Good afternoon. Inflation is falling – down from 7% in March to 6% in the June quarter – but rising food prices and rents continue to remain a cost-of-living headache.
Food prices rose 1.6% for the quarter, matching the pace in the March quarter, while rents were up 2.5% for the quarter and 6.7% for the year. It’s the strongest quarterly increase in rents since 1988.
Deloitte has warned that the latest figures – which fell further than economists expected – suggest that the Reserve Bank has increased interest rates “too far”.
Top news
Whales die in mass stranding on WA beach | The unusual huddling of nearly 100 pilot whales before they became stranded at Cheynes beach – 60km east of Albany – could have been an indicator of stress or illness in the pod, wildlife experts say. But why they stranded themselves remained a mystery. Sadly, 51 have perished, while rescuers – some of whom have been in the water for hours providing assistance – are trying to return the remaining 46 to the deep water.
High-profile Queensland rape case | A man accused of rape has sought six months of data from his alleged victim’s mobile phone despite objections from prosecutors. It’s the latest in a string of committal mentions to determine if there’s enough evidence to proceed to trial. The high-profile man, who is on bail and cannot be named under Queensland law unless he is committed to trial, faces two charges of raping a woman in October 2021.
Julie Bishop backs voice | The former deputy Liberal leader has broken ranks with her old party and called for Australians to support the Indigenous voice referendum, warning that existing policies aren’t working to close the gap. It’s the first time Bishop has publicly outlined her personal position on the voice, but she declined to say whether she was disappointed that the Liberal party was actively campaigning against the proposal.
Matildas injury woes | Striker Mary Fowler and veteran defender Aivi Luik have been ruled out of the team’s encounter with Nigeria on Thursday after sustaining mild concussions in separate incidents at training on Tuesday.
Sydney metro line in doubt | New South Wales premier Chris Minns has refused to rule out cancelling the $25bn project aimed at connecting Sydney’s western suburbs with the east, saying: “We have to work out a way to pay for Metro West that doesn’t destroy the budget.”
Another ‘targeted’ Sydney shooting | Police say 31-year-old lawyer Mahmoud Abbas was outside his Greenacre home in Sydney’s south-west when he was approached by an unknown person and shot on Wednesday. He was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition. Police believe it was a targeted attack.
Florida ocean temperatures similar to a hot tub | The surface ocean temperature around the Florida Keys soared to 101.19F (38.43C) this week, in what could be a global record as ocean heat around the US state reaches unprecedented extremes.
Guam fears becoming target | A US missile defence system planned for the Pacific island has local residents concerned it will make them a target amid growing tensions with China. “If there is war, we are in the cross-hairs,” said Kenneth Kuper, assistant professor of political science at the University of Guam. The US$1.5bn ($2.2bn) system is to be completed by 2027.
Fiji PM trips while looking at mobile phone | Sitiveni Rabuka posted a video in a blood-splattered shirt saying he took a tumble on the stairs and hit his head. The trip forced the Fijian prime minister to cancel a scheduled trip to China.
UN calls for global ban on smartphones in schools | Unesco, the UN’s education, science and culture agency, said there was evidence that excessive mobile phone use was linked to reduced educational performance and that high levels of screen time had a negative effect on children’s emotional stability.
In pictures
A poignant photo gallery capturing America in its twilight – the fading dreams of the middle class.
What they said …
***
“I remember telling him beforehand that I didn’t want to have sex. But during that moment, I remember different things like the pillow and a drop of sweat fell from his head on to my body and I could feel that and that it hurt and that I was pushing him away with my hands. But did I scream the word ‘no’? I don’t remember. And this look on their [police officers] face was like, ‘we kind of wish that you had just said, you know, no’.” – Andrew Doherty
The Senate inquiry on consent this week has heard harrowing witness testimonies.
In numbers
Donald Trump still remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, ahead of the far-right Florida governor, Ron DeSantis.
Before bed read
Want to lower your blood pressure? Try some planks and wall sits! According to researchers at Canterbury Christ Church and Leicester universities, isometric exercises that involve engaging muscles without movement are the most effective for reducing blood pressure.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: PEP. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
Sign up
If you would like to receive this Afternoon Update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here. And start your day with a curated breakdown of the key stories you need to know. Sign up for our Morning Mail newsletter here.
