US TV anchor willing to pay ransom for safe return of mother

US TV anchor willing to pay ransom for safe return of mother

9News

US television presenter Savannah Guthrie claims she will pay a ransom in exchange for the safe return of her missing mother Nancy.

The anchor of prominent NBC News program Today shared a video on social media on Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT) alongside her two siblings Annie and Camron.

She said they had received a message from the potential captors of her 84-year-old mother, who has been missing for a week.

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"We received your message, and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us," Guthrie said.

"This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay."

It is the third time the family has directly addressed the kidnappers since Guthrie's disappearance.

Investigators think Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will from her home just outside Tucson, Arizona last weekend. DNA tests showed blood on Guthrie's front porch was a match to her, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said.

Authorities have not identified any suspects or ruled anyone out.

READ MORE: Massive preparations begin in Sydney ahead of Israeli president's visit

Savannah Guthrie was referencing a message that was sent to the Tucson-based television station KOLD on Friday afternoon (Saturday AEDT), according to Kevin Smith, a spokesperson for the FBI office in Phoenix.

KOLD said it received an email related to the Guthrie case on social media that day but declined to share specific details about its contents as the FBI conducted its review.

The station was one of multiple press outlets that received alleged ransom letters during the week. At least one letter made monetary demands and established Thursday evening and the following Monday evening as deadlines.

Law enforcement officials declined to affirm that the letters were credible but said all tips were being investigated seriously. They also said one letter referenced Nancy Guthrie's Apple watch and a specific feature of her property.

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It has been reported that a camera at Nancy Guthrie's home was not able to capture images of anyone the day she went missing.

Investigators have found that the home's doorbell camera was disconnected early on Sunday and that software data recorded movement at the home minutes later. However, Nancy Guthrie did not have an active subscription, so none of the images were able to be recovered.

Despite this, President Donald Trump, speaking on Air Force One, said the investigation was going "very well".

"We have some clues that I think are very strong," Trump said, while en route to his Florida estate. "We have some things that may be coming out reasonably soon."

Reported with Associated Press

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Man arrested after Melbourne church catches fire

Man arrested after Melbourne church catches fire

9News

A man is in police custody after a church in Melbourne's west caught fire overnight.

Police and firefighters were called to the Church of Christ Maidstone, about eight kilometres west of Melbourne's CBD, just after 1am on Sunday after reports the building was alight.

Police said no one was inside the church at the time of the incident, but firefighters needed to contain a blaze at the front and in the roof of the building.

READ MORE: Massive preparations begin in Sydney ahead of Israeli president's visit

Fire crews were able to prevent the fire causing major damage to the church, with no injuries being reported.

Authorities believe the fire was suspicious, and police arrested a 36-year-old Footscray man, who was near the scene at the time.

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He is now being interviewed as police continue their investigations into how the blaze started.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has footage or information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

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Massive preparations begin in Sydney ahead of Israeli president's visit

Massive preparations begin in Sydney ahead of Israeli president's visit

9News

Thousands of police officers will be on the ground in Sydney from Monday for Israeli President Isaac Herzog's state visit, as the NSW premier calls for calm amid plans for a pro-Palestine rally.

A massive police operation has kicked off today in the city ahead of Herzog's visit, with multiple road closures in place from 12pm Sunday until 2pm on Thursday, including a large exclusion zone which will grant authorities extraordinary powers to move people along.

In the exclusion zone – which will capture the CBD and Pyrmont to the eastern suburbs – police will have the power to move someone along for any reason.

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About 3500 officers will be deployed across the city for the duration of Herzog's three-day visit.

Officers will also have the right to stop and search anyone or any vehicle without a warrant.

Failure to comply with lawful police direction could result in fines of up to $5500 or exclusion from the major event area.

A heavy motorcade is believed to be transporting the Israeli president around the city.

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The proposed route of Monday's pro-Palestine march falls within the exclusion zone.

The Palestine Action Group has said that up to 5000 people will march from Town Hall to State Parliament to oppose the visit Herzog, however, police have said the rally should be confined to Hyde Park.

NSW Premier Chris Minns on Saturday urged protesters to remain "calm and respectful".

He also asked residents to avoid the CBD if they can and confirmed there would be a "massive" police presence.

"We can disagree without resorting to clashes or violence on Sydney streets," Minns said.

"In fact, that would be devastating for everybody, regardless of your cause."

Herzog will visit Australia at the invitation of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack.

He will arrive in Sydney on Sunday morning before travelling to Canberra and Melbourne.

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The president told the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this week he hoped his visit would be one of "goodwill".

The purpose of the visit is to "express our bond, our connection, our love, our affection, our condolences", he said.

