Afternoon Update: Biden denounces supreme court ruling; boy arrested over alleged Sydney stabbing; and how Xena: Warrior Princess was made
Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update.
Joe Biden has issued a full-throated denunciation of the US supreme court’s decision to grant his predecessor, Donald Trump, broad immunity from criminal charges of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
In a five-minute speech from the White House, the US president called the 6-3 ruling a “dangerous precedent” that overturned the basic principle of equality before the law. Biden said the ruling forced voters to confront the question of whether Trump has the character to constrain his own behaviour if he is returned to the White House.
Meanwhile, Trump’s lawyers have wasted no time capitalising on the decision. In a letter to Judge Juan M Merchan, who presided over his hush-money trial, Trump’s team have asked to delay the former president’s sentencing, scheduled for later this month, citing the US supreme court’s ruling.
Top news
Labor caucus unanimously endorses Payman’s suspension | Federal Labor MPs and senators have endorsed the suspension of WA senator Fatima Payman from the party’s parliamentary caucus, official sources have said, due to her own actions and statements and that she was suspended until she decided to respect the collective obligations.
Senate passes live sheep export ban | The agriculture minister, Murray Watt, is “very pleased” the Senate voted to pass Labor’s bill ending live sheep exports. As Amy Remeikis notes, the ban will take the form of a phase-out that will see the industry stopped by mid-2025.
Children could be blocked from social media | The federal government is in talks with Instagram and Facebook about taking part in a trial of age assurance technology, which will consider blocking children from accessing social media. A $6.5m trial of the technology announced in May’s federal budget was originally aimed at testing technologies and methods for keeping under-18s from accessing adult content such as pornography.
Boy arrested after alleged Sydney stabbing | A 14-year-old has been arrested and a 22-year-old man has been taken to hospital after an alleged stabbing at the University of Sydney. Police said neither person was believed to be known to one another and there was no ongoing risk to the community.
Sniping resumes despite NSW Coalition peace deal | Peace within the ranks of the New South Wales Coalition lasted only a few hours after the partnership was reaffirmed, with the Nationals MP Wes Fang launching another tirade against the state Liberal leader, Mark Speakman.
Opioid-laced cocaine sparks health warning | Protonitazene, a synthetic drug 100 times more potent than heroin, has been found in cocaine currently being sold in Melbourne. Victoria’s health department said “other false or contaminated drug products” may be circulating.
Israel orders fresh evacuations from Khan Younis | Monday’s evacuation order covered the eastern half of Khan Younis and a large swathe of the Gaza Strip’s south-eastern corner. Earlier in the day, the army said a barrage of rockets out of Gaza was fired from Khan Younis.
Prosecutors knew of Epstein assaults years before plea deal | Transcripts show that a grand jury heard testimony that Epstein, who was then in his 40s, had raped teenage girls at his Palm Beach mansion in 2006, two years before Epstein cut a deal with south Florida federal prosecutors.
In pictures
What choices does Fatima Payman have?
Party loyalty is in tents, suspects cartoonist Fiona Katauskas.
What they said …
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“There is a real sense of pain post-voice referendum and that they want some sense of hope” – Dorinda Cox
The Greens senator has added further detail to a bill, outlined by the minor party on Sunday, to set up a truth and justice commission.
In numbers
According to the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) ANZ charged fees and interest to 18,852 estates.
Before bed read
‘I was attacked by a bloody rabbit’: how we made Xena: Warrior Princess
“The studio was hesitant about suggesting Xena and Gabrielle were in a romantic relationship. But as time went on, they decided to look the other way and just let us get on with it,” recalls writer and co-executive producer Steven L Sears.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: STUD. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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