Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update.
The ABC has been ordered by the federal court to pay Antoinette Lattouf $150,000 in pecuniary penalties for breaching the Fair Work Act and the ABC’s enterprise agreement when it unlawfully terminated the casual presenter for holding a political opinion opposing the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
Justice Darryl Rangiah found the ABC’s conduct was a particularly serious breach of employment law because the ABC’s senior managers knew there was an “organised political campaign” by pro-Israel lobbyists to have Lattouf removed from air.
In a strongly worded judgment the court found the broadcaster had “abjectly surrendered” to pro-Israel lobbyists and “let down the Australian public badly”.
While the court accepted ABC management had demonstrated it was “acutely aware” of the reputational damage caused by the Lattouf affair, it found substantial penalties were necessary on top of a previous order of $70,000 in compensation to ensure it never happened again.
Top news
Jimmy Kimmel says Trump ‘tried his best’ to cancel him, as his show returns to air after suspension
Albanese and Trump meet briefly in New York for the first time
Australia’s under 16s social media ban could extend to Reddit, Twitch, Roblox and even dating apps
Explosions and drones targeting Gaza aid flotilla boats, activists say
In pictures
Super Typhoon Ragasa is the strongest storm of 2025 and is now bearing down on China’s southern coast. The bursting of a barrier lake in Taiwan has killed at least 14 people and left 124 people missing. Hong Kong and parts of southern China were on high alert on Wednesday. Our gallery captures Ragasa’s path of destruction across east Asia.
What they said …
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“We celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his ‘closest friend,’ Jeffrey Epstein.”
There’s a new statue on the east end of the National Mall for Washington DC residents and tourists to enjoy. Though the statue’s creator remains unknown, a plaque makes it clear who inspired the bronze statue showing the two men frolicking, grinning wide and holding hands, each with a foot joyously kicked back.
Full Story
Optus under fire for triple-zero failure
On Thursday, Optus users across four states attempted to call for help – but they couldn’t get through.
The 13-hour outage has been linked to three deaths and met with outrage.
RMIT telecommunications expert Mark Gregory speaks to Reged Ahmad about what went so terribly wrong that day, and why it’s time for urgent reform to ensure it never happens again
Before bed read
In Indonesia, it was hung in a sign of discontent with the government. In Nepal, it was draped on the golden gates of the palace that houses parliament. In the Philippines, it was raised at rallies by protesters furious at corruption allegations. Carried by a band of pirates that stand up to corrupt and repressive rulers in the hugely popular Japanese anime One Piece, the Jolly Roger flag has become a symbol of defiance and hope for gen Z protesters across Asia, writes the Guardian’s south-east Asia correspondent, Rebecca Ratcliffe.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: LOTH . You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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