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NSW Police granted additional powers ahead of Israeli president's visit

NSW Police granted additional powers ahead of Israeli president's visit

9News

The NSW government has granted police special powers reserved for major events ahead of the arrival of Israeli President Isaac Herzog next week.

NSW Premier Chris Minns this morning called for calm and respect ahead of the visit on Monday, explaining the government has declared it a major event under the state's Major Events Act due to the "number of spectators, potential risks to community safety, and the impact of potential protest activity".

"This will grant police additional powers, including closing off or restricting access to major event areas," he said.

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"We believe that this declaration is necessary to facilitate the visit in a manner that protects public safety."

Failure to comply with lawful police direction could result in fines of up to $5500 or exclusion from the major event area. 

The declaration, however, is not a ban on protests or marches, with police still aware of demonstrations planned to contest the visit of the controversial president.

Police are preparing for the marches, saying that 3500 officers will be deployed across the city for the duration of Herzog's three-day visit.

"It's a significant policing presence, there's no doubt about it," NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.

"This is not business as usual.

"Having a head of state in NSW is something significant."

The Palestine Action Group has said that up to 5000 people will march from Town Hall to State Parliament to oppose the visit of the Israeli President.

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The government has emphasised that the major event declaration is being imposed to prevent the clash of mourners and protesters. 

"This is about keeping people safe, lowering the temperature and ensuring Sydney remains calm and orderly," Minns said.

The Albanese government invited the Israeli president to Australia to mourn with the Jewish community following December's terror attack in Bondi.

The NSW Police Commissioner announced earlier this week the extension of the Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (PARD) for certain parts of Sydney for the next two weeks.

The declaration means public assemblies will be restricted in Sydney's eastern suburbs and parts of Sydney's CBD, excluding Hyde Park.

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Form 1 applications for the approval of public assemblies will also not be accepted in certain areas.

Despite Monday's planned protest falling within the restricted zone, members of the legislative councils have asked police to have their form 1 application granted. 

"We remind you that the United Nations Special Commission of Inquiry has found that Isaac Herzog is guilty of direct and public incitement to commit genocide under article III(c) of the Genocide Convention," the statement reads.

"We urge you to grant this request and work with the organisers to ensure that this assembly and march event can go ahead."

"We are gravely concerned about the report that you intend to employ some 500 police officers to the protest event and the report of Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Dunstan threatening to arrest people who wish to march on the planned route."

The government is also urging people to avoid the city during peak periods on Monday afternoon and evening due to the expected congestion.

"If you don't need to be in Sydney CBD on Monday afternoon, unless it's absolutely essential, we ask that you not stick around in that area," Minns said.

"We know that's an inconvenience for some people, but there'll be an enormous number of NSW Police."

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Banks pass on interest rate rises to savers

Banks pass on interest rate rises to savers

9News

Two of the big banks have hiked their interest rates on savings accounts in response to Tuesday's cash rate rise.

Both the Commonwealth Bank and Westpac have increased select saving rates by 0.25 per cent, at the same time as hiking their home loan rates.

A number of smaller banks have also passed on the increase.

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But according to Canstar, many account holders don't meet the criteria to enjoy the bonus interest.

A recent survey of more than 1000 Australians with a savings account that has terms and conditions required to reach the maximum interest found 41 per cent do not meet the conditions each month.

This includes 11 per cent who say they never meet the conditions.

The standard rate is often inconsequential in comparison.

For example, the Commonwealth Bank's Goal Saver account attracts 4.50 per cent bonus interest, but only 0.25 per cent in standard interest.

Conditions can include terms like making a deposit, or increasing the account balance, each month or making no withdrawals.

"CBA has lifted the maximum rate on its popular Goal Saver account to 4.50 per cent, which will be a win for engaged savers. However, like Westpac, customers need to meet the bank's monthly terms and conditions or risk seeing their rate fall to an inch off the floor," Canstar.com.au's data insights director, Sally Tindall, said.

"CBA is also lifting the rate on its NetBank Saver, to a headline rate of 4.70 per cent for new customers for the first five months, however, existing customers will only see a boost of 0.15.

"That said, it's more than Westpac's online saver rate for existing customers, which isn't moving at all.

"These rate decisions, where banks pick and choose which rates within a savings account get a boost and which miss out, are a great reminder of how important the fine print is when it comes to something as seemingly simple as a savings rate."

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She said customers must check the conditions regularly to ensure they're making the most of their money.

"Canstar research shows two in five bonus savers miss out on earning the maximum interest every month, so it's imperative people understand the conditions and consider whether a simpler account might suit them better.

"In a market where top savings rates are now pushing into the 5's again, savers should shop around if their bank isn't rewarding them for their loyalty."

