Documents suggest the loss of nearly 600 roles at the Ministry of Education.

A warning has been issued after a series of severe opioid overdoses occurred in Sydney's west last month.

Nitazenes, potent synthetic opioids, have been found in a cluster of 20 overdoses reported in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District

The synthetic drug can be stronger than fentanyl and 100 times more potent than heroin, according to NSW Health.

READ MORE: Inflation eases, but not enough to stoke hopes of early rate cut

Nitazenes are also more likely to stop or slow down breathing.

"Nitazenes are extremely potent," NSW Health Chief Addiction Medicine Specialist Dr Hester Wilson said.

"It is important that people recognise the signs of an opioid overdose early and know how to respond.

"Opioids such as heroin can cause pin-point pupils, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slowed breathing/snoring and skin turning blue/grey and can be life-threatening.

"One of the dangers of illicit drug supply is the strength and contents of the substance you are getting is unknown and can be inconsistent.

"In light of this detection, people who use drugs such as heroin should carry naloxone."

Investigations into the overdose cases are ongoing.

NSW Health recommends take-home naloxone as a life-saving measure as it can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose.

For more information visit NSW Health

National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline on 1800 250 015 or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

The plane plunged hundreds of metres, injuring dozens of passengers last month.

Hundreds of rubbish bins across city have been removed as a cost-cutting measure.

It is the latest department to announce job cuts as part of Govt’s cost-cutting measures.

Seven youths have been arrested in raids across south-west Sydney today as part of the ongoing investigation into the Wakeley alleged terror attack.

NSW Police and Australian Federal Police said they had identified a "number of associates" of a 16-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, and all of the alleged associates subscribed to a "religiously motivated violent extremist ideology".

"We identified links between the alleged offender and a network of associates and peers who we believe shared a similar violent extremist ideology," AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said. 

READ MORE: Someone fishing discovered evidence in US couple's killing, officials say

"The JCTT (Joint Counter Terrorism Team) has acted swiftly to disrupt these individuals and the investigation remains ongoing.

"We want to be very clear, we target radicalisation, not religion." 

Barrett said there was no evidence of a specific target for another violent terror act.

Thirteen search warrants were carried out in Bankstown, Prestons, Casula, Lurnea, Rydalmere, Greenacre, Strathfield, Chester Hill, Punchbowl and Goulburn.

More than 400 AFP and NSW Police officers assisted in the raids, with seven male youths arrested and a further five assisting with enquiries.

"It was considered that the group, subject of our attention, posed an unacceptable risk and threat to the people of NSW, and our current investigative strategies could not adequately ensure public safety," Deputy Commander David Hudson said.

"The action we have taken today has mitigated any risk of further harm."

There is no ongoing threat to the community, he said.

The AFP and NSW Police urged the community to report any suspicious behaviour to the national security hotline.

READ MORE: Ray Hadley erupts over alleged murder of childcare worker

The NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team said earlier that it was conducting raids throughout Sydney today as part of the ongoing investigation into the Wakeley alleged terror attack.

ASIO Boss Mike Burgess confirmed this morning that the raids were in relation to the attack at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley last week, which saw a bishop and a priest hospitalised after they were allegedly stabbed by a 16-year-old boy.

"We are involved, it's joint with the three agencies and the New South Wales Crime Commission in that state," Burgess said.

"My officers are connected and involved and embedded inside the Joint Counter-Terrorism Team.

"And on the back end, Australia's security services are always doing its thing to provide security intelligence that enables the police to deal with these problems when we have immediate threats to life."

READ MORE: Police investigate townhouse fire in Sydney's west

Police reassured there is no threat to public safety and the raids have no relation to Anzac Day commemorations tomorrow. 

"The JCTT Sydney is executing search warrants in Sydney today as part of an ongoing investigation," a NSW Police statement said earlier.

"More information will be provided later today, but nothing further is available at this time."

The NSW JCTT comprises members from the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission.

The clip is another in a string of violent incidents on or near Auckland public transport.

A candid interview with the Herald after news yesterday of the failed Reading Cinema deal.

Mitchell Kerr is now on home detention after collecting almost $10k in wage subsidies.

The families of the Australian couple missing after the Taiwan earthquake earlier this month have issued a statement saying they would only like the search for their loved ones resumed when it is safe for rescuers.

The search for Issac Sim Hwee Kok and Ann Neo Siew Choo was paused on April 12, almost two weeks after they were caught in the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, when it became too dangerous for rescue teams to operate.

The families have today said they "cannot allow further risk to the rescue teams".

READ MORE: Premier vows tough action after death of NSW woman

"The families dearly want them to be found but cannot allow this to be at the risk of someone else's life", they said in a statement today.

The Australian and Singaporean couple were holidaying in Taiwan when they were caught in the earthquake while hiking in the country's Hualien region.

"The families would like to thank every member of the Hualien County Fire Department, especially Wu Zhao Yuan, Jian Hong Cheng, Wen Zong Hao, Wang Wei Jun, Lin Qifeng, Su Shengzhi, and the search and rescue dogs for their dedication and tireless efforts in the search for our family.

"The events have made us deeply appreciate the preciousness of life. 

"We ask that they resume the search and rescue operation once it is safe to do so. However we also ask that they do so by always putting their own safety first."

The family also expressed their thanks to officials and emergency services in Taiwan, and consular offices of Singapore and Australia.

"We hope that Hualien will be rebuilt as soon as possible so that more people can experience the beauty of the place and the warmth of its people."