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TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News in Easy English. I'm Biwa Kwan.
Organisers are continuing to plan a protest against the Israeli President's upcoming visit, despite the New South Wales Police extending protest restrictions in parts of Sydney.
President Isaac Herzog is due to visit Sydney on February 9th; and police have extended limits on approvals for public assemblies for the next two weeks.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says authorities are working to manage safety, as multiple large crowds are expected in the city.
"New South Wales Police are working with The Palestinian Action Group organisers about a protest location for the activities that they want to undertake. That's happening as we speak. ... We have got potentially, not potentially, we will have 1000s of mourners and 1000s of protesters as well as a visiting head of state all in the same city at the same time, and we've got a responsibility to keep people safe in those circumstances."
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The federal government has announced it plans to sell off $3 billion in defence-owned real estate.
Defence Minister Richard Males says the decision comes after the government commissioned a multi-year audit.
He says the government has agreed to implement the recommendation to sell more than 60 properties, including islands on Sydney Harbour and a major munitions site at Maribyrnong in Melbourne’s west.
"Some of this land is very strategic and I expect that housing will be part of the opportunity that is created here. But I want to be really clear - that is not why we're doing it. This is around making sure we have a defence estate, which is properly attuned to the capabilites to the Australian Defence Force. That we're not wasting money on properties, which give no capability benefit to the ADF (Australian Defence Force)."
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The first female governor of New South Wales is being farewelled at a state funeral.
Dame Marie Bashir died at the aged of 95 last month, prompting tributes for her service and advocacy over decades.
She was born to a Lebanese father and a mother of Lebanese descent in the New South Wales rural town of Narrandera - and went on to work in the health sector in hospitals and in general practice, before specialising in psychiatry.
Dame Marie Bashir's daughter, Susan, says she was an inspiration to many.
"As a small child of the Great Depression, mum also saw great suffering. People would frequently approach her parent's home in Narrandera asking for any kind of work. Even then there was none to be done, her parents always found something. And it was in moments like these that mum saw what handing back dignity to people looked like."
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The goal of creating employment opportunities for First Nations students in Australia has been given a boost, with the support of human rights advocate Martin Luther King the Third.
The son of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Junior opened his speaking tour in Australia by celebrating the work of non-profit CareerTrackers.
Over the past 15 years, the organisation has assisted 1600 Indigenous students through university and into careers with private sector companies.
Currently, only 13 per cent of First Nations people work in professional roles - occupying just 0.4 per cent of senior leadership positions.
Martin Luther King the Third has told NITV Radio, the task of tackling racism and inequality in Australia and the United States remains urgent, and empowering future leaders is critical.
"My father was was only 26, 27 when he became one of the leaders of the modern civil rights movement. So it really is young people... And he was only 39, he was killed at 39...so he was still very... I'm 68. I want people to understand that listen it is never too early to get involved in being a changemaker. And I hope I can engage and inspire that. But I also want to hear what it is they (youth today) want to do. If there is a way I can be helpful to their mission."
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In football, Arsenal is through to the final of the English League Cup.
Taking a three goals to two lead into the second leg of their semi-final against London rivals Chelsea, the Gunners sealed their spot in the final.
Arsenal will play either Newcastle United or Manchester City in the final in March.
And that's SBS News in Easy English. I'm Biwa Kwan.
