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Moses frustration hits boiling point as Eels sink to fourth-straight loss
South Sydney mastered the wet conditions at CommBank Stadium on Thursday night to continue their mid-season revival with a 32-16 victory against Parramatta.
- by Billie Eder
‘Very happy’: De Minaur books third round spot in straight sets
Australia’s top hope Alex de Minaur has booked his third round spot after defeating Spain’s Jaume Munar in straight sets on day four of Wimbledon.
- by Marnie Vinall
East coast gas crisis to hit sooner than expected: ACCC
The competition watchdog says major new supplies needed by 2027 to stop homes and businesses running short.
- by Mike Foley and Nick Toscano
Banned on one, blocked on all: Dating app abusers face platform-wide exile
Under a new industry code of conduct, users booted from an online dating service owned by a company with multiple apps will be barred across the other platforms.
- by Clay Lucas
Updated
Sharemarket
Miners, banks lift ASX after Wall Street rises; Santos surges
The Australian sharemarket surged on the back of Wall Street’s record-breaking rally, following weak reports on the US economy which kept the door open for possible interest-rate cuts.
- by Millie Muroi
‘Incredible’ first-time footage reveals intimate life of blue whales
A decade-long Australian citizen science project has unveiled the extraordinary videos.
- by Angus Dalton
Analysis
Gas
Yes, we really are dumb enough to import our own gas. Here’s why
There’s plenty of blame to go around for the current mess we’re in.
- by Mike Foley
Exclusive
Smoking & vaping
Vape crackdown in chaos with regulators unprepared, fearing organised crime
Four days into a nationwide ban on the sale of vapes, federal and state authorities are playing the blame game about who should be enforcing the rules.
- by Chris Vedelago
British teenager’s disappearance spurs speculation and sleuthing
Even as Spanish authorities called off their search for Jay Slater, online sleuths continued with conspiracies and other theories spreading across the internet.
- by Isabella Kwai and Claire Moses
Not best friends, not acquaintances: ‘Medium friends’ are complicated
It can be difficult to define a friendship, but this term puts words to these familiar relationships.
- by Lisa Miller
As it happened: Fatima Payman quits Labor; Pro-Palestine protesters arrested after climbing Parliament House
Read the national news headlines for Thursday, July 4.
- by Josefine Ganko and Lachlan Abbott
White sneakers link teen to fatal Burwood crash, court hears, as victim’s family flies in
A teen faced court over the crash as the state government gave its strongest hint yet that it may ditch plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14.
- by Erin Pearson and Carolyn Webb
Labor’s caucus system a valuable part of democracy
While some may view the Labor pledge of caucus solidarity as a quaint anachronism, it remains the bedrock on which Labor has built a reputation as a stable party of reform and progress.
Analysis
UK election
So long UK Conservatives, and thanks for all the memes
The tumultuous Thatcher years were memorialised in song and literature, but this current generation of Tories are probably best forgotten.
- by Rob Harris
Analysis
Political leadership
Fatima Payman has hurt Labor badly. And she isn’t done yet
Senator Fatima Payman’s defection to the crossbench has caused major damage to the government. And she isn’t done yet, either.
- by James Massola
Parliament House security under review after twin protests
Four protesters unfurled pro-Palestine banners from the roof as a group of climate activists glued themselves to the floor in the building’s Marble Foyer.
- by Olivia Ireland, Angus Thompson and Jessica McSweeney
‘Full-scale offensive’: Sydney University restricts all student protests on campus
Students now need permission to use megaphones and must give three days’ notice for any protests on campus.
- by Daniella White and Lucy Carroll
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Accusations, intimidation and resignation: Senator Fatima Payman quits Labor
Rebel senator Fatima Payman has quit the Labor Party after creating a political firestorm with her decision to vote against the government over recognising Palestinian statehood.
- by Paul Sakkal and James Massola
Mankini saga to Paris with 19 broken bones in-between, Rose books his Olympic ride
Shane Rose hasn’t played it safe since a fall in March that broke bones in 19 places. Now, he’s off to Paris.
