标签： Oceania

大洋洲

‘Type of player every club wants’: Connor Watson signs with the Chiefs, with star utility to spend 2027 at a rival club

In a layered player transfer deal that links three National Rugby League (NRL) clubs, versatile utility Connor Watson has secured an early release from the final year of his contract with the Sydney Roosters, clearing the way for a multi-stage move that will see him join the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2027 before linking up with the expansion Papua New Guinea (PNG) Chiefs for their historic inaugural 2028 NRL season.

Watson, a former New South Wales representative who has built a reputation as one of the league’s most adaptable and team-first players, had been contracted to remain with the Roosters, widely known as the Tricolours, through the 2027 season. The early release approval will see him suit up for the Dragons (nicknamed the Red V) for a single 2027 campaign before his two-year deal with the PNG-based expansion side kicks in.

The PNG Chiefs, who are preparing for their first ever NRL season in 2028, have now secured three high-profile marquee signings to build their foundational roster, following earlier acquisitions of star playmaker Jarome Luai and veteran winger Alex Johnston. Chiefs football general manager Michael Chammas emphasized that Watson’s commitment to the expansion project runs deeper than just a playing contract.

“From the very start, Connor made it clear he wanted to be part of the PNG Chiefs and the incredible journey we’re building here,” Chammas said in a statement confirming the signing. “He and his partner Kiana recently visited Port Moresby, and they genuinely fell in love with the country, the people, and the chance to be part of something far bigger than rugby league itself.”

Chammas highlighted Watson’s intangible and on-field value for the fledgling club, noting: “Connor is exactly the type of player every organization wants to build around. He’s selfless, tough, relentlessly professional, and commands incredible respect across the entire league. His versatility and years of top-flight experience will be absolutely invaluable as we continue putting our squad together for 2028. Every signing matters for a new club, and there’s something really exciting about watching this roster come together piece by piece. Locking in Connor as our third major signing is another key milestone in the PNG Chiefs journey. We also want to thank the Sydney Roosters for their professionalism, patience, and understanding throughout this entire process.”

For the St George Illawarra Dragons, Watson’s one-season stint comes at a critical time, as the club is set to lose veteran starting hooker Damien Cook to the UK’s Super League ahead of 2027. Dragons chief executive Tim Watsford said the club is eager to add Watson’s proven quality to their roster, even for just one season.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Connor to the club next year,” Watsford said. “He’s performed at the highest level in the toughest competitions the game has to offer, and we love everything he brings to our group. He’s a true professional, and we’re confident his addition, even for one season, will make our entire team better. We’ve identified that his combination of skill, athleticism, and versatility fills key gaps for us, and we can’t wait to see him in the Red V.”

This structured one-year “layover” arrangement follows a similar model used in other recent NRL transfers, including deals for Jonah Pezet at Parramatta Eels and Davvy Moale at Melbourne Storm for the 2026 season. For the Roosters, the early release also creates valuable salary cap space, with the club widely expected to finalize the signing of North Queensland Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi in the coming weeks.

In an official statement confirming Watson’s release, the Roosters said: “The Sydney Roosters today announced that Connor Watson has been granted an early release from the final year of his contract following a request from his management, allowing him to pursue an opportunity with another NRL club. Watson will remain with the Roosters for the remainder of the 2026 season and will continue to play an important role within the club’s NRL squad.”

Watson’s arrival adds to a busy offseason of recruitment for the Dragons, who have already locked in other key 2027 signings including Luke Metcalf, Keaon Koloamatangi, Scott Drinkwater and Phil Sami.

1 6 月, 2026
‘Messi, Maradona, Tim’: NZ footballer’s viral fan club hits 4 million

