Ben

The former soldier’s previous defamation trial presents the rare situation of there being hours of evidence of his alleged crimes already on the public record For almost every day of his marathon defamation trial, Ben Roberts-Smith VC, sat in the same spot in the federal court. A chair by the window, bathed in sunshine, from where he could glare at witnesses giving evidence.He sits now in a very different position. Continue reading...

Queensland senator ‘steadfast’ in her support of former Australian soldier as police charge him with five counts of war crime – murderFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, says she will not “abandon” Ben Roberts-Smith despite his arrest over war crimes, as the Greens declare “no one should be above the law”.As the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, refused to weigh into Roberts-Smith’s arrest at Sydney airport on Tuesday morning, Hanson reaffirmed her long-held support for Australia’s most decorated living soldier. Continue reading...

Roberts-Smith previously failed in his attempt to sue three newspapers which published allegations he committed war crimesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFormer soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, recipient of the Victoria Cross, has been arrested at Sydney airport in relation to alleged war crimes.Roberts-Smith was due to face court in Sydney on Tuesday. He has previously been accused in a defamation suit of murdering unarmed civilians while serving in the Australian SAS in Afghanistan. Continue reading...

Union says new entitlements, part of Employment Rights Act 2025, will help lower-income householdsUp to 9.6 million UK workers are to benefit from the changes to sick pay rules, according to unions. They say the policy has widespread support from voters despite pushback from some businesses.From Monday, about 8.4 million workers who rely on statutory sick pay – the minimum amount employers must pay – will be paid from the first day of becoming ill rather than from day four, according to an analysis by the Trades Union Congress (TUC). Continue reading...

Rally met with bipartisan support after US border patrol revealed plans for steel wall across parts of beloved parksThousands of people gathered at the steps of the Texas capitol on Saturday to protest against the construction of a border wall through Big Bend, in a show of bipartisan opposition to the White House’s plans.More than 2,000 people attended the rally, according to Texas Public Radio, holding signs with slogans such as “No Big Bend NP Wall,” “Big Love for Big Bend” and “No al Muro” – Spanish for “No to the Wall.” Organizers gathered postcards from protesters to deliver to Greg Abbott, the Texas governor who has yet to weigh in publicly on the border wall expansion plans at Big Bend. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Starmer urged to go further with exemptions if he wants to avoid widespread anger from his own MPsA number of ministers concerned about Shabana Mahmood’s immigration changes are working behind the scenes with backbenchers to secure more exemptions, the Guardian has learned.Keir Starmer is consulting on the proposed changes, which would make it harder to achieve settled status in the UK, and is under pressure from within his own party to say the measures should not apply to people who have already entered the UK. Continue reading...

• The United States men's national soccer team lost 2-0 to Portugal in a friendly match on Tuesday at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. • Francisco Trincão scored in the 37th minute past goalkeeper Matt Freese, followed by João Félix's long-range goal in the 59th minute for Portugal. • Christian Pulisic received a 3/10 player rating amid the USMNT's failure to convert attacking chances despite early pressure.