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TRANSCRIPT:
- Two men jailed in England for plotting an IS-inspired terror attack on Jewish community
- More heavy rain forecast for South East Queensland
- A State of Origin revival in the AFL
Two men have been jailed in England for plotting an IS-inspired attack on the Jewish community in Manchester, which prosecutors said could have been deadlier than the Bondi Beach mass shooting.
Thirty-eight-year-old Walid Saadaoui and 52-year-old Amar Hussein were convicted at Preston Crown Court after planning to use automatic weapons against Jewish targets.
Judge Mark Wall sentenced Saadaoui to a minimum of 37 years and Hussein to at least 26 years, saying they were “very close” to carrying out the attack.
During a police interview, Hussein openly acknowledged his support for Islamic State.
HUSSEIN: "They are Muslims. They make Sharia. They make Sharia, yes."
POLICE OFFICER: "Is there a difference between ISIS and some other people who say they're Muslims?
HUSSEIN: "Yeah, all Muslims they are hypocrites, but the ISIS, they are real Muslims. They make Sharia."
Prosecutors said Saadaoui had arranged for assault rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, but the plot was foiled by an undercover operative posing as an arms contact.
**
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says Australians are hurting and are wanting strong leadership.
Her comments came after Angus Taylor defeated Sussan Ley in a ballot to secure the Liberal Party leadership with Senator Jane Hume as his deputy.
Ms Ley's defeat has led her to quit politics which means there will be a by-election in her seat of Farrer.
Pauline Hanson says One Nation will contest that seat and has a good chance of winning.
She says both Ms Ley and Angus Taylor have failed to respond to what voters are demanding during a cost-of-living crisis.
"They've changed the leader but they're still on a dead horse. I hear all the time from Sussan Ley and as I'm hearing from Angus Taylor is motherhood statements. The people have had enough. They are hurting and they want strong leadership they want to know where the politicians, the political parties stand on their policies. What are you going to do for us."
**
South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales are continuing to see heavy rainfall, with more expected over the coming days.
Sandbagging stations have been opened in many local council areas, as an area from Bundaberg on the Fraser Coast down to Ballina in the Northern Rivers; as well as western Queensland regions as far as Charleville and Cunnamulla, have flood watches in effect.
Miriam Bradbury, from the Bureau of Meteorology, says flash flooding across the South East of Queensland is a danger, including for Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
"Flash flooding is a big concern over the coming days as that heavy rain risk continues. We do have a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall current, and it covers most of the south east coast district of Queensland, this includes the Brisbane metro area, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Now this warning is flagging 6 hourly rainfall totals of 50 to 90 millimetres, with more isolated 6 hourly totals as high as 150 millimetres."
**
The UK High Court has ruled the government's ban on the pro-Palestine campaign group, Palestine Action, is unlawful.
In July last year, the British government had banned the group, which had protested against Israel’s war on Gaza and the U-K’s support for Israel.
It followed an incident where activists from the group entered the Royal Air Force station in June 2025 and vandalised military aircraft with red paint, saying the aircraft can be used to refuel and had been used to refuel Israeli fighter jets.
The Labour government led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer designated it as a terrorist organisation and a national security threat.
More than 2000 people have been arrested, including for holding signs opposing what they describe as Israel's genocide on Gaza.
After Friday’s court ruling, holding such placards will no longer be considered unlawful.
**
A Sydney Jewish group has decided to withdraw from this year's Mardi Gras parade because of antisemitism and safety concerns.
The Dayenu Committee says its withdrawal is the result of extensive consideration for the safety of not just its members, but that of spectators, participants and volunteers.
More than 12-thousand people are expected to march on February 28, including the Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
"Mardi Gras is a celebration that brings our communities together, including the broader Australian community but more than that Mardi Gras with about 100 events,dance parties, theatre, music and the world famous parade is an international event showing the world what modern Australia looks like. Happy Mardi Gras everyone."
**
In AFL, Victoria and Western Australia are gearing up for the first State of Origin in 27 years.
Play starts tonight before a capacity crowd at Optus Stadium in Perth.
AFL state of origin went into a hiatus in 1999 with lower attendances and fewer people watching the encounters on television.
