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World markets
ASX set to jump as Wall Street rises; Santos in sights of Middle Eastern giants
Wall Street’s record-breaking rally kept going after weak reports on the US economy kept the door open for possible cuts to interest rates.
- by Stan Choe
Stokes sledges Aussies again as Labuschagne’s county side fall one short in world record chase
Marnus Labuschagne and Glamorgan captain Sam Northeast both scored centuries to set up a grandstand finish in the county clash against Gloucestershire.
Australia news LIVE: Payman split from Labor imminent; ASIC has failed to stop financial crime, damning inquiry finds
Follow today’s national news headlines with our live blog.
- by Josefine Ganko
Dozens of countries have slapped a sugar tax on junk food. But Australia is split on the decision
Taxing drinks based on their sugar content would force manufacturers to make their products healthier, a parliamentary report argues. Some are not so convinced.
- by Angus Thomson
‘Enabler in Chief’: As Biden digs in, Trump turns his attack on Kamala Harris
Trump’s former immigration adviser Stephen Miller also lashed out, seeking to frame the Biden campaign in conspiratorial terms: “What did Kamala know and when did she know it?”
- by Farrah Tomazin
After saving four match points, this Kokkinakis comeback could be his best ever
The Australian looked down and out against the 17th seed, before he turned the rain-interrupted match on its head.
- by Marc McGowan
Exclusive
Mining
The $3.8m brawl between a mining prospector and his best man
Anton Billis was once so close to his friend, convicted fraudster Michael Giovinazzo, he was the best man at his wedding. But their 25-year friendship is now in tatters, and is being pored over in the Victorian Supreme Court.
- by Sumeyya Ilanbey
Jackson ‘the fittest she has ever been’ as teen Opal dreams of Paris
A super-fit Lauren Jackson continues to wow her Opals teammates and coaches including teenage teammate Izzy Borlase who could be joining Jackson in Paris.
- by Roy Ward
Exclusive
Domestic violence
The true picture of Melbourne’s family violence: 2700 arrests in five months
A police blitz in the south-east suburbs has caught 2700 family-violence offenders in five months, as Safe Steps warns more perpetrators are strangling victims.
- by Wendy Tuohy
★★★
Review
Forget the macho men, Jodie Comer is the real star of The Bikeriders
Tom Hardy and Austin Butler bring the beef as members of a Chicago bikie gang but Comer supplies the narration and is the main reason to see the film.
- by Sandra Hall
‘Rules go out the window’: Why Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons can’t say no to Yorgos Lanthimos
The actors star in the ‘really weird’ Kinds of Kindness, which was made before the Oscar-winning Poor Things was even released.
- by Stephanie Bunbury
Polka dots, flying pigs and pockets: How to launch a fashion label
In tough economic times, standing out from the pack can be sensible as well as stylish.
- by Damien Woolnough
Rupert Murdoch’s Sun backs Labour in the election for first time in two decades
The paper, which has supported the Conservatives since 2009, has endorsed Keir Starmer in a blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
- by Rob Harris
Albanese government set to announce new antisemitism envoy
Prominent businesswoman Jillian Segal looks set to be given the high-profile gig following months of political pressure during the war in Gaza.
- by Stephen Brook and Kishor Napier-Raman
Opinion
Political leadership
Labor believes Fatima Payman’s rebellion was plotted for a month
The young senator’s decision to cross the floor and to later speak out against her party bears all the hallmarks of a carefully co-ordinated plan, according to Labor figures.
- by Niki Savva
Sorry Italy, these ‘national’ dishes aren’t as unique as you think
We carelessly associate certain dishes with a particular culture and cuisine, but they exist in many other places in very similar guise.
- by Brian Johnston
Exclusive
Investigations
AFP commander raided, suspended in contracts-for-mates probe
The Australian Federal Police is embroiled in a conflict-of-interest controversy, amid revelations that a high-ranking official is under investigation for improperly awarding a contract.
- by Nick McKenzie
Graphic content
Surfing
When Brett scalped himself on a remote island, a Learjet flew him to hospital
Drinking too much overseas can void your travel insurance. Being forgetful about your luggage may also mean you won’t get covered. And if you like extreme sports, or a cruise, check the fine print.
- by Julie Power
Tenants feel ‘rental anxiety’ as Melbourne rents hit record high
The typical house costs $60 per week more to rent than it did a year ago, leaving some tenants fearful of lifelong housing insecurity.
- by Jim Malo
Inside the cave where Australians have uncovered the world’s oldest rock art
This extraordinary ancient image may be our oldest evidence of a story.
- by Angus Dalton
Is Atlassian’s year-long experiment the future of work?
Australia’s largest technology company’s new workspace has just 12 desks in total and barely any meeting rooms. But its workers love it.
- by David Swan
CBD feels the love at the Midwinter Ball
Business leaders, lobbyists, media executives and actors have descended on Canberra for a night of shameless networking … sorry, raising money for charity.
- by Stephen Brook
Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue spied on former staff and their families
The billionaire mining magnate’s company hired private investigators amid allegations of stolen intellectual property.
