Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update. A desperate 48-hour search for a vulnerable boy has ended in relief after he was found safe while sheltering in the stairwell of a medical centre.
A major multi-agency search was launched – including a public appeal for help – to find Hussein Al Mansoory after he was last seen running from a park in the western Sydney suburb of Auburn on Saturday morning. There were serious concerns for the 12-year-old’s welfare as he lives with Down syndrome and autism and is non-verbal.
But just before 12.40pm on Monday, he was found safe and well in the stairwell before being taken to hospital as a precaution.
“He was found in the stairwell, he smiled, he was sitting up,” Supt Simon Glasser told reporters.
Top news
Treasurer slashes ‘nuisance’ tariffs | Jim Chalmers has announced the slashing of about 500 “nuisance tariffs” worth nearly $30m on a range of goods including washing machines, shoes and fridges, as the government cleans up old regulations. It includes the slashing of $3m in tariffs on menstrual sanitary products. Independent senator Jacqui Lambie said the move was “not even going to be close enough” to doing enough to support businesses.
Picture agencies issue ‘kill notice’ over Kate Middleton image | The first official photograph of the Princess of Wales to be released after her surgery two months ago has been recalled by some of the world’s biggest picture agencies over claims it had been manipulated. “At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image,” the notice said.
And the Oscar goes to … | The Oscars 2024 has wrapped, leaving Oppenheimer the undisputed winner. The film took home numerous awards including best picture, best actor in a leading role, best actor in a supporting role, best director and best cinematography. For more, read the full list of Oscar 2024 winners, and dive into the evening’s viral moments.
Australia beat New Zealand in second Test | Australia’s middle order squeaked out a mighty Test win in Christchurch, where Alex Carey’s fighting 98 not out defied New Zealand to wrap up a 2-0 series victory. Carey and Mitch Marsh, who made 80, did the business for Australia, which stumbled to 4-34 before reaching 281-7 to win.
Fresh calls for pill-testing after suspected drug overdose | The Victorian government is being urged to reassess its stance on pill-testing after the death of a man from a suspected drug overdose at a weekend music festival. The 23-year-old was airlifted in a critical condition to the Alfred hospital in Melbourne from Mafeking near Ararat, in the state’s south-west, in the early hours of Sunday but later died.
Teenager pleads guilty over stabbing murder of Uber driver | One of two teenagers accused of robbing and killing an Uber driver has pleaded guilty to murder. Scott Andrew Cabrie, 47, was reported missing from his home at Toogoom on Queensland’s Fraser Coast on 6 February last year. Prosecutors have alleged a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old fatally stabbed him during an Uber ride on 7 February.
Gaza food aid ship stuck | An aid ship carrying 200 tonnes of food to alleviate looming famine in the Gaza Strip remained docked in Cyprus on Sunday night, despite the push for maritime aid in the face of stalling ceasefire talks and the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Netanyahu says Biden ‘wrong’ | The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has rejected US president Joe Biden’s comment that his approach to the war in Gaza is “hurting Israel more than helping Israel”, escalating a dispute between the leaders.
In Pictures
Gowns, glitz and great suits – we’ve wrapped up all the best looks on the red carpet at the 96th Academy Awards, from Billie Eilish and Vanessa Hudgens to Margot Robbie and Emma Stone (pictured).
What they said …
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“Isn’t it past your jail time?”
Jimmy Kimmel threw a jab at Donald Trump while onstage at the Oscars less than an hour after the ex-president penned a scathing Truth Social post about the talkshow host.
In numbers
Before bed read
Stockroom worker Wilson Poareu plans to study accounting and feels hopeful despite the world facing “more difficulties” this year. “There’s a lot of war, a lot of conflict, there’s poverty and hunger and violence. The world seems tormented but I think there’s hope,” he says. “This generation will change the world, but whether it’s for the better or worse, I’m not sure. Hopefully, it’ll be a good change.”
Twenty-four in 2024 is a series on the lives, hopes and fears of 24-year-olds around the world in a year of election uncertainty, conflict and climate change.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: ISH. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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