The Australian Border Force (ABF) said the then 52-year-old was stopped by investigators after arriving at Sydney International Airport in June 2025. During a search, officers allegedly discovered a significant quantity of child abuse material on electronic devices he was carrying, as well as additional hard drives hidden on his body.

According to court documents, the man imported a large volume of child abuse material on digital devices and concealed multiple hard drives within his shoes and underwear in an attempt to bypass border security.

Following his arrest, he was refused bail and remained in custody while the matter proceeded through the courts.

In February 2026, the man pleaded guilty to four offences:

• Importing Tier 2 prohibited goods contrary to section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901;
• Transmitting child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995;
• Accessing child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995; and
• Possessing child abuse material contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

On Thursday, the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney sentenced the man to 28 months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 14 months.

Australian Border Force Investigations Superintendent Shaun Baker said the case highlighted the critical role frontline officers play in detecting serious criminal offending at Australia’s border.

“Child abuse material on portable electronic devices is not a victimless crime. Children are not commodities to be used for the repugnant gratification of sexual predators,” Superintendent Baker said.

He said people involved in such offences often employed increasingly sophisticated methods of concealment but warned they would continue to be detected.

“Persons will attempt all forms of concealment to avoid the eyes of Border Force officials, but officers are attuned to observing suspicious behaviours of passengers at airports across Australia.”

“We are dedicated to stopping all forms of this deplorable content from making its way over the Australian border.”

The ABF said officers routinely examine passengers, baggage and electronic devices where intelligence or behavioural indicators warrant further investigation.

The agency urged anyone with information about suspicious activity affecting Australia’s border security to report it through Border Watch, stating that community reporting plays an important role in protecting vulnerable people and preventing serious criminal activity.

The case is the latest reminder of the Australian Border Force’s ongoing efforts to intercept child abuse material at the border and target offenders who use international travel to facilitate child exploitation offences.

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The 25-year-old man appeared before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, after being charged following an AFP-led investigation into suspected abuse of the GST refund system at Australian airports.

AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty said fraudulent use of GST refunds affected the wider Australian community.

“Every dollar dishonestly obtained through GST refunds is at the expense of the Australian community,” he said.

“Anyone who abuses the taxation system is warned – your actions and transactions are always traceable, and you are in the AFP’s sights.”

The investigation, known as Taskforce Avarus, began in February 2026 after the Australian Border Force (ABF) raised concerns about a coordinated network allegedly involving multiple high-value TRS claimants, frequent international travel, large cash deposits and the movement of valuable goods.

Under Australia’s Tourist Refund Scheme, eligible international travellers can claim a GST refund on goods purchased in Australia worth more than $300, provided the items are not brought back into the country.

Investigators allege the Sydney man lodged more than $5 million in fraudulent TRS claims at Sydney Airport for luxury watches, including claims involving items that were allegedly not eligible for refunds.

Police allege the man travelled more than 20 times between November 2025 and February 2026 to Chengdu Tianfu Airport in China, with many trips involving stays of less than 24 hours.

Investigators also allege he deposited more than $1.1 million in cash into Australian bank accounts between November 2024 and May 2026, with many deposits made through ATMs in Sydney’s central business district.

The AFP alleges the man edited bank documents and submitted repeated claims for goods that did not qualify under the TRS.

AFP and ABF investigators executed search warrants in Sydney’s CBD on 20 May 2026, seizing about $270,000 in cash, electronic devices, a cash-counting machine and several luxury watches.

Among the items seized were a Richard Mille watch valued at about $170,000, three Patek Philippe watches, a Van Cleef watch, two counterfeit luxury watches, as well as receipts and invoices allegedly linked to the investigation.

The man has been charged with one count of dishonestly obtaining a gain under section 135.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). He was remanded in custody on 21 May 2026 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment if convicted.

ABF Superintendent Paul Barfoot said authorities had zero tolerance for border-related fraud. “Our officers are highly skilled at detecting suspicious activity and travel patterns that can indicate potential fraud and trade-based money laundering,” he said.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and the allegations against the accused have not been proven in court.

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The post International student charged over alleged luxury watch empire built on fake GST claims first appeared on The Australia Today.

The industrial action is scheduled to begin with a rally at 10.30 am, where teachers, principals and education support staff are expected to gather in Melbourne to press their demands for improved salaries, reduced workloads and greater investment in public education.

The strike will affect hundreds of government schools across Victoria, with many schools advising parents that classes will either be cancelled or significantly disrupted. While schools are expected to remain open where possible, many will operate with limited supervision rather than normal teaching programs.

The decision follows an online ballot in which 51.18 per cent of participating AEU members voted to reject the Victorian Government’s revised four-year agreement, while 48.82 per cent supported accepting the offer. More than 50,000 members participated in the vote, representing over 90 per cent of eligible union members.

The Allan government had urged the union to call off the strike after improving its offer. The proposal included salary increases of at least 28.3 per cent over four years, with some employees eligible for increases of up to 32.4 per cent, alongside reductions in compulsory meeting hours and other workload measures.

However, the union says the revised offer does not adequately address the growing pressures facing teachers and education support staff. The AEU continues to seek a 35 per cent pay rise over three years, stronger commitments to reduce excessive workloads, smaller class sizes, increased support for students with additional needs and full funding of Victoria’s public schools to the nationally agreed Schooling Resource Standard.

AEU Victoria President Justin Mullaly has argued that the dispute is about more than salaries, saying teachers are leaving the profession because of unsustainable workloads and chronic underfunding. The union maintains that meaningful improvements to working conditions are essential to addressing teacher shortages across the state.

Education Minister Ben Carroll expressed disappointment with the result, saying the government’s offer would have made Victorian teachers and education staff among the best paid in Australia. He urged the union to return to negotiations and minimise disruption to students and families.

The planned walkout marks the latest escalation in a dispute that has stretched for months and follows earlier industrial action this year. Unless an agreement is reached, further strikes remain possible in the coming weeks.

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New Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data shows 3,178 babies died during the perinatal period in 2023—about nine every day. The deaths included 2,491 stillbirths and 687 babies who died within 28 days of birth.

The national perinatal mortality rate rose from 10.3 deaths per 1,000 births in 2022 to 11.1 in 2023. The stillbirth rate increased to 8.7 per 1,000 births, its highest reported level since at least 2004, while the neonatal death rate remained stable at 2.4 per 1,000 live births.

The figures have caused alarm among bereaved families, clinicians and stillbirth researchers, but the AIHW has cautioned against interpreting the increase as proof that preventable deaths have risen by the same amount.

Australia’s national definition includes babies born without signs of life from 20 weeks’ gestation or weighing at least 400 grams. It also includes deaths following terminations after 20 weeks, many involving severe congenital conditions or serious risks to the mother.

The AIHW says changes in notification practices, the characteristics of women giving birth and a rise in terminations after 20 weeks have all contributed to the recorded increase. Its analysis found later terminations were an important part of the rise between 2019 and 2023.

Researchers from the Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth have similarly warned that headline rates can create a misleading picture if they are not separated by gestational age and whether a pregnancy ended through termination.