A little-known New Zealand defender at the upcoming men’s FIFA World Cup has become one of the most talked-about names in global football this week, after a viral social media campaign catapulted his Instagram following from just 4,000 to more than 4 million followers in only seven days. The unexpected surge in fame comes thanks to Argentine influencer Valen “El Scarso” Scarsini, who set out last week to lift the profile of what he called the “least recognizable player” at the 2026 World Cup, zeroing in on Wellington Phoenix right-back Tim Payne, 32. By Tuesday, the grassroots social media movement had pushed Payne’s follower count past the 4 million mark, outstripping the follower base of the All Blacks — New Zealand’s world-famous national rugby union team, a cultural institution in the rugby-mad nation. If the growth continues at its current pace, Payne will soon match the total population of New Zealand, which stands at roughly 5.3 million. The viral campaign has been the top source of banter and conversation at New Zealand’s World Cup training camp in Florida, where the side is wrapping up warm-up preparations ahead of the tournament kicking off across Mexico, the United States, and Canada next week. Ranked as the lowest-placed side heading into the World Cup, New Zealand has never seen a player draw this level of global social media attention, a fact that has taken the entire squad by surprise. New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley told local outlet Stuff.co.nz that the sudden explosion of fame has not shaken the steady 32-year-old defender, adding that Payne is handling the unprecedented attention better than most players would. “At the moment I do feel like he’s dealing with it really well, probably better than maybe some others would have,” Bazeley said. “Putting Tim up on a pedestal like that was really cool and probably not something that he, or anyone, expected.” The coach added that the squad has leaned into the lighthearted hype, with teammates constantly teasing Payne about his new celebrity status. “The players talk about it. I can hear the banter they’re having with Tim, and I think it’s amazing,” he said. Payne himself has described the outpouring of online attention as “pretty crazy,” and he is now set to meet the man who started the viral movement. Scarsini announced he would travel to Fort Lauderdale to watch New Zealand’s warm-up match against Haiti on Tuesday, with a meeting with Payne planned after the final whistle. “Guys tomorrow is the day,” Scarsini posted ahead of the match. “Let’s go watch Tim’s game v Haiti and then we’re going to meet him! Thanks to all who made it possible.” The lighthearted viral trend has spawned countless humorous memes and online comments, with many football fans drawing playful comparisons between Payne and Argentina’s two greatest football icons. One top comment on Payne’s latest Instagram post, which has racked up more than 2.1 million likes and 66,000 comments (most written in Spanish), read simply: “Messi, Maradona, Tim.”

1 6 月, 2026
Shocking dashcam captures moment alleged drink driver smashes head-on into couple’s vehicle

Terrifying dashcam footage has documented a near-catastrophic wrong-way collision outside Adelaide, Australia, that left two vehicles totaled, but all people involved surprisingly walked away with no life-threatening harm. The incident unfolded at 6:44 p.m. local time on a Sunday, as 27-year-old Abissantun Priyambodo traveled along Whites Road in Paralowie, a northern suburban area of the state capital. As Priyambodo stayed in his designated travel lane, a Honda station wagon driven by a 56-year-old Paralowie resident suddenly veered across the center line directly into the oncoming path of Priyambodo’s Mitsubishi Lancer. Seconds later, the two vehicles slammed into one another in a violent head-on impact.

Priyambodo, who captured the entire incident on his vehicle’s dashcam, described the aftermath of the crash in comments to local media. The force of the collision crumpled the front end of his Mitsubishi, leaving the vehicle too damaged to drive and requiring it to be towed from the crash site. Photographs from the scene confirm the extensive wreckage: both vehicles suffered severe structural damage, with the front ends of the cars compressed by the force of the impact.

In a striking stroke of luck, Priyambodo, his wife, and the 56-year-old Honda driver all escaped serious injury in the crash. While the pair did not suffer life-altering harm, they developed minor body aches after the collision and sought a medical check-up with their general practitioner the next day as a safety precaution. “We are grateful that both of us were able to walk away safely from what could have been a much more serious incident,” Priyambodo said of the near-tragedy.

Following the collision, South Australia Police officers arrived at the scene and administered a breath and blood alcohol test to the Honda driver. Officials confirmed the driver recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.130, well above the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle in South Australia. In response to the violation, police issued the driver an immediate six-month license suspension, an immediate penalty for high-range drink-driving offenses in the state. The crash has renewed public calls for stricter enforcement of drink-driving laws to prevent preventable, dangerous incidents on suburban roads.

1 6 月, 2026
Russian strikes rock Ukraine, killing nine and wounding dozens

Just five days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly warned that Moscow was gearing up for a large-scale new offensive across the country, a coordinated wave of Russian missile and drone attacks killed at least nine civilians and injured dozens more across Ukraine on Tuesday, local authorities confirmed. The assault marks the latest escalation in a grinding, two-year-plus full-scale invasion that has become Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, with diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire remaining completely stalled as of this report.

