TRANSCRIPT
- Muslim community remains scarred six years after Christchurch attack
- US influencer criticised over handling of Wombat, criticises Australia
- Min Woo Lee takes joint lead at The Players Championship
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Today marks six years since the Christchurch mosque attacks, one of the darkest days in New Zealand’s history.
On the 15th of March 2019, a man armed with an assault rifle opened fire on worshippers at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre, killing 51 people and injuring dozens more, while live-streaming it all.
Imam Gamal Fouda, was delivering a sermon at Al Noor Mosque when the attack began.
He tells SBS News the events of that day have left a huge scar on the community, which is still grappling with the trauma six years on.
"Many people now still need help with the trauma and still recovering, including myself, from this big horrific attack on us. Not only on the Muslim community, but on New Zealand, so it will take years to actually heal from this.”
Now, Imam Fouda is preparing for a new chapter in life.
After Ramadan, he will move to Australia to continue his mission of fostering interfaith dialogue and unity.
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A US hunting influencer who sparked outrage in Australia by taking a baby wombat from its mother has criticised the country following her reported departure on Friday.
Sam Jones faced national backlash after separating a wombat from its mother, causing distress to both animals before returning it.
The controversy prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to comment, while Immigration Minister Tony Burke reviewed whether she had violated her visa terms.
Early Saturday morning, Jones defended herself in a lengthy Instagram post, condemning Australia’s treatment of animals.
"For the readers that are so angered by my mistaken attempt to help and that I am a hunter—do not be blind to your country. Let’s start with wombats. The Australian government allows and permits the slaughter of wombats. Thousands each year are shot, poisoned to suffer, and trapped legally. Landowners rip up wombat burrows with heavy machinery, poison them with fumigation, and shoot them whenever they can. Quietly, of course, so as not to face the wrath that has come upon me."
She also accused Australians of shooting horses, deer, and pigs from helicopters and of slaughtering millions of kangaroos.
Ms Jones claims she removed the wombat from the road believing it was injured or at risk of being runover, admitting she should have handled the situation differently.
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South-east Australia is in for a brief but intense heatwave this weekend, with temperatures soaring before a sharp cool change.
Sarah Scully is with the Bureau of Meteorology.
"We have this high-pressure system in the Tasman Sea directing very hot northerly winds across eastern parts of the country, and a trough leaning through the interior strengthening those northerly winds across southern parts of South Australia, fire dangers will be elevated there. However, it will also bring scattered showers and storms, extending southwards."
In Victoria, Melbourne will hit 36 degrees Celsius today before showers bring relief, dropping temperatures to 17 degrees by Monday, the coldest day of the year so far.
Mildura is set for 41 degrees today before plunging to 22 degrees.
Sydney is expected to climb to 32 degrees today and 36 degrees on Sunday.
The New South Wales south coast is under a severe heatwave warning, with 36 degrees expected.
In South Australia, Adelaide swelters at 39 degrees today, before plunging to 22 degrees by Monday.
Canberra will reach 35 degrees today but will see single-digit nights and a Monday high of 22 degrees.
And in Tasmania, Hobart stays cooler, peaking at 25 degrees today before dropping to 17 degrees on Monday.
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US Vice President JD Vance says he would be shocked if President Donald Trump supported deploying nuclear weapons further east in Europe.
Speaking on Fox News, Mr Vance was speaking in reference to Polish President Andrzej Duda's request for the US to station nuclear weapons in Poland as a deterrent to Russia.
"So I haven't talked to the president about that particular issue, but I would be shocked if he was supportive of nuclear weapons extending further east into Europe. We have got to be careful, Laura. We are playing literally with the lives of the future of human civilisation. This is one of the most important reasons why President Trump sees himself and in fact, is a peace president. ... Donald Trump is taking us in an entirely different approach and we need it. We need cooler heads to prevail."
Mr Duda’s latest request, made in an interview with the Financial Times, follows a similar appeal to the Biden administration in 2022.
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Min Woo Lee made a strong move to share the lead at The Players Championship, firing a six-under 66 to put himself in contention for one of golf’s biggest titles in Florida.
The 26-year-old Australian, a six-time professional winner still chasing his first PGA Tour victory, recorded seven birdies and a lone bogey on his final hole to set the early second-round clubhouse lead at TPC Sawgrass.
At 11 under for the tournament after an opening 67, Lee was level with American Akshay Bhatia, who had four holes remaining in his second round.
J-J Spaun, also from the US, was one shot behind after posting a 68.