Writing in the Medical Journal of Australia, the researchers said much of the recent increase appeared to be driven by terminations after 20 weeks. They called for national agencies to also report stillbirth rates from 28 weeks, excluding terminations, because that measure is more closely aligned with Australia’s main prevention programs.

Victorian hospital figures have also attracted scrutiny after Sale Hospital recorded the state’s highest five-year gestation-standardised perinatal mortality ratio for 2018 to 2022.

Sale recorded a ratio of 1.66, followed by Shepparton Hospital and Waverley Private Hospital, both at 1.44.

However, the figures are not crude death rates and should not be reported as 1.66 or 1.44 deaths per 1,000 births.

A ratio of 1 represents the number of deaths expected after standardising for gestational age. Sale’s result of 1.66 indicates that observed deaths were 66 per cent above the number expected under that calculation—not that 1.66 babies died per 1,000 births.

The Victorian report also does not describe Sale, Shepparton or Waverley Private as the state’s “worst” hospitals.

The accompanying funnel plot does not show those hospitals outside the upper 95 per cent statistical control limit, meaning the differences may be influenced by chance variation, particularly where relatively small numbers of deaths are involved.

Safer Care Victoria explicitly warns that results from smaller hospitals are subject to wider variation and should be interpreted cautiously. Hospitals should be compared with services of similar size and capability, and performance should be assessed across multiple indicators rather than one measure alone.

The Victorian hospital measure also uses a much narrower group than the national stillbirth figures.

It pools five years of data, includes only deaths involving babies born from 32 weeks and excludes congenital anomalies, terminations and babies weighing under 150 grams. Hospitals with fewer than five eligible deaths over the five-year period are excluded entirely.

The calculation adjusts for gestational age but not for transfers between hospitals. A death is attributed to the hospital where the baby was born, even when the baby was later transferred to a larger specialist centre.

Those limitations mean the figures can help hospitals identify cases requiring review, but cannot alone establish that clinical care caused a higher result.

Victoria’s chief midwifery officer Elisa McDonald said every perinatal death was independently reviewed to understand what occurred and identify possible improvements to care.

National data shows the risk is not distributed evenly.

Perinatal mortality remains highest among babies born to the youngest and oldest mothers. The rate has increased since 2021 among babies born to women aged 24 and under, while mothers aged under 20 and those aged 40 or older face a higher risk of pregnancy complications and adverse outcomes.

Families living in remote communities and those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage also face poorer outcomes. Access to timely antenatal care, ultrasound services, specialist monitoring and culturally safe information can vary considerably depending on where a woman lives and the maternity service available to her.

Congenital anomalies were the leading classified cause of perinatal death in 2023, accounting for 28 per cent of cases. Most deaths occurred before labour began.

Despite the importance of understanding why a baby died, an autopsy or related post-mortem examination was recorded in only between 33 and 39 per cent of perinatal deaths from 2019 to 2023.

That category includes full and limited autopsies, external examinations and cases where the type of examination was not identified. The relatively low rate can leave families without a definitive explanation and limit the information available to improve future care.

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care recommends that every stillbirth undergo a structured investigation, including examination of the placenta and umbilical cord, maternal and pregnancy history, clinical photographs, external examination and an offer of autopsy unless a clear cause has already been established.

Some clinicians have raised concerns about women giving birth without a registered midwife or doctor. However, the national figures released by the AIHW do not establish freebirth as a demonstrated cause of the increase. The agency identifies several possible contributors but says careful analysis is required before changes in headline rates can be attributed to a particular model of care.

Stillbirth prevention efforts have focused on identifying fetal growth restriction, helping women stop smoking, encouraging side sleeping from 28 weeks, improving awareness of changes in fetal movement and supporting informed decisions about the timing of birth.

The national Safer Baby Bundle aims to reduce stillbirth after 28 weeks by 20 per cent. Its earlier implementation in Victorian services was associated with a 21 per cent reduction in late-gestation stillbirth, showing that progress can be occurring in preventable late-pregnancy deaths even while the broader legal-definition rate rises.

Researchers are also calling for prevention programs to recognise that risk is not identical across every population.

A Victorian study involving more than 12,000 South Asian-born women found that offering fetal surveillance from 39 weeks was associated with a 64 per cent reduction in term stillbirth, from 2.3 to 0.8 deaths per 1,000 births. The researchers found no corresponding increase in neonatal intensive care admissions or other major neonatal harm.

The findings support a more individualised approach in which maternal health, fetal growth, gestational age, country of birth, access to services and personal circumstances are considered rather than relying on one national intervention for every pregnancy.

The latest figures do not provide a simple explanation for why Australia’s recorded stillbirth rate has risen. Part of the increase reflects changes in reporting and the inclusion of later terminations, while some may represent genuine changes in outcomes.

What the data does show is that thousands of families continue to experience the death of a baby each year, hospital-level comparisons require careful interpretation, and prevention programs cannot be treated as complete simply because national plans have been introduced.

The next step will require clearer data separating preventable late-gestation stillbirths from other perinatal deaths, thorough reviews of individual cases and consistent access to evidence-based, culturally safe maternity care across metropolitan, regional and remote Australia.

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Emergency services were called to a home on Mills Street in Bentley, about eight kilometres south-east of Perth’s CBD, at around 6.25 am on Tuesday following reports of a serious incident. Inside the home, officers found the woman deceased with stab wounds.

Police said the 12-year-old girl, who is believed to be the deceased woman’s daughter, managed to flee the house despite her injuries before seeking help from members of the public. She was later found nearby with stab wounds and rushed to Perth Children’s Hospital, where she remains in a serious condition.

Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo said members of the public played a crucial role in assisting the girl before emergency services arrived.

“We’re very thankful that members of the public did stop, assist the female and St John were called as soon as possible to provide the 12-year-old with the lifesaving care that she needed,” she said.

A 16-year-old boy, understood to be the son of the deceased woman and brother of the injured girl, was located at the residence and taken into police custody. Authorities said the teenager was previously known to police, although no charges had been laid as of Tuesday afternoon.

Western Australia Police’s Homicide Squad has assumed responsibility for the investigation and is treating the matter as a suspected family violence homicide.

Detective Acting Inspector Securo said there was no ongoing risk to the wider community but acknowledged the devastating impact the incident would have on those involved.

“This incident will have a significant impact on the family, friends and loved ones of all those involved, as well as the broader community,” she said.

Police have established a crime scene at the Bentley home while forensic officers continue examining the property and interviewing witnesses. Investigators are appealing to anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers as inquiries continue.

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The post Woman killed by Son, 12-year-old girl seriously injured in suspected family violence incident first appeared on The Australia Today.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Australia, Burke acknowledged reports of racial slurs, harassment and death threats being directed at Indian truck drivers through workplace channels, including CB radio communications used by freight operators.

“It is a grim reality,” Burke said, outlining a two-part response focused on both practical protections and public messaging against racism.

The minister said the government had invested in dedicated migrant worker support centres operating in every Australian capital city to help visa holders facing exploitation, discrimination and workplace abuse.

Burke said migrant workers often hesitate to approach government agencies directly because of concerns about their visa status or possible retaliation from employers.

“We have made a very significant investment in centres dedicated to the rights of migrant workers,” he said, adding that many workers prefer to initially report issues “in a quiet way”.

