Good afternoon.
Victoria police “believe strongly” that fugitive Dezi Freeman died only hours after he allegedly killed two officers in the town of Porepunkah and fled into bushland last August.
A major search is under way in the state’s high country, exploring three possible scenarios: Freeman died near Mount Buffalo by self-harm or misadventure; he escaped the area and is being harboured; or that he has escaped the area and has survived without help.
The first scenario was supported by reports of a gunshot at 12.29pm on the day of the shooting near where Freeman was last seen.
Top news
Most mortgaged homeowners won’t see repayments increase if the RBA hikes interest rates this week
Two federal agents reportedly identified in fatal shooting of Alex Pretti
In pictures
Triple J Hottest 100 winner Olivia Dean walks the red carpet at the Grammys, where she won the award for best new artist. Dean, Billie Eilish and Bad Bunny all called out Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, with the Puerto Rican singer saying to a standing ovation: “Before I say thanks to god, I’m going to say ICE out.” Steven Spielberg and Australia’s Tame Impala were among the winners.
What they said …
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“I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time.”
Donald Trump has paused entertainment events at the John F Kennedy Center, which has been in turmoil – from cancelled performances to low ticket sales – since the president orchestrated a leadership overhaul at the beginning of his term.
Full Story
Australia’s best children’s picture book poll: Graeme Base on Animalia
The search for Australia’s best children’s picture book is on and Graeme Base has two nominations. Guardian Australia’s deputy culture editor, Sian Cain, speaks to the author about how he wrote his beloved bestsellers Animalia and The Eleventh Hour, and why he set out to challenge curious kids.
Listen to the episode here (and don’t forget to vote)
Before bed read
Shadi Khan Saif’s youngest child is one of thousands across Australia starting school for the first time. “Watching him step towards this small but enormous threshold has stirred a question I’ve been carrying for years,” he writes. “How much of curiosity is innate, and how much is shaped – patiently, deliberately – by those who raise us?”
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: ETC. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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