New South Wales set to become first state to begin new gun buyback scheme; safety concerns for a former interpreter for Australian forces in Afghanistan trapped in Pakistan; and Socceroo Nestory Irankunda signs a new contract with Portuguese club Sporting CP.
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TRANSCRIPT
- New South Wales set to become first state to begin new gun buyback scheme
- Safety concerns for a former interpreter for Australian forces in Afghanistan trapped in Pakistan
- Socceroo Nestory Irankunda signs a new contract with Portuguese club Sporting CP
New South Wales is set to become the first state to begin a gun buyback scheme announced by the federal government after the Bondi beach terror attack in December last year.
From November 2, gun license holders who exceed new limits on the number of firearms a person can possess will be able to surrender their guns for compensation.
The scheme will also provide financial assistance for businesses and industry to adjust to the reforms.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the federal government will split the cost of implementing the scheme with the New South Wales government.
"In addition, the Commonwealth will contribute 50 percent for administration costs and fully fund the destruction costs for surrendered firearms, parts, and administration. A fixed price schedule will be in place for the scheme, which will offer gun holders fair and reasonable compensation during the buyback."
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A former interpreter for Australian forces in Afghanistan says he fears for his life, if he is sent back to his home country.
Hassan Khan fled to Pakistan after the Taliban came to power five years ago.
He has applied for Australian visa and has been awaiting an outcome since 2020, but processing the application has been complicated by the Pakistan's government mass deportation drive.
He has told SBS News and SBS Pashto, he is worried about his safety.
"We are forced to stay in our homes day and night and cannot go outside. If we do go outside there is a possibility that the Pakistani police may arrest us and deport us back to our country."
Iran and Pakistan have returned 5.2 million Afghan asylum seekers over the past year, and now deportation is also being considered by UN refugee signatory countries like Germany.
Amnesty International says some Afghans already sent back have been killed, detained or disappeared.
The Home Affairs department told SBS, the deportations by Pakistan's government, are making it harder to process asylum applications for Afghans in Pakistan seeking to come to Australia.
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Three Palestinian families say they have been trapped inside their homes in the occupied West Bank for nearly a week, after Israeli settlers blocked off access last Sunday.
The residents of the houses in Qusra, near Nablus, say they have been effectively cut off from food and other supplies since the siege began.
In a video shared with Reuters, one of the residents, Yousif Hassan says he and his family are stuck inside his neighbours home.
"I am living with Qusai Ridi, my wife, two daughters and I, because the army evacuated us from our house three days ago and moved to an army position. I am trapped with Qusai Ridi in their house."
Amid growing international criticism of the siege, Israel's defence minister on Friday called on the police to take over law enforcement from the military in the occupied West Bank.
It's a plan that has been criticised by rights advocates and Palestinian vice-president, Hussein al-Sheikh, who has called for international intervention to stop a move he says would "entrench the illegitimate annexation of Palestinian land".
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A program helping young Indigenous women pursue interests in science, technology, engineering and mathematics has won the Innovation Award at the 44th NAIDOC awards in Alice Springs.
The Young Indigenous Women's STEM Academy is a national program supporting First Nations women from high school, through to university, and graduate employment.
The Academy is one of a number of organisations and individuals who have been honoured at this year's ceremony, which aims to recognise the outstanding contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to improve the lives of people in their communities and beyond.
The program's executive manager, Kim Dyball, says the award recognises the brilliance of all of the young women who have come through the program.
"You are the heart of everything we do. Your curiosity, courage, ambition, strength, tenacity, and sheer brilliance inspires us every single day. Every time you step into a lab, study mathematics, engineering, conduct research, design something brand new, or pursue a dream that was impossible yesterday, you are not only changing your future, you're showing the next generation what is possible, and that is innovation."
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In football,
Socceroo Nestory Irankunda has signed a new contract with Portuguese club Sporting CP; completing a transfer from UK side, Watford FC.
The deal was officially announced with the release of a video by the club showing dancers in a parking garage - performing to Michael Jackson’s song 'Bad' - before Irankunda emerges from a car wearing a glittering glove.
20-year-old made his mark during the World Cup, scoring an unforgettable goal in Australia’s 2-nil victory against Turkiye in Vancouver.
Irankunda says he is excited - and he has big ambitions for the future.
"To win titles, to win titles. And just to play in front of great fans - fans with a lot of passion. I want to also create history. And what better place to do it but Sporting. I am super happy to be here and eventually, and hopefully, win titles this season, yeah."
The five-year contract has an undisclosed fee reported to be in the region of A$26 million - and potentially rising with add-ons to A$29.5 million.
If confirmed, the fee would be the most expensive transfer in Australian football history.
The club says the contract also includes release clause valued at A$130 million.