Agence France-Presse reporters on the ground in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, reported hearing multiple loud explosions rip through the city early in the attack. Local officials confirmed Russia used advanced ballistic missiles for the strikes, which ignited large structural fires and knocked out electrical power for residents in multiple central and residential districts.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that four residents were killed in the capital’s assault, and at least 58 more people — including two young children — were wounded. “Explosions in the city. Air defence forces are working! Stay in shelters!” Klitschko had posted in an urgent public alert minutes after the first strike. AFP journalists observed panicked residents rushing to underground bomb shelters, many carrying only small bags of belongings and blankets, while a thick column of black smoke billowed over central Kyiv.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s City Military Administration, confirmed that all of the capital’s strikes were carried out with ballistic missiles, a weapon type that is far harder for Ukrainian air defenses to intercept than slower drones.

The deadly assault was not limited to the capital. In the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, local regional governor Oleksandr Ganzha confirmed a separate Russian attack killed five additional people and wounded 25 others, three of whom remain in critical condition as of Tuesday evening. In Ukraine’s second-largest city Kharkiv, located just miles from the Russian border, Mayor Igor Terekhov reported 10 wounded people, including one child, from the coordinated strikes.

In what has become a standard pattern of retaliation amid the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian drone strikes hit targets inside Russian territory hours after the Russian barrage. Alexander Khinshtein, governor of Russia’s western Kursk region which borders Ukraine, confirmed one person was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike there. Separately, a second drone sparked a large fire at an oil refinery in Krasnodar, a major southwestern Russian city, according to the facility’s operational management team via Telegram.

The timing of Tuesday’s Russian offensive lines up exactly with warnings Zelenskyy issued last Friday. The Ukrainian leader stated at the time that Kyiv had received credible intelligence confirming Russia was preparing a new massive strike, and urged all citizens to take air raid alerts seriously. “Please pay attention to air alerts, protect your lives. Our services are working efficiently and are prepared; the Air Force and other defenders of our skies will be on duty 24/7, as always,” Zelenskyy said in his address.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly pushed Western allies to approve and fund additional supplies of Patriot air defense systems, the only weapon Ukraine currently operates capable of reliably intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. Last week, he sent formal requests to U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress specifically asking for additional Patriot batteries to counter the growing intensity of Russian air attacks.

In response to near-daily Russian bombardments across Ukrainian territory, Kyiv has significantly stepped up its own drone and missile strikes on Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and targets inside mainland Russia. An Agence France-Presse analysis of official Ukrainian Air Force data found that Russia launched a record 8,150 long-range attack drones against Ukraine in May alone, a 24% increase from the total number launched in April. Ukrainian air force data indicates the country’s air defenses managed to intercept roughly 90% of all incoming Russian missiles and drones last month.

1 6 月, 2026
Benjamin Swann: Jailed baby killer admits assault on infant boy’s mother

A Melbourne man already imprisoned for the 2024 killing of his girlfriend’s 115-day-old infant has entered a guilty plea for a savage, previously unreported assault on the mother of the child that took place less than two weeks before the baby’s death.

Thirty-one-year-old Benjamin Joseph Swann, a former carpenter, was sentenced to 13 years in prison in November 2024 after being convicted of the homicide of 3-month-old Elijah, the infant son of his partner whom he began dating while she was pregnant. The fatal attack unfolded in the early hours of January 19, 2024, when Swann stayed overnight to help care for the newborn.

On Tuesday, Swann appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court via video link to answer for the assault that occurred at his Manor Lakes home 13 days prior, on January 6, 2024. Court documents detail that the attack erupted after an argument when the woman told Swann she intended to leave him. Swann proceeded to punch her repeatedly in the head and torso, before grabbing her by the neck, pinning her to a bed and choking her. Prosecutors told the court he then pressed a pillow over the woman’s face, leaving her terrified she would lose consciousness. The woman managed to push Swann off and begged him to stop, convinced he intended to kill her. Swann pleaded guilty to a single charge of recklessly causing injury.

