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The man, who cannot be named, faces two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in Victoria’s county court. He has pleaded not guiltyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA high-profile Melbourne man was called a rapist and punched in the face by his former personal assistant shortly after he raped her at his home, a Victorian court has heard.But the man’s barrister, Dermot Dann KC, told the rape trial on Wednesday that the alleged victim had “massive issues” in relation to her credibility and reliability, including having previously made false allegations against police. Continue reading...

Revelation comes as Reform UK leader faces parliamentary investigation into money received from crypto billionaireUK politics live – latest updatesNigel Farage bought a £1.4m property in cash shortly after receiving a £5m personal gift from the crypto billionaire, Christopher Harborne.The revelation comes after parliament’s standards watchdog confirmed separately that the Reform UK leader was facing a formal investigation over the gift from the Thai-based businessman. Continue reading...

Oil prices on course for record monthly rise amid risk of further escalation and mixed messaging from USDonald Trump has threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power stations and fresh water plants if Tehran does not agree to peace terms “shortly”, even as he claimed diplomatic progress in ending the war that was instigated by the US and Israel.Tehran has remained defiant during the month-long conflict, describing US peace proposals as “excessive, unrealistic and irrational” and firing waves of missiles at Israel. Continue reading...