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18 April 2026

☀️ Roberts-Smith freed

The decorated soldier walks from custody, plus Dragons in crisis and protest law struck down ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Morning Post

Sydney

Saturday, 18 April 2026  •  Issue #656

☀️21°/13°
Sunny skies with a top of 21°
☀️ UV 5.6  •  🌅 Sunset 5:29 PM
 

Good morning! A decorated former soldier walked free on bail this week after serious charges, the Dragons can't catch a break, and a court has put the brakes on new protest restrictions. Let's get into it.

— Nathan, Editor

At a Glance

📰 Former soldier granted release after war crimes detention

📍 Flora — Bangarra x Australian Ballet + 5 more events

🍳 Recipe of the Week: Slow Cooker Beef and Red Wine Casserole

🕰️ On this day in 1946: The League of Nations formally dissolved itself and transferred its...

Today's Sydney

Former soldier granted release after war crimes detention

A decorated veteran walked out of custody after a magistrate approved bail following his arrest on serious charges relating to actions during overseas deployment. He'd been held for seven days.

via ABC Sydney

Ten straight defeats seal Dragons coach's fate

St George Illawarra's losing streak has reached double digits, and the writing appears on the wall for their embattled mentor despite his famous surname.

via Sydney Morning Herald🔒 paywall

Legal experts warn against slogan crackdown after court ruling

The government should reconsider outlawing a controversial chant after judges struck down separate restrictions on demonstrations, constitutional lawyers say.

via The Guardian Sydney

Around Australia

Swans maintain bragging rights as Bulldogs lose star forward

Sydney thrashed GWS while the Western Bulldogs suffered a 75-point hammering and watched Sam Darcy hobble off with a knee problem.

via ABC News

Comedian defends his provocative style

A prominent TV host says he deliberately chooses laughs over feelings, though he believes audiences understand his intentions are good.

via The Guardian Australia

Around the World

Crude drops 10% after Tehran opens key shipping route — Oil markets tumbled after Iran confirmed the strategic waterway would remain open to merchant vessels during the ceasefire.

via BBC World

Tech giant contract loss costs thousand jobs in Africa — A Kenyan outsourcing firm dismissed over a thousand workers after losing its major social media client.

via The Guardian World

What's On

Arts

Flora — Bangarra x Australian Ballet

Joan Sutherland Theatre, final performance today

Last chance to catch 35 dancers in Frances Rings' celebrated collaboration with William Barton's score.

Comedy

Sydney Comedy Festival Gala

Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, 20 April

Bron Lewis, Harry Jun, Sammy J and Felicity Ward headline this year's must-see lineup.

Music

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: Phantom of the Opera

Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, until 3 May

Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic on the harbour with nightly fireworks for the 40th anniversary.

Music

Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra

Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, 4 May

The beloved actor brings his acclaimed jazz ensemble to the harbour for one night.

Exhibition

Event Horizon

Artspace, Woolloomooloo, until 7 June

Journey through astrophysics via five zones of new artworks and live performances.

Sport

HOKA Runaway Sydney Half Marathon

Sydney CBD, 3 May

One of the city's premier running events takes over the streets next month.

Got an event to share? Let us know →

Recipe of the Week

Every Saturday we share a recipe worth trying.

Slow Cooker Beef and Red Wine Casserole

Serves 6 · 8 hours

Let your slow cooker do the work with this rich, warming casserole that fills the house with the most wonderful aroma. Perfect for those cooler evenings when you want something hearty waiting at dinnertime.

1.2kg beef chuck steak, cut into 3cm cubes, 2 tbsp plain flour, seasoned with salt and pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 large brown onion, roughly chopped, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 2 cups beef stock, 1 cup red wine (a good Shiraz works well), 2 tbsp tomato paste, 3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks, 3 celery sticks, sliced, 2 bay leaves, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 200g button mushrooms, halved

Method

1. Toss beef in seasoned flour. Heat oil in a large frying pan over high heat and brown beef in batches, transferring to slow cooker as you go.

2. In the same pan, cook onion and garlic for 3 minutes. Add wine and tomato paste, stirring to lift any browned bits from the pan. Pour into slow cooker.

3. Add stock, carrots, celery, bay leaves, and thyme to slow cooker. Stir to combine, ensuring beef is mostly covered by liquid.

4. Cook on low for 7 hours. Add mushrooms and cook for a final hour until beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender.

5. Remove bay leaves and thyme stems. Season to taste and serve with creamy mashed potato or crusty bread to soak up the delicious gravy.

📊 Today's Poll

Slow cooker or oven for a winter casserole?

Slow cookerOven

Daily Brainteaser

🧩

Rearrange the letters N-E-W-D-O-O-R to make one word.

Answer revealed at the bottom of today's edition.

Daily Games

🧠 Today's Featured Game

Trivia

Australia · 7 questions · ~2 min

What is the name of the large sandstone rock formation in the Northern Territory that is sacred to the local Anangu people?

A) Kata Tjuta
B) Uluru
C) Devils Marbles
D) Wave Rock
Play the Quiz →

Yesterday: 🧠 65 played  ·  💡 44 played  ·  ✏️ 68 played

💡 Word Ladder · 2 steps→
MEET → ??? → PEAT
✏️ Crossword · 5×5 Mini→
1 Across: Aesop's tale with a moral

On This Day

Anniversary of

• The League of Nations formally dissolved itself and transferred its functions to the newly created United Nations. (1946)

• Australia won the first official cricket World Series Cup final held as a day-night match at the SCG. (1988)

• The Doolittle Raid saw American bombers launch the first air raid on the Japanese home islands during World War II. (1942)

• Southern Rhodesia officially became the independent nation of Zimbabwe. (1980)

🎂 Born on this day: Australian actress Melissa George (1976), American actor Eric Roberts (1956), and American television host Conan O'Brien (1963).

Brainteaser Answer
One word.

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