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TRANSCRIPT
A heavily armed rapid response police unit has been made a permanent part of the New South Wales police force, amid rising concerns over hate-driven violence and terrorism threats.
About 250 officers will form the expanded Operation Shelter, which was originally created in 2023 to counter antisemitism and Islamophobia.
The unit will patrol major public spaces, places of worship and protest sites across Sydney using long-range firearms and rapid-response vehicles, supported by a 24/7 operations centre.
NSW Premier Chris Minns says the move reflects changing security risks and the need for a more proactive policing model.
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Two men have been arrested over the alleged mistaken-identity kidnapping of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian in northwest Sydney, after human remains believed to be his were found in bushland near Pitt Town.
The 29-year-old man from Kenthurst and a 24-year-old man in Castle Hill are now being questioned as investigators continue to probe the alleged abduction, which occurred when three men stormed the elderly man’s home and bundled him into a car two weeks ago.
Authorities believe the intended target was a relative of underworld-linked Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan who lived on the same street, and have condemned the alleged offenders' recklessness in targeting the wrong person.
Police had repeatedly urged the kidnappers to release Mr Baghsarian, who required daily medication.
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Foreign Minister Penny Wong has reaffirmed Australia's partnership with Samoa during a high-level visit to the Pacific nation.
Talks have focused on maritime security, visa access and infrastructure projects, including the construction of Samoa’s legislative assembly.
Ms Wong is pledging to prioritise Samoa's security concerns.
"We are both proud democracies. We are nations where voices are heard, decisions are guided by service to our people. Now, Australia does believe that the measure of our partnership is how we listen and how we best respond to what matters most to our partners, and we are determined that we will listen to your priorities, shared regional challenges, the security issues that the Prime Minister has raised, which include transnational crime."
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Greens Senator Nick McKim says struggling Australians are increasingly drifting toward far-right parties as corporate price gouging outpaces stagnant wages.
He argues years of rising supermarket prices and soaring power bills have intensified the cost-of-living crisis, leaving working families under mounting pressure while the major parties fail to deliver meaningful relief.
He has told Nine's Today program that One Nation serves billionaire interests rather than the battlers it purports to represent.
"Pauline Hanson flies around on Gina Ryan hearts private jet, she's, you know, drinking champagne on the after deck of multi millionaire mega yachts and she votes against things like. More affordable housing and more funding for public schools. So it's ironic that people who are struggling so hard are drifting to the right to Pauline Hanson, who's there for the billionaires, not the battler."
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called the war in Ukraine a stain on the collective conscience of the world, as he renews urgent calls for an immediate ceasefire.
His remarks, marking four years since Russia's invasion, have been delivered to the U-N Security Council.
Under-Secretary General Rosemary DiCarlo says Ukraine must be not be compromised by any peace deal.
"The parameters of peace in Ukraine are not a mystery. It must be in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter, and relevant UN resolutions, and it must uphold the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. Enough with the death. Enough with the destruction. Enough with the broken lives and shattered futures."
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Police have completed searches of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former home in southeast England following his arrest last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The probe is linked to allegations surrounding his ties to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
It follows US-released documents that appeared to show Mountbatten-Windsor may have shared confidential government material with Epstein while working as a UK trade envoy, allegations he denies.
Police say the inquiry will continue, urging witnesses or former staff with information to come forward as political and public scrutiny of the case grows.
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Venezuela says 179 people in custody have been granted amnesty under a new law aimed at releasing detainees linked to political unrest.
Deputy of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Jorge Arreaza, says there have been many more releases, which are proceeding rapidly under the new law.
"As of this morning — and the figure may be higher now — we had received 4,203 applications for amnesty, and 3,052 people have been fully released. Those releases include people under precautionary measures, such as house arrest. In those cases, amnesty has been granted through full release, and the charges — or even convictions — against them have been extinguished."
Human rights groups have criticised the legislation, saying it fails to provide relief for many political prisoners.
The government has continued to deny holding political detainees, saying those jailed were convicted of crimes.
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In football,
Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt have dumped last season's finalists, Inter, out of the European Champions League with a remarkable two goals to one win in Milan.
Under sustained pressure, the visitors struck in the 58th minute through Jens Petter Hauge with Haakon Evjen putting the result beyond doubt in the 72nd minute, guiding a precise effort into the far bottom corner.
Alessandro Bastoni pulled a goal back for Inter in the 77th minute, but it proved too late to alter the fate of the Italian giants, who lost five-two on aggregate.
Bodo/Glimt will now play either Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon in the Round of 16 next month.