He also highlighted reforms designed to protect workers who report exploitation, ensuring employers cannot use visa cancellation threats as a form of retaliation.

“If that’s the scenario, you have no power,” Burke said, describing the previous system as leaving vulnerable workers with limited options.

The comments follow growing concerns among Indian-origin truck drivers about racist abuse on Australian roads.

Earlier this year, ABC News reported cases of Indian truck drivers experiencing repeated harassment, including being abused for speaking Punjabi, targeted over their turbans and subjected to hateful messages through truck radio communications.

One driver said he was spat on at a South Australian truck stop while speaking Punjabi with his wife on the phone.

Other drivers reported being called racist slurs and receiving threats over CB radio, with some saying the abuse had become so severe that they avoided using the communication system while driving.

“A good Indian is a dead Indian,” says one radio user.

“There’s a civil war coming. We’re going kill all the f***ing male Indians, were going to drown all the f***ing kids and sell all the women …”

“You filthy Indian c**** wouldn’t f***ing stand up to a f***ing white man, the f***in p**fters.”

Burke said racism against Indian Australians and other migrant communities had no place in the country.

“There have been some politicians who have made some horrific comments about the Indian community,” he said, adding that Australia must “stand firm in solidarity” against attempts to divide communities.

Without naming individuals, Burke criticised sections of the political right, including Liberal, National and One Nation figures, accusing some politicians of encouraging Australians to turn against each other.

“I hope that those three right-wing parties over time walk back from that.”

Burke said Australia had never been a monocultural nation and compared multicultural society to an orchestra where different communities contribute to a shared harmony.

“We’re like an orchestra. There are a whole lot of different instruments, but they play in harmony together.”

Indian Australians are one of the country’s fastest-growing migrant communities, with many working across critical sectors including transport, healthcare, technology and small business.

In 2024, the International Road Transport Union estimated Australia was short about 28,000 heavy vehicle drivers, as veteran drivers retired and few Australian-born young people took their place.

Burke said combating racism and protecting migrant workers was essential to maintaining Australia’s social cohesion and ensuring all communities feel safe and valued.

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In an exclusive interview with NDTV following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s July visit to Australia, Burke said the traditional understanding of terrorism — based on organised cells, clear hierarchies and identifiable networks — was being replaced by a more complex threat landscape shaped by artificial intelligence and online platforms.

“Their powers, their capacity is about to be supercharged by artificial intelligence,” Burke said, warning that extremist organisations could now produce propaganda “quickly in multiple languages” and distribute content that appears authentic despite being false.

The minister said Australian security agencies were also confronting a new form of domestic radicalisation involving young people, often with little connection to traditional extremist networks.

“We have people now as young as 12 on our caseload,” Burke said, describing a growing challenge involving online gaming platforms and digital communities.

He explained that young users may build relationships with strangers through multiplayer gaming, voice chats and online communities, creating trust that can later be exploited for extremist purposes.

“Someone you’re talking to increasingly with AI will have the capacity to be a bot.”

Burke said authorities were seeing cases involving individuals influenced by a mixture of extremist ideologies that historically would have appeared incompatible.

He pointed to examples where ISIS-inspired beliefs were combined with neo-Nazi ideology, describing it as “mixed ideology, fast radicalisation” that challenges traditional counter-terrorism approaches.

The minister said terrorism was becoming increasingly transnational, with online platforms allowing extremist activity to cross borders.

Asked about cooperation with India following attacks including the Bondi Beach attack in Australia and the Pahalgam attack in India, Burke said some intelligence-sharing arrangements could not be discussed publicly.

“There’s elements of this that I’m not able to talk about… when we talk to our friends we’re also being listened to by our enemies.”

However, he confirmed Australia was establishing a new joint centre involving the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) focused specifically on combating online radicalisation.

Burke said artificial intelligence would also be part of Australia’s response, with authorities developing tools to detect and disrupt extremist activity online.

“Part of what we’ll be using is artificial intelligence as well,” he said, adding that such capabilities would be most effective when shared with trusted international partners.

Burke’s comments come as Australia and India deepen cooperation on technology, security and intelligence amid growing concerns about online extremism and foreign interference.

He said the changing threat environment required governments to adapt quickly, particularly as artificial intelligence lowered the barriers for extremist groups to produce content, communicate and influence vulnerable individuals.

Minister Burke also highlighted the importance of cooperation through partnerships such as the Quad, saying democratic countries needed to work together to protect sovereignty and security across the Indo-Pacific.

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The part-time appointment will run for up to five years, with applications closing at 9 am AEST on Thursday, August 6. The successful candidate will receive annual remuneration of $67,500, with travel expenses covered under Remuneration Tribunal arrangements.

The vacancy was created after the existing director, Dr Nicholas Pappas AM, was appointed SBS chairperson for a five-year term in March, replacing George Savvides. Communications Minister Anika Wells said at the time that Dr Pappas brought leadership experience across the legal, financial, sporting and cultural sectors.

The government said applicants must understand SBS’s Charter and its role as Australia’s multilingual, multicultural and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander broadcaster.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate leadership, judgement, financial literacy, personal integrity and a commitment to strong corporate governance.

Substantial experience or knowledge is required in at least one field, including the media industry, broadcasting and digital media, digital technologies, business or financial management, creative arts, educational content, corporate governance, cultural policy or industrial relations.

Experience in advertising, commercial media or digital innovation will also be viewed favourably.

The selection criteria place a particular focus on the ability to understand or represent the communication needs of Australia’s culturally diverse population, including ethnic, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Under the Special Broadcasting Service Act, the board must collectively possess the skills required to govern SBS, understand Australia’s multicultural society and reflect a range of cultural perspectives. At least one board director must be an Indigenous person.

The government said gender, cultural diversity and geographic balance would be considered when the final appointment is made.

The selection process will also recognise non-traditional career paths, including community leadership and voluntary work, rather than relying only on formal qualifications and conventional executive experience.

SBS operates television, radio and digital services, including six free-to-air television channels and an audio network serving more than 60 language communities. Its statutory purpose is to inform, educate and entertain Australians while reflecting the country’s multicultural society.

The SBS Board oversees the broadcaster’s operations and sets its objectives, policies and organisational direction.

Its duties include protecting SBS’s independence and integrity, ensuring its news and information are accurate and balanced, overseeing financial and legal obligations, and ensuring the organisation operates efficiently.

The board is also expected to remain responsive to the needs and views of communities covered by the SBS Charter.

Non-executive directors are expected to attend at least six board meetings each year, including a strategy day. Meetings are generally held in person and last a full day.

Directors may also serve on the Audit and Risk, Codes Review, Remuneration or Community Advisory committees, requiring additional meetings and preparation throughout the year.

Applications will be assessed through the legislated merit-based process used for appointments to both the SBS and ABC boards.

An independent nomination panel will assess written applications, interview shortlisted candidates and conduct referee and probity checks. The panel must then provide the Communications Minister with at least three recommended candidates and a comparative assessment of their suitability.

The government will select its preferred nominee before recommending the appointment to the Governor-General.

