Good afternoon. The much-anticipated trial of Donald Trump, who is accused of fraud, began in New York, with the former president lashing out at the judge and prosecutors in the courtroom.
Trump called the trial a “witch-hunt”, said the case was being overseen by a “rogue judge” and labelled the New York attorney general, Letitia James, a “racist” and a “horror show”.
Based on her office’s three-year investigation, James is arguing that Trump owes at least $250m (A$394m) for committing fraud.
Top news
Interest rates hold | The RBA has held interest rates for the fourth month in a row. In what was Michele Bullock’s first board meeting as governor, the RBA board decided to keep its key interest rate steady at 4.1%.
Gippsland, NSW south coast and Flinders Island fires | Residents are being told to evacuate as fire crews battle to bring a bushfire in Victoria’s Gippsland region and New South Wales’s south coast under control, while those in six towns have been told to take shelter as it is too late to leave. Meanwhile, waterbombing aircraft has been deployed on Tasmania’s Flinders Island as crews try to slow the forward progression of a fire. A bushfire emergency warning message has been issued for Leeka, West End Road and Palana Road.
Pope Francis hints at blessing gay couples | The pope has suggested there could be ways to bless same-sex unions, responding to five conservative cardinals who challenged him to affirm church teaching on homosexuality ahead of a big meeting where LGBTQ+ Catholics are on the agenda. It’s a reversal of the Catholic church’s current position, which does not bless gay unions.
Texas man on death row denied by US supreme court | Robert Roberson, 56, who was sent to death row in 2003 for shaking his two-year-old daughter Nikki to death, had his appeal rejected by the court. His lawyer claims Roberson is “an innocent father” who was convicted on the basis of “shaken baby syndrome”, a child abuse theory that has been widely debunked as junk science.
Boopac Shakur shot and killed | Shakur, who gained a sizable social media following by posing as a child online to lure out alleged sexual predators, was shot to death late last week during a confrontation at a restaurant in Michigan. Two men have been arrested in connection with the killing.
Republican infighting | Congressman Matt Gaetz, a hard-right Republican of Florida, introduced a motion to remove Kevin McCarthy as House speaker, expressing outrage over the Republican leader’s successful efforts to avoid a government shutdown this weekend.
Russell Brand facing second criminal inquiry | The 48-year-old comedian and actor is facing fresh claims made by a woman who contacted UK police two weeks ago with “new information” about “harassment and stalking”.
Candidates face abuse on New Zealand campaign trail | Candidates are reporting physical assaults and racist attacks ahead of the country’s general election on 14 October. One candidate for the minor party Te Pāti Māori alleged a man turned up to her house in the early hours of the morning yelling racial slurs while trying to break down her fence.
In pictures
Retro Sydney: 1950s to 2000
Then-futuristic computer banks, now-classic cars and a Sydney skyline without the Opera House are all part of a new book taken from Nathan Mete’s popular Retro Sydney Instagram account. See the gallery.
What they said …
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“My message is simple: No matter how powerful you are, no matter how much money you think you may have, no one is above the law.” – Letitia James, New York attorney general
In numbers
The poll suggests 28% of voters remain in play, characterising their position as either soft no, soft yes or undecided. Just under a third of respondents (29%) say they still don’t feel well informed about the proposal.
Before bed read
It’s the toughest race on the world’s smallest mountain. About 3,000 people crammed into the tiny town of Wycheproof in Victoria’s wheat-growing north-west over the weekend for King of the Mountain, the legendary event last staged in 1988, where contestants run wheat sacks up a steep slope.
“It’s so good seeing everyone up here to be honest. It’s great for the footy club and great thing for the town,” local Matthew Hall said. “I’m stuffed.”
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: TUN. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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