Hi there. It's Wednesday, June 29 and you're reading The Loop, a quick look at today's news.
Let's start here: Ghislaine Maxwell has been sentenced
British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in December for helping sex offender Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls, has now received her sentence.
Here's what you need to know:
- Maxwell has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Manhattan federal court
- US Circuit Judge Alison Nathan said Maxwell did not appear to express remorse or accept responsibility
- Before the sentence was handed down, Maxwell called Epstein a "manipulative, cunning and controlling man" who fooled everyone in his orbit, and said she was "sorry" for the pain his victims experienced
- Prosecutors last week said Maxwell deserved at least 30 years behind bars
- Maxwell's lawyers had said she should be sentenced to no more than five years and three months, arguing that she was a scapegoat for Epstein's crimes
Here's what an attorney for some of the victims said outside court today:
Something you'll be hearing about today: The Hannah Clarke inquest
A coroner is expected to hand down findings today into the domestic violence deaths of Queensland woman Hannah Clarke and her three children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3.
Here's a bit of background on the case:
- The family was murdered by Ms Clarke's estranged husband Rowan Baxter in February 2020 when he poured petrol in their car and set it on fire in the Brisbane suburb of Camp Hill
- In March this year the inquest was told Baxter had an assault charge against him downgraded by police in the days before the killings
- The inquest has also heard of the need for additional specialised training and resources for police dealing with domestic violence
News while you snoozed
- Finland and Sweden's bids to join NATO amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine are one step closer to success, after Turkey reversed its opposition to them joining the military alliance. It comes after a meeting between NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and the leaders of the three nations in Spain's capital Madrid
- With Russia still gaining ground in Ukraine and China pushing its foreign policy ambitions, a new poll has found a growing sense of anxiety in Australia over world events. The Lowy Institute poll found only 53 per cent of Australians felt either "safe" or "very safe", a 17 per cent drop from last year, and a sharp decline from the period of 2005-10, when that figure hovered around 90 per cent
Here's what Australia has been searching for online
- Nick Kyrgios. The Australian has claimed a five set victory over British wildcard Paul Jubb in the first round of Wimbledon. There was a disagreement with a line judge, an underarm serve, spats with the crowd and a ball hit out of the stadium — and that was just the first set. Here's some of what Kyrgios said after the match …
- Census 2021. The first sections of Australia's 2021 Census data were released yesterday, and they tell us a lot about how the country has changed. From incomes to immigration, religion and health — here's Australia visualised as 100 people
One more thing: Donald Trump's actions on January 6
The committee investigating the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol has heard more about former president Donald Trump's actions on the day of the deadly riot.
Here's some of what the committee was told today:
- Cassidy Hutchinson, a top aide to Mr Trump's former chief of staff Mark Meadows, said the former president knew his supporters were armed but still instructed them to march to the Capitol
- Ms Hutchinson also said Mr Trump had an altercation with Secret Service members inside the presidential limo when they wouldn't take him to the Capitol where supporters were marching
- On his social media platform Truth Social, Mr Trump has denied the claims
To keep reading about today's committee hearing, head here.
You're up to date!
ABC/wires
