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Actor Sam Neill has died aged 78, with his family confirming the loss was sudden and unexpected while he remained cancer-free following his 2022 diagnosis with a rare blood cancer. Australia has farewelled Professor Richard Scolyer at a memorial service at the Sydney Opera House, with the former Australian of the Year remembered for revolutionising melanoma treatment before his death from brain cancer. Western Sydney International Airport has achieved a major milestone with its first cargo test flight successfully landing, marking the beginning of operational trials ahead of commercial freight operations commencing in two weeks.

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State opposition leader Kellie Sloane has backed a petition to stop the scaling back of Moore Park Golf Course, where a $50 million revamp is underway to cut six holes and create green space, a playground, sports fields and courts. The coalition claims the project has been undervalued and could cost as much as $200 million. The opposition leader will launch an official bid to halt the project next month.

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A 43-year-old man has been arrested following the death of a 58-year-old man found unresponsive at a property in Morwell. The arrest was made 13 kilometres away in Traralgon, with police believing the two men knew each other. A murder investigation is underway, though no charges have been laid at this stage, and a crime scene remains in place at the Morwell home.

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Western Sydney International Airport has achieved a major milestone with its first cargo test flight successfully landing. The Qantas A321 completed a 30-minute journey from Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport, marking the beginning of live operational trials testing runway infrastructure, cargo facilities and airport systems. The 24-hour cargo hub will commence commercial freight operations within a fortnight, with capacity to handle up to 220,000 tonnes of freight annually, followed by passenger flights to the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Brisbane and New Zealand starting in late October.

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A deadly fire at a pub in northern Bangkok has killed 27 people with the death toll expected to rise, as at least 63 injured were taken to hospital, 22 with critical injuries. The inferno broke out shortly after midnight, with confronting footage showing people running from the venue chased by flames shooting from the entrance.

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An 81-year-old man was injured after fighting off three intruders who burst into his Punchbowl home during a violent overnight home invasion. Police are investigating possible links to Sydney's underworld. In a separate incident, a 32-year-old man allegedly driving a Porsche while over the limit crashed into a traffic pole, tree and wall in Balgowlah, with his passenger sustaining minor facial injuries.

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Professor Richard Scolyer, former Australian of the Year and renowned melanoma researcher, was farewelled at a memorial service at the Sydney Opera House. The medical pioneer, who revolutionised melanoma treatment and saved countless lives, dies after a battle with brain cancer diagnosed in 2023.

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A 71-year-old café owner's Essendon business, Andy's Place Café, was destroyed by arsonists at 1am, just three days after it was targeted in a drive-by shooting on Friday. The father-and-son owned eatery, which has operated for almost two decades, was engulfed in flames as a dark-coloured BMW was seen speeding from the scene.

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Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor best known for his leading role in the blockbuster Jurassic Park franchise, has died at the age of 78. A spokesperson for Neill’s family confirmed he passed away on Monday surrounded by his family. It followed the actor’s recent revelation he was living cancer-free after being diagnosed with blood cancer in March 2022. “It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,” a statement on his Instagram said.

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Australia is phasing out yellow customs declaration forms for international travellers, replacing them with digital passenger cards at all airports by the end of 2027. The Albanese government has committed $56 million to the border upgrade, with trials already underway at Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne airports on select Qantas flights. The digital system will expand to Adelaide and Perth by the end of this year, following similar systems already in use in Singapore, New Zealand and Japan.

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