Good afternoon.
Lt Gen Susan Coyle has been announced as the first woman to lead the Australian army.
The defence minister, Richard Marles, said Coyle’s elevation to lead the army was “a deeply historic moment”, and described her as a “standout candidate”. Coyle has commanded troops on deployment to Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands and Afghanistan.
The current chief of navy, V Adm Mark Hammond, has been promoted to chief of defence force, replacing the retiring Adm David Johnston.
Top news
Pauline Hanson says convicted rapist employed by One Nation has been sacked
An A$1.6m Picasso painting to be won for $166 in charity raffle
Iran war could plunge 32 million into poverty, says United Nations
Massive Attack frontman Robert Del Naja among 500 arrested at Palestine Action protest
In pictures
Pop’s troubled prince Justin Bieber performed at Coachella over the weekend, his first public performance in more than four years. While day one saw Sabrina Carpenter headline with a wildly ambitious, maximalist extravaganza, Bieber performed a more minimalist set with just his mic and his laptop.
What they said …
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“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican” – Donald Trump
The US president singled out the pope on Sunday night, claiming he was “not doing a very good job” and that he is “a very liberal person”. The attack on the leader of the Catholic church came after Pope Leo appeared to make comments aimed at the Trump administration during Saturday evening prayers at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Full Story
Two US court losses show the shifting tide against Meta
Last month in the United States in two separate courtrooms, in two separate states and in the span of just two days, the world’s most powerful social media company, Meta, was sent a message.
The cases in New Mexico and California found Meta liable for products that inflict harm on young people, and were the first of thousands to go to court.
Technology reporter for Guardian US Dara Kerr speaks to Nour Haydar about the landmark verdicts and why some believe this could be big tech’s big tobacco moment.
Before bed read
History was made at Sydney’s Royal Easter Show over the weekend with Anton and his owner James Bennett crowned the first ever back-to-back champions at the Best in Show Dogs.
Anton and Bennett will now head to the World Dog Show in Bologna, Italy to represent Australia.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: AIL . You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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