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Ben Roberts-Smith case LIVE updates: Major victory delivered to newspapers as former SAS soldier’s defamation case dismissed; some war crime, bullying allegations proven
Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko was expected to deliver his decision in the decorated former soldier’s landmark defamation case at 2.15pm in Sydney.
- by Michaela Whitbourn and David Estcourt
Police file five murder charges over deadly NZ hostel fire
More than 100 people were staying at the four-storey Loafers Lodge hostel when the fire tore through the building soon after midnight on May 16.
- by Nick Perry
Olympic gold medallist among host of rugby stars to switch to league
A wave of rugby union players are jumping codes to join the expanding NRLW competition.
- by Billie Eder
Australia news live: Ben Roberts-Smith loses defamation case against Nine in historic win for newspapers; PwC tax scandal fallout continues
The judgment in SAS veteran Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation case will be delivered, FBI restarts probe into Julian Assange, and the PwC tax scandal fallout continues.
- by Caroline Schelle and Megan Gorrey
Half-yearly report card: the best pop culture of 2023 (so far)
What you should have watched, listened to, read and clicked on in the first half of the year.
- by Robert Moran and Melanie Kembrey
Updated
World markets
Debt ceiling deal passes lower house, boosting the ASX
The Australian sharemarket edged up on Thursday after US lawmakers approved a package to avert a debt ceiling crisis.
- by Millie Muroi
Exclusive
Crime
Man spoke with officers before fatally stabbing boy, police allege
Nathan Vitakos allegedly attacked the 3-year-old in a Riverwood unit on Wednesday afternoon. Officers had allegedly been seeking him over allegations of domestic violence.
- by Perry Duffin and Olivia Ireland
Explainer
Roberts-Smith case
110 days, 41 witnesses and 15 key questions to answer: Why the Ben Roberts-Smith case matters
Australia’s most decorated living soldier, Victoria Cross and Medal of Gallantry winner Ben Roberts-Smith, has lost a landmark defamation case.
- by Michael Bachelard
School hours are ‘sexist’, should be extended to 6pm to help working women: MP
New Ryde MP Jordan Lane wants school hours extended so mothers aren’t “forced to choose between their own career progression or raising children”.
- by Michael McGowan
Analysis
State of Origin
The Maroons lost three men in five minutes. This is how they found a way to win
One player in the bin. No interchanges left. And still behind by two. This is the inside story of the chaos and carnage that defined a famous Queensland win.
- by Dan Walsh
Updated
Roberts-Smith case
Former SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith committed war crimes
A Federal Court judge has found that the decorated war veteran murdered unarmed prisoners and bullied a colleague.
- by Michaela Whitbourn and Harriet Alexander
Ange can ‘transform’ Spurs but bigger clubs watching, says ex-assistant
Ange Postecoglou is reportedly Tottenham Hotspur’s top managerial candidate, but Rado Vidosic would not be shocked if his ties to the City Football Group lead to a bigger job one day.
- by Vince Rugari
Orica backs Europe’s carbon tariffs, says Australia needs some
Orica says a levy on high-emissions imports will level the playing field for Australia against unfair global competition.
- by Simon Johanson and Nick Toscano
Don’t look for loopholes, Medical Board chair tells online doctors
The Medical Board of Australia has seen cases of telehealth patients getting the wrong drugs, the wrong dose or a prescription on outdated information.
- by Nick Bonyhady
Ex-cop’s ‘Fox Hunt’ trial kicks off. Was he under Beijing’s orders?
Prosecutors say Michael McMahon pressured Xu Jin to return to China to face bribery and embezzlement charges, as part of “Operation Fox Hunt”.
- by Luc Cohen
‘She was not okay’: ACT victims advocate feared Higgins would collapse during speech
Heidi Yates says she would have reconsidered standing next to Brittany Higgins during a televised speech if she’d known what she was going to say.
- by Angus Thompson
Latest reviews
Arts
A grim truth is spun into a compelling and scathing new story
This wrap of shows around Melbourne includes Jason Donovan in The Rocky Horror Show, Samuel Beckett’s Worstward Ho, Vidya Rajan’s Crocodiles and more.
- by Cher Tan, Karl Quinn, Sonia Nair, Tyson Wray, Cameron Woodhead, Tony Way and Jessica Nicholas
Analysis
Cryptocurrencies
Bought an NFT last year? The Tax Office wants to know
The tax treatment of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are now on the radar of the Australian Tax Office.
- by Nicole Buckler
Opinion
Aviation
China’s dream of ruling the skies is problematic
China’s homemade passenger jet has finally made its debut after a 16-year odyssey. It is a key part of a big much bigger plan.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
AI can do any many things, but can it replicate these drawings?
Drawing will always be present because it captures the vital creative impulse that links the eye, the mind and the hand.
