Challenges on many fronts ahead for Scott Lee | The Canberra Times

Former US marine pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan, who became an Australian citizen 13 years ago, is facing extradition to the US over allegations of illegally training Chinese pilots in South Africa over a decade ago. He is accused of conspiracy, arms trafficking, and money laundering, allegedly breaching money laundering and arms export control laws while instructing foreign pilots, including Chinese citizens, on landing atop an aircraft carrier. Despite denying the allegations, Duggan and his family...

A judge in Germany has ordered a 50-year-old Saudi citizen, suspected in a deadly Christmas market ramming attack, to be held in pre-trial detention after a late-night court appearance. The suspect, who has lived in Germany for over a decade, is accused of five counts of murder and several counts of attempted murder. Authorities are facing criticism for potential security lapses and missed warnings from Saudi authorities, sparking anger from the public and politicians demanding...

A young boy has tragically died in a house fire in Carnoustie Gardens, Meadow Springs, with two other children hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Emergency services responded to the fire on Sunday afternoon, where the male child was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at Peel Health Campus. While WA Police do not suspect foul play, the Arson Squad will investigate the cause of the fire, with a report to be prepared for the Coroner. Full...

Australian Open runner-up Qinwen Zheng will skip the United Cup tournament to focus on preparation for the 2025 grand slam. Zheng lost the 2024 Australian Open final but went on to win gold at the Paris Olympics and finish runner-up at the WTA Finals. The 22-year-old cited the need for rest, recovery, and training before the season, with China's Gao Xinyu now the top-ranked woman at the event. Full Article

Victorian Liberal Party leader John Pesutto has backtracked on his decision to block the return of Moira Deeming, who was previously expelled from the party after being found to have defamed her. Despite facing internal pressure and criticism, Pesutto has now agreed to hold a meeting on 15 January to readmit Deeming. Five senior Liberal MPs have signed a petition to bring the meeting forward to Friday, where Pesutto may face a leadership challenge. Full...

Victorian Liberal Party leader John Pesutto will seek to readmit exiled MP Moira Deeming after a failed bid on Friday due to a split vote. Pesutto, facing backlash for defamatory comments, will back a motion in January to welcome Deeming back despite internal division. Deeming, expelled for her involvement in a controversial rally, criticized Pesutto and former prime minister Tony Abbott condemned the party's decision, with uncertainty surrounding Pesutto's leadership and the party's future. Full...