Swann’s defense told the court that in the week leading up to the January 6 assault, their client had reached out to his general practitioner seeking treatment for persistent anger issues. Medical records show Swann told his doctor his anger had recently worsened and was damaging his relationship with his partner. The defense added that Swann came from a supportive, upstanding family and maintained consistent full-time employment before he was taken into custody following Elijah’s death. The court also heard that Swann has spent the majority of his 2.5 years of incarceration to date in protective custody, and he was supported by family members during the virtual hearing, waving to his mother as the proceeding concluded.

In handing down the new sentence, Magistrate Kieran Gilligan ruled that a prison term was the only fitting penalty for the offense, calling out family violence as a growing threat to Australian communities. “Family violence is a scourge on society,” Gilligan told the court. “I’m afraid it’s my experience in this court it continues to grow exponentially.”

Gilligan sentenced Swann to 12 months behind bars for the assault, to be served concurrently with his existing 13-year sentence for the infant homicide, meaning no additional custodial time will be added to Swann’s term. Under the sentence handed down for Elijah’s killing by the Victorian Supreme Court last year, Swann will become eligible for parole after serving 9.5 years of his sentence.

The fatal circumstances surrounding Elijah’s death were previously laid out during Swann’s homicide sentencing. Last year, Justice James Gorton noted that Swann had initially expected to step into a father figure role for the newborn. In the early hours of January 19, the baby’s mother asked Swann to feed Elijah while she rested, before she heard a loud bang coming from the infant’s room. When Swann returned to the bedroom, he handed the unconscious baby back to his mother, telling her “Take this f**king baby.” The mother noticed Elijah was struggling to breathe and immediately called emergency services, while Swann performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The infant was diagnosed with severe, unsurvivable traumatic brain injury and major cranial trauma, and was taken off life support the following day. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Swann initially denied harming Elijah and falsely attempted to direct blame to the boy’s mother, according to court records. Justice Gorton described the killing as an unpremeditated outburst of frustration common to tired caregivers, but noted that the infant was completely defenseless and could not recover from the harm inflicted.

1 6 月, 2026
For Roland Garros youth, quarter-final moment of truth

The established young monarchs of men’s tennis have already been dethroned at this year’s Roland Garros, and as the tournament enters its quarter-final round on Tuesday, an even younger cohort of rising stars is preparing to leave their mark on the iconic Paris clay. Over the past two years, 24-year-old Jannik Sinner and 23-year-old Carlos Alcaraz have claimed nine of the 12 available Grand Slam titles, cementing their status as the sport’s new top elite. But an early exit has cleared the way for the next wave: Alcaraz withdrew before the tournament due to injury, while Sinner crumpled under the unforgiving Parisian heat and suffered a shock second-round defeat, opening the door for three teenagers to compete in their first ever Grand Slam quarter-finals.

Leading the charge of this new generation is 19-year-old Rafael Jodar, Spain’s next prodigy molded in the mold of legendary clay-court great Rafael Nadal. He will face off against Alexander Zverev, the highest-seeded player remaining in the men’s draw, to kick off Tuesday’s quarter-final action. Closing out the day on Court Philippe Chatrier will be 20-year-old Jakub Mensik, a rising Czech talent, against 19-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca – the undisputed breakout sensation of this year’s tournament. The only 19-year-old on Tuesday’s schedule with prior Grand Slam late-round experience is women’s eighth seed Mirra Andreeva, who will contest her third consecutive Roland Garros quarter-final against Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.

History has long proven that the French Open is uniquely welcoming to teenage prodigies. Of the five youngest men to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era, four – Michael Chang, Mats Wilander, Rafael Nadal and Bjorn Borg – lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires at Roland Garros. Among the 16 women who have claimed a major title as teenagers, seven captured their Roland Garros crown in Paris, including tennis icons Monica Seles, Steffi Graf, Chris Evert and current world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.

On Monday, two of the sport’s most famous teenage champions returned to Paris for the annual reunion of former Roland Garros title holders, and both shared their insights into what makes this generation of young stars so dangerous. Chang, who became the youngest men’s Grand Slam winner in history when he took the 1989 Roland Garros title at 17, now coaches 18-year-old American rising star Learner Tien. He noted that youth brings unique advantages on court, but also added that modern young players carry a heavier burden of expectations than he did decades ago.

