Organiser Kimami Ngaluafe says the rides are a positive outlet for troubled youth.

Jurors deadlocked in Harvey Weinstein ’s rape retrial on Friday (local time), forcing another mistrial in a #MeToo-era case that has gone to trial three times so far.

While the former Hollywood mogul has been convicted of other sex crimes on two US coasts and remains behind bars, the mistrial leaves the New York rape charge in limbo.

Weinstein appeared expressionless as court officers ushered him out in his wheelchair.

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The majority-male Manhattan jury had been weighing whether Weinstein raped Jessica Mann, a hairstylist and actor.

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Weinstein’s lawyers argued that the encounter was consensual. It happened in 2013 during a fraught relationship between the then-married Weinstein and the decades-younger Mann.

A juror, Josh Hadar, told reporters that he and eight others wanted to acquit Weinstein. He said Mann had an “incredible memory” when she testified for the prosecution but “forgot a lot of things” when questioned by defence attorneys.

“It spoke a little bit to her credibility. … In general, we feel kind of upset that we couldn’t come up with a verdict. We tried really hard,” Hadar, 57, said.

Weinstein’s defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo called it “a great day for our jury system.”

Juror Sarae Perez, 25, said the threshold for a conviction — beyond a reasonable doubt — was on her mind.

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“There were places where we couldn’t trust her word for it,” she said.

Mann said in a statement that the mistrial “doesn’t in any way detract from the truth I told.”

She said she relived painful moments and faced public attacks while seeking justice because “the power of predators remains too great.”

No immediate decision about a fourth trial

Signs of a split jury emerged a few hours into their third day of deliberations, when they sent a note saying they couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict.

Judge Curtis Farber told them to keep trying, a common step when a jury first says it’s stuck.

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More than an hour later, they sent another note saying: “We feel that no one is going to change where they stand.”

A hearing was set for June 24 to learn whether prosecutors will choose to go to a fourth trial. District Attorney Alvin Bragg said he was disappointed with the result but “we deeply respect the jury system.”

Bragg said his staff will consult Mann about another trial and also take into account what happens to Weinstein when he's sentenced in another case.

Mann was not in court when the mistrial was declared.

How the case returned for a third trial

As an Oscar-winning movie producer and studio boss, Weinstein was one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures and a significant Democratic donor before the long-suppressed sexual harassment and sexual assault allegations against him cascaded into public view in 2017.

The revelations galvanized the #MeToo movement ’s demands for accountability for sexual misconduct, made Weinstein a pariah, bankrupted the studio and ultimately led to criminal charges against him in New York and Los Angeles.

He was convicted of some and acquitted of others.

Yet Mann’s allegation lingered. Weinstein was convicted of the charge in 2020.

Then an appeals court overturned that verdict, and jury deliberations broke down at a 2025 retrial. That paved the way for this year’s retrial.

Weinstein has said he was unfaithful to his then-wife and “acted wrongly, but I never assaulted anyone.”

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Jury heard from Weinstein's accuser

Mann, now 40, met Weinstein at a Los Angeles party in early 2013, when she hoped to build a handful of acting credits into a big career. He took interest and soon showed that it wasn’t purely professional.

She said his initial, pushy overtures discomfited her, but she acceded to them and decided to develop a relationship with him.

She was staying with a friend at a Manhattan hotel in March 2013 when Weinstein showed up early for a planned breakfast and got a room over her objections, Mann testified.

She said she accompanied Weinstein to the room to talk and made it clear she didn’t want sex.

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“I said ‘no,’ over and over, and I tried to leave,” she told jurors during five days of intense testimony.

She said that Weinstein blocked her from leaving and grabbed her arms.

Scared, she gave up protesting, complied with his demands to undress, and laid on a bed while he went into a bathroom, she told jurors.

Then, Mann said, he raped her.

Mann told no one for years about the alleged rape. Nor did she mention it in her introspective, private writing two days later.