- by Billie Eder
Chinese ‘tourist’ jailed over fatal breast surgery
A Chinese national used between nine and 12 times the safe dose of an anaesthetic before performing a botched procedure that killed a Sydney woman.
- by Clare Sibthorpe and Sarah McPhee
‘An expensive and clunky footnote’: House of the Dragon improves, but is it actually good?
The second season of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones prequel has wisely focused more on the dragons, but the story-telling still feels back to front.
- by Craig Mathieson
The tactical shift behind Roosters’ most dangerous attack in 90 years
The Roosters already had a string of attacking options at their disposal. Trent Robinson’s shake-up has finally unlocked how to take full advantage of them.
- by Dan Walsh
Thousands of patients face massive cost hikes as hospitals pull plug on NIB
St Vincent’s Health Australia has given notice to the insurance giant that it will terminate its contract after negotiations broke down.
- by Kate Aubusson
Opinion
England
The Bazball reality: England entertain, but their opponents win
England’s lofty Bazball rhetoric is divorced from the reality that Ben Stokes’ team faces. They entertain; their opponents win.
- by Daniel Brettig
Opinion
Insolvency
A series of unfortunate events: Demise of Booktopia is a page turner
A blindingly bright-coloured flag appeared only a month ago when the listed company told the market that directors’ fees for the year would be paid by issuing shares, rather than in cash.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
NACC
Amid champagne gifts and shameless rorting, one institution is fighting back
The national audit office has released a series of scandalous reports that show our public bureaucracy falling apart, at a cost to us all.
- by Shane Wright
Keir Starmer was moments from quitting. Now he’s hours from being Britain’s next PM
Barring an almighty upset, Starmer will become prime minister on Friday, his Labour Party ousting the Conservatives after 14 years. It is no mean feat.
- by Rob Harris
Inner west psychologist charged with multiple sexual assaults
The assaults allegedly occurred at various health practices in Waverton, Kirribilli, Rozelle and Balmain.
- by Sally Rawsthorne
CCTV released after three women attacked in Sydney robbery spree
A major police manhunt is under way after a masked man armed with a knife and hammer robbed multiple people.
- by Jessica McSweeney
‘Endless cycle of death and displacement’: Weary Gazans on the move again
An evacuation order by the Israeli military this week covering a third of Gaza came as people are less and less equipped to handle repeated forced displacements.
- by Raja Abdulrahim
Podcast
Trial by Water
Trial By Water, Episode 5: The ‘golden thread’
Listen now to the final episode of the hit investigative podcast about the case of Robert Farquharson.
- by Michael Bachelard and Ruby Schwartz
‘Father of Tamoxifen’ researched revolutionary breast cancer drug
Jordan’s home chemistry experiments in his youth set the curtains ablaze and had to be thrown out of the window.
- by Clay Risen
★★★★★
Review
This three-way bet on the loopy power of opera is a five-star triumph
Our reviewers cast a critical eye over this week’s big shows.
- by Joyce Morgan, John Shand and Harriet Cunningham
Opinion
Workplace culture
We need to get out of ‘meeting hell’. Here’s how
There are several ways to break our addiction to meetings, ranging from large measures to small tweaks.
- by Tim Duggan
Man dies after swallowing cyanide during arrest in Macedon Ranges
Five police officers were taken to hospital after the arrest as a precaution.
- by Lachlan Abbott
Exclusive
NRL 2024
Twelve years removed from the NRL, Brian Smith makes shock bid to return as Eels coach
Just when you thought you knew all the candidates in the mix for the Parramatta job, a man who first coached in 1984 has entered the race.
- by Adrian Proszenko
They were the hottest stars of the ’80s. Now the ‘Brats’ look back in anger
A revealing new documentary looks at how the “Brat Pack” tag shaped the careers of Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez and its other members.
- by Craig Mathieson
Schmidt names most Wallabies debutants in 44 years – including a Test legend’s son
Joe Schmidt has unveiled his first Test team to meet Wales on Saturday, and yet again there are no shortage of new faces.