The department has warned that the process may take several months because of the interviews, background checks, government consideration and formal appointment requirements.

Current and former federal, state or territory parliamentarians are not eligible while holding political office or for 12 months after leaving. The same restriction applies to senior political staff members, including chiefs of staff, senior advisers and senior media advisers.

Shortlisted candidates will undergo conflict-of-interest and probity checks, which may involve the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the Australian Financial Security Authority and other agencies.

The government has engaged executive recruitment company Omera Partners to manage applications. Candidates must apply through the designated online form and attach a résumé, with applications submitted through other channels not accepted.

There are currently no vacancies on the ABC Board, although the government is separately seeking a member for the independent nomination panel responsible for assessing future ABC and SBS board candidates.

The appointment will come as SBS continues to balance its public broadcasting responsibilities with changes in audience behaviour, streaming technology and the growing demand for credible journalism and culturally informed content.

The successful applicant will help oversee a broadcaster expected to represent modern multicultural Australia while maintaining editorial independence from the government that funds it. The department states that the government does not direct SBS programming and that the broadcaster’s independence is protected by Parliament.

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As per Awaaz, the tribunal acknowledged country information showing an “increasing level of hostility towards Muslims” in India. However, it found that the evidence did not demonstrate that all Muslims faced a real risk of persecution or serious harm.

“In fact, the country information indicated that most Muslims are able to live their lives free from harm or significant discrimination,” the tribunal said.

The 35-year-old Indian citizen arrived in New Zealand on a visitor visa in April 2023 and applied for refugee and protected-person status three months later. His application was rejected by the Refugee Status Unit in April 2025 before he appealed the decision.

The tribunal dismissed his appeal on 1 May 2026, finding that his claim met the high threshold of being “manifestly unfounded”.

The man told the tribunal that he feared returning to India because of his previous involvement in social work for an Islamist political party that was later banned by the Indian government.

He claimed he had been targeted by members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleging that supporters of the organisation attacked his brother at the family home in October 2025 and later threatened his family.

The tribunal accepted that local RSS members could pose a threat to him if he returned to his former area of residence. However, it found that the risk was “highly localised” and that he could safely relocate to other parts of India.

The tribunal identified major cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai as places where the man could live safely, noting their large Muslim populations and access to wider community networks.

Because the tribunal found he had the option of relocating internally within India, it concluded that New Zealand’s refugee-protection obligations were not engaged.

The man also lodged a humanitarian appeal against his deportation, arguing that he had established strong connections in New Zealand, was a valued employee and could continue contributing to the country.

His employer described his specialist production role as “operationally critical” and warned that his departure could disrupt business operations. Immigration records showed he earned more than $60,000 and paid more than $12,000 in tax in the year to May 2026.

However, the tribunal found that his employment, friendships and community ties did not amount to exceptional humanitarian circumstances warranting permission to remain.

The deportation appeal was also declined, but the tribunal granted him a seven-month work visa to allow time for an orderly departure, including arranging accommodation and employment options in India and giving his employer time to adjust.

The ruling comes amid broader international discussions around religious freedom, minority rights and migration pathways, with refugee decisions continuing to assess individual circumstances rather than broader country-level concerns alone.

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The 30-year-old’s remains were discovered late on Saturday night near Esk Hampton Road, Redbank Creek, about 55 kilometres from Toowoomba.

Queensland Police said a crime scene had been established and while the remains are yet to be formally identified, investigators believe they are those of Ms Armstrong.

As per ABC, her former partner, 48-year-old Dharminder Singh, was arrested and charged with murder, with the matter being treated as a domestic and family violence offence.

Ms Armstrong, a support worker and mother of a four-month-old baby boy, was last seen alive on Tuesday, July 7, at her home in Newtown, Toowoomba.

Police said members of the public searching the area discovered the remains and contacted authorities.

Detective Acting Inspector Brian Collins told media that the investigators believed Ms Armstrong was killed on the night she disappeared.

“The movements of Jana’s vehicle and whether it was used to transport her body will form a significant part of the investigation.”

Police have appealed for dashcam and CCTV footage from anyone who travelled between Toowoomba and Esk, including along the New England Highway and Esk Hampton Road, between 10.30pm on July 7 and 1.30am on July 8.

Mr Singh was taken into custody early on Sunday morning after police executed a search warrant at an address in Harristown. He is expected to appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court.

Ms Armstrong’s family had spent days searching for her, with her sister Faith Isaacs caring for her baby son after her disappearance.

Speaking through tears, Ms Isaacs said she was relieved her sister had been found and that someone had been charged. “She just needs to be at rest next to Mum and Dad,” she told ABC.

“I know she will be looking after my baby girl who passed away recently, and I am looking after her baby boy.”

Describing her sister as her best friend, Ms Isaacs said Jana was “the most caring, calm and loving person”. “She just put everyone first,” she said.

Family members and friends who joined the search described Ms Armstrong as deeply loved and remembered flowers being placed at the location where her remains were found.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death and have urged anyone with relevant information or footage to contact Queensland Police.

Support is available through 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for those experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence.

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AFP Commander Brett James said the outcome demonstrated the agency’s commitment to targeting criminal networks that profit from exploiting vulnerable people.

“Human trafficking syndicates are sophisticated criminal enterprises that prey on vulnerable people for financial gain. They deliberately exploit language barriers, migration pathways and economic vulnerability to facilitate and conceal their offending,” Commander James said.

He said the investigation highlighted the importance of international cooperation in tackling cross-border organised crime.

“This investigation helped protect vulnerable people from exploitation and ensured those responsible were brought before the courts.”

The 45-year-old man was sentenced in an Australian court after pleading guilty to trafficking in children and causing a person under 18 to remain in forced labour.

The court found he operated an organised crime syndicate that profited from human trafficking between Australia and Indonesia, facilitating the victim’s arrival in Sydney in 2024 and controlling her movements, work hours and financial allowances while she was forced into sex work.

He will serve a non-parole period of four years and five months.

A second Sydney man, aged 32, was also sentenced to two years and eight months’ imprisonment for his role in transporting the victim between locations across New South Wales while knowing she was being exploited.

The convictions follow a two-year Australian Federal Police (AFP)-led investigation, known as Operation Mirani, which began in December 2022 after intelligence indicated foreign nationals were arriving in Australia and being subjected to sexual servitude and forced labour.

Working with the Australian Border Force, the Department of Home Affairs and the Indonesian National Police, AFP investigators uncovered the activities of the trafficking network operating across Australia and Indonesia.

In March 2024, AFP investigators executed coordinated search warrants in Australia and Indonesia. During the operation, officers located and rescued the child victim from the Arncliffe man’s residence.

The court found the man had knowingly submitted false visa documents to facilitate the teenager’s travel from Indonesia to Australia for the purpose of exploitation.

Authorities also identified an Indonesian woman allegedly involved in recruiting victims for the syndicate. During a concurrent search in Indonesia, investigators found multiple passports belonging to women who were due to travel to Australia and were considered at risk of exploitation.

The woman was arrested by Indonesian authorities and charged with human trafficking offences in Jakarta.

As part of Operation Mirani, investigators conducted 22 human trafficking assessments, resulting in seven victims being removed from situations involving exploitation across Australia and Indonesia.