In a note to herself, she grappled with conflicted feelings about becoming “emotionally attached” in a nonexclusive relationship with a man she didn’t name.

After Weinstein’s new lawyers confronted Mann with the note, she said she hadn’t needed to write down the allegation.

The Associated Press does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, unless they choose to make their names public, as Mann has done.

Weinstein defence: Mann was supportive

Weinstein didn’t testify.

In his lawyers’ telling, Mann was a willing partner in a close, supportive relationship with a show-business insider who opened doors for her, but she turned on him once he became an outcast.

In the months and years after the New York encounter, Mann kept seeing and communicating with Weinstein.

At times, she pulled away to pursue and preserve a relationship with a new boyfriend, according to her emails and testimony.

At other times, she turned back to Weinstein, who validated her acting dreams, told her he was proud of her and responded caringly when her father was terminally ill.

“I love u. Anything u need,” Weinstein wrote.

Over the years, he helped Mann land a movie audition — it went nowhere — and a hairstyling job.

She asked him for help with such things as a car problem and a club membership, though she declined a package his office tried to send in summer 2013, when she couldn’t make rent. Mann said she understood the envelope contained $1300 ($US1000) in cash.

In one of her last emails to Weinstein, in February 2017, she wrote: “I love you, always do. But I hate feeling like a booty call.”

When he responded by suggesting she was “joking” and should stop using his company email, she said it was a joke and apologized.

Eight months later, she saw the news reports that propelled his downfall and ultimately prompted her to go to police.

Mann never sued Weinstein, but after his 2020 conviction, she filed for and got about $690,000 from a sexual misconduct settlement fund set up during his company’s bankruptcy.

The payout was mentioned at last year’s retrial, but the defence didn’t raise it this time after extensive arguments about what could and couldn’t be said.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

It's like a scene from a dystopian film.

Dozens of driverless Waymo vehicles have been seen circling through an Atlanta neighbourhood without riders.

Neighbours say they even tried to put out cones to block the electric Jaguar I-PACE SUVs from entering but that caused even more chaos.

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One video shows multiple cars going around and around a roundabout.

Another video taken by a local showed 13 Waymos going by in ten minutes, CNN reported.

Andy Brown Milheizer who lives in the area said there was a "constant stream."

"One of them almost did run over our cul-de-sac cat, Buddy and so that was a final straw," she told NBC News.

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They say the issue has been getting worse, with the cars driving in circles seeming waiting for somebody to order one.

"Our big concern is just the excessive traffic on the street, you know, we have more families, we have small kids, we have animals and pets. We've got kids getting on the bus in the mornings, and it just doesn't feel safe to have that traffic," one local said.

Residents' efforts to try and block the cars, which are now on offer in multiple American cities and are summoned in a similar way to Ubers, have failed.

Deborah Childers said it's "bothersome".

"It's not like one it's like three or maybe four, you know, just they do the same loop. They practice their braking and their signals."

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They said Waymo hasn't responded to their pleas to help.

Waymo told Fox5 Atlanta it has "already worked with our fleet partner to address this routing behaviour."

The company recalled thousands of cars recently after some vehicles drove into flood waters in Texas and stalled.

A prominent sect has denied telling members to euthanise their pets, but confirmed they have been urged to get rid of them.

Members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, better known as the Exclusive Brethren, were told households needed to be "freshly cleansed" of animals after a relative of church leader Bruce Hales was attacked by a dog last month.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports a letter was read from church leadership to meetings across the country earlier this morning with the directive.

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"The ownership of such an animal, let alone it being kept at a brother's home, is clearly wrong," the letter read.

"There are reports of some Brethren having reverted to owning pets, including dogs and other animals, which practice has been clearly spoken against in ministry. 

The letter specified birds, mice and cats were also included in the directive, not just dogs.

In the 1960s the sect instructed members to euthanise their pets, stating that giving them away was sinful.

One blind man was reportedly cast out of the church for refusing to get rid of his guide dog.

But the sect has now issued a statement denying reports members were told to euthanise their pets.

