But health minister Mark Butler says the opposition's push to punish them or those who assist them appears to be trying to criminalise the work of aid organisations.
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Hopes are fading that investigators will find 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian alive more than a week after he was taken captive from his northwest Sydney home.
The search for the abducted grandfather has been expanded to thick bushland as his case continues to confound police.
The search is focused on bushland in Glenorie, a suburb in Sydney's north-west, which investigators believe is close to the house that the alleged captors used as a base.
Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks says time is of the essence.
"He has been taken over 10 days ago and everyday concerns grow. Every day it is not a great feeling that we have - in relation to his health and his survival. So every day for us is of vital importance. This whole case has been not our normal kind of investigation in relation to a kidnapping and a hostage. I suspect that those who are involved were planning to burn that vehicle and everything inside it."
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The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency is investigating claims a prominent Melbourne gynaecologist performed unneccesary surgeries on young women at Epworth Private Hospital.
ABC Four Corners reported that Dr Simon Gordon removed tissue and organs from to treat severe endometriosis, despite pathology showing little or no sign of the disease.
Dr Gordon no longer works at the hospital after resigning suddenly this year, and he has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas says she is very concerned.
"The experiences of these women are incredibly distressing, and my heart breaks for them, that they have been mistreated in this way. I'm very concerned. I mean, this is absolutely unacceptable, so it's important that this independent review occur, and that we look to see what has been or what is found out there."
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Oman's Foreign Minister has confirmed a third round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States will take place this week as concern grows over a possible military confrontation.
President Donald Trump has said he will decide within 15 days whether to order strikes on Iran, as the U-S builds up military assets in the region.
The US is pushing for tighter control over nuclear material inside Iran, which it accuses of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, whereas Iran stands to gain sanctions relief.
Iranian leaders have said they will not be bullied and will retaliate against any attacks - a defiant attitude U-S Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff says is puzzling Mr Trump.
“The president asked me that this morning and he's– I don't want to use the word frustrated it's almost because he, he understands he's got plenty of alternatives but it's curious - he's curious as to why they haven't - I don't want to use the word capitulated, but why they haven't capitulated.”
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To sport and in cricket,
South Africa have defeated India by 76 runs in their Super Eight group one clash in the T20 World Cup.
The result ends India’s 12-match winning streak at the tournament.
The defending champions will now likely need to win their two remaining Super Eight games against Zimbabwe and the West Indies to have a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.