- by John McDonald
★★★
Review
The new Spider-Man is utterly bewildering – but it’s all part of the plan
If you’re excited to hear that the 1970s Japanese TV version of Spider-Man has a cameo, this is definitely the movie for you.
- by Jake Wilson
Anatomy of an Origin miracle: How Queensland exposed the one NSW player out of position
With two centres playing on the wing and a hooker and back-rower defending in the centres as part of just 12 men, Queensland looked gone. But they took advantage of the one NSW player who was in an uncustomary spot.
- by Adam Pengilly
Amazon fined $47 million for hoarding kids’ data, spying through cameras
Amazon dismisses American regulator’s allegations, but has agreed to pay the fines.
- by Tim Biggs
Australia considers banning high-risk AI despite economic potential
The federal government has released two landmark papers laying the groundwork to regulate AI technology while also noting its great potential.
- by Paul Sakkal
Curtis Stone is opening a ‘fancy’ beach resort restaurant in Mexico (named after a regional Victorian town)
The LA-based chef will source Australian wagyu for his rustic-yet-chic fine diner, which is named after a Macedon Ranges town that holds special family memories.
- by Donna Demaio
‘I knew it was him, he ran away’: Luai calls out Walsh for Origin hair pull
Jarome Luai’s long locks are in the spotlight again after Queensland’s star fullback attempted to drag the NSW No.6 out of a scuffle by his hair.
- by Dan Walsh
US House votes to suspend ceiling and avoid default
Joe Biden welcomed the passage of the debt ceiling bill and urged the Democratic-majority ruled Senate to “pass it as quickly as possible”.
- by David Morgan
When in Rome ... drink Starbucks coffee?
In coffee obsessed Italy, the American chain Starbucks is advancing its conquest by opening its first store in central Rome – to mixed reaction from locals.
- by Rob Harris
‘In bed by 10pm’: Why Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen make the perfect pair
In Platonic, the actors try to recapture their characters’ wild youthful friendship - just don’t ask them to do it in real life.
- by Louise Rugendyke
Naked, ‘wild’ and elusive: Pierre Bonnard’s muse keeps us guessing
Was Marthe Bonnard a jealous, obsessive wife, or an artist in her own right? On the eve of the NGV’s winter blockbuster, we uncover the woman behind the canvas.
- by Stephanie Bunbury
BHP reveals $430m staff holiday hit
The mining giant self-reported the problem after a preliminary review found annual leave for about 28,500 employees at its Australian operations had been incorrectly deducted on public holidays since 2010.
- by Simon Johanson
Sam’s back: Kim Cattrall to return to Sex and the City
Kim Cattrall will reprise her role as Samantha Jones in the next season of And Just Like That, despite her rift with Sarah Jessica Parker.
- by Nell Geraets
Updated
State of Origin
‘Pretty filthy on myself’: Blues debutant reflects on costly offload
It was a tough introduction to State of Origin football for three NSW debutants, none more so than Canterbury enforcer Tevita Pangai jnr.
- by Christian Nicolussi
Updated
French Open
From nightmare to dream: Kokkinakis delivers Kyrgios a perfect wake-up call
Nick Kyrgios had hailed it a “popcorn match” but when push came to shove in the middle of the night back home, he didn’t even stay up to watch buddy Thanasi Kokkinakis star against Stan Wawrinka.
Flegler fined for Trbojevic hit, Walsh avoids sanction for hair pull
Tom Flegler was only fined for leaving Tom Trbojevic concussed, but the match review committee did not sanction Reece Walsh for pulling Jarome Luai’s hair.
- by Christian Nicolussi
This would be a truly bold move for the Fast and Furious franchise
Whenever a car chase scene begins, I let out a bored sigh so strong it blows my dogs across the room.
- by Deirdre Fidge
‘Had never even heard of the guy’: JPMorgan chief denies having contact with Jeffrey Epstein
When it comes to JPMorgan Chase’s nearly 15-year business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, Jamie Dimon, the bank’s longtime CEO, claims to have little first-hand knowledge about the disgraced financier.
- by Matthew Goldstein
Lost its mojo? No way. Ted Lasso is still the sweetest show on TV
The third season of Jason Sudeikis’ fish-out-of-water comedy has come to an end, but there are many ways the acclaimed ensemble show could return.
- by Debi Enker
Analysis
World elections
Turkey’s election shows why Trump could win in 2024
Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s victory disproves the election slogan, “It’s the economy, stupid”. God, tradition, values, identity, culture and resentments also move voters.
- by Bret Stephens
Keep the measurements, give me the dollops and drizzles
Data rules our lives, numbers and percentages. Every reason to preserve the guesstimates.
- by David Astle
A half-marathon? I would rather die than do that again
A hypothetical bad idea was suddenly transformed into an ongoing mistake. I’d joined a long-distance race.
