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TRANSCRIPT
Police say they have found what they believe to be the remains of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian.
Almost a fortnight ago, Mr Baghsarian was taken hostage from his Sydney home in what police say is a suspected case of mistaken identity.
Detectives investigating the case have found human remains this morning near a golf club at Pitt Town on Sydney’s north-west fringe.
No further information has been provided, as the investigation continues.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says the opening of the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion is an opportunity for real change.
Called a month after the Bondi terror attack, the inquiry will look at antisemitism in Australia's society and institutions.
Mr Minns says it is important that people feel safe.
"So the stakes are very high here. We're not doing anything other than confronting this terrible scourge. The worse thing possible is if it starts to be, I guess, swept under the carpet. And there is a general consensus that these issues are too difficult to confront. That cannot be our approach to the horror of Bondi. That terrible crime needs to be met with action; and that is what our government is going to do."
The federal government says a proposed high-speed train project between Sydney and Newcastle could boost the Australian economy by $250 billion over 50 years.
Federal Transport Minister Catherine King says the figures have been presented to the government in a business case for the project.
The government has committed an additional $230 million to support detailed planning work for the project.
"So whilst high-speed rail will bring thge travel down from Newcastle to Sydney to an hour. From Gosford to Sydney to 30 minutes. Really what that means for this economy here is a heavy vote of confidence. Now we know the costs of this project are high. But we can't build a rail project without significant cost. There are none in the country that haven't cost money. High speed rail is an expensive project. The business case talks about - in terms of 1A and 1B, the costs being around the $55 billion mark."
Iran has vowed to retaliate against any attack from the United States, in response to President Donald Trump's latest threat of strikes.
The US will hold a third round of nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva on Thursday [[26 Feb]].
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says both sides have to show goodwill during negotiations.
"Our position on ending the cruel US sanctions and the nuclear issue is clear, and we are well aware of the US side's viewpoints. If both sides demonstrate goodwill during negotiations, we can hope for a result. We are now in the stage of stating our positions. We hope that we will be able to hold another round of talks within the next two to three days."
To sport, and in cricket,
Retiring captain Alyssa Healy says she is looking forward the first ODI against India in Brisbane this afternoon.
The Australia captain will play the three ODI matches; and the one-off Test before retiring.
Australia will need to win at least two of the ODIs, if they want to keep their hopes of an outright series win alive.
Healy says the task ahead of Australia is immense.
"They're playing some really good cricket. We're being really challenged at the moment. And they're full of confidence as they should be. They are playing really well. I guess for us, it's a now challenge for us to bounce back; and throw the next punch in this format. And say this is our turf, these are our conditions. And this is the way that we play this ODI format. So hopefully we can go out there and do that. We know that they are a talent side. They are the world champs. And probably for the first time for a little while, it is an opportunity for us to come hard at them. So I am looking forward to that."