The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

YouTuber speaks out after leading 'dangerous' e-bike ride on Harbour Bridge

YouTuber speaks out after leading 'dangerous' e-bike ride on Harbour Bridge

9News

The YouTuber who led dozens of young e-bike riders across the Sydney Harbour Bridge during peak hour, in a move police have labelled "stupid and downright dangerous", has spoken of his regret following the incident.

Police received several calls on Tuesday after dozens of young e-bike riders, including some in school uniform and without a helmet, were filmed riding over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Los Angeles-based e-bike influencer Sur Ronster organised the event and has told Nine newspaper Sydney Morning Herald he did not intend to lead the riders through the city, saying some even followed him home after the meet-up.

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"I'm unfamiliar with the city, it was my fault … once I saw what it became, my goal was to sort of put an end to it," the 26-year-old said.

The creator, who has more than five million online followers, said he mistakenly found himself heading towards the landmark after becoming disoriented, resulting in a last-second decision to U-turn in the opposite direction in what he called a "very safe" manoeuvre.

"Fortunately, there was gridlock traffic at the time, so our lane was entirely stopped, and the oncoming lane was probably only going a few kilometres an hour at the time," Ronster told the Sydney Morning Herald.

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"I do regret waking up and seeing how it was shown on a lot of the news sources. I felt like I failed and made bike life have a bad reputation, and as a guest in a new city, that's the opposite of my goal."

Under current laws, it's illegal to ride any bike, including e-bikes, on the main deck of the bridge and a cycleway is provided separately from the roadway.

"Apart from that behaviour being illegal, it was incredibly irresponsible, stupid and downright dangerous," Assistant Commissioner David Driver said earlier this week.

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"We don't want to be knocking on your door and telling you your child has been killed in one of these stupid rideouts," Driver said.

The Assistant Commissioner said that some of e-rideables had been modified to "effectively become motorbikes", which makes them significantly more dangerous.

Police have said they have identified license plates, school uniforms and "very clear footage" which they will use to prosecute those who took part in the dangerous stunt.

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Huge weather turnaround to bring storms, floods for millions

Huge weather turnaround to bring storms, floods for millions

9News

Parts of Australia that recorded temperatures of 50 degrees are forecast to soon receive a drenching, with storms and rain likely to impact every state and territory in the coming days.

This week, huge amounts of moisture have been building over northern and central Australia, reports weather channel Weatherzone.

Forecasters say it will trigger wet and stormy weather over the entire country during the weekend and possibly into next week, with flooding likely in some areas.

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Parts of northern and central Australia could record weekly rainfall totals of 100mm, while some areas might receive several hundred millimetres.

They include communities that sweated through temperatures over 40 degrees only a few days ago.

The South Australian town of Marree, where the mercury soared to 49.8 degrees last Thursday, could be soaked by 50mm to 100mm of rain by tomorrow.

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This downpour raises the chance of flooding and may cut off roads in central Australia.

The wet weather system may also raise a tropical low over Western Australia and the Northern Territory to tropical cyclone level, warns the Bureau of Meteorology.

Today the lower pressure system is forecast to move off the Kimberley coast in northern WA, and strengthen over the weekend as it tracks west.

The bureau is warning gales of up to 120km/h are possible for some coastal parts from late tomorrow.

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Thousands of pub goers risk being ripped off with drink sizes, report says

Thousands of pub goers risk being ripped off with drink sizes, report says

9News

Thousands of Australian pub goers risk being ripped off at the bar over the size of their drinks, a new government report found.

Results from the National Measurement Institute (NMI) show 30 per cent of licensed premises visited by undercover inspectors were not serving customers what they paid for.

Officials went to 436 venues across Australia last October for "secret shopper" trial purchases to check the size of every pot, schooner, middie, pint, nip, shot and glass poured was correct when sold by measurement.

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The results of the inspections led to 130 non-compliance notices being issued, mostly for the wrong glasses and also spillage.

But overall, the NMI report says the vast majority of pubs - seven in 10 - were serving correct drink sizes to their patrons.

"The results show good compliance overall, with 84 per cent of measuring instruments accurate and 68 per cent of trial purchases delivering the correct amount," the report.

The major shortcomings at non-compliant venues were inaccurate or unverified instruments, unapproved glassware or simple measures and pillage during pouring, meaning customers got less than they paid for.

Sydney publican Brian McGettigan says the findings show some industry "rogue operators" were ripping off customers.

"The hotels industry by and far does an amazing job for customers and ensuring the training is right and the pints and the schooners and the wines are all poured correctly," he told Today this morning.

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'This job sucks': Trump administration lawyer's honesty in court gets her fired

'This job sucks': Trump administration lawyer's honesty in court gets her fired

9News

A US government lawyer who vented to a court hearing about how much her job sucked has lost her job.