“In some ways it’s easier when you’re young because you don’t overthink the moment,” Chang explained. “But at the same time, a lot of these kids already have massive spotlight on them, and that brings a lot of pressure. That pressure doesn’t always let them go out and play freely. When I was 17, no one expected me to win. I got to be the underdog through the second week, and that gave me all the freedom in the world.”

Wilander, who won the first of his three Roland Garros titles at 17 in 1982, argued that today’s teenagers hold a distinct mental edge over more experienced opponents. “You can’t find a 19-year-old playing this well that feels fear. None of them do,” the Swede said. “There’s no pressure, no nerves – I don’t think that, I know that. They don’t have a history of losing big matches yet. Losing a quarter-final doesn’t feel like the end of the world the way it does for a player who’s been around longer. That freedom lets them swing without hesitation, and that’s what makes them so tough to beat.”

Wilander is one of the most high-profile fans of Fonseca, who has already claimed three stunning upsets to reach the quarter-finals. The Brazilian rallied from a two-set deficit to beat Dino Prizmic in the third round, followed by an even more historic upset of 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the round of 16, before outlasting former finalist Casper Ruud to book his spot in the final eight. Wilander called Fonseca a future great, and the teenager himself says the rising generation is ready to compete at the top of the sport long-term.

“It’s amazing to see the next generation coming through together,” Fonseca said after his win over Djokovic. “It’s not just me, Jodar and Mensik. There’s Learner Tien, Alex Michelsen, Martin Landaluce – so many of us pushing each other to get better, putting on great matches. That can only make all of us stronger.”

Chang, meanwhile, has been equally impressed by Jodar’s run through the draw. “On clay, he’s just taken off this tournament,” Chang said. “He’s riding this incredible wave, he’s not overthinking anything, and that’s why he’s playing such great tennis right now.” Jodar, for his part, says he is still finding his footing at the highest level, even as he advances deep into the draw. “I’m still building my game, I know I still have a huge margin for development,” he said after reaching the quarter-finals. “I’m just going to keep going out there and competing.”

The final match of the day on Tuesday shifts focus to the women’s draw, where two Ukrainian compatriots will face off: 31-year-old veteran Elina Svitolina will take on 23-year-old Marta Kostyuk in an all-Ukrainian quarter-final. Svitolina noted that it is the first time two Ukrainian women have advanced this far in the same Grand Slam, and Kostyuk credited her older compatriot for paving the way for the next generation of Ukrainian tennis. “She’s a legend of our sport in Ukraine,” Kostyuk said. “None of us would be here without what she’s done for our country.”

1 6 月, 2026
Bollywood divided over bid to cap punishing work hours

India’s iconic Hindi film industry, Bollywood, is currently roiled by a rare public debate over one of its most entrenched cultural norms: punishing, 12-to-18-hour daily shooting schedules that have been accepted as an unavoidable part of movie-making for generations. The conversation over implementing a mandatory 8-hour daily work cap has split top talent and industry leaders, pitting calls for humane work-life balance against practical concerns of big-budget production logistics.

The debate first gained national traction last year, after leading A-list actress Deepika Padukone reportedly walked away from a major upcoming project over disputes around working hour limits, a request she raised after returning to work following motherhood. Padukone’s exit pushed the long-underreported issue of unregulated work conditions in Indian entertainment firmly into the public spotlight, opening the floodgates for widespread discussion across the industry.

For decades, Bollywood has been synonymous with grueling production timelines: it is not uncommon for shooting shifts to stretch 12 to 18 hours a day, with intensive sequences sometimes requiring continuous work for more than 24 hours straight. What was once framed as a necessary sacrifice for cinematic success is now facing growing scrutiny, as an increasing number of industry professionals demand standardized, humane working conditions that protect cast and crew alike.

Advocates for the 8-hour cap argue that the existing unregulated system places disproportionate strain on women in the industry. Women who push for shorter work hours are often labeled uncooperative or difficult, a social stigma that is almost never attached to male stars who set similar boundaries. A slate of high-profile names have publicly backed the push for clearer work-hour boundaries, including actors Suniel Shetty, Kajol, and Ram Kapoor. Kapoor notes that once artists achieve industry success, they gain the bargaining power to set their own working limits — a comment that underscores a key reality: negotiating power for better work conditions remains deeply tied to an artist’s name recognition and status in Bollywood.

