Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update.
President Joe Biden has passed the torch on to Kamala Harris as the Democratic National Convention wraps the first of its four nights in Chicago.
A who’s who of the party kicked off the convention, including Hillary Clinton, who gave one of the most powerful speeches of her career. Clinton took a number of jabs at Donald Trump, saying Harris had Trump “on the run”. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also spoke and praised Harris’ tireless commitment to a ceasefire in Gaza and Harris herself, who appeared briefly.
However, the evening went to Biden, who delivered an emotional speech touting his career highlights – none of which, in his words, outshone his decision to pick Harris as his running mate. As demonstrations took place outside the venue, Biden said Gaza war protesters “have a point”.
Top news
Bots backing Linda Reynolds and Gina Rinehart likely a foreign state actor | Repetitive posts from seemingly inauthentic accounts have appeared on X lamenting “heartless attacks” on Reynolds and noting Rinehart’s patronage of Australian sport. An academic expert said the posts were designed to sow discord.
Albanese meets with