"Very few families in the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church would keep pets, as we generally avoid distractions from family, faith and God, such as television, radio, or pet ownership," the statement read.

"Following a traumatic incident in which a child was attacked by a dog at the home of a church member, our church's position on pets was restated to parishioners in May 2026. 

"This was not a 'new directive', but simply a reminder of a principle that was established some time ago."

The statement suggested the pets could be given to willing neighbours, colleagues or an animal shelter.

"We are aware of untrue and distressing online commentary which has misconstrued this as members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church being told to euthanise their pets," it read.

"The church would never condone cruelty to any living creature, and this position is being strongly reinforced to our congregation. We have the utmost respect for all of God's creations."

There are an estimated 16,000 members of the Exclusive Brethren in Australia.

The secretive sect practices separating itself from society at large, including not voting in elections.

Despite this, the Liberals came under scrutiny in last year's election after it was revealed members of the sect were participating in organised campaigns backing the party.

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Businesses and politicians have slammed a plan to erect a statue of former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, calling it a waste of taxpayer money.

The Victorian government confirmed the bronze statue is set to cost taxpayers more than $134,000 to be designed and built in Melbourne's Treasury Square.

Jim's Mowing founder, Jim Penman, who was a vocal critic of Daniel Andrews during the COVID lockdowns, said it is ridiculous to erect a statue to him.

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Penman called Andrew's the most disastrous premier in the state's history.

Australian Restaurant and Cafe Chief Executive Wes Lambert said hospitality venues are still suffering from the effects of the COVID lockdowns, believing that the statue is not a good fiscal move.

Jeff Kennett, a former premier for the Liberal Party, started this policy of putting up statues for former premiers who spent 3000 days in office, but even he is not thrilled with the idea of the statue.

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Kennett said it is not compulsory and called it a "waste of money".

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has defended the move, calling Andrew's a "fantastic premier".

"We're just following the policy put in place by the previous premier, Jeff Kennett."

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said that the Labor government was taking out the trash, noting the announcement would not "pass the pub test".

It is yet to be confirmed when the statue will be constructed.

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Donald Trump has alarmed Taiwan and its supporters in Washington by appearing to side with China over its own independence.

Wrapping up his two-day summit in Beijing, Trump was asked by reporters whether he would support Taiwan declaring independence from China.

"On Taiwan, (Xi) does not want to see a fight for independence because that would be a very strong confrontation, and I heard it out," Trump said.

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"I didn't make a comment."

While his predecessor Joe Biden had said the US would provide military support to Taiwan if China invaded, Trump demurred.

"I don't want to say," he told reporters.

"I think the last thing we need is a war.

"It's 9500 miles (15,000km) away. I think that's the last thing we need. We're doing very well."

When asked if Trump would allow an arms deal selling weapons to Taiwan, the president was non-committal.

The nearly $A20 billion deal has bipartisan support in Washington but is opposed by China.

A statement by the government in Taiwan reiterated their independence.

"It is widely known that China's military threat is the only real insecurity in the region," the statement read.

"Our most important and only task is to dedicate ourselves to maintaining the status quo and our determination to defend ourselves, safeguarding the freedom and democracy of our 23 million people, and ensuring that the security and stability of the Taiwan Strait are not threatened or undermined."

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Trump's statements on Taiwan have been strongly criticised by politicians in Washington.

"By raising doubts about our commitment to defending Taiwan (our close ally which is responsible for many of the powerful chips that power our technology), Trump is massively raising the risks that China will attack Taiwan," Democratic Representative Dave Min said.

"Teddy Roosevelt once defined the linchpin of strong foreign policy: speak softly and carry a big stick. Trump is doing the exact opposite of that and making the world much more dangerous."

And Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Trump's China trip a "complete and total embarrassment".

"We know Trump's incompetent in America. He's equally so abroad," Schumer said.

"All he's coming home with is being chastised by Xi about Taiwan."

