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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Martin Farrer

Morning Mail: police reject Lehrmann case ‘smears’, Warner ball-tampering claim, Sussexes’ doco drops

The police union has accused DPP Shane Drumgold, left, of smears over the investigation into the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins.
The police union has accused DPP Shane Drumgold, left, of smears over the investigation into the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins. Composite: AAP/Getty

Morning everyone. Yesterday Guardian Australia exclusively revealed the chief prosecutor in the trial of Bruce Lehrmann had complained that police officers engaged in “a very clear campaign to pressure” him not to prosecute the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins. It has sparked a quick response from the police union, which has hit out at what it called “smears” against investigators, supporting calls for a judicial inquiry into the handling of the case.

In less weighty news, we pick apart that Harry & Meghan documentary – and another long-running saga has burst back into life this week with David Warner’s manager making the explosive allegation that Australia’s cricketers were told to tamper with the ball long before the scandal exploded in South Africa.

Australia

A dejected David Warner of Australia leaves the field out fort 21 runs during the Second Test between Australia and the West Indies, as part of the West Indies tour of Australia, at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Thursday, December 8, 2022. (AAP Image/Matt Turner) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

World

Duke and Duchess of Sussex Netflix documentaryUndated handout photo issued by Netflix of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released for a new documentary called “Harry and Meghan” - the Sussexes’ behind the scenes. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s controversial documentary has aired on Netflix. The first three episodes of the six-part Harry & Meghan series began streaming at 8am on Thursday. Issue date: Thursday December 8, 2022. PA Photo. The six-part show, billed as “unprecedented and in-depth”, is airing exactly three months after the death of Harry’s grandmother the late Queen, with the Windsors still grieving and the King less than 100 days into his reign. See PA story ROYAL Sussex. Photo credit should read: Duke and Duchess of Sussex/Netflix/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things copyright holder.
  • The Harry & Meghan show | Prince Harry has said the royal family failed to understand that his future wife needed protection against racist attacks, as the couple claimed the media was “destroying us” in their Netflix docuseries, released last night. UK media outlets outraged about the series ran wall-to-wall coverage while our reviewer was so sickened that “I almost brought up my breakfast”.

  • Griner freed | Russia has freed the jailed US basketball star Brittney Griner in a dramatic prisoner exchange for the notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, who had been held in a US prison for 12 years.

  • Exclusive | Iranian security forces are targeting women at anti-regime protests with shotgun fire to their faces, breasts and genitals, according to interviews with medics across the country, who said that male protesters presented with noticeably different wounds.

  • AOC ‘investigation’ | The US Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is under investigation by the House of Representatives’ ethics committee, the leaders of the panel said, days after Republicans took control of the chamber.

Full Story

First dog november 2022 robodebt royal commission

Robodebt: a devastating failure of policy

Lenore Taylor and Mike Ticher discuss the failure of public servants, politicians and the unimaginable human cost brought to light during the royal commission into the robodebt scheme.

In-depth

lensa

Although most people under the age of 30 will be blissfully unaware, a photo editing app called Lensa is soaring in popularity. It invites users to submit 10-20 selfies and, for a small sum, they in return receive digital portraits of themselves morphed into a range of kooky styles from “anime” to “fairy princess”. Caitlin Cassidy tries it out.

Not the news

‘White Lotus’ Season 2 Premiere in Los Angeles epa10256056 US actor Meghann Fahy attends the HBO television series ‘White Lotus’ season two premiere at Goya Studios, in Los Angeles, California, USA, 20 October 2022. EPA/CAROLINE BREHMAN

The White Lotus is one of those shows that you hear about very quickly. Everyone who sees it immediately tells their friends it’s a must-watch. It’s a bit harder for Rebecca Shaw because she feels that she also has to tell people that she has loved one of the main actors, Meghann Fahy, pictured, for longer than everyone else. She explains why she’s begrudgingly getting on the White Lotus bandwagon.

The world of sport

Australia v West Indies - Second Test: Day 1ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 08: Travis Head of Australia celebrates making his century with Marnus Labuschagne of Australia during day one of the Second Test Match in the series between Australia and the West Indies at Adelaide Oval on December 08, 2022 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Media roundup

The Australian follows our exclusive story about alleged interference in the Bruce Lehrmann trial, as does the Canberra Times. Wild weather caused commuter chaos in south-east Queensland, says the Courier Mail, with trains delayed and cancelled. The parents of children expelled from Waverley College in Sydney over alleged hazing of year 7 pupils have demanded an inquiry, the Daily Telegraph reports. In Melbourne the Herald Sun reports there has been a “raft of shocking claims” by parents against Sunshine special development school. The NT News says three “blockbuster” AFL games will be played in the territory next year with the Gold Coast Suns and Melbourne Demons hosting.

What’s happening today

  • Robodebt hearing | Key officials will front the robodebt royal commission.

  • Cassius Turvey | Jack Steven James Brearley will appear in court in Perth over the alleged murder of 15-year-old Cassius Turvey in October.

  • Rights awards | The Human Rights Awards recognising outstanding achievements in Australia take place in Sydney.

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Brain teaser

And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.

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