Tag Archives: oceania

Queensland man arrested after allegedly posting antisemitic content

A Queensland man is behind bars this morning, accused of making antisemitic threats on social media while stockpiling illegal weapons.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers began an investigation into a string of online antisemitic comments posted on Telegram last year.

A home in Longreach in Queensland was later raided, with police allegedly seizing knives and batons after tracing a series of Telegram posts directed at the Jewish community back to the 56-year-old.

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A Queensland man has been charged with making antisemitic posts on social media and the unlawful possession of weapons.

In total, police seized two flick knives, an extendable baton and electronic devices for forensic examination.

The Queensland man will face court today after being charged with one count of using a phone to harass and one count of possessing illegal weapons. 

AFP Detective Superintendent Bill Freeman said it will not tolerate any threats toward the Jewish community.

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Police seized two flick knives, an extendable baton and electronic devices, which will be subject to forensic examination.

"The AFP supports freedom of speech and political expression, but does not tolerate criminal behaviour, including threats and harassment," Freeman said.

"The AFP is committed to identifying and charging individuals suspected of harassing, menacing or threatening the Jewish community."

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Photo surfaces of Jeffrey Epstein alongside ex-ambassador and disgraced prince

A photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein has surfaced in what is believed to be the first known image of the three men together.

The image released by the Department of Justice (DoJ) shows the former prince and ex-British ambassador to the US wearing bathrobes, sitting alongside the convicted pedophile.

The three men are captured sitting around a wooden table on a deck, drinking out of mugs displaying the US flag.

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This undated photo released by the U.S. Department of Justice, shows Jeffrey Epstein, center, sitting with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson. (U.S. Department of Justice via AP)

The photo was found by ITV News, and they understand it was captured in Martha's Vineyard in Boston, Massachusetts.

It is unknown when the image was taken.

The surfacing of the photo comes as documents released on Wednesday by the British government show officials believed there was a "reputational risk" to appointing Peter Mandelson as the ambassador to the US because of his relationship with the convicted sex offender.

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Peter Mandelson

Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed Mandelson to the position before firing him nine months later when new details of the relationship with Epstein emerged.

Starmer now faces a political storm over the decision.

Darren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister, said the due diligence on Mandelson "did not expose the depth and extent" of his friendship with Epstein, and said Mandelson lied to Starmer about the friendship.

"Peter Mandelson should never have been afforded the privilege of representing this country," Jones told lawmakers in the House of Commons.

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Keir Starmer

"I reiterate for the House that the prime minister deeply regrets taking him at his word. It was a mistake to do so."

Both men deny any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, after separately being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

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Teen dies in horror crash on Adelaide motorway

A teenager has been killed in a high-speed crash on Adelaide's Northern Expressway.

Police and emergency services responded to calls at about 10.40am yesterday after a Toyota ute towing a trailer collided with a guard barrier and pole in Angle Vale.

The 18-year-old driver of the vehicle died at the scene. 

READ MORE: Blast rocks Tehran after Israel threatened to target area where pro-government rally was being held

The 18-year-old from Stockwell died at the scene.The expressway was closed to north bound traffic between Angle Vale Road and Two Wells Road while Major Crash investigators examined the scene but has since reopened.

The tragedy brings this year's death toll on South Australian roads to 21.

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Albanese says risk of fine ‘worth it’ as Johnston makes NRL history

Thousands swarmed Alex Johnston as the Rabbitohs winger made NRL history tonight by breaking the record for most tries scored, and there was one face amongst the crowd that took many by surprise: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The nation's leader joined the fan chaos at Allianz Stadium that forced players to retreat to the sheds and halted the game for more than 15 minutes.

Commentators on Nine revelled in "a moment the game will never forget".

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Johnston's runaway try against the Sydney Roosters took his career total to 213, surpassing the record held by Ken Irvine for 53 years.

"I know it's not the right thing at the moment for the players, but this is a one-off," Brad Fittler said of the fan celebrations.

"This is the only time this will happen in their life."

Security at first had attempted to stop some of the fans but it was to no use in an iconic moment for rugby league.

And even Albanese couldn't resist being part of the celebrations.

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NRL legend Billy Slater interviewed Albanese after the game, asking if he faced being fined for joining the on-field celebrations.

"It was worth it to be part of history," Albanese said, a red and green Rabbitohs scarf around his neck.