While not criticising Trump directly, Republican congressmen also called for supporting Taiwan.

"We have to support Taiwan, just like we have to support Ukraine," Rep Brian Fitzpatrick said.

"These are the fortresses of democracy, and they're on the front lines, and we have to protect and defend them."

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Taiwan and China have a long and acrimonious history dating back decades.

When Nationalist Chinese forces lost the civil war in 1949, the government relocated to Taiwan.

From there they have governed what they describe as the Republic of China, what they consider to be a government-in-exile.

The Beijing government meanwhile considers there to be only one China, and that Taiwan is a part of China.

While they have effectively governed as separate countries for decades, Taiwan formally declaring independence from China would be seen as a provocative move.

China has long been suspected of seeking a military invasion and takeover of the island.

Taiwan is Australia's sixth largest trading partner and a major supplier of petrol, computers, phones and other electronics.

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Back-to-back cash rate hikes have put a lid on some home buyer's budgets, according to new analysis from Canstar.

Last week the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) handed down a third consecutive interest rate hike, increasing the cash rate target to 4.35 per cent.

During the March 2026 quarter, the average national new loan size fell from a record-high rate late last year, with drops in the key markets of NSW and Victoria, where property prices have been in decline.

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As the market shifted, household budgets also remained stretched by high living costs.

The financial comparison website's data revealed owner-occupier borrowers drove the decline, with the value of new loans dropping by $2.8 billion from a record-breaking December 2025 quarter.

The data showed investors also pulled back, with the value of new loans falling by $1.3 billion over the first three months of the year.

Canstar said despite the dip, new lending remained well above the levels a year ago, up 18 per cent across all loans, led by investors, which surged 25 per cent year-on-year.

However, Canstar data insights director Sally Tindall said borrowing appetite was still at elevated levels, with investors leading the charge.

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"The ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) data shows the value of new investor loans is up an astounding 25 per cent compared to the previous year," Tindall said.

"With growth at that pace, it's easy to see why housing has become the focus in the federal budget, with the government under pressure to ease affordability constraints for younger Australians.

"First home buyers burst out of the gates at the tail end of last year, following the uncapping of the Home Guarantee Scheme in October.

"However, the initial frenzy appears to be cooling on the back of the RBA's return to rate hikes."

Tindall said affordability remained the housing market's Achilles' heel.

"The softening in Sydney and Melbourne prices isn't the golden ticket buyers were hoping for with the rate hikes eroding borrowing power much faster than prices are easing," she said.

"The challenge for those first home buyers who did manage to buy last year at peak prices with wafer-thin deposits, is that price dips in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

"The March quarter could mark the start of a more cautious phase for the property market, particularly if borrowers continue to face rising repayments and tighter household budgets."

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A charity boss has condemned a Melbourne council's decision to introduce laws which will allow officials to seize belongings from rough sleepers as "baffling" and "abhorrent".

The City of Port Phillip Council, which captures suburbs including St Kilda, Elwood and Windsor, voted in favour of council officers confiscating and storing "encampment equipment" from people experiencing homelessness.

While the council claims the laws will be applied as a "last resort basis", the soon-to-be introduced powers have been met with swift backlash from homelessness advocates.

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St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria group chief executive Charlie Spendlove told Nine.com.au the council is "taking the shirt off peoples' backs who are already doing it tough".

She said it simply won't change anything and that efforts would be better spent consulting with the local community about how to provide better access to crisis accommodation.

"The mayor said this amendment isn't a solution to homelessness. So what is it about? Is it about tidy streets? Just literally bundling the problem up in a box and hoping it goes away?" Spendlove said.

"The face of homelessness has changed, particularly with the cost of living and housing prices. It is a social emergency.

"So this just beggars belief."

The local law change will allow council officers to take encampment belongings, which may include sleeping bags or tents, and store them in council service centres.

City of Port Phillip Council Mayor Alex Makin said the amendment was introduced in response to "anti-social behaviour" and will only target camps which create "safety or sustained amenity impacts".

