Tag Archives: oceania

Body camera footage is released showing scene outside Gene Hackman’s home

Authorities have released body camera footage from outside the home of Gene Hackman, where the actor and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in late February.

The redacted footage shows deputies talking with the two workers who called authorities to report seeing someone lying on the floor inside the home.

With no signs of forced entry or other evidence of suspicious circumstances, the deputies asked about the possibility of a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning, and the workers said they didn't see how that could have been the case.

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"Something's not right," one of the workers said.

Authorities soon determined there were no leaks that could have been fatal, further fueling a mystery that captured the public's attention.

It was solved about a week later when medical investigators confirmed that Hackman died of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer's about a week after hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — a rare, rodent-borne disease — took the life of his wife.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office released only some of the footage from the investigation.

A New Mexico court last week granted a temporary restraining order against the release of any photographs and video showing Hackman and his wife the inside of their home. Hackman's estate had filed the petition to withhold images, citing the need to protect the family's constitutional right to privacy in grief under the 14th Amendment.

Workers who had maintained the property talked to investigators about respecting Hackman and Arawaka's privacy. One worker described Arawaka as a private person.

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FILE - Actor Gene Hackman arrives with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, for the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

The body camera footage also shows brief sightings of one of the couple's dogs running in the wooded hills on their property on the edge of Santa Fe. A man who identified himself to officers as a dog trainer who cared for the couple's pet dogs said the couple were "nuts" about their dogs.

"There's toys everywhere around the property," he said.

In a separate video, Arakawa's hairdresser told investigators that his client took the dogs with her everywhere and that the smallest one would often hang out inside the salon with them during her visits.

That dog was found inside a crate, not far from Arakawa's body. A report obtained by The Associated Press from the state Department of Agriculture's veterinary lab states the dog likely died from dehydration and starvation.

The actor's daughter, Elizabeth Hackman, told authorities she wanted the dog that died to be cremated.

Authorities put her in touch with the local animal shelter to talk about the options.

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Hundreds arrested in protests over popular mayor’s jailing

A media union says Turkish authorities have arrested several journalists at their homes in a crackdown amid growing protests over the jailing of Istanbul's mayor, a top rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A court on Sunday formally arrested Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and ordered him jailed pending a trial on corruption charges.

His detention on Wednesday sparked the largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade, deepening concerns over democracy and the rule of law.

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The Disk-Basin-Is media workers' union said on Monday at least eight reporters and photojournalists were detained in what it called an "attack on press freedoms and the people's right to learn the truth".

It called for their immediate release.

The social media platform X said it was objecting to multiple court orders from Turkish authorities to block more than 700 accounts, including of news organisations, journalists and political figures in Turkey.

Hundreds of protesters detained

A total of 1133 people had been detained since the mayor was arrested at his home, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. As many as 123 police officers were injured in the protests, he said, adding that materials such as acid, firebombs and knives were seized.

"Some circles have been exploiting the right to assemble and demonstrate, attempting to disrupt public order, incite street unrest and attack our police," Yerlikaya said on social media.

The minister said some of the detained were identified as having ties to groups listed as terrorist organisations and others had criminal records.

Hundreds of thousands of people have come out for the largely peaceful protests across Turkey in support of the mayor.

There has been some violence, with police deploying water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray and firing plastic pellets at protesters in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Some protesters hurled stones, fireworks and other objects at riot police.

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Mayor urges more rallies

In a message on social media, Imamoglu urged people to rally outside city hall and other locations for a sixth night on Monday. He also called on youths to avoid clashes and asked police to treat demonstrators with kindness.

"I'm working hard, I will work even harder. Where I am does not matter," he said.

The mayor's jailing is widely regarded as a political move to remove a major challenger to Erdogan from the next presidential race, scheduled for 2028.

READ MORE: Woman stuck in mud as two ferocious dogs attack

Government officials reject the accusations and insist that Turkey's courts operate independently.

Imamoglu was jailed on suspicion of running a criminal organisation, accepting bribes, extortion, illegally recording personal data and bid-rigging — accusations he has denied. A request for him to be imprisoned on terror-related charges was rejected although he still faces prosecution.

The Interior Ministry later said Imamoglu had been suspended from duty as a "temporary measure". The municipality previously appointed an acting mayor from its governing council.

University students shout slogans during a protest at Besiktas district in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025, after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison. The poster reads in English and Turkish: "I don't know about you but I'm feeling 'revolution' tonight!".

Erdogan says opposition to be held to account for protests

In a televised address following a Cabinet meeting, Erdogan accused the opposition party's chairman, Ozgur Ozel, who has called for peaceful protests, of disturbing public order instead of addressing the alleged corruption. He also said he would be held to account for the protests.

"I have made this call several times before, and today I am repeating it: Stop disturbing our citizens' peace with provocations. If you have the courage, account for the corruption, theft, bribes taken, and irregularities committed," Erdogan said.

"Of course, there will be political accountability for these actions in parliament and legal accountability in court."

