☕️ Biden is diagnosed with cancer

In breaking news overnight, former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer. The cancer is characterised “by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone”.

A statement from his office to several media outlets said: “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.”

Biden is 82 years old, and was the oldest sitting President in history when he left office earlier this year.

"Peter Dutton and I have different styles, we’re different personalities, and I will bring a different approach to my leadership."
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, on whether she played a role in the landslide loss for the Liberal party in the recent election.

$2.3 million
The amount former Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto has been ordered to pay after losing a defamation case to MP Moira Deeming. Deeming brought the case against Pesutto based on a series of public statements he made after she attended an anti-trans rally attended by neo-Nazis.

2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married in Windsor, UK.

In case you missed it, there are just a couple of seats that are still too close to call after the federal election earlier this month.

The AEC paused counting over the weekend as it sorted the transportation and organising of the final votes arriving from overseas, and will continue today.

Here’s what you need to know about the final seats.

In the seat of Bradfield, Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian was declared the winner by several news outlets. Kapterian voted in the leadership ballot for the Liberal Party leadership.

However, as counting has continued, her lead has narrowed. Kapterian currently leads by 43 votes.

Her challenger, independent Nicolette Boele, has not conceded.

The AEC can conduct a full recount if the margin in a seat is “particularly close”. A candidate or party is able to request this recount, or the AEC can choose to do so if fewer than 100 votes separate the leaders.

Elsewhere, in the Victorian seat of Goldstein, Liberal candidate Tim Wilson’s lead has narrowed to fewer than 300 votes.

On election night, incumbent independent MP Zoe Daniel declared victory.

Days later, her lead diminished and Wilson was on track to win the seat. He declared victory and was also part of the party room vote to elect the next Liberal leader.

Daniel has not yet conceded the seat.

Content Warning: Distressing themes

The first week of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial wrapped up in New York City on Friday.

The key witness in the week’s proceedings was Combs’ former partner Casandra Ventura, known as ‘Cassie’.

Ventura alleged Combs physically, emotionally, and sexually abused her during their 2007-2018 relationship.

Combs has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty.

In 1993, Combs founded influential music label Bad Boy Records.

Federal U.S. prosecutors have accused Combs of using his “business empire” to cover up decades of abuse against women, “to fulfil his sexual desires” and “protect his reputation”.

Combs has been charged with sex trafficking, among other serious crimes. He’s also been accused of using his staff to coordinate and conceal his alleged crimes.

Combs’ former partner Casandra Ventura took the stand last week.

Combs and Ventura met in 2005, when she was 19. She soon signed a deal with Bad Boy Records. The pair dated on and off from 2007 to 2019.

Ventura, who is eight months pregnant with her third child with husband Alex Fine, said she chose to testify because she could no longer “carry the shame [and] the guilt.”

A previous lawsuit by Ventura against Combs settled out of court last year.

During her first two days on the stand, Ventura testified about days-long group sex events, referred to by Combs as “freak offs”. She said they were often recorded.

Ventura alleged that during these events, she was pressured to have sex with male sex workers. She described being left with sores in her mouth, urinary tract infections, and gastrointestinal issues.

She claimed that when she refused to participate, Combs would blackmail her with videos of her involvement, or beat her.

“I felt pretty horrible… disgusting [and] humiliated,” Ventura told the court.

She described a number of separate physical assaults by Combs, leaving her with bruises and black eyes, and alleged he raped her.

Ventura also detailed the mental health impacts of the alleged decade of abuse, telling the jury she had at one point made a plan to take her own life.

Later in the week, she was cross-examined by Combs’ legal team, who argued she had been a willing participant in the events, presenting text messages between the pair.

Ventura said her texts were “just words at that point,” and that she participated to keep Combs happy.

Combs faces five criminal charges in this case, including sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.

If found guilty on all charges, he faces a possible life sentence.

The trial is expected to run for the next several weeks.

There are several other pending cases against him.

1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Reporting by Achol Arok.

It’s Australian Made Week (May 19–25), so here’s your friendly reminder to back the green and gold next time you shop.

When you choose products with the Aussie Made kangaroo logo, you’re supporting local makers, creating jobs, boosting the economy, and backing our communities.

How to spot an Aussie made product: Look for the iconic kangaroo logo - it’s the only registered country of origin mark in Australia, so it’s your best bet for buying local that’s actually local.

No matter what you’re buying, when you buy Australian Made we all win! 

But the Aussies were too good for Maher and her team, with the Wallaroos winning the match in a 27-19 victory.

Maher has 4.9 million followers on Instagram, the most of any rugby player worldwide.

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Barbie is giving up her heels.

Inspired by a scene in the film ‘Barbie’ (2023), an international team of researchers conducted a study of more than 2,700 Barbies from 1959 to 2024.

They found the dolls’ foot posture changed over decades, from her trademark high heels to (god forbid) flatter feet.

The study found a “very strong correlation of flat foot posture with time and employment”, suggesting “Barbie Land has a dynamic environment with evolving employment patterns and social policies.”

Reporting by Anju Dhanushkodi.

In a new three-part series, TDA is investigating the complex world of medicated weight-loss and its impact on young Australians.

In part one, we'll unpack Ozempic's rise to prominence, and explore the mental health side effects associated with its use. We'll also hear from young Aussies with first-hand experience with these drugs.