Venue for Gold Coast Magic Millions’ main race day unclear as activists deny track damage

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected US calls for Australia to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP amid growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, opting instead to raise it from 2.02% to 2.33% by 2034. Defense Minister Richard Marles and other officials emphasized Australia's commitment to its own defense policy while acknowledging the need for strategic investments, particularly in response to China's military ambitions. The US Defense Secretary warned of China's increasing threats, particularly concerning...

SummaryIn his maiden speech as the newly-elected Central Wheatbelt MLA, Lachlan Hunter criticized the Albanese government for banning live sheep exports, recalling his political journey sparked by the 2011 live cattle export ban. Appointed shadow agriculture minister and party whip, he emphasized the relentless attacks on agriculture from activist groups and expressed pride in representing the diverse Central Wheatbelt region, highlighting its rich history and industrious nature. Hunter's background as a farmer's son and his...

Glenn Maxwell has announced his immediate retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket at the age of 36, concluding a career with 3990 runs in 149 matches and two World Cup victories. He will remain available for T20I selection and continue his domestic franchise T20 career. Notably, his retirement follows an illustrious performance in the 2023 World Cup, where he scored a memorable double century against Afghanistan, solidifying his legacy in the format. Full Article

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that Australia will determine its own defence spending needs following a request from US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth for an increase to 3.5% of GDP. Currently, Australia's defence spending stands at 2.0%, projected to rise to 2.3% by 2033/34, with the US urging allies in the Indo-Pacific to share the burden of deterrence amid perceived threats, particularly from China. Albanese emphasized the government's focus on defining necessary capabilities for national...

Harvey Weinstein has opted not to testify in his New York retrial for sex crimes, leading to closing arguments scheduled for Tuesday. Charged with raping Jessica Mann and forcing oral sex on Miriam Haley and Kaja Sokola, Weinstein has denied the allegations, maintaining that any encounters were consensual. His decision not to testify comes after previous convictions in New York and California, and while his lawyer noted that Weinstein considered the impact of his testimony...

A tribunal in Bangladesh has initiated proceedings against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accepting charges of crimes against humanity linked to a mass uprising that resulted in hundreds of student deaths. Investigators have been directed to produce Hasina, who has been in exile in India, along with former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, who is missing, and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who has been arrested. The tribunal alleges that Hasina orchestrated actions leading...