"I was on the Souths board when we got kicked out of the comp, and 100,000 people marched through the streets of Sydney, 'South Sydney 'til I die', as the slogan went.

"And a great moment for Alex Johnston.

"He's been an extraordinary player but he's also a great man, he's so humble. And it was a great moment for rugby league and a great moment for South Sydney."

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The prime minister is South Sydney's No.1 ticket holder and has been a fan for life.

He was previously a director on the club's board, and a personal supporter of Johnston, including a period when the star almost left the club.

Albanese's relationship with the Rabbitohs is so storied that he even fell in love with his wife, Jodie Haydon, in part due to their shared adoration of the club.

"It's incredible and he's a La Perouse local," Albanese said as he continued about Johnston.

"He's a proud Indigenous man, he's an author, he's written kids' books.

"He's just a great Australian."

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Newcastle Knights legend Andrew Johns said it was great to have the prime minister present, especially given his personal connection to Johnston.

"It's great that he's here and, you know, it's not virtue signalling, he loves rugby league and he loves South Sydney," Johns said on Nine.

"It just adds to the night."

Unfortunately for the Rabbitohs, Johnston's brilliance was not enough and the Roosters won 26-18.

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Dezi Freeman’s wife won’t be charged over hunt for accused cop-killer

Charges will not be laid against Dezi Freeman's wife and two other people who were probed over the hunt for the alleged cop-killer and the fatal shooting of two police officers in Porepunkah last year.

Freeman's wife, 42-year-old Amalia, also known as Mali, and a 56-year-old Porepunkah man were interviewed by investigators regarding indictable obstruction of police following the deadly shooting.

A third person was interviewed regarding attempted theft.

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However, despite briefs of evidence prepared by detectives after a "meticulous investigation", there was insufficient evidence to lay charges against the trio, police announced today.

"These briefs were subsequently not authorised due to there being insufficient evidence to support a prosecution at this time," a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

"Those briefs were independently reviewed, and the same outcome was reached."

Nearly six months have passed since Dezi Freeman allegedly fatally shot Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart on a Porepunkah property.

Police attended the Rayner Track property on the morning of August 26 to execute a search warrant on behalf of the Wangaratta Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team.

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An accused gunman on the run after two police officers were fatally shot and another was wounded as been identified as Dezi Freeman.

A third officer was seriously injured when Freeman allegedly opened fire on the officers, before he fled into surrounding bushland.

Mali was arrested days later, when 12 police vehicles surrounded a Porepunkah property and ordered them out.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush said at the time the pair was "interviewed totally and specifically related to the homicide investigation".

They were interviewed and released without charge.

Mali later called on her husband to hand himself in to police.

Despite thorough searches and thousands of tip-offs, Dezi Freeman has not been seen since, and police said last month they "strongly believe" he may be dead.

A reward of up to $1 million remains in place for information leading to his arrest.

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Jury finds Australian businessman was Chinese spy asset

An Australian businessman recklessly compiled reports for individuals whom he should have suspected were Chinese spies, a jury has found.

Alexander Csergo, 59, was running a telecoms business in Shanghai when he was approached on LinkedIn in November 2021 by a woman claiming to be from a Chinese think tank.

His decision to then prepare fake, plagiarised reports for two individuals, only known as Ken and Evelyn, was enough for a NSW District Court jury today to find him guilty of one count of reckless foreign interference.

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The 59-year-old, who had been working on telecommunications infrastructure while in Shanghai, should have suspected that Ken and Evelyn were working for China's Ministry of State Security, the jury found.

He used open-source information to compile reports on a variety of topics, including mining, politics, defence and security.

He also falsely claimed he had interviewed a number of individuals, including former prime minister Kevin Rudd.

The reports were handed to Ken or Evelyn in person, sometimes at restaurants and cafes devoid of other people, in exchange for envelopes containing the equivalent of thousands of dollars in cash.

Alexander Csergo, 55, from Bondi was charged with a foreign interference offence.

Despite this information being worthless, the jury still found Csergo guilty after being told by the crown prosecutors that the relationship with him and his contacts was valuable.

Ken also handed the 59-year-old a "shopping list" of sensitive topics to research when he returned to Australia in early 2023.

This document was found by domestic spies and police when they raided his eastern Sydney home in March that year.

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Energy minister unleashes over ‘un-Australian’ petrol act

Energy Minister Chris Bowen blasted motorists who are hoarding jerry cans of fuel to sell on Facebook Marketplace as "un-Australian" in a stern warning against panic-buying and reselling.