However, opponents of a rigid 8-hour mandate argue that fixed limits are unworkable for large-scale, big-budget productions, given the unpredictable nature of filmmaking. “This is not like a corporate job,” explained actor Ali Fazal, pointing out that different projects have wildly varying demands, especially action-heavy or technically complex shoots. Actress Chitrangda Singh echoed this perspective, noting that unforeseen disruptions from bad weather to unexpected equipment failures routinely derail even the most carefully planned schedules, forcing productions to extend shifts to hit deadlines. Singh added that filmmaking is ultimately shaped by unforgiving business realities that cannot be ignored when crafting industry rules.

Industry insiders elaborate on these economic pressures: large-scale productions can accrue daily costs exceeding $26,000 just for location rentals, crew wages, and equipment, creating enormous pressure to maximize every minute of shooting time. Amit Behl, a former official with the Cine & TV Artistes’ Association, highlighted the example of hit action blockbuster *Animal*, whose location rental alone cost 25 lakh rupees (roughly $26,300) per day. On top of that base cost, productions face additional expenses for supporting cast, catering, power, star accommodation, and on-site security, leaving little room for unplanned downtime. Behl added that filmmakers simply cannot afford to halt mid-sequence when large crews or elaborate action set pieces are already assembled.

Critics of the status quo push back, arguing that these cost concerns often serve as a cover for systemic inefficiency and poor production planning, shifting the entire burden of disorganization onto the backs of lower-paid cast and crew. Acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has criticized Bollywood’s hierarchical structure, which often prioritizes convenient scheduling for top-billed actors while ignoring the needs of low-wage technicians and supporting crew. Kapur insists that work-hour protections should extend to every person on a set, not just A-list stars. “Everyone should have the privilege to define the hours they want to work,” he told AFP.

The ongoing debate has also drawn attention to deep inequities within Bollywood: while established stars have the clout to negotiate for shorter hours, junior artists, entry-level technicians, and daily-wage crew members have almost no bargaining power to push for better conditions, leaving them stuck in grueling schedules with no recourse.

Many industry observers frame the current split as a sign of a broader generational shift in Bollywood, where both rising young professionals and established senior stars are beginning to push back against outdated norms that prioritized output over worker well-being. Still, opinions on a mandatory 8-hour cap remain deeply divided.

Behl pointed to the example of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who has been known to work 27 hours straight to complete a key sequence, even though his fame and fortune mean he is not required to do so. “You can’t leave a scene mid-way… if it is an action scene where fighters are involved, anything can happen… it is not like shutting a laptop and working for an IT company,” he explained.

Veteran star Madhuri Dixit framed the issue as a matter of personal choice rather than a systemic problem that requires regulation. Speaking of her 2025 crime thriller *Mrs Deshpande*, Dixit noted the cast worked 12-hour or longer shifts daily, but added “if a woman wants to work fewer hours, that is her prerogative, her life… more power to her. To each his own, I’m a workaholic!”

1 6 月, 2026
Historic moment for One Nation as Farrer MP David Farley sworn in

Australia’s right-wing populist One Nation party has marked a defining new chapter in its federal political history, as its second lower house Member of Parliament was officially sworn into the House of Representatives this week, capping off a dramatic poll surge that has put the party in national spotlight and reignited talk of a potential prime ministerial bid from party leader Pauline Hanson.

On Tuesday shortly after midday, David Farley, who secured his seat in the rural New South Wales electorate of Farrer at a May by-election, walked into the chamber alongside former Nationals leader and One Nation’s only other sitting lower house MP Barnaby Joyce. The by-election was called after former opposition leader Sussan Ley stepped away from politics earlier this year, following an internal leadership challenge. Farley’s election victory was a major rebuke to the ruling Coalition, with the new MP claiming almost 40% of the primary vote to win the seat.

Following the traditional swearing-in ceremony, where Farley swore allegiance to King Charles III with guidance from Joyce on the required signing procedures, Hanson welcomed the new MP with a warm embrace. The Queensland senator was joined at the event by One Nation’s upper house representatives Malcolm Roberts, Tyron Whitten and Sean Bell. In a post-event social media statement, Hanson noted that Farley’s swearing-in brings One Nation’s total federal parliamentary caucus to six sitting members. A visibly nervous Farley completed his formal obligations before shaking hands with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, and exchanging greetings with across-bench colleagues including Liberal MPs Tom Venning and Leon Robello, independents Dai Lei and Monique Ryan, and former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack, who offered the new MP well wishes. Farley ultimately took his seat on the crossbench alongside Joyce and Lei.

