Royal commission into Victorian construction sector could boost Labor’s chances at state election, expert says

Victorian voters heading to the polls will probably get a taste of the evidence heard by a royal commission – including how taxpayer funds were used on Big Build projects – but it could actually help Labor’s standing, an integrity expert says.

Japan earthquake injures at least 100 and traps many inside shopping mall

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake has shaken south Japan, leaving at least 100 people injured. Some are trapped and presumed dead inside a shopping mall.

The earthquake hit Kumamoto prefecture on the southern Kyushu island late on Tuesday afternoon, knocking out power to thousands of homes and damaging roads, bridges and buildings.

‘It’s not cricket’: cheating row as ‘Clicky Ponting’ appears to dupe umpire

The ball is bowled, the batter plays a shot and it’s caught by the wicketkeeper to cheers all round. The batter is clearly bemused. Did he hit it? Or … did a fielder click his fingers to mimic a nick?

Trump administration’s revision of Iran war casualties ‘huge disrespect’, say veterans

A controversial move by the Pentagon to reclassify casualties in the Iran war is being taken by US military veterans as a sign of disrespect for the dead.

“It’s such a huge disrespect for the families,” said Michael E Smith, a retired US rear admiral and the founder of National Security Leaders for America. “To claim that they weren’t killed as a result of the war – oh, it was just overseas operations – is just ludicrous.”

UN eyeing potential Israeli war crimes in Lebanon

High Commissioner Turk discusses displacement and trauma in Lebanon, asserting Israel is violating international law.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has accused Israel of committing large-scale violations of human rights in Lebanon that might be classed as war crimes.

Mitch McConnell still not cleared to resume Senate duties, office says

US senator Mitch McConnell is still not cleared to return to work, his office confirmed on Monday, six weeks after he was hospitalized after a fall at his home.

An update released alongside a new photograph of the Republican lawmaker – one of the highest-profile figures in Congress, as former Senate majority leader – said he was undergoing “intense physical therapy” and is “working hard” to get back to his duties.

What drove Venezuela’s decision to leave the ICC?

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia announced on Friday that the country had formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC). The instructions came from Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, said Plasencia on X, calling the decision “firm and irrevocable”.

Cracker Barrel CEO to step down after overseeing logo backlash last year

Cracker Barrel’s CEO, Julie Masino, is stepping down, the restaurant announced on Monday, nearly a year after the company was swept into a political maelstrom over proposed modernizations to its branding.

Andy Burnham seeks cross-party agreement on future of social care

Andy Burnham has pledged to work collaboratively with other parties to find a lasting solution on social care, though the Conservatives have ruled out backing changes funded by tax rises or borrowing.

Chad to join raft of withdrawals from International Criminal Court

Chad becomes the fifth country to withdraw from the ICC recently amid rising US pressure and accusations of bias.

Chad has joined a growing list of countries as it announced plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).