Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update.
First, an apology. Earlier today we mistakenly re-sent yesterday’s edition of Afternoon Update – we’re very sorry for any confusion this caused.
Now, to the news. Today marked the first day of the reopened defamation case brought by Bruce Lehrmann against Network Ten, leaving standing room only in Courtroom 22a of the federal court in Sydney.
Earlier in the day, Justice Michael Lee took Seven to task for the fact that they have provided a large number of documents to the court today that were not produced prior to the commencement of the trial, in response to subpoenas from Network Ten.
This afternoon, former Seven producer Taylor Auerbach, whose allegations resulted in the case being reopened, entered the witness box. You can follow our live coverage – including key moments in Auerbach’s evidence – here.
Top news
Taiwan rescue effort begins amid landslide and aftershocks | Rescue teams are trying to reach more than 100 people trapped in mining areas and a national park after the strongest earthquake in decades hit Taiwan, killing nine and injuring about 1,000 people. Dfat have also confirmed that a small number of Australians sustained minor injuries in the earthquake.
Victorian Greens leader to run for federal parliament | Samantha Ratnam will seek pre-selection for the seat of Wills, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, which is held by the Labor MP Peter Khalil and has long been targeted by the Greens.
Netanyahu’s top rival calls for early elections after protests in Israel | Israeli minister Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet and main rival of the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has called for snap parliamentary elections in September, as pressure builds over the war in Gaza.
Alexis Wright nominated for $60,000 Stella prize | Stella prize winner Alexis Wright has been nominated for the $60,000 award a second time for her 700-page “canon-crushing” novel Praiseworthy. The Waanyi writer won the Stella prize, intended to reward the work of Australian women and non-binary authors, in 2018 for her biography Tracker.
Man found dead in Queensland floods | Police discovered the 71-year-old man at 5.20am on Thursday, after being called to the Logan suburb of Greenbank to conduct a welfare check. Two weather systems are colliding to bring thunderstorms, heavy rain and flash flooding across eastern Australia. Rainfall totals of up to 200mm are expected in Queensland and New South Wales.
Kieran Loveridge granted parole | The man whose unprovoked attack killed 18-year-old Thomas Kelly and helped trigger years-long lockout laws in Sydney has been granted parole and is set to be released from prison. Kelly’s parents, Ralph and Kathy Kelly, said they supported Loveridge’s release before the end of his sentence in order to “reintegrate him into lawful community life”.
All billionaires under 30 have inherited their wealth | Research by Forbes magazine found there were 15 billionaires aged 30 or under but that none had created their own wealth, instead benefiting from huge inheritances. The first wave of “the great wealth transfer” in which more than 1,000 wealthy people are expected to pass on more than $5.2tn (A$7.9tn) to their heirs over the next two decades.
All-in brawl on ice | NHL teams The New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils started Wednesday night’s game with a brawl involving all 10 players on the ice from the opening face-off. The Rangers went on to win 4-3.
Trump sues ex-The Apprentice contestants | Donald Trump is suing two former contestants on The Apprentice, his hit NBC reality show, who became co-founders of Trump Media and Technology Group, claiming they failed to set up the venture properly and should not get promised stock worth more than $400m.
In pictures
World Press Photo 2024 regional winners – in pictures
A selection of photographs from the 24 winning projects and six honourable mentions in the World Press Photo annual competition. This year, the jury included two special mentions. Awarded stories will be part of a global exhibition visiting London in May. Four global winners will be announced on 18 April.
What they said …
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“What isn’t good enough is the statements that have been made, including that this is just a product of war. This is against humanitarian law.” – Anthony Albanese.
Albanese has repeated calls for accountability from Israel over strike that killed Zomi Frankcom, an Australian aid worker.
In numbers
A mere 57 oil, gas, coal and cement producers are directly linked to 80% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions since the 2016 Paris climate agreement, a study has shown.
Before bed read
Daylight saving is ending for parts of Australia. When and why do we turn back the clock?
Clocks will go back to standard time, giving residents in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory an extra hour of sleep this weekend. Here’s what you need to know.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: USE . You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
• Earlier today we mistakenly re-sent yesterday’s edition of Afternoon Update – we’re very sorry for this.
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