Imamoglu was taken to Silivri prison, west of Istanbul, as more than 1.7 million members of his opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, held a primary election, endorsing him as its presidential candidate. Millions of non-members also cast votes in a "solidarity ballot", the party said.

Alongside Imamoglu, 47 other people were also jailed pending trial, including a key aide and two district mayors from Istanbul. One was replaced with a government appointee. A further 44 suspects were released under judicial control.

Ankara municipality also under scrutiny

Meanwhile, authorities were investigating the office of Ankara's mayor, another popular opposition figure, over the alleged misuse of public funds concerning the organisation of 33 concerts, the municipality said on Monday. It said the decision was made even though the concerts had been thoroughly audited.

Imamoglu was elected mayor of Turkey's largest city in March 2019, in a major blow to Erdogan and the president's Justice and Development Party, which had controlled Istanbul for a quarter-century. Erdogan's party pushed to void the municipal election results in the city of 16 million, alleging irregularities.

The challenge resulted in a repeat of the election a few months later, which Imamoglu also won. The mayor retained his seat following local elections last year, during which the CHP made significant gains against Erdogan's governing party.

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Some Olympic projects to be scrapped amid Brisbane stadium backlash

The state cabinet is signing off on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic plan to deliver a new stadium at Brisbane's Victoria Park, while scrapping several other key projects.

Premier David Crisafulli is set to announce more events will be spread across regional Queensland, in part a reaction to discontent with a new stadium being built in the south-east, but some sports already aren't happy with the locations confirmed by 9News in recent days.

"It's a plan to make sure that we do deliver generational infrastructure and a plan to make sure we host a great game when the eyes of the world are on us," Crisafulli said.

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Despite Crisafulli's repeated assurances during the election campaign he wasn't going to build a new stadium, 9News confirmed last week Queensland would get a new 60,000-seat stadium to be built at Victoria Park.

It will be the centrepiece of a new Olympic precinct, likely next to the new National Aquatic Centre and near an athletes' village at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

Crisafulli faces hurdles on funding from the federal government as Prime Minister Anthony pushes for $2.5 billion to go to the Brisbane Live Arena, an eventual replacement for the Brisbane Entertainment Centre further out of the city in Boondall.

"We have negotiated well together – I think that's fair – we have worked together well," the premier said.

But 9news has confirmed Crisafulli is set to scrap the indoor arena and redirect that money for other venues.

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"Of course there's been some strong negotiations – two people of Italian descent you'd expect that, but there's nothing that can't be solved by a bit of common sense and a cannoli," he said.

The Queensland government was hoping negotiations would play out during the federal election campaign, weakening the bargaining power of Albanese and Peter Dutton.

But after Cyclone Alfred blew the election date back the state was left with a tougher fight on its hands.

And it's not the only battle.

After 9News exclusively revealed last night that rowing is set to be moved to Rockhampton, Rowing Australia quickly raised concerns the venue might not be suitable.

"The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton hasn't actually undergone any technical assessments by World Rowing or the IOC (International Olympic Committee),"  Rowing Australia chief executive Sarah Cook said.

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Rowing will be moved to Rockhampton for Brisbane 2032.

"But it wasn't really a venue that we expected to be considered for the Olympic and Paralympic regatta itself."

She did however brush off any concerns about the crocodiles in the river, lightheartedly describing their presence as "very exciting".

"We think that might be a bit more concerning to our European counterparts," Cook said.

Hockey bosses too are concerned about the possibility of playing at temporary facilities at Ballymore instead of a cheaper legacy option on the Gold Coast, although 9News understands the Gold Coast is still the frontrunner.

Sources say the independent review recommends the 12,000-seat Brisbane Indoor Sports Centre not proceed, recommending a Gold Coast option instead.

Basketball games could then be split across several regions with, 9News understands, the government considering holding the finals at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Cabinet is also considering splitting some of the sailing events between the Whitsundays and Townsville, as part of the premier's plan to send more events into the regions.

He and other ministers will travel across the state this week to "sell" the Games, amid backlash in regional queensland to a new stadium in the south-east.

Woman stuck in mud mauled by two dogs, pet savaged to death

A woman who was mauled by two out of control dogs while sinking into mud on the banks of a Sydney river has told Sutherland local court she thought she was going to die.

The alleged owner of the Irish wolfhounds has been charged over the attack and is accused of running away.

Footage shows Elle Booth up to her shoulders in mud clinging to her Jack Russell, under attack.

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A woman who was mauled by two out of control dogs while sinking into mud on the banks of a Sydney river has told Sutherland local court she thought she was going to die.The alleged owner of the Irish wolfhounds has been charged over the attack and is accused of running away.
Footage shows Elle Booth up to her shoulders in mud clinging to her Jack Russell, under attack.

"I thought I was going to die because the tide was coming," she said.

Booth had been walking on a Sunday morning near Boggywell Creek in Lugarno in the city's south in July 2023 when she says the unleashed Irish wolfhounds set upon her dog Indie, chasing her onto the mud flat.

"It was the most terrifying thing that has ever happened to me," she said.

