Blessing of the Boats was cancelled, but crowds still packed Island Bay.

The application of special powers granted to police by the NSW government is being challenged in the Supreme Court ahead of Israeli President Isaac Herzog's state visit.

Thousands of police officers will be on the ground in Sydney from Monday as the NSW premier calls for calm amid plans for a pro-Palestine rally.

A massive police operation kicked off today in the city ahead of Herzog's visit, with multiple road closures in place from 12pm Sunday until 2pm on Thursday, including a large exclusion zone which will grant authorities extraordinary powers to move people along.

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In the exclusion zone – which will capture the CBD and Pyrmont to the eastern suburbs – police will have the power to move someone along for any reason.

About 3500 officers will be deployed across the city for the duration of Herzog's three-day visit.

Officers will also have the right to stop and search anyone or any vehicle without a warrant.

Failure to comply with lawful police direction could result in fines of up to $5500 or exclusion from the major event area.

A heavy motorcade is believed to be transporting the Israeli president around the city.

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The proposed route of Monday's pro-Palestine march falls within the exclusion zone.

The Palestine Action Group (PAG) said up to 5000 people would march from Town Hall to state parliament to oppose the visit.

Police want the rally be confined to Hyde Park.

This afternoon, lawyers for PAG launched last-minute legal action against the extra police powers.

The judge said there would not be a decision on the challenge to the police crackdown until at least tomorrow, meaning as it stands, the large rally and march will go ahead.

NSW Premier Chris Minns on Saturday urged protesters to remain "calm and respectful".

He also asked residents to avoid the CBD if they can and confirmed there would be a "massive" police presence.

"We can disagree without resorting to clashes or violence on Sydney streets," Minns said.

"In fact, that would be devastating for everybody, regardless of your cause."

PAG spokesman Josh Lees told The Sydney Morning Herald Minns was not using the new laws in the right manner.

"[NSW Premier Chris Minns] is using powers meant for sporting events or cultural events to instead give himself and the NSW Police extraordinary and draconian powers to basically shut down our entire city in the interest of parading out a war criminal to this country," he said.

Herzog will visit Australia at the invitation of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack.

He will arrive in Sydney before travelling to Canberra and Melbourne.

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The president told the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this week he hoped his visit would be one of "goodwill".

The purpose of the visit is to "express our bond, our connection, our love, our affection, our condolences", he said.

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The former Warriors star was jailed in 2022 for importing methamphetamine.

The possibility of a mass drug overdose at a music festival at Sydney Olympic Park is being investigated.

A 40-year-old man died, another person was left in a critical condition and five others were hospitalised following the Dreamstate rave last night.

The Dome at Sydney Olympic Park hosted the music festival, billed as the ultimate trance and techno experience.

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Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham confirmed five people were rushed to hospital.

A possible mass overdose event was being investigated.

Dreamstate was yet to comment on the incidents in Sydney but shared a warning about high-dose MDMA capsules and pills from Victoria Health, ahead of the festival's Melbourne edition tonight.

The man who died is believed to have gone into cardiac arrest after taking illicit substances.

"This death has reignited the debate over government-run pill testing at festivals.

It wasn't offered last night but today at an event at Centennial Park it is.

Despite the weather, Laneway Festival drew in big numbers and a big police presence with drug-detection dogs working the crowd.

"It is a reminder that pill testing that has been going on is very important, has allowed information from health to be distributed," Graham said.

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Resident says festival and golf traffic has turned rural Te Arai roads into highways.

Andrew McLean’s lawyers argue there was no proper basis for his detainment.

The third victim of a plane crash over South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula has been identified as a 20-year-old aspiring pilot about to embark on his career.

His devastated mum told 9News her son was never meant to be on the ill-fated flight which crashed into the ocean.

Lucas Di Biase recently graduated top of his class.

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"All you ever wanted to do since you were a toddler was to become a pilot," his devastated family said.

"Forever in our hearts. Forever 20. Fly high our beautiful boy."

He was not meant to be on the flight on Friday but never hesitated to jump in the back seat.

He was booked to go to Darwin tomorrow to follow his dreams alongside one of his best mates, Savvas Tsambarlis.

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"He was just so in love with it and he was so attached to all sorts of flying and he definitely wanted to one day be an airline pilot," Tsambarlis said.

"He was a great mate, he was funny, he was always having a laugh as much as we would talk about flying he was always good to talk to about everything else."

Also onboard the ill-fated training flight was 18-year-old Tristan Scheffers.

A video from his family showed his love of flying from a young age.

He'd just finished year 12 and was on his way to earning his commercial pilot licence.

His shattered dad paid tribute.

"Our beautiful boy who loved flying more than anything else spread his wings one last time on Friday," he said.

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They died when the Cessna 210 Centurian they were in plummeted into the sea off Goolwa near Adelaide.

Experienced pilot and instructor Leo Howard, described as "one of the best", was also killed.

An investigation is under way.

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"There'll be a thorough investigation by CASA but I think now more than anything else is about the community getting around the families of those who've lost their lives," South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said.

They were promised an encrypted app to freely discuss the drug trade. It was an FBI trap.

The single-vehicle incident happened to the east of Gore.

Lifeguards tracked the pod along Pāpāmoa Beach to protect swimmers.