Acting Australian Border Force Commander Tim Thorley said the investigation began after information was received through the Border Watch program from a member of the community.

“Human trafficking is a crime that exploits vulnerable people for profit. This outcome sends a clear message that those involved in this type of offending will be held accountable, while victims are supported and protected.”

The AFP continues to work with domestic and international partners to identify and prosecute individuals involved in human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices.

Authorities urged anyone experiencing or witnessing suspected exploitation, forced labour or human trafficking to seek assistance through the AFP or support services.

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Guramrit Sidhu, 63, of Brampton, Ontario, was sentenced by United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt after pleading guilty in March 2026 to engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. He has remained in federal custody since his extradition from Canada in October 2024.

According to the US Department of Justice, Sidhu led a criminal organisation responsible for trafficking large quantities of illicit drugs from the United States into Canada between September 2020 and February 2023.

Court documents revealed that in just over one month—from 13 September to 24 October 2022—Sidhu orchestrated the transportation of eight separate drug shipments containing approximately 523 kilograms of methamphetamine and 347 kilograms of cocaine. Authorities intercepted and seized all eight shipments before they reached the Canadian market.

The seized narcotics had an estimated wholesale value of between US$15 million and US$17 million.

Investigators said Sidhu purchased bulk quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine in the United States before arranging for the drugs to be concealed in long-haul semi-trucks and transported across the border into Canada for distribution.

To coordinate deliveries, Sidhu allegedly provided couriers with specific telephone numbers and serial numbers from banknotes, which were used as identification tokens during exchanges. Once the shipments crossed into Canada, Sidhu and his associates retrieved the drugs for further distribution.

Sidhu is the eighth defendant to plead guilty in the wider investigation. Several co-conspirators have already been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 27 months to nine years.

The investigation was led by the FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (LA IMPACT), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), United States Customs and Border Protection, and law enforcement authorities in Mexico. Homeland Security Investigations and the US Drug Enforcement Administration also provided significant assistance.

The US Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs worked with Canadian authorities to secure Sidhu’s arrest and extradition to the United States in October 2024.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Larocque of the Transnational Organized Crime Section.

US authorities said the case forms part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, which targets transnational criminal organisations involved in drug trafficking, organised crime, human smuggling and other cross-border offences.

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The 51-year-old Pacific Pines resident is expected to appear before Southport Magistrates Court after being charged with one count of using a carriage service for violent extremist material and six counts of possessing or controlling violent extremist material.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Peter Crozier said authorities remained focused on preventing the spread of extremist content.

“There is no place in Australian society for violent or extremist content, which terrorist organisations use as a tool to radicalise members of the community, particularly young or vulnerable people,” he said.

“The AFP, together with our state, Commonwealth and international partners, is actively targeting those who promote hatred, as decency and respect are core values every member of our community has the right to expect.”

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) will allege the man possessed and shared violent videos and propaganda messages associated with Hamas, Hezbollah, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Ansar Allah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

Police allege the material, dating back to 2014, was shared with friends and family members through an encrypted social media platform.

The arrest is the second to arise from a Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team (QLD JCTT) investigation.

The investigation began after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted the man on his return to Australia from the United Arab Emirates in October 2025. During an examination of his mobile phone, officers allegedly located violent extremist material and seized the device for forensic analysis.

The matter was referred to the AFP, which launched a joint investigation with the Queensland Police Service and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

On 13 November 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at a Pacific Pines home, where they allegedly found additional violent extremist material on an electronic device.

A 19-year-old Gold Coast man living at the same address was charged at the time and later released on bail.

Each of the offences carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

Australian Border Force Acting Assistant Commissioner Rosemaree Cracknell said border officers played a critical role in identifying national security threats.

“Our officers are highly trained to detect indicators of criminality and national security threats at the border,” she said.

“Anyone seeking to transport, possess or distribute violent extremist material should expect that our officers have the powers and capability to detect that activity and bring it to the attention of our law enforcement partners.”

Queensland Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Heath Hutchings said the coordinated investigation demonstrated the strength of the joint counter-terrorism partnership.

“The collective power and capabilities of all agencies in the JCTT sends a strong message about the commitment to thoroughly investigate and then put offenders before the courts,” he said.

Investigations into the matter remain ongoing.

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Palmerston North based Dodamwalage Kalani Helikumari Jayawardhana, known as Kalani, was sentenced on 6 July 2026 following an Immigration New Zealand (INZ) investigation into migrant exploitation offences committed while she was a director of Computer Express 24 Care Limited.

The court ordered Jayawardhana to pay NZD $59,657.68 in reparation, covering unpaid wages, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) contributions and $15,000 unlawfully demanded from the worker during her employment.

The victim, a Sri Lankan national employed as an office manager, was repeatedly pressured to make payments while trying to build her future in New Zealand and progress her residence application.

Immigration New Zealand National Manager Investigations Jason Perry described the case as a serious abuse of power. “This was a serious abuse of power. A migrant worker came to New Zealand looking for opportunity and a better future. Instead, she was repeatedly pressured to hand over substantial sums of money to the very person who employed her,” Perry said.

He said workers should never be forced to pay employers in exchange for employment or future opportunities.

“No employer has the right to treat a worker like a source of income. This worker’s wages should have been supporting her future, not funding her employer.”

Perry said migrant exploitation caused harm beyond financial losses, leaving workers feeling trapped and afraid to report abuse. “Employers who seek to profit from those aspirations are exploiting people at their most vulnerable,” he said.

“The harm caused by migrant exploitation goes far beyond financial loss. It can leave workers feeling trapped, isolated and afraid to speak up.”

He said the sentencing should serve as a warning to employers who attempt to take advantage of vulnerable workers. “Speaking up is not easy, particularly when your livelihood may depend on your employment,” Perry said, acknowledging the victim’s courage in assisting the investigation.

Immigration New Zealand said the case highlighted the importance of protecting migrant workers and enforcing laws against employers who abuse their position of power.

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The opposition says the project would cover the full 8-kilometre section of Donnybrook Road from Epping Road in Woodstock to Dwyer Street in Kalkallo.

The road is one of the major routes serving Melbourne’s rapidly growing northern suburbs, including Donnybrook, Kalkallo, Mickleham, Craigieburn and surrounding estates.

According to the Coalition, about 35,000 vehicles use Donnybrook Road each day, although the road was designed to carry about 20,000 vehicles daily.

The opposition says residents in nearby housing estates can face delays of up to 40 minutes during peak periods while trying to leave their neighbourhoods.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said the commitment was aimed at easing congestion in one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing corridors.

“Labor has left the residents of Melbourne’s north stuck in traffic for too long, but my team has a plan to fix it,” Ms Wilson said.

“By cleaning up corruption and stopping the Big Build rorts, our team can invest in desperately needed projects like this and deliver the infrastructure growing communities deserve.”

The Coalition has used the announcement to draw a contrast between local road projects in growth suburbs and the government’s major infrastructure program.

It has accused Labor of allowing cost blowouts and corruption concerns on major projects while neglecting basic infrastructure in outer suburban communities.

Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure Evan Mulholland said Donnybrook Road had not kept pace with population growth.

