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‘Plane bomb plot’ home searches in Sydney

Five properties in Sydney are being searched by Australian police over a suspected terrorism plot to bring down a plane. Four men across Sydney have been arrested, and police have seized materials that could have been used to make an explosive device. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said the men arrested were allegedly linked to an Islamist-inspired plan to detonate an improvised explosive device on a plane. Although no charges have been laid, a magistrate granted police special counter-terrorism powers, meaning the men can be held for up to seven days without charge. The suspects are reported to include a father and his adult son. Authorities have increased security measures at Australian airports, prompting lengthy queues and passenger confusion. Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister, said: “This is now the thirteenth terrorist plot which has been disrupted by our agencies since 2014. “I want to thank the travelling public for their forbearance.”

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