- by James Colley
How a director’s life-changing trip around the Pilbara became a movie
As a teen, Nyul Nyul and Yawuru director Jub Clerc went on a trip with other at-risk kids. It’s the basis of her debut feature.
- by Stephanie Bunbury
Opinion
China relations
China doesn’t want a war – it has better ways to achieve its goals
Australia’s portrayal of China in hawkish terms goes beyond the language used by other regional countries, whose proximity would lead them to feel more threatened than us.
- by Colin Heseltine
★★★★
Airport reviews
Worst airport finally transformed into something New York deserves
US President Joe Biden once referred to LaGuardia Airport as “third world”, but a multibillion-dollar investment has turned things around.
- by Kristie Kellahan
Opinion
State of Origin
Dirty dozen: 12-man Maroons produce another Origin miracle in City of Churches
NSW’s mood was as dark as their jumpers after they let another State of Origin match slip from their grasp in Adelaide.
- by Malcolm Knox
Sydney congestion overblown, more inner-city density needed, say developers
The head of developer lobby Urban Taskforce says the eastern suburbs are “ripe” for increased density following calls for increased building heights in inner Sydney.
- by Michael McGowan
Exclusive
Start-ups
Canva investor cuts valuation by 10 per cent again
Australian start-ups are facing a “mortgage cliff” as companies boasting paper valuations in the hundreds of millions start to run out of cash and raise money at much lower prices.
- by Nick Bonyhady
Exclusive
Endometriosis
Endometriosis affects one in nine women. World-first research at a Sydney hospital is giving them hope
A breakthrough paves the way for research into effective treatments, potentially limiting the need for invasive and painful surgeries.
- by Angus Thomson and Wendy Tuohy
Exclusive
Assange saga
FBI restarts Julian Assange probe despite hopes of release
Julian Assange’s former ghostwriter, novelist Andrew O’Hagan, has been sought by the FBI for an interview about the Australian WikiLeaks founder.
- by Matthew Knott
What inflation dragon? Prices are rising everywhere, except in China
Unlike in the rest of the world, across China people are noticing the cost of meat, vegetables and property falling – and that’s a problem.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Opinion
State Parliament
Perrottet could tap out by Christmas. There must be something in the water
The Liberals were on board with the Sydney Water anti-privatisation push, but once it became clear the all-powerful crossbench was not playing along, they voted with Labor.
- by Alexandra Smith
Opinion
Ageing
Taking the blood of your 17-year-old son? Anti-ageing has gone too far
If you’re swapping blood with your teen son, snorting stem cells and counting the erections you have every night, your obsession with youth needs checking.
- by Sarah Berry
‘It’s bleak’: Why you might be struggling to keep pace with rent rises
Rents for apartments have climbed six times faster than wages, making it hard for tenants to keep up with price hikes.
- by Melissa Heagney-Bayliss
Opinion
Sex & relationships
Time to leave shame at the bedroom door. Period.
Yes period sex is messy, but it’s also human. It’s time to move past the shame and look at how to enjoy sex at all times of the month.
- by Katrina Marson
Dean is playing his 500th game of footy. His mum’s been there for all but three
Parental support is everything, says 37-year-old Dean Formosa, who will set a new club record for the Albanvale Cobras on Saturday.
- by Carolyn Webb
These are the best Sydney gigs to catch in June
This month you can catch K-pop behemoths Blackpink, booming beats, beautiful Blood and a man bigger than Bach.
- by James Jennings
Opinion
Tips & advice
Two essential things to survive long-haul flights with kids
Why should the presence of a miniature human or two stop you from travelling? Plan to involve these two things.
- by Ben Groundwater
French minister tells Djokovic to stay out of politics as Kosovo tensions rise
Tennis star Novak Djokovic has been chastised by a senior French politician following his intervention over the escalation of violence in the Balkans.
- by Rob Harris
Woolies’ home delivery fleet ripe for EV makeover
Grocery giant Woolworths is aiming to get 1000 electric delivery trucks up and running on Australian roads by 2030.
- by Emma Koehn
Inflation surprise puts rate rise back on agenda
Rents, bread and cheese are continuing to keep inflation high. The Reserve Bank board meets next week with a rate rise back on the agenda.
- by Shane Wright
‘We can play so much better’: Slater urges Queensland to put foot on throat
On the cusp of their third series win in four years, the Queensland coach has a simple message for the battling Blues – the Maroons will be much better in game two.
- by Adam Pengilly
Fittler refuses to commit to same 17 for Origin II
As the post-mortem begins after another disappointing Blues loss, coach Brad Fittler was coy when asked about potential changes for game two.