- by Anne Hyland
Exclusive
Healthcare
Victoria’s primary care clinics face funding cuts in budget crisis
Priority primary care clinics, promised in 2022 as Daniel Andrews’ solution to the health crisis, are facing cutbacks as the Victorian budget grapples with debt.
- by Rachel Eddie and Kieran Rooney
LETTERS
Letters
A ruling to be seen as supremely ‘un-American’
Age readers react to the Supreme Court ruling in the US.
‘Remiss of us not to address it’: McGrath says Bombers wary of another late-season nosedive
Former No.1 draft pick turned Essendon vice captain Andrew McGrath will run out for his 150th game on Friday night against Collingwood at the MCG.
- by Marnie Vinall
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
Forgotten Don on verge of a return; Saint King gone for the season; all clubs watching Dusty: Suns
Forgotten Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel is a strong chance to be recalled on Friday night for his second game of the year. Meanwhile, St Kilda forward Max King will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
- by Jake Niall and Peter Ryan
Out of the loop: The questions councils desperately want answered on ‘nebulous’ SRL
A trio of councils say the rail loop project will reshape their suburbs but the government won’t release even basic details about the changes.
- by Patrick Hatch
‘Spent too much money’: A-League club distributions slashed to $500,000
APL chairman Stephen Conroy says the competition was facing financial ruin unless it passed a $20 million hit onto club owners.
- by Vince Rugari
Could delaying menopause help women live longer?
The earlier a woman enters this life phase, the higher her risk for developing dementia, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and more.
- by Alisha Haridasani Gupta and Dana G. Smith
Why Australia’s fastest woman won’t compete in the Olympics’ fastest race
Sprint sensation Torrie Lewis is Australia’s fastest woman over 100 metres, but she won’t compete in the blue-ribbon event at Paris.
- by Michael Gleeson
The Scoop
AFL 2024
Copping a block when trying to chat to 229-centimetre former NBA star
Only two people were allowed near eight-time NBA All-Star Yao Ming when Australia’s men’s basketball team overcame a sluggish start to defeat China in one of their final hitouts before heading to Paris.
- by Sam McClure
As it happened: Albanese flags Fatima Payman may quit Labor in coming days; New data shows retail spending lift
Read the national news headlines for Wednesday, July 3.
- by Josefine Ganko and Lachlan Abbott
A toothless cop on the corporate beat: ASIC ‘has failed’
In most cases, the nation’s corporate regulator responded with an automated “no further action” email within 40 seconds of a complaint being received.
- by Shane Wright
Updated
Insolvency
Online bookseller Booktopia enters voluntary administration; Dymocks circles
The embattled retailer has appointed voluntary administrators after several months of trying to secure funding.
- by Jessica Yun
Bail for former Home and Away star who stomped on woman’s head
Orpheus Pledger, who previously fled from a court-ordered hospital assessment while out on bail, will live with his father while awaiting sentencing.
- by Erin Pearson
Updated
World markets
Miners, tech stocks buoy ASX after Tesla boosts Wall Street
Miners and tech companies drove the ASX higher after US stocks set records on Wall Street, with Tesla leading the way.
- by Millie Muroi
Opinion
AFL 2024
Is Darcy Moore really playing ‘awful’ footy? Cornes and McClure go head-to-head
The two footy media heavyweights who don’t shirk the big issues are refusing to back down on Collingwood captain Darcy Moore. Here, they both make their case.
- by Sam McClure and Kane Cornes
More frost on the way after Melbourne shivers through coldest start of 2024
Elsewhere in Victoria, temperatures in Horsham, Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong dropped to between minus 1 degree and minus 3 degrees.
- by Alex Crowe
Updated
US Votes 2024
‘Nearly fell asleep’: Biden blames jet lag for poor debate as poll shows Harris now more popular
As the White House remains in damage control after a disastrous debate, a CNN poll shows voters believe the vice president has a better chance of beating Donald Trump.
- by Farrah Tomazin
Early end-of-financial-year sales help lift retail spending
Retail turnover rose by 0.6 per cent in May following two sluggish months of consumer spending.
- by Rachel Clun and Shane Wright
Girls arrested, males flee scene after ‘cowardly’ fatal crash in Melbourne’s east
Two 15-year-old girls have been arrested and up to four young men are on the run after the alleged stolen car they were travelling in crashed into another vehicle.
- by Holly Hales
French ‘Excalibur’ mysteriously disappears after 1300 years stuck in a rock
Durandal was claimed to be the sword of Roland, a legendary knight and officer of Charlemagne. It was lodged in stone 10 metres above the ground.
- by Henry Samuel
Exclusive
Nuclear energy
Teal calls for snap climate election as rumours of cabinet reshuffle swirl
Monique Ryan wants an election on the Coalition’s contentious nuclear plan as Peter Dutton readies for an early poll.
- by Paul Sakkal and James Massola
Servo a no-no: Coburg locals, council say eight petrol stations is enough
A council has sided with residents and refused plans for another service station in a part of Melbourne where people are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport.