Mr Mulholland said,

“Every single day, thousands of residents in Melbourne’s north are being punished with 40-minute waits just to get out of their housing estate.”

“Donnybrook Road has been completely overwhelmed by rapid growth, yet Labor has ignored this community while billions of dollars are wasted on cost overruns and corruption on big build projects elsewhere.

“Removing the bottleneck at the level crossing and duplicating the entire eight-kilometre stretch is part of the Liberals and Nationals plan to deliver infrastructure to the very communities that have been starved of it.”

Nationals leader and Shadow Roads Minister Danny O’Brien said growing communities had been left waiting for basic road upgrades.

“While Labor has focused on mega-projects that have repeatedly blown out in cost, basic infrastructure needs of growing communities have been ignored,” Mr O’Brien said.

“We will end the waste and stop the corruption so we can deliver projects like Donnybrook Road and make it easier for local residents to get around.”

The Allan government has previously defended its transport infrastructure agenda, saying major projects are needed to support Victoria’s growth and reduce congestion across the state.

The Coalition’s Donnybrook Road announcement is expected to form part of its wider election pitch to outer-suburban voters, where congestion, housing growth, road safety and access to public transport remain major local issues.

The northern growth corridor has seen rapid residential development over the past decade, placing pressure on roads, schools, health services and public transport.

The opposition says the duplication and level crossing removal would improve safety, reduce travel times and provide more reliable access for commuters, families and freight operators.

The state election is due on 28 November 2026.

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Jaspreet Singh was sentenced in the Auckland District Court to five months’ home detention and ordered to pay $10,000 in emotional harm reparation after being found guilty on four counts of indecent assault following a retrial.

As per NZ Herald, Defence counsel argued Singh faced a “real risk” of deportation if convicted, warning this would have lasting consequences for his wife and child, whose visa arrangements were linked to his immigration status. However, the court was not persuaded.

Judge Brooke Gibson said the offending had caused significant harm to the victim, stating:

“Clearly what you did to her will be with her in terms of psychological damage for some time well into the future.”

It is reported that the judge ruled that accountability to the victim outweighed the immigration considerations raised by the defence.

The court heard the incident occurred in July 2024 after the victim, then 22, entered an Uber in Grey Lynn for a short trip to Mount Eden. She later told the court she agreed to move from the back seat to the front at the driver’s request, a decision that preceded unwanted physical contact.

In her victim impact statement, she said the experience left her feeling unsafe and emotionally unsettled. “I was okay, I was happy, I was in a good place. That was taken from me,” she told the court.

She also said she had blamed herself for moving into the front seat, but rejected the idea that it had any bearing on what followed.

“I know, rationally, that no seat in that car made what happened acceptable.”

The woman described ongoing psychological effects including panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, and a return to therapy after previously recovering from earlier trauma. She told NZME the incident also affected her ability to study and work, with anxiety triggered in everyday situations.

The case was delayed after an earlier trial resulted in a hung jury, before a second jury found Singh guilty earlier this year.

In sentencing, Judge Gibson noted Singh had no prior convictions and had been assessed as a low risk of reoffending, but said those factors did not outweigh the seriousness of the offending or its impact on the victim.

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The 27-year-old was sentenced in the Melbourne County Court on Friday and will be eligible for parole after serving 11 years and six months.

The conviction follows an investigation by the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce, which includes the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Victoria Police, Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Department of Home Affairs.

The man had previously pleaded guilty to attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, dealing with more than $100,000 believed to be the proceeds of crime, trafficking a large commercial quantity of ketamine, methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA, and trafficking MDMA.

AFP Detective Inspector Chris Salmon said the offender knowingly participated in an organised criminal enterprise motivated by profit.

“This offender played a deliberate role in a criminal enterprise driven by profit, with no regard for the damage inflicted on individuals and the broader community,” Det Insp Salmon said.

“Organised crime groups see Australia as a high-value market, but the AFP and our partners are equally determined to disrupt and dismantle these operations.

“The AFP remains committed to targeting every stage of the drug supply chain, from international importation through to domestic distribution.”

Victoria Police Detective Acting Inspector Matt Illingworth said the impact of illicit drugs extended far beyond those directly involved.

“The harm caused by these illegal substances is far-reaching. It extends well beyond those who use them and can have lifelong impacts on innocent members of the community,” Det A/Insp Illingworth said.

“Victoria Police, working alongside our law enforcement and intelligence partners, will continue to relentlessly target high-level organised crime groups involved in the trafficking, importation and distribution of illicit drugs.”

Australian Border Force Acting Superintendent Peter Alderson said the case demonstrated the strength of cooperation between law enforcement agencies.

“Criminal networks exploiting legitimate supply chains will be identified, targeted and disrupted through ongoing cooperation across jurisdictions,” Acting Supt Alderson said.

“This outcome reinforces that those involved in coordinating large-scale drug movements will face serious consequences under Australian law.”

Authorities said the case highlights their ongoing efforts to disrupt organised crime syndicates attempting to import illicit drugs into Australia and hold those involved accountable.

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The post 27-year-old Werribee man sentenced to 17 years for 63kg meth import plot first appeared on The Australia Today.

As per fijivillage, Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Jone Maritino Nemani said while most Fijian workers continue to perform well under the scheme, those who leave approved employers without authorisation risk damaging Fiji’s reputation with Australian authorities and employers.

“While around 400 workers have disengaged from the PALM Scheme, not all cases involved absconding as some had genuine workplace issues.”

He said the ministry had been working closely with Australian authorities and employers to address cases of concern, with more than 200 workers successfully re-engaged after assessments of their circumstances.

However, Nemani warned that workers who commit serious breaches or offences under the program cannot return to the scheme.

He said absconding triggers stricter compliance measures and closer scrutiny from Australian authorities, making it harder for future Fijians to secure overseas employment opportunities.

Nemani urged workers facing workplace issues to raise concerns through Fiji’s Country Liaison Officers or relevant Australian agencies rather than leaving their employment without approval.

He added that each disengaged worker is assessed individually by Australia’s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, and only those who meet eligibility requirements are allowed to re-enter the scheme.

The PALM scheme has become a key source of income for Fijian families, providing employment, skills development and higher earnings, and officials have urged workers to respect contractual obligations to maintain access to overseas opportunities.

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The report, AI Trends for Healthcare 2026, highlights how AI has evolved from a largely behind-the-scenes technology into an increasingly visible and practical tool across hospitals, clinics and research institutions.

Dr David Hansen, CEO and Research Director of CSIRO’s Australian e-Health Research Centre, said the emergence of generative AI had accelerated the technology’s adoption while also increasing the focus on safety and responsible use.

“For many years, AI has largely been ‘under the hood’—a powerful but often invisible technology understood mostly by technical experts,” Dr Hansen said.

“The rapid rise of generative AI has changed that. These tools have brought AI into the spotlight and accelerated its integration into healthcare – while also sharpening the focus on safety, quality and responsible use.”

According to the report, AI is already delivering measurable benefits in a range of clinical settings, including medical imaging analysis, disease management, personalised care and clinical decision support.