- by Adrian Proszenko
Maroons 26 Blues 18
State of Origin
Blues blunders put Freddy in firing line after Queensland heroics
Brad Fittler will have 80 minutes to coach for his NSW job after the Maroons finished the series opener in Adelaide with 12 men on the field and plenty of injuries yet still won.
- by Dan Walsh
Opinion
State of Origin
Little niggle but Maroons show more fight than Blues in series opener
Queensland won the match 26-18, although precisely how is anyone’s guess when you consider how much went against them at Adelaide Oval.
- by Andrew Webster
Sponsored
State of Origin
State of Origin 2023 as it happened: Johns slams Blues attack after epic Maroons victory
Follow our live updates as Brad Fittler’s NSW Blues take on Billy Slater’s Queensland Maroons in Adelaide for game one of the 2023 State of Origin series.
- by Tom Decent and Billie Eder
Updated
Crime
Child dead, man in hospital after stabbing in Sydney unit
Emergency services were called to a unit complex in Riverwood on Wednesday. Police are investigating the “horrific” incident as possible domestic violence.
- by Perry Duffin and Esther Han
No swift North Melbourne return for Clarkson despite end of AFL inquiry
The end of the AFL’s racism inquiry into allegations by former Hawthorn players and families will not result in the coach making a quick return to North Melbourne.
- by Michael Gleeson, Jon Pierik, Jack Latimore and Peter Ryan
All but one of the state’s universities are losing money as student numbers shrink
NSW universities fell $400 million into the red last year as full-time student enrolments plunged by 12,000, the biggest drop in almost 20 years.
- by Lucy Carroll and Christopher Harris
The Melbourne shopping strip where one in four stores is empty
Despite a fall in vacancy rates across the city, agents say the upheaval of the pandemic wreaked havoc on some of Melbourne’s main strips.
- by Millie Muroi
Opinion
Grief
We lost our baby. I wasn’t sure how a man should deal with it
We had reached the “12-week milestone”. We had heard the heartbeat and had seen the ultrasound pictures of Baby Romania. Then our world was shattered in an instant.
- by Matt Romania
As it happened: PwC tax scandal fallout continues; Crown Resorts set to pay $450m fine over counter-terrorism, anti-money laundering failings
Consulting firm PwC stonewalled the tax office attempts to investigate leak, Crown Resorts to pay $450 million fine over breach and the trade deal with the UK comes into force.
- by Caroline Schelle and Anna Patty
Kmart courts TikTok stardom as it targets Gen Z for beauty, storage products
Social media-savvy Generation Z shoppers have become increasingly important to Kmart.
- by Emma Koehn
Military co-operation at risk over human rights breaches, US told Australia
Defence Force Chief Angus Campbell was warned the Brereton report could trigger a law that prevents the US military working with units linked to “gross violations of human rights”.
- by Matthew Knott
‘I’m only coaching ’til this World Cup’: RA confident Jones won’t leave despite comments
The Wallabies coach raised eyebrows this week when he declared on a podcast: “[If] we win the World Cup, it will be time to go”.
- by Tom Decent and Iain Payten
Minister does not rule out referring Stuart Robert to watchdog
Special Minister of State Don Farrell said the government was “deeply concerned” by the reports about the former minister when asked in a Senate estimates hearing.
- by David Crowe
Tax board demands names as it continues PwC tax leak investigation
The Tax Practitioners Board is demanding PwC name the nine partners the firm stood down this week, as the RBA governor also called for it to be transparent.
- by Rachel Clun
MPs invoke Lindy Chamberlain in calling for Kathleen Folbigg’s release
Attorney-General Michael Daley is resisting calls to free Folbigg from prison after an inquiry heard her four children may have died of natural causes.
- by Michaela Whitbourn
‘The biggest defamation case we’ve had’: Judgment day in Roberts-Smith case
Justice Anthony Besanko will deliver his decision at 2.15pm in Sydney on Thursday.
- by Michaela Whitbourn
Yes, we need more housing, but we also need stricter building regulations
Letter writers applaud the NSW Productivity Commissioner’s support for increased density, but there are plenty of caveats.
Racing NSW wins discovery ruling in secret plot for new racing body
A judge has granted Racing NSW access to internal Racing Victoria documents about a plan to create a new national body.
- by Chris Roots
Water laws have more loopholes than a monopoly board: regulator
Forecasters are predicting an even chance of El Nino in 2023, but already concerns are being raised about water theft and illegal water trading.
- by Harriet Alexander
Chris Dawson seen with student sitting on his lap at school, court told
The 74-year-old former teacher is on trial in the NSW District Court after pleading not guilty to carnal knowledge of a student under the age of 17.
- by Georgina Mitchell
Updated
World markets
Inflation shock drives ASX to the lowest close in a month
Higher-than-expected inflation data sent the Australian sharemarket to its lowest point since March, with miners, energy companies and consumer stocks taking a hit.
- by Millie Muroi