- by Tom Cowie
Exclusive
Workplace disputes
‘Thrilled’: Workers claim win after sackings from Black Star Pastry for wearing keffiyehs
The high-end bakery that sacked two baristas for wearing keffiyehs to work has settled the discrimination case under confidential terms. The workers are claiming victory.
- by Charlotte Grieve
Robert F Kennedy denies taking a bite of dead dog
The presidential candidate reportedly posed with the barbecued remains of a dog in a photo taken in 2010 – the same year he had a tapeworm removed from his brain.
- by Ben Smith
Opinion
Russia-Ukraine war
Why I left comfortable Melbourne and went into a war zone
A Ukraine local staying put despite the bombing told me, “I want to live my life so as not to be ashamed of myself to my ancestors in heaven when I die.” His words sum up why I went to Ukraine and did what I did.
- by James Baillieu
★★★★
Review
Who needs sex and drugs? This rock ’n’ roll doco still compels
This telling of the Midnight Oil story is a headlong trip through 45 years of social, political and pop music history.
- by Sandra Hall
Paul Kent guilty of street brawl as court rejects mental health claim
NRL journalist Paul Kent has pleaded guilty to a drunken street brawl after 11 hours at a pub, failing to convince a court he should be dealt with under mental health laws.
- by Perry Duffin
Mental health programs in firing line of hospital budget cuts
As hospitals continue to search for savings, Victorian mental health programs, including those for children, could be hit with redundancies and hiring freezes.
- by Kieran Rooney and Rachel Eddie
Exclusive
NRL 2024
‘Best of both worlds’: Nawaqanitawase eyes unprecedented Olympic gold-NRL title double
Mark Nawaqanitawase has spoken for the first time about chasing a unique double as the Australian men’s and women’s sevens squad for Paris were unveiled.
- by Adrian Proszenko
The top 10 TV shows to put in your diary for the second half of the year
From Vince Vaughn to Keira Knightley and Cate Blanchett, TV has some treats lined up over the next six months.
- by Craig Mathieson
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Donald Trump’s dangerous ideas have these ‘vigilantes’ worried
With Donald Trump favoured to regain the US presidency, a group of investors is starting to focus on the implications of his core economic policies. They’re concerned.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
$1.1 billion black hole: Unis brace for loss of tens of thousands of students
New economic modelling suggests universities are facing a funding shortfall of more than $1 billion under the federal government’s crackdown.
- by Daniella White
How Mia Goth became Hollywood’s most gloriously demented scream queen
With MaXXXine, the British actress wraps up a film trilogy for the ages.
- by Robert Moran
Opinion
Racism
I was heading off to study abroad, but now my phone is alive with alerts
I can’t help but envy the Anglo-Saxon students in my cohort going on exchange. For them, travel warnings take the form of earthquakes or avalanches.
- by Satara Uthayakumaran
Minjee and Min Woo Lee might not see each other in Paris. Why aren’t they playing together?
The star golfers will be the 16th set of siblings to compete for Australia at the Olympic Games in the same sport but admit their paths might not cross. Why isn’t golf moving to team events?
- by Adam Pengilly
Analysis
Political leadership
Payman v Albanese and the personal v the collective: Is Labor stuck in 1902?
The personal view of a young Muslim senator faces off with the oldest requirement of would-be ALP politicians, a written contract to observe the collective.
- by Tony Wright
Rublev’s wrath: Sixth seed Russian throws tantrum in loss to Wimbledon novice
Andrey Rublev is one of the world’s best players, but can throw a wobbly like no one else, as he showed in his first-round loss.
- by Tom Morgan
Exclusive
Paris 2024
‘You’re a liar’: The tough family moments on Lauren Jackson’s road to Paris
Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson, who describes herself as “on borrowed time”, will play at her fifth Olympics in Paris – 12 years after her last appearance, in London. Her path to Paris has been a minefield.
- by Konrad Marshall
For this writer, inspiration struck in the unlikeliest of places
When the words wouldn’t come, author Ellen van Neerven changed their daily regime and came out of it with a play.
- by Helen Pitt
Murray pulls pin on singles, fans lament; Women’s defending champ sent packing
Twice Wimbledon champion Andy Murray pulled out of the singles competition but will play doubles alongside his brother Jamie in his farewell appearance at the grand slam.
- by Scott Spits
Turkey, Netherlands book last spots as Euro quarter-finals set
A stunning last-minute save ensured Turkey held on to their slender lead in Leipzig while a more routine win for the Dutch ensured their place in the last eight.
- by Ciaran Fahey
Donald Trump has second significant legal victory in as many days
Judge Juan Merchan put off next week’s highly anticipated sentencing to September – less than two months before the US election.
- by Farrah Tomazin
Infant mortality rate rose 8 per cent after Texas abortion ban, study shows
The researchers looked at how many infants died before their first birthday after the abortion ban in September 2021.
- by Devi Shastri
Lisa Millar announces exit from ABC Breakfast
Millar has been the co-host of the broadcaster’s breakfast show for about five years.
- by Nell Geraets
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/breaking-news