Drivers in Australia have been spotted stockpiling petrol and diesel and advertising them online for inflated prices as E10 fuel skyrockets close to $2.30 per litre.

Several Facebook Marketplace listings advertising jerry cans of fuel have appeared online in the wake of the conflict in the Middle East.

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SMH FIRST. Chris Bowen MP speaks to reporters at a press conference to discuss petrol and diesel supply issues related to the ongoing conflict in Iran. March 13, 2026. Photo: Max Mason-Hubers

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One listing purported to offer two 20-litre cans of 96 premium petrol for $450.

Bowen said there is no reason to stock up on surplus fuel, adding that oil "continues to arrive in Australia as predicted and on schedule".

"I ask Australians: buy as much fuel as you need, no more, no less," Bowen told reporters.

"There are other people, I've seen it on Facebook Marketplace, filling up jerry cans, Bunnings running out of jerry cans… selling fuel at inflated prices.

"That is un-Australian. It's dangerous. It shouldn't be done."

It was clearly a "minority of people" selling fuel on Facebook, Bowen said.

He acknowledged the majority of people buying extra petrol were simply responding to reports of shortages.

The minister said he realised there had been mixed messaging for Australians.

Bowen again repeated that there is no need to panic-buy at the bowser.

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SMH News Sydney. Story by Nadia Russell- Petrol Prices.  Photo shows, BP Kingsford - 368 Anzac Parade. Photo by Peter Rae. Friday 13 March 2026

He denied reports that Australia was running out of fuel or that there was any shortage.

"I think the sort of inflammatory 'running out' language – we are nowhere near that. We have minimum stock obligations in place," he said.

He clarified that while Australia still has healthy reserves of fuel, the shipments have not been keeping up with demand, which has spiked due to panic-buying.

"There is no need for panic-buying," Bowen said.

"Is the situation internationally serious? Yes, it is.

"Is Australia's fuel supply currently secure? Yes.

"Are the ships arriving as we expect? Yes. Are there further challenges coming? Well, Australians know that there may be further challenges coming.

"The government's prepared for that. Australia's prepared for that. We hope it doesn't happen.

"What we need to do is be ready for them."

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Woman’s trauma after student filmed her in toilet

The victim of a biomedical student busted for secretly filming women in public toilets is now fearful of her safety and can no longer use public restrooms.

The woman is among an unknown number of victims, who university student Bao Phuc Cao recorded without permission in intimate settings in public facilities.

The 23-year-old was found with more than 100 videos on his phone but authorities are unsure if they're all of the same or different victims, Melbourne Magistrates Court was told today.

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The woman had gone into the public toilets at Chipmunks Playland and Cafe Docklands on February 20, 2025, and saw there was one other person in an adjoining cubicle.

As she used the toilet, she noticed an iPhone being held close to the wall near the cubicle and that it was recording.

The woman became scared and panicked at the sight of the recording, leaving the toilets to call security who found Cao in the toilet cubicle.

Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz read the woman's victim impact statement and described how Cao's offending had a profound impact on the complainant.

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"She remains anxious, unsurprisingly she is hypervigilant," the magistrate said.

The woman's sense of safety has been and continues to be affected, impacting her ability to use the restroom in the office and in public, she added.

"These concerns are the long-term effects of your offending," Mykytowycz said.

On Friday, Cao was sentenced to a 12-month adjourned undertaking without conviction where he must be of good behaviour and comply with his previous community corrections order.

Bao Phuc Cao

The offender had been sentenced twice before receiving a community corrections order — in July 2025 on the same matter and May 2025 relating to an incident in October 2024.

Under the principle of totality, the magistrate said his charge today should have been bundled with his previous sentencing as it would have been unlikely to have impacted his prior sentence.

Mykytowycz took into account his guilty plea, youth and that he has no family in Australia, but described the offending as very serious and the complainant was entitled to feel safe.

"Your offending was not of a physical nature but of the most intimate kind in a public toilet," she said.

"Court has to send a message to the community that they denounce this offending and (reinforce) the protection of women who are entitled and must feel safe in public utilities."

The court was told Cao's phone used in the offending will be returned to him after authorities figure out how to delete all its contents.

He left the court a free man and was bundled away from the chasing media pack by the son of a man who was jailed in a separate case heard before Cao's sentencing.