One case study featured in the report shows AI generating synthetic CT scans from MRI images, enabling clinicians to plan radiotherapy treatment more accurately while reducing patients’ exposure to radiation.

The report says Australia is entering a critical phase of AI adoption, with healthcare organisations, researchers, governments and industry increasingly integrating AI-powered technologies into routine care.

However, it cautions that realising AI’s full potential will depend on strengthening the systems that support its implementation, including regulation, quality assurance, data governance and digital health interoperability.

“As healthcare systems increasingly rely on AI-powered tools, the need for robust evidence, quality assurance and community co-designed standards has never been greater,” Dr Hansen said.

The report also explores emerging technologies such as multimodal AI and AI-assisted software development, which are expected to play an increasingly important role in the next generation of healthcare innovation.

Dr Hansen said successful AI implementation would require close collaboration between researchers, clinicians and industry.

“We found new AI technologies need to be developed hand-in-hand with clinicians and industry. The research in this report signifies rich collaboration and therefore equally rich real-world utility.”

The report highlights the importance of national digital health standards, including work underway through Sparked, Australia’s Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources accelerator, to ensure AI technologies can integrate seamlessly across the health system and support more connected, patient-centred care.

With more than 20 years of experience developing healthcare AI technologies, Dr Hansen said the sector had reached a pivotal moment.

“We are in a pivotal new chapter where responsible innovation, rigorous evidence and collaboration will determine how successfully AI delivers on its promise for patients, clinicians and communities.”

The AI Trends for Healthcare 2026 report provides practical insights for researchers, policymakers and industry leaders seeking to understand the future direction of AI-enabled healthcare and Australia’s role in advancing safe and effective digital health innovation.

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Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, from Rochdale, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court after being convicted of assaulting police officers PC Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook, as well as a member of the public, during the incident at Terminal 2 in July 2024.

The confrontation gained widespread attention after footage showing part of the incident was shared online. Prosecutors later presented additional CCTV footage to the jury showing events leading up to the arrest, including Amaaz allegedly headbutting a Starbucks customer and attacking officers who responded.

The court heard Amaaz initially resisted arrest before launching what prosecutors described as a “prolonged and unprovoked” attack.

PC Ward, who suffered a broken nose in the assault, told the court the incident had left a lasting impact.

“What you did was cowardly,” she said in a statement read during sentencing.

She said she had been “blindsided” by the attack and described the moment she was punched as one in which she feared for her safety.

PC Cook said the incident had caused significant emotional trauma and led her to give up her role as a firearms officer.

“I am traumatised by the incident and what you did that day,” she said.

“It pains me to say this, but because of what you have done to me, I have decided to give up being a firearms officer.”

The court heard Amaaz had argued he acted in self-defence during the confrontation.

However, Judge Neil Flewitt KC described him as the aggressor, saying the assaults were “prolonged and unprovoked”.

The sentencing follows the conclusion of a separate legal process involving allegations that a police officer kicked Amaaz while he was on the ground. The matter remains subject to an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said officers had responded to a report of a man being assaulted at the airport and were met with violence while carrying out their duties.

“Our officers were responding quickly to precisely the sort of outrageous criminal behaviour that rightly offends the public.”

He said assaults on police officers were “sadly all too common”, with dozens of officers attacked every week across Greater Manchester.

The court case concluded after two juries were unable to reach verdicts on allegations relating to a male police officer involved in the incident, with prosecutors deciding not to pursue a further trial.

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As per report, Kawsar Abbas, 54, appeared relieved as Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan granted her bail at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday afternoon, with supporters in the courtroom reacting to the decision.

Abbas and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad, 31, were charged in May with slavery-related offences after returning to Australia with family members of former Islamic State fighters.

Prosecutors allege Abbas travelled to Syria with her husband, Mohammad Ahmad, and their children around January 2015 to join ISIS.

It is alleged that in 2017, Mohammad Ahmad purchased a teenage girl, who prosecutors claim was held as a slave and subjected to repeated rape and assault.

Abbas is accused of agreeing to the purchase, possessing a slave and participating in slave trading. Prosecutors allege she treated the girl poorly and threatened her with violence, although she was not accused of physically assaulting the victim.

During the bail hearing, police argued Abbas posed a risk to the community and raised concerns about the possibility of her spreading extremist ideology if released.

Defence barrister Peter Morrissey SC argued Abbas did not support ISIS and said strict bail conditions could address any concerns.

Chief Magistrate Hannan determined the risk could be managed through stringent conditions and granted Abbas bail.

Her daughter Zeinab Ahmad was denied bail in a separate hearing last week.

Abbas is expected to face further court proceedings as the slavery-related charges continue.

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The post Accused ISIS bride granted bail after Melbourne court finds risk can be managed first appeared on The Australia Today.

The investigation was launched by the Australian Federal Police’s National Security Investigations (NSI) team in October 2025 following reports of a series of antisemitic online comments and threats. Investigators allegedly linked several of the posts to a social media account operated by a man from Woodville Gardens.

Police allege the man posted threatening messages on social media between October 2025 and May 2026. During the investigation, officers also allegedly identified an image of a prohibited Nazi symbol on the man’s social media profile.

The AFP executed a search warrant at the man’s Woodville Gardens home on 24 June, where investigators allegedly found threatening social media posts on one of his electronic devices. The device was seized for forensic examination.

The man was arrested and charged with two counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, offences that carry a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment. He was also charged with one count of publicly displaying a prohibited Nazi symbol or giving a Nazi salute, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Simon Lalic said there was no place for hate-fuelled threats or intimidation in Australia.

“There is no place for hate or violence in the Australian community, and people deserve the ability to carry out their duties or live their lives without facing threats of harm because of race, religion, or ethnicity,” he said.

The AFP established its National Security Investigations teams in October 2025 following a rise in threats targeting Australia’s social cohesion, including incidents involving federal parliamentarians. The specialist teams investigate individuals and groups accused of promoting violence, hatred and intimidation, particularly where such conduct poses a risk to public safety or national security.

The man was granted bail and is scheduled to appear before the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on 1 October 2026.

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Langhorne Creek-based Metala has spent years building relationships and navigating the complexities of the Indian market. The company’s perseverance has now resulted in stronger export volumes, with its Metala and Killibinbin brands gaining recognition among Indian consumers and hospitality businesses.

In late 2025, Metala secured a contract to supply wines for Air India’s business class service, giving the Australian brand exposure to premium travellers across the airline’s global network.

“The Australia-India free trade agreement has boosted confidence in Australian wines,” said Metala co-owner Guy Adams.

“India’s younger consumers are moving towards wine, and we can compete at the premium level. It has been slow and steady work, but we are now picking up volumes in India. The Air India deal gets us precisely where we need to be – right in front of our target customers.”

Owned by fifth-generation custodians Guy and Liz Adams, Metala is a historic vineyard in South Australia’s Langhorne Creek region. The 1,000-hectare property includes what the family describes as the oldest family-owned Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the world.

“Metala is an old brand – dating back to the 1960s – and our Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz helped to shape wine-drinking tastes in Australia today,” Liz Adams said.

“We are part of Australia’s wine-making history.”

The winery has expanded its presence across India, with its wines now available in eight states and union territories — Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Puducherry.

