The Australian Federal Police says its agents mistakenly handcuffed an Iraqi refugee on strict visa conditions; the federal government welcomes new data showing a drop in scam losses; and in Tennis, Novak Djokovic reflects on shock exit at the Indian Wells tournament.
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
- The Australian Federal Police says its agents mistakenly handcuffed an Iraqi refugee on strict visa condition
- A new report calls for better recognition of the international qualifications of migrants
- In Tennis, Novak Djokovic reflects on shock exit at the Indian Wells tournament.
The Australian Federal Police has confirmed its agents mistakenly arrested an Iraqi refugee in February.
The AFP says it conducted the raid in February on the basis of information from another law enforcement agency that the western Sydney man had failed to report to his local police, which constituted a breach of one of his bail conditions.
Forty-year-old Nahi Al Sharify says he was handcuffed on the stairwell in front of his apartment for around 15 minutes before he was allowed to show officers his phone, which proved he had reported to Parramatta Police Command on February 26.
The AFP says it then made further inquiries about the alleged breach of bail and was informed a system error had occurred.
---
Divisive internet personality Andrew Tate is to be extradited to the United Kingdom to face charges of sexual aggression that date back to 2012.
Since August, Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been under judicial control in Romania after being indicted there on charges of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang - meaning they have regular check-ins with the police and can move around freely, but not leave the country.
A Romanian court has now approved his extradition on a warrant issued by Westminster Magistrates Court in London.
Mr Tate has denied both the Romanian and U-K charges, saying he and his co-accused are innocent.
He says he welcomes the court's decision.
"We're very excited to finish this judicial process and clear our names. It's very funny because I've been asking Romanian courts to go to the UK myself. I've asked five times and been declined so now I get to go home."
---
New research has found Australia must better recognise the international qualifications of migrants to help address crippling skills shortages.
The Committee for Economic Development of Australia has released a report showing the nation needed to make more use of the skilled migrants in the country.
It recommended increasing their access to English-language training and better recognising their qualifications and work experience obtained overseas.
The federal government has restricted net overseas migration in its overhaul of the system.
The report called for initiatives to tackle discrimination and prejudice to help improve employment outcomes for migrants.
---
A new report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission shows scam losses in October to December 2023 have almost halved compared to the same period in 2022.
The data collected by the National Anti‑Scam Centre shows scam losses from October to December 2023 reduced by 43 per cent from the same quarter in 2022.
It's 26 per cent reduction compared to previous quarter.
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones says the government's crackdown on scams is helping keep people's money safe.
---
In Tennis, Novak Djokovic has put down his shock exit at the Indian Wells tournament - after losing to 20-year-old Luca Nardi - to having "a really bad day".
The world No.1 had not competed at the tournament since 2019 due to US travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and his hopes of winning a record sixth title were dashed by the 123rd ranked lucky loser - the lowest-ranked player to ever defeat Djokovic.
The Serbian lost the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Nardi now advances to the fourth round of the tournament.
The Italian says he is surprised as anyone over the outcome.
"An amazing feeling. I couldn't even imagine to play a match against him and now I also beat him. It is such a dream come true for me. No one could even imagine it. I was a third luck loser; so even that was something that surprised me."
Djokovic says his performance just wasn't where it needed to be.
"He got in as a lucky loser to main draw so he really didn't have anything to lose. He played great and deserved to win. I was omore surprised with my level. My level was really, really bad. And that's it. These two things come together. He is having a great day. I am having a really bad day. Result: it's a negative outcome for me."