- by Iain Payten
Opinion
Interest rates
How the Trump-Biden debate increased the chance of a rate rise in Australia
A rise in Australian bond yields this week shows how a showdown between two elderly and less-than-impressive politicians could send ripples of unease throughout the global system.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Inside the top-level discussions where Biden admits he has ‘only days’ to salvage candidacy
US President Joe Biden has stressed he is still deeply committed to the fight for re-election but understands his viability as a candidate is on the line.
- by Katie Rogers
Last chance to impress: Paris-bound Boomers to cut four after China game
Thursday nights match against China in Melbourne is the final opportunity for Boomers players to impress coach Brian Goorjian before the team jets to Paris 2024.
- by Roy Ward
Exclusive
Private schools
Former Shore headmaster takes legal action against school
Tim Petterson left in July 2022 after a review of the school’s culture found new leadership was needed.
- by Lucy Carroll
‘A knife through Service NSW’: Senior executives set to be sacked
The union says it believes 125 jobs are set to be cut in the first of “waves” of redundancy under the changes, which the government says will include executives.
- by Christopher Harris
Opinion
Paris 2024
Sorry, but rugby players posing in lingerie in 2024 is not ‘regressive’
Just as female athletes are transcending stereotypes, their agency is being stripped by former female athletes applying the very paternalistic lens they themselves sought to escape.
- by Emma Kemp
His metal band was huge, his rock memoir tackles something bigger
Serj Tankian was frontman for System of a Down and his new memoir is already a bestseller. Don’t expect to read about the parties though: “I’m telling real stories here,” he says.
- by JP O'Malley
Updated
Mergers & acquisitions
Santos shares jump on report Middle Eastern giants are weighing up takeover bids
Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil have reportedly been separately studying potential bids for Australia’s $25 billion energy giant Santos.
- by Nick Toscano
Defiance and risk collide in a gig that leaves a lasting impression
In their first Australian tour, Iniko is taking a risk by performing unreleased music – but their fans have nothing but cheers and encouragement for them.
- by Vyshnavee Wijekumar
Why TV’s most hyped show triggered a fan backlash
Has The Bear become a victim of its own success? Season three of the series which dropped last week has been savaged by its fans.
- by Meg Watson
‘Tell us now’: Zelensky demands Trump say now what his peace plan is for Ukraine
“We want to understand whether in November we will have the powerful support of the US, or will be all alone,” Zelensky said.
- by Annmarie Hordern and Daryna Krasnolutska
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.
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
$3.8m brawl: The fraudster, the mining prospector and the fight over gold
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
Opinion
NRL 2024
The bunker is getting it all wrong. These are the changes it needs
The way we use video review technology is driving me crazy. But there are ways to improve it for the fans.
- by Andrew Johns
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
★★★
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
Updated
UK politics
‘A new chapter’: Labour forecast for record-breaking win as polls open in UK election
Rupert Murdoch’s The Sun newspaper has endorsed the opposition Labour Party rather than Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives.
- by Rob Harris
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
Exclusive
Housing affordability
Revealed: The ‘missing middle’ Sydney housing changes delayed until after council elections
The major “stage 2” changes to permit more low- and mid-rise housing are now slated for the end of 2024 despite earlier indications they would be active by June.
- by Michael Koziol
These 10 ‘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
Opinion
Factional politics
Wagga Wagga boo-boo? Perhaps, but Speakman must defang yappy Nats
If the NSW Coalition can almost fall apart over a juvenile spat, the leader must take change and reassert his authority.
- by Alexandra Smith
‘Affordability ceiling has been smashed’: Sydney rents hit record highs
Intense competition to find more affordable homes in Sydney has driven unit rents up $50 per week since last year. Can it continue?
- by Tawar Razaghi and Elizabeth Redman
★★★★½
Airport reviews
This cramped, daggy airport is my new favourite
This isn’t a flashy, modern airport, and it doesn’t have many exciting facilities, but I love New Chitose with all of my stomach and heart.
- by Ben Groundwater