Stories from Sydney · Australia

Manly achieved its fourth consecutive victory in a match ending with a score of 33-12. Manly secured a 33-18 victory over the Paramatta Panthers to claim the top position on the NRL ladder. The win follows a previous Penrith victory with a score of 44-12. The match took place at McDonald Jones Stadium. Earlier in the day, Penrith secured a 44 to 12 win. Players noted increased confidence in executing their specific game plans during the match.

A judge ruled in defamation proceedings that Ben Robert Smith is a war criminal based on the balance of probabilities. Authorities currently lack access to blood splatter evidence or photos from the location. The complexity of the investigation stems from these physical and political barriers. The upcoming criminal trial for Robertsmith will operate under a different legal standard than his previous civil defamation case, moving from the balance of probabilities to the criminal standard of proof. Legal proceedings regarding Ben Robertsmith's alleged unlawful killings are distinguishing between civil defamation and upcoming criminal trials. The prosecution must meet the criminal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a conviction. Graham Bluett discussed the legal way forward following the release.

Mitch Barnett and Ali Layar Tower suffered head knocks during the second half of the match against the Dragons. Coach Andrew Webster confirmed both players will miss next week's game against the Eels. The Roosters defeated the Dragons with a score of 62-16. No other injuries were reported in the match. Jake Averillo of the Dolphins left the field late with a suspected dislocated finger.

The St. George Illawarra Dragons rugby league team is facing criticism following an embarrassing performance, described by coach Craig Bellamy as one of the most embarrassing of his career. The team's recent form has been poor, with only one win since round two. Superstars on the team are reportedly not meeting expectations, contributing to the team's struggles.

Increased shark activity is anticipated in New South Wales following a large whale carcass washing ashore. Additionally, a woman in her 50s died in a motorbike accident in the Hunter Valley. A 37-year-old man remains in critical condition in a hospital following a separate crash. The acquisition cost the state $190 million. Approximately 1,800 staff members will join New South Wales Health as part of the transition. An operations centre has been established to support the takeover. Access to private services at the facility is expected to continue until June 30 next year. Ten other individuals were injured in the incident. The cause of the blaze and further details were not immediately available. A suspect opened fire at the scene, resulting in the deaths of two young children and injuries to ten others. The incident occurred on the evening of May 3rd.

The Independent Sporting League (ISL) has reduced the suspension for St Kilda player Lance Collard following a review. The board noted that racist, sexist, and homophobic language was found to be commonplace among players. This decision follows a finding of misalignment between the league's disciplinary processes and its official policies. The reduction aims to address these systemic issues within the league.

Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart is committing $200 million to support Australian veterans experiencing homelessness. The donation aims to assist veterans who are sleeping rough. This move marks a philanthropic contribution from Australia's wealthiest individual. The funds will support accommodations in hotels, motels, and apartment blocks to combat the national housing crisis. Rinehart attributed the crisis to high government taxes and record immigration levels. One established home in Western Australia reached full capacity within three months of opening. The contribution aims to improve living conditions for fallen or struggling service members. The announcement follows Anzac Day commemorations in Australia.

Sydney-based surfer Banjo Hunt is repurposing decommissioned wind turbine blades to create surfboard fins. The project addresses waste from wind farms, as approximately 90% of a turbine is recyclable but blades remain difficult to process. The Clean Energy Council estimates that decommissioned wind farms will produce 15,000 tonnes of blades by 2034. The process involves utilizing the specific stiffness of the turbine material to mimic the flex of traditional fiberglass fins. The goal is to make these upcycled fins available for both everyday surfers and high-end competition boards. The project aims to address the environmental impact of renewable energy hardware waste.

Australian states are divided regarding a proposed national gun buyback scheme. One of the terrorists used six registered firearms during the incident. While some jurisdictions face pressure to implement caps on individual gun ownership, regions like Tasmania have ruled out such limits. These territories also will not ban rapid-fire weapons that are currently prohibited in Western Australia and New South Wales. Tasmania will not introduce caps on the number of firearms following a deal with the shooting industry. The source noted that these regulatory differences remain unresolved questions for police resources. He noted the association represents 150,000 members across the country. The CEO said there is no need for a buyback because existing gun laws have not presented problems. He noted that the recommendation to expedite the National Firearms Register is already underway.

Task Force Falcon has detained 19 individuals under the age of 18 during a crackdown on new criminal groups in Sydney. Police report these young recruits are sharing crime footage online to fuel a violent feud against the Alamedin family. The arrests are part of an effort to address a gangland war that accounts for nearly one-third of recent underworld arrests in the area.