By Hope NewsroomThursday 18 Mar 2021NewsReading Time: 1 minute
Today’s headlines from the Hope News team. You can listen to hourly bulletin updates at hopenews.com.au.
The boss of Australia’s leading security agency has revealed a major spy ring was disrupted last year.
The group had become close to current and former politicians and police.
The head of ASIO also says the agency will drop labels like “Islamic extremism” to describe terror activity.
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A five-year-old girl has been killed and her mother seriously injured after being hit by a car at Plumpton, in Sydney’s west last night.
The driver has been taken for mandatory testing.
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Two men will face court on terrorism charges following raids in Melbourne.
Police say a bushfire and an assault earlier this month had been motivated by religious extremism.
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The NSW Police commissioner is suggesting the use an app to record consent before sexual activity.
Mick Fuller says there needs to be a focus on positive consent and technology could play a role in that.
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Russia is recalling its ambassador to Washington.
It comes as a US Intelligence report accused Russia of trying influence the 2020 US election in favour of Donald Trump.
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Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has died.
Opposition politicians had said he had contracted COVID-19, but that hasn’t been confirmed.
Mr Magufuli had long down-played the severity of the virus.
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The weather bureau is warning of heavy downpours and potential flash flooding over the next three days.
Up to 100mm is forecast for Sydney on Saturday.