Sales in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa have been particularly strong as India’s middle class grows and younger consumers increasingly explore wine as part of changing food and lifestyle trends.

Guy Adams said India’s growing population and evolving consumer preferences made the country a significant opportunity for Australian wine producers.

“India has a huge population and a growing middle class,” he said.

“Palates are evolving as young people aspire to Western lifestyles, in terms of food and drink.”

Metala worked closely with Austrade and South Australian export advisers to understand the Indian market, identify opportunities and overcome regulatory challenges.

After almost two years of searching for the right partner, the company joined forces with specialist importer Sonarys, which has helped Metala navigate complex state-level regulations, labelling requirements and distribution networks.

The winery has also worked with influential figures in India’s wine industry, including Sonal Holland, India’s only Master of Wine, to strengthen brand awareness and connect with consumers.

Holland’s involvement through the India Wine Awards helped bring Metala wines to the attention of Air India, leading to the business class supply agreement after an 18-month assessment process.

“It took around 18 months of assessments, but in August 2025 we gained a contract to supply business class on Air India,” Liz Adams said.

Air India operates more than 1,200 flights each month to over 85 destinations worldwide, giving Metala access to a premium audience of international travellers.

“One of our biggest challenges is just trying to get our wine in front of people,” Liz said.

“Now, our target market can see and taste our wine on business class flights. This is a terrific opportunity, and it will build our brand in India.”

The company said the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement has improved confidence among Australian wine exporters by reducing tariffs on premium wine and strengthening trade ties between the two countries.

Guy Adams said success in India required patience, commitment and relationship building.

“It’s all about perseverance,” he said.

“India is a relationships-based market. You need to go to India regularly, meet with representatives from the trade, retail and hospitality sectors, and take a long-term view.”

The next generation of the Adams family is also looking towards India as a key growth market.

“India will definitely be important to our future,” said Emily Adams, aged 23, who is already involved in the family business.

“There are lots of young people who are adventurous and tech-savvy. They are also aspirational — and that makes India a great market to be in.”

Metala’s experience highlights the growing opportunities for Australian exporters in India, where persistence, partnerships and a long-term commitment are proving essential to building successful business relationships.

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As per NZ Herald, the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) found that The Indian Taste Ltd and its former sole director, Krishna Khandelwal, failed to meet multiple employment obligations, resulting in significant wage repayments and penalties.

Under the ruling, the restaurant must pay nearly $200,000 in unpaid wages to seven affected employees, while Khandelwal has been fined $177,300 for his role in the breaches. A further $35,000 compensation payment will be shared among the seven workers.

The ERA found that employees were often required to work between 60 and 90 hours a week while being paid for only around 30 hours. Some workers were also required to work unpaid periods of up to two weeks when they first started at the business.

Labour Inspectorate migrant exploitation manager Sam Mills told NZ Herald that the workers were particularly vulnerable due to language barriers and limited knowledge of New Zealand employment laws.

“The workers were ruthlessly exploited for the personal gain of the company and its owner,” Mills said, describing the breaches as “persistent, deliberate and designed to extract labour at an unlawful discount”.

The investigation began after multiple complaints were received between March and December 2024. Authorities uncovered a range of violations, including failure to pay minimum wages, unlawful deductions, denial of holiday entitlements, charging premiums to secure employment and maintaining inaccurate wage and leave records.

ERA member Matthew Piper said Khandelwal had direct control over the company’s actions and benefited financially from the unlawful practices.

“As the shareholder of The Indian Taste, Mr Khandelwal received a financial benefit for his actions by underpaying workers and in doing so also failed to compete fairly with other businesses providing similar products and who complied with the law,” Piper said.

The authority found the exploitation had wider consequences for workers, with some forced into financial hardship, taking personal loans and borrowing money at high interest rates while struggling to support family members overseas.

Mills said the penalty served as a warning to employers who attempt to take advantage of vulnerable workers.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has encouraged workers who believe they have experienced unfair treatment to seek confidential support through its contact services.

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The seizure was made as part of Operation Minjiang, a Queensland Joint Organised Crime Taskforce investigation, which has now intercepted more than three tonnes of illicit drugs, including an earlier seizure of 178kg of cocaine and 142kg of methamphetamine.

AFP Commander Stephen Jay said the seizure demonstrated the scale and determination of organised crime networks attempting to profit from illicit drug trafficking.

“Criminal networks go to extreme lengths to smuggle drugs into Australia with no regard for the harm they cause to Australian communities,” Commander Jay said.

“This alleged plot to distribute nearly three tonnes of cocaine demonstrates how highly organised and determined these criminal networks are.”

AFP investigators executed a search warrant at a semi-rural property in Londonderry, near western Sydney, on Friday, 19 June 2026, where they allegedly uncovered the massive cocaine shipment hidden inside underground bunkers.

Police allege two men — a 21-year-old from Plumpton and a 25-year-old from Liverpool — attempted to flee on foot when officers arrived but were arrested.

During a search of three shipping containers at the property, investigators allegedly found plastic tubs containing 2.7 tonnes of cocaine concealed beneath false container floors.

Authorities estimate the seized drugs would have had a street value of approximately $816 million if distributed in the community, representing about three million street-level deals.

The two men have each been charged with possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug under section 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth), an offence carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

They appeared before a NSW Local Court on Saturday, 20 June 2026, and were remanded in custody. They are expected to next appear before Penrith Local Court on 13 August 2026.

Police allege the cocaine was imported into Australia near Midge Point in North Queensland before being transported to Sydney on behalf of an organised crime group. Investigations into the alleged criminal network are continuing.

Operation Minjiang began in May 2026 after Queensland Police discovered 40kg of cocaine in waters near a boat ramp at Midge Point while responding to reports of a burnt-out flatbed truck.

Investigators later identified a 41-year-old Mackay man as the owner of the vehicle, leading to a series of search warrants across north and south-east Queensland and Sydney.

Several people have since been charged over their alleged roles in the attempted importation and distribution operation.

A 32-year-old Petrie man was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, while a 32-year-old Petrie woman was charged with the same offence. Police allege the woman lived at a suspected safehouse connected to the operation and was involved in storing the drugs.

A 24-year-old Green Valley man was also charged after being extradited from NSW to Queensland. Police allege he travelled to Midge Point in May and helped facilitate the collection and transportation of the drugs.

An alleged mother vessel linked to the importation, the MV Wealth, remains detained in the Solomon Islands as investigations continue.

Queensland Police Service Crime Command Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Troy Pukallus said the operation showed the effectiveness of cooperation between state and federal agencies.

“This outcome has removed a significant quantity of cocaine and methamphetamine from the criminal market and prevented these dangerous drugs from causing further harm across Australia,” he said.

Australian Border Force Commander Troy Sokoloff said the result sent a warning to organised crime groups.

“Criminal syndicates should be on notice — law enforcement agencies are working together to detect, target and disrupt their operations.”

Operation Minjiang involves officers from the AFP, Queensland Police Service, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AUSTRAC and the Australian Taxation Office, with assistance from NSW Police.

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The post $816 million cocaine shipment seized in record-breaking Australian drug operation first appeared on The Australia Today.