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TRANSCRIPT:
- The New South Wales premier defends the state's protest laws
- US Justice Department looking into allegations it withheld Epstein files
- The Matildas in training ahead of their first Asian Cup game on Sunday
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has defended the introduction of the state's anti-protest laws.
Introduced quickly after the December Bondi terror attack, the new laws have allowed the police commissioner to suspend the public assembly regime for up to three months after a terror attack, on community safety grounds.
But several activist groups - including the Palestine Action Group - have challenged the law in the Supreme Court, alleging the law was unconstitutional and infringed on their right to protest.
Mr Minns says the bill is essential for public safety and was thoroughly vetted beforehand.
"We introduced that legislation in good faith because it was in the interest of people of New South Wales. I don't regret it for a second. I think it was important to ensure that we had a degree of safety during those summer periods after the worst terrorism event. The states have a say. But I don't like to front run the courts. People have a right to take inaction in the Court of Appeal and obviously as a responsible party we will live with that decision."
**
Indigenous leaders and community members have come together at a fire forum in the Northern Territory to talk about land management.
The Co-Chair of Indigenous Carbon Industry Network says rangers groups - young and older, as well as senior custodial leaders - have been sharing stories about fire practices at the Fire Forum.
Dr Dean Yibarbuk says the forum has made clear that there has been a development in understanding from scientists and his organisation with the modern technology that is used in supporting rangers in the field.
Dr Yibarbuk tells NITV he is happy to see land managers across Northern Australia, Western Australia and Queensland come together for the forum, at the Darwin convention centre on Larrakia country.
"Histories that are being told about - stories about the ancestors - similarity on our land in Arnhem land there's so much importance to tell our stories because, internationally and national non-indigenous people won't get it but for us we know that fire is very important to our soul and our storytelling as well."
**
Iran and the United States have met again in Switzerland overnight to try to reach a deal on Tehran’s nuclear program.
The high-stakes negotiations come as an American fleet of warships and aircraft gather in the Middle East.
The White House has threatened strikes on the nation if it does not reach a deal imminently, while Iran is threatening counter-action on Israel.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said conflicting statements by the US will continue to cast doubts over the talks.
"Talks held today were very serious. And we hope that in the negotiations to be held later tonight, we can continue the talks over the removal of sanctions and nuclear issues with practical proposals and solutions."
**
The US Justice Department says it's looking into whether it improperly withheld Jeffrey Epstein-related documents.
Several news organisations in the United States have reported that some records of one woman's accusations against President Donald Trump - who has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein - were not released.
US Representative Robert Garcia says Democrats on the House Oversight Committee would also investigate the withheld records.
His comments follow the remarks of other Democrats at a press conference before the State of the Union on Tuesday, where Jamie Raskin demanded the Justice Department release remaining case records and pursue further investigations.
"Despite all of her stony cold indifference, Pam Bondi is not going to be able to make this go away. We have an entire country of survivors and people who are allied with the survivors and we are going to insist that the truth come out, that justice be done and the perpetrators be held accountable in every single case.”
**
To sport and in football news, the Matildas will face the Philippines in their Asian Cup opener in Perth this weekend.
Star forwards Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler have started training under head coach Joe Montemurro.
Roma defender Winonah Heatley says they won 't take the Filipinas lightly, despite their dominant 8–0 win when the teams last met in Perth in 2023.
She says playing on home soil means a lot after a difficult few months for her family.
"It's not a secret that my step brother passed away at the end of last year. Yeah even more so, special when I play in front of my family at home, but always, yeah, I think it's something that I really want to talk about and I am really passionate about."