"No fines will be issued and belongings will be available for collection free of charge," Makin said.

"Our local law provisions continue to allow camping on council land if someone doesn't have a home or has complex needs.

"Our officers will receive specific trauma-informed training before the amendment comes into effect on 1 June."

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s understood that around two dozen rough sleepers are known to stay in the City of Port Phillip Council area.

A council survey of 708 residents found 76.1 per cent opposed the amendment.

However, it was passed after five councillors voted in favour of it last week, while three opposed the law.

"When so many people tell you it's a bad decision, it baffles me that [they] doubled down on a decision instead of talking to the experts," Spendlove said.

"It just deepens the trauma. It's just abhorrent."

Spendlove said the council has ignored the inconvenient truth behind homelessness: it can happen to anyone at any time.

Sleeping rough is not the result of "bad choices", she said. It is often due to a series of crises.

"It is completely ignorant for the reality, each one of us… no one is immune," she added.

"It doesn't matter who you are in the world, you're only two or three crises away from being homeless."

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Single women aged over 55 are the fastest-growing cohort of people experiencing homelessness in Australia, according to the Council to Homeless Persons.

Spendlove said she has seen heartbreaking examples of women escaping family violence in Victoria, only to end up in an encampment or sleeping rough.

In one case, a woman was found sleeping in a tent in a park with her children.

And another mother was helped after she slept in her car in a wooded area with her four children.

Spendlove warned the City of Port Phillip may have set a precedent that will harm rough sleepers all over the state.

"I'm really, really worried for Victoria, if Port Phillip [is] going to wear this badge of honour as the first council to do this… shame on them," she added.

Homelessness Australia chief executive Kate Colvin also denounced the council's decision.

She described the local law amendment as "draconian".

"When someone has nowhere safe to go, taking their bedding or moving them from one public place to another simply shifts the crisis around and makes people less safe and connected to support when they need it most," Colvin said.

"What is needed is more homes, more service capacity, and the kind of practical support that helps people move into safety and stay there."

Makin acknowledged the "diverse views" but added that "the common ground is that everyone wants improved safety in our public spaces, including for people sleeping rough".

"Support will always be offered first to address the underlying causes of behaviour," Makin added.

Other Australian councils have faced criticism over punitive attempts to curb homelessness.

The City of Perth in February engaged the Public Transport Authority (PTA) to place speakers which emitted shrill sounds 24/7 under the Lord Street overpass in East Perth in a bid to move along homeless camps.

This was disabled after outcry from advocates and politicians.

In 2023, the City of Bunbury played The Wiggles' song Hot Potato on repeat to drive rough sleepers from gathering at a shelter.

The King Street Arts Centre in Perth also faced backlash in 2015 after using a sprinkler system in a stairwell to stop people from sleeping there.

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Passengers from a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship are now in quarantine after a prolonged journey home from a stopover in the Netherlands.

The group of six were among the last to be repatriated from the MV Hondius, and included four Australian citizens, one permanent resident, and one New Zealander.

The flight departed the Netherlands yesterday and is scheduled to land at an RAAF base in Perth about 1pm AEST (11am AWST).

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The group has been taken to the Centre for National Resilience in Bullsbrook in northern Perth, where they will be quarantined for three weeks.

The six are undergoing full medical checks, including blood work, which will be flown to Melbourne for processing.

It is expected their results will be returned in a day.

All passengers tested negative for Hantavirus when they left the Netherlands and are in good health.

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Of the five passengers who live in Australia, three are residents of NSW, and two of Queensland.

So far, there have been 11 confirmed cases of hantavirus among the passengers or crew members on the MV Hondius cruise ship.

Three people have died after contracting the deadly, rat-borne illness.

It was the first-ever case of a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, according to Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness.

Health Minister Mark Butler previously said the government was taking a precautionary approach, emphasising that human-to-human transmission of the virus was extremely rare.

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Opetaia Matagi raped his adoptive daughter as a child, and another woman decades later.