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TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News In Easy English. I'm Biwa Kwan.
Emergency authorities are preparing for extreme conditions across Victoria, with fires threatening homes on a day expected to reach 45 degrees in Melbourne and Geelong and 49 in Mildura.
Four evacuation warnings are in place, with active warnings in Dargo, Walwa, Longwood and Carlisle River and thousands of people affected.
Impacted communities are urged to monitor warnings and developments via the Vic Emergency App, Victorian Country Fire Authority website and community radio updates.
Colac Otway Shire Mayor, Jason Schram told Channel Nine a change in wind direction will make the fires unpredictable.
"The SES have been doorknocking a lot of areas in the Otways, telling people to leave last night. So we just hope everyone has got their bushfire plan ready and left if they've been able to do so."
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A man will face a Perth court this afternoon on two charges related to allegedly throwing a device into a protest held by First Nations Australians.
The Invasion Day and Survival Day rallies were held on January 26, a day that marked the beginning of British colonisation in 1788.
WA Police have charged him with making or possessing an explosive under suspicious circumstances and with intent to cause harm.
He has been refused bail and remains in custody.
Officers evacuated a crowd of around two thousand people from Perth's CBD, saying they were concerned about a mass casualty event.
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Allies of opposition Leader Sussan Ley have declared their unwavering support for her remaining in the top job, amid leadership speculation.
Liberal frontbencher Tim Wilson says he's had no phone calls from anyone trying to run the numbers of a leadership challenge.
He says the Coalition needs a bold policy vision for the future of the country, which would be the basis of how the Coalition would build voter support.
"Well, Susan's a leader, and I always support the leader. We've got to make sure that, whatever it is, we're united behind the team. We need to make sure we're holding the Albanese government to account."
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The remains of the final Israeli hostage have been returned from Gaza, fulfilling a key condition of the first phase of a plan to end the war in the territory.
The remains of 24-year-old police officer Ran Gvili are at the forensics institute in Tel Aviv.
The repatriation marks 840 days since he was captured when Hamas militants attacksed southern Israel on the 7th of October, 2023.
Mr Gvili's sister says it's a hugely emotional day for her and her family.
"I feel an insane sense of relief. I feel relieved. I'm sad. I'm very sad that it ended this way but it had to end at some point. And I'm so happy that he's coming back home. Rani is on his way, Rani is coming."
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One of the caps of iconic Australian cricketer Sir Donald Bradman has sold at auction for a record $460,000.
The cap, which had never previously been displayed or offered for sale, was gifted by Bradman to Indian Test cricketer S-W Sohoni and preserved by the same family for more than 75 years.
Lloyds Auctions says the anonymous Australian buyer plans to place the cap on public display in a major museum.
Baggy Greens from Bradman's era are exceptionally rare, with most held in institutional collections or closely guarded private hands.
Bradman remains widely regarded as the greatest batter in cricket history, retiring in 1948 with a Test average of 99.94.
That was SBS News In Easy English. I'm Biwa Kwan.