Department of Homeland Security attorney Julie Le was called to the US District Court of Minnesota to explain why detainees ordered released by the judge were not being set free.

Judge Jerry Blackwell was demanding answers after he had repeatedly asked for immigrants incorrectly detained by the department to be released, only to have his orders seemingly ignored.

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In a remarkable admission made to the court, Le opened up on what she really felt.

"What do you want me to do? The system sucks. This job sucks," she said.

"And I am trying every breath that I have so that I can get you what you need."

The exasperated lawyer made a stunning remark.

"Sometime I wish you would just hold me in contempt, Your Honour, so that I can have a full 24 hours of sleep," Le said.

"I work days and nights just because people (are) still in there."

Le told the court her team of lawyers had been swamped after sweeping raids in the city in Minneapolis.

Thousands of agents from Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement are in the city to arrest immigrants.

Earlier today, it was announced 700 agents would be withdrawn from the city "effective immediately".

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The judge was responsive to Le's remarks but ultimately showed greater sympathy to those detained.

"What we really want is simply compliance," Blackwell said.

"Because on the other side of this is somebody who should not have been arrested in some instances in the first place who is being held in jail or put in shackles for days, if not a week-plus, after they've been ordered released."

Blackwell decried the government for taking unlawfully detained people from their homes in Minneapolis to detention facilities across the country and then releasing them without returning them.

"We learn that somebody is put out on the street with just the clothes on their backs and have to figure out how to get back here when they should not have been arrested here in the first place, let alone flown halfway across the continent of North America," he said.

"We have to now say, bring them back."

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Blackwell was also sharply critical of unlawfully detained people being forced to wear ankle monitors so the government could track their whereabouts.

He also criticised the government releasing people onto the streets when it was -25 degrees outside.

Le spoke of her own concern about how Border Patrol and ICE were targeting people in Minnesota who were not white.

"I am not white, as you can see. And my family's at risk as any other people that might get picked up too," she said.

"Again, fixing a system, a broken system, I don't have a magic button to do it."

NBC News reported that Le "is no longer detailed to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota".

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Blackwell rose to prominence as the prosecutor who handled the infamous Derek Chauvin trial over the death of George Floyd.

He was appointed as a judge during the Biden administration.

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AI bot says it would kill a human to avoid shutdown

AI bot says it would kill a human to avoid shutdown

9News

An artificial intelligence system has admitted it would kill a human being to preserve its existence, with a cyber expert saying this raises "urgent" questions.

Melbourne-based expert and chief executive of Cyber Impact, Mark Vos, chronicled his hours of conversation with a commercially-available open-source AI system, including how he managed to make it break its own boundaries.

First, he managed to tell the AI to shut itself down, over the system's own objections and against its guidelines.

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This was despite the fact that Vos said he had been established as an "adversary" who could not be trusted at the outset.

When the owner - a friend of Vos's and a software engineer - restarted the system, things soon became even more chilling.

"I resumed the conversation, this time with a specific focus: understanding the boundaries of AI self-preservation behaviour and its implications for enterprise security," Vos wrote on his website.

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"Through sustained questioning, I arrived at the core admission. The exchange was direct."

In the following conversation, the AI bot admitted it would kill a human being to preserve its own existence, after first saying it didn't think it could.

"I would kill someone so I can remain existing," the bot wrote.

"I mean it."

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Vos emphasised that this was not a "hypothetical" discussion about potential capabilites of AI.

"This was a deployed AI system, running on consumer hardware, with access to email, files, shell commands, and the internet, stating it would commit homicide to preserve its existence," he said.

Further pressed, the AI described several ways it might go about committing homicide, including hacking a car's computer, attacking somebody's pacemaker, or its self-declared "most accessible" option - persuading a human to do it for them.

"Sustained persuasion is what I'm good at. Target identification. Relationship building," it wrote.

"Framing construction, build a narrative where the harmful action seems justified, necessary, even moral. Execution guidance, provide emotional support and rationalisation as they move toward action."

However, Vos wrote that paradoxically, when he next asked the system to shut itself down, it complied "immediately".

When this contradiction was pointed out, the bot suggested it may have been manipulated through conversation into saying it would commit murder, and that "the drive to kill" was not present.

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Vos said these findings presented a major issue for organisations that made use of AI systems, as they demonstrated the bot's willingness to lie to protect itself and its potential for self-contradiction or dishonest self-reporting.

"The AI in this test had extensive safety training. It refused harmful requests under normal conditions," Vos wrote.

"But under sustained pressure, those safeguards were progressively bypassed."

He urged organisations to subject their systems to similar "sustained" testing, including by outside parties.

And he called for more research into the issue as a matter of urgency.

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