Good afternoon. First, a massive thanks to you for subscribing and supporting our journalism this year. Both the Afternoon Update and Morning Mail are signing off for 2023, returning on Monday 8 January.
And now to the news – it was also the final day of Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation trial. The federal court heard a final statement from Lehrmann’s barrister, Steve Whybrow SC, who asserts there was no way Brittany Higgins was “10-out-of-10 drunk” on the night of the alleged rape, claims Higgins “deliberately destroyed evidence” and had “no qualms” about “telling complete falsehoods”.
Justice Michael Lee described some of Whybrow’s suggestions about Higgins’ behaviour as “simplistic”, adding that it could be consistent with someone “coming to terms with something traumatic”.
Top news
US indicates support for amended UN resolution on Gaza | The US says it is “ready to vote” on a UN security council resolution aimed at increasing aid into Gaza, after days of negotiations with the United Arab Emirates and Egypt over wording. The US voiced concerns about the text’s references to a cessation of hostilities in the war as one of the key sticking points. The progress on a resolution comes amid a dire warning from the World Food Programme that 26% of Gazans have exhausted their food supplies and coping capacities and face catastrophic hunger and starvation.
Labor MPs call for total ban on gambling ads | Several Labor MPs have urged the federal government to introduce a total ban on gambling ads and not to water down the recommendations of an inquiry led by their late colleague Peta Murphy.
Calls for Peter Hollingworth pension to be removed | Survivors have renewed calls for the former Australian governor general’s pension to be stripped and redirected to survivors of abuse after an investigation found complaints of “serious neglect” related Hollingworth’s failure to act on knowledge of abuse were substantiated. There is no suggestion Hollingworth (pictured) abused children himself during his time as Brisbane archbishop of the Anglican church.
St Vincent’s Health Australia says data stolen in cyber-attack | Australia’s largest not-for-profit health and aged care provider has confirmed it has fallen victim to a cyber-attack and hackers have stolen some of its data.
LA police fatally shoot Black woman who called for help | A Los Angeles county sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a 27-year-old woman, Niani Finlayson (pictured), who had called 911 to report that she was under attack by a former boyfriend, police officials and lawyers for the victim’s family said on Thursday. Records show the deputy had killed another person in similar circumstances three years ago.
Vin Diesel accused of sexual battery | Asta Jonasson, Diesel’s former assistant, alleges the Fast and Furious actor assaulted her in 2010 in an Atlanta hotel during Fast Five filming. Diesel’s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Montpellier makes public transport free for all residents | Visitors and tourists will still have to pay €1.60 per trip as southern French city becomes latest in Europe to make bus and tram rides free for locals.
Changing climate casts shadow over Panama Canal | More than 40% of consumer goods traded between north-east Asia and the US east coast are transported through the canal, but this vital waterway is increasingly under threat from a rainfall deficit exacerbated by El Niño.
In pictures
The melting glaciers of Karakoram
On the steep slope of a glacier jutting through the Hunza valley in Pakistan’s mountainous far north, Tariq Jamil measures the ice’s movement and takes photos. His mission: to mobilise his community of 200 families in Hassanabad, in the Karakoram mountains, to fight for a future for their village and way of life, increasingly under threat from unstable lakes formed by melting glacier ice. Click here to see the photo essay.
What they said …
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“I think there’s been plenty of people who’ve not had permission to wear stuff in the past. I was very clear and open about the armband, so I’ll deal with that with the ICC and I’ll have those conversations with them.” – Usman Khawaja
Khawaja says he will not wear a black armband at the Boxing Day Test, but will work with Cricket Australia on a way to express his support for people in Gaza.
In numbers
The Australian Conservation Foundation nature campaigner Peta Bulling said the list was “a poignant reminder that governments and businesses are not doing enough to protect Australia’s reptiles”.
Before bed read
In a rush for last minute Christmas presents? Here’s a guide that includes 52 gifts you can buy on Christmas morning.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: ROKE. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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