US National Guard Specialist Dies & Death Toll Rises To 94 In Hong Kong Fire

US President Donald Trump says National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom has died after being shot in Washington DC on Wednesday; Firefighters in Hong Kong are battling for a second day to contain a deadly blaze at the Wang Fuk Court high-rise complex, where the death toll has climbed to 94; A Sydney police sergeant has been found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of 16-year-old Indigenous teen Jai Kalani Wright; A world-first Australian clinical trial has found that the antidepressant sertraline can significantly reduce domestic violence reoffending among impulsive men; The AFLW grand final is set for Saturday, November 29, as North Melbourne and Brisbane face off for the third consecutive year.

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Host/Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Production: Lu Hill

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to Amma Mia podcast. Hi, I'm Talie Blackman
from Momammas twice daily news podcast The Quikie with Your
Headlines for Friday, November twenty eight, US President Donald Trump
says National Guard specialist Sarah Beckstrom has died after being
shot in Washington, d C. On Wednesday. Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe,

(00:29):
who was also wounded in the same attack just blocks
from the White House, remains in critical condition. Speaking during
a Thanksgiving call with troops, Trump said he was told
of Beckstrom's death moments before addressing the media, calling her
highly respected and outstanding in every way. Beckstrom and wolf
both from West Virginia, had been sworn in less than

(00:50):
a day before the ambush style shooting. The suspect, twenty
nine year old Raman A La Lakama, is in custody
and also critically injured. The FBI is investigating the case
as possible terrorism, though a motive is still unclear. Trump
used the innouncement to criticize betting in past resettlement programs
and repeated that national security must remain a top priority.

(01:13):
Firefighters in Hong Kong are battling for a second day
to contain a deadly blaze at the one foot Court
high rise complex, where the death toll has climbed to
ninety four. Crews are moving through burnt apartments as smoke
still palls from several units. Officials say firefighting is almost complete,
though teams are working to stop embers from reigniting. The

(01:34):
fire began Wednesday in bamboo scaffolding and spread quickly across
seven buildings. Hundreds remain unaccounted for, and police have arrested
three construction firm staff over suspected manslaughter. A Sydney police
sergeant has been found guilty of dangerous driving causing the
death of sixteen year old Indigenous teen Jai Killani Wright.

(01:56):
Sergeant Benedict Bryant, age forty seven, was told not to
pursue the boy in February twenty twenty two, but instead
parked his unmarked car at the end of a by
path without lights or sirens. Judge Jane Culvar ruled Bryant
should have foreseen that placing the vehicle in the teen's path,
especially with other parked cars obstructing visibility, posed a serious risk.

(02:18):
Jay collided with the car, was thrown from his trail
bike and died the next day in hospital. The court
heard Bryant had not intended to harm but failed to
exercise proper caution. More than forty family members were present
as the verdict was delivered, and Jai's father said he
hoped the ruling would improve relations between police and First
Nations people. Bryant will be sentenced on April seventeen, twenty

(02:42):
twenty six. A world first Australian clinical trial has found
that the antidepressant sirchulene can significantly reduce domestic violence reoffending
among impulsive men. The reinvest study, run by UNSW and
the University of Newcastle, reported a twenty one percent lower
risk of DV offending for men taking sirchelene compared with

(03:04):
the placebo, with even greater reductions among those who took
medication consistently. Researchers say the findings show surgelene may help
reduce impulsivity and aggression, offering perpetrators the space to regulate
emotions and engage with support services. Experts argue the results
should spur new government investment and a rethink of domestic

(03:25):
violence interventions, shifting towards tailored health focused approaches alongside existing
behavior change programs. While the study faced early criticism, researchers
say evidence now indicates medication combined with intensive clinical support,
could play a meaningful role in reducing violence. The AFLW

(03:47):
Grand Final is set for tomorrow, Saturday, November twenty nine,
as North Melbourne and Brisbane face off for the third
consecutive year. The Kangaroos are chasing back to back premierships
having won the last season, while the Lines aim for
their third afl W title, tying Adelaide's record. The match
kicks off at seven forty five pm Australian Eastern daylight

(04:09):
time at Melbourne's Princess Park, with a yellow ball for
night conditions. Fans can watch on Channel seven KO Sports
or follow news coverage. Fans will also enjoy pre match
entertainment from Peaking Duck. This year, recent history gives North
Melbourne a slight edge, having won three of the last
five encounters against Brisbane, including the previous two Grand Final clashes,

(04:32):
setting the stage for another thrilling showdown. That's your evening
news headlines. More from the Quikie on Monday, where we
unpack the mums of schoolies or moolies and the rise
of mums throwing a party for themselves after getting their
child through school. Listen to the Quikie wherever you get
your podcasts. Mumma Mea acknowledges the traditional owners of land

(04:54):
and waters that this podcast is recorded on.