The milestone comes as One Nation is experiencing its most sustained popularity surge in recent history. A new joint poll conducted by the Australian Financial Review, Redbridge Group and Accent Research released earlier this week found the party has overtaken the center-left Labor Party to become the most popular political force in the country. This growing electoral support has emboldened Hanson to increasingly openly discuss a potential run for the office of prime minister, a bid that would require the party leader to move from her current Senate seat into the lower house of parliament.

When asked by 2GB on Monday whether she would be prepared to contest the next federal election for the top job, Hanson downplayed concerns over her health, saying: “It will come down to my health. I’ve got nothing wrong with me. I take no medication, nothing. I’ve got more energy in me than a lot of these other people.”

Not all political figures have accepted Hanson’s claims of fitness for office, however. Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie quickly pushed back against the suggestion, pointing to Hanson’s age and her low attendance record at Senate estimates hearings to argue she lacks the capacity for the role. Speaking to the ABC, Hastie said: “Up until this point, she has been running a political party, but she is now talking about being prime minister. For that you need drive and commitment and energy, and I think the attendance record shows otherwise.”

1 6 月, 2026
Forty-two jobs lost as James Boag closes its iconic Launceston brewery

After nearly a century and a half of brewing one of Australia’s most iconic beer brands in Tasmania, parent company Lion Australia has confirmed it will shutter all James Boag production at the Launceston site by November 2026, relocating all operations to mainland Australia. The decision, which comes as a major economic blow to northern Tasmania, will cut 42 local roles, and marks the end of a legacy that stretches back to 1881, when the brewery first opened its doors. Scottish brewer James Boag and his son assumed control of the facility just two years after its founding, and for 145 years, the brand has leaned into its Tasmanian roots, marketing its signature brews as crafted from the state’s famous pure water.

Lion’s leadership has framed the move as an unavoidable response to long-running industry challenges and cost pressures that have rendered the Launceston facility no longer financially viable. Anubha Sahasrabuddhe, Lion’s chief executive and managing director, emphasized that the closure is no criticism of the site’s current and former workforce, who have maintained efficient operations even amid years of declining output. “This proposal is no reflection on the incredible capability, passion and commitment of our brewery team members, and the many more who have come before them, who have worked hard to operate the brewery as efficiently as possible despite decreasing volumes,” she said in a formal statement.

The company pointed to two core factors driving the decision: a years-long slump in national beer consumption that has left the Launceston brewery running at just 20 percent of its total production capacity, and persistent cost inflation that has squeezed margins. Shipping costs have also been a growing burden for the business: as early as 2024, James Boag already shifted a portion of its production off-island to cut the $1.5 million in annual shipping fees it incurred transporting product from Tasmania to mainland markets. Moving all production to the mainland will eliminate these ongoing high logistics costs, the company confirmed.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff described the announcement as “extremely disappointing”, noting that the state government’s top immediate priority is supporting the 42 affected workers. “We will engage closely with Lion, the union, workers and the hospitality industry to support those impacted,” Rockliff said.

To mitigate the impact of the closure on workers and the local community, Lion has outlined a series of mitigation measures. The company has allocated $500,000 to a dedicated reskilling fund designed to help displaced employees transition into new roles across different industries. It has also committed $500,000 to a five-year community fund to support local partnerships and grants in Launceston and northern Tasmania, and will repay the $1 million the Tasmanian government previously contributed to redevelop the Boags Brewhouse. The Tasmanian government has acknowledged these commitments, welcoming Lion’s pledges to support workers and honour existing financial agreements. While production will move off-island, Lion says it will continue to brew the James Boag brand, and maintains that Tasmania remains an important part of the brand’s identity.