A woman who was mauled by two out of control dogs while sinking into mud on the banks of a Sydney river has told Sutherland local court she thought she was going to die.The alleged owner of the Irish wolfhounds has been charged over the attack and is accused of running away.
Footage shows Elle Booth up to her shoulders in mud clinging to her Jack Russell, under attack.

Booth said a man used a hunting whistle to try and call them off but claims that as she was mauled in the mud he ran away.

The alleged owner of the dogs is George Helou.

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He was charged with causing the dog attack by his own reckless actions.

Booth and Indie were bitten repeatedly until police arrived.

Footage shows Elle Booth up to her shoulders in mud clinging to her Jack Russell, under attack.A woman who was mauled by two out of control dogs while sinking into mud on the banks of a Sydney river has told Sutherland local court she thought she was going to die.The alleged owner of the Irish wolfhounds has been charged over the attack and is accused of running away.
Footage shows Elle Booth up to her shoulders in mud clinging to her Jack Russell, under attack.

Officers used capsicum spray to scare off the dogs, but an officer also became stuck.

He was finally rescued by firefighters

Indie died a few days later.

"I was able to tell her she was a good girl and give her a pat and then they took me to hospital," Booth said.

Within two hours two Irish wolfhounds were seized from Helou's home.

Prosecutors say they were covered in mud.

Indie died a few days after the attack in Sydney.

There's no question Booth and Indie were attacked.

The key issue for prosecutors is to prove that Helou was responsible for the dogs.

He has pleaded not guilty.

The hearing continues tomorrow.

Renters receive almost $50,000 back after illegal background checks

Renters have received almost $50,000 back after being slugged with illegal charges for background checks in New South Wales.

Some online rental property applications formerly encouraged renters to pay between $25 to $40 to cover the cost of their background checks, which typically came with the promise it would increase their chances of securing a home.

The state parliament passed changes to rental laws in October, banning landlords from making applicants pay for those checks. 

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Rental application form

However, a recent investigation by the rental task force found an online rental application platform was still selling background checks to applicants.

There were 2372 rental applicants charged $19.95 for a search of public databases and the National Tenancy Database — totalling $47,321.

The rental task force has communicated with the platform, which voluntarily refunded affected customers, disabled the background check feature on its website and committed to periodic reviews to ensure compliance.

The rental application platform has chalked the incident up to a system error, which kept the background check option live on its website despite the legal changes.

NSW Fair Trading urges renters who have been charged for a background check to lodge a complaint online.

There are currently 2.3 million people renting in NSW, with the rental task force launched to crack down on dodgy landlords and practices.

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Minister for Corrections of New South Wales Anoulack Chanthivong.

The authority is also working with NSW Police in its investigation into misappropriated trust funds or rental bonds.

Recently on March 7, real estate agent Vanessa Nguyen was sentenced to a 15-month intensive correction order to complete 180 hours of community service and to pay $80,866.20 in compensation.

An investigation found she had taken more than $100,000 dishonestly from NSW Rental Bonds and a trust account managed at Ray White Canley Heights.

She made 25 rental bond claims and, on several occasions, transferred a total of $50,505 from the agency's trust account into her personal account.

"The significant prosecutions and punishments we are seeing for real estate agents also shows that the message is clear – if you are doing the wrong thing, the rental taskforce will catch you and serious legal consequences will follow," Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said.

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Family fights for change ahead of inquest into Indigenous man’s death in custody

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the name of a person who is deceased.

The family of an Aboriginal man who died in custody in 2022 hopes his inquest will bring about change in the justice system.

Clinton Austin, a 38-year-old Gunditjmara and Wiradjuri man, died at Loddon Prison in Victoria on September 11, 2022.

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Shaun Austin (centre), twin brother of Clinton Austin reads a statement outside the inquest into death of Clinton Austin, at the Melbourne Coroners Court, in Melbourne, Monday, March 24, 2025. Clinton Austin, a 38-year-old Gunditjmara and Wiradjuri man died at Loddon Prison after being found unresponsive in his cell.

His brother Shaun delivered an emotional statement outside the Coroners Court of Victoria today, ahead of the inquest.

"I will not stop fighting for you," he said.

"I will fight to make a change, any change possible, not only for Aboriginal people going through the justice system, but anyone who has to go through it.

"I know that's what Clinton would want."

His family has said he was a proud father and artist who had a big heart and wanted to be an art teacher.

"His heart was for his son and his art," the family said in a statement in 2022.

Clinton had already served his two-year non-parole period in prison when he died, he was the second Indigenous person to die in custody in Victoria within the space of a month.

Almost 600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have died in police or prison custody since the Royal Commission into Indigenous Deaths in Custody handed down 339 recommendations in 1991.

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Many of these recommendations have not been fully implemented.

Shortly after Clinton's death, the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, which is helping the family in the coronial process raised concerns about the quality of healthcare provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in prisons in the state.

Today, flanked by family and supporters wearing shirts featuring a photo of Clinton, Shaun said he hoped his brother's inquest would lead to "meaningful and significant change".

"I believe that my brother deserved better from the justice system and it failed him," he said.

The inquest is scheduled to continue for three weeks.

For 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.