1 6 月, 2026
Hanoi curbs kerb culture as city clamps down on pavement vendors

For decades, the iconic streetscape of Vietnam’s capital Hanoi has been defined by its chaotic, beloved kerb culture: colorful food stalls line narrow lanes and wide boulevards, groups of locals and tourists huddle on low plastic stools sipping cold bia hoi and iced tea, and scooters weave between crowds of hawkers selling everything from fresh flowers to haircut services. This informal, spontaneous way of life has drawn millions of visitors, captivated global figures from former US President Barack Obama to celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, and sustained tens of thousands of working-class vendors who rely on footpath trade to make a modest living. But in recent months, a sweeping new enforcement campaign to clear illegal pavement occupation has upended this centuries-old tradition, splitting public opinion across the rapidly growing city of 8 million.

Unauthorized vending, parking and footpath obstruction have long been informally tolerated by local authorities, a quiet compromise that allowed informal commerce to flourish even as the city expanded. Today, however, that compromise is over: municipal officials have rolled out a sustained crackdown, installing nearly 2,000 new surveillance cameras to track violators, issuing more than 3,000 fines since December, and currently debating a proposal to double existing penalty amounts. Under current rules, businesses that block pedestrian space face fines as high as 6 million Vietnamese dong ($230), while unregistered street vendors pay penalties of 250,000 dong. Many unauthorised vendors have already been relocated to underused vacant lots far from the dense, high-foot-traffic downtown areas that made their businesses viable.

For long-time vendors like 58-year-old Nguyen Thi Hoan, who sold flowers from the same downtown pavement spot for 10 years, the crackdown has gutted her livelihood. Relocated to a low-traffic vacant lot, her daily turnover has fallen by roughly half. “Without vendors, I don’t think Hanoi is Hanoi anymore,” Hoan said, acknowledging that she supports the goal of clearer pedestrian space but adding she has no alternative way to make ends meet. “Street vending is the tradition of people in Hanoi.”

The debate over the crackdown cuts across all segments of Hanoi’s population. The kerb culture that draws vendors and tourists has long come with well-documented downsides: chronic traffic congestion, frequent noise complaints from local residents, and ongoing public concerns over food safety and sanitary conditions. Many city residents welcome the new order, saying the cleared footpaths have eliminated the daily danger of being forced into active roadways to get around. Le Trung Chien, a marketing professional working in downtown Hanoi, recalled for years being forced to walk in moving traffic because vendors and parked scooters blocked the entire sidewalk. “I completely support the city’s efforts to make the sidewalks clear and tidy,” he said. “I don’t like my city to be a mess as it has always been.”

City authorities frame the campaign as a necessary step to bring order and cleanliness to Hanoi as it undergoes rapid economic development, a priority for Vietnam’s national leadership that has overseen years of breakneck growth. This is not the first time Hanoi has launched a footpath clearing initiative—previous campaigns often fizzled out after a short period of enforcement—but this iteration has been far more sustained and better resourced, with digital surveillance to ensure consistent compliance. As part of the new regulatory plan floated this month, officials are also considering a scheme that would allow vendors to pay to rent officially authorized kerb space, combining order with limited preservation of the traditional street trade.

For registered businesses that built their model around outdoor sidewalk seating, the crackdown has already hit bottom lines. Tran Trung Van, manager of a three-story downtown coffee shop, says around a third of his customers prefer to sit outside, especially during cool mornings, evenings and winter months. Now, he has to turn away those customers, and has lost business as a result. “Culture and habits mean people want to be outside,” he explained. That sentiment is widely shared among young, local patrons: office worker Dinh Tung says he misses lingering with colleagues at outdoor tables that once spilled into the street, echoing Hoan’s view of what makes Hanoi unique. “I hope things will return to normal soon,” he said. “Hanoi is only Hanoi if we can have sidewalk iced tea.”

Hanoi’s kerb culture gained global fame after a 2016 visit where former President Barack Obama shared a bun cha meal with the late chef Anthony Bourdain for Bourdain’s CNN travel show Parts Unknown. While the pair ate their $6 meal indoors, the Hanoi episode of the show was widely seen as a love letter to the city’s streetscape, highlighting everything from outdoor pavement Zumba classes to street food vendors to the local cheap draft beer tradition that draws visitors from across the globe. In recent years, Hanoi has hit record numbers of annual tourist arrivals, many of whom come specifically to experience the iconic street culture that is now at the center of the city’s regulatory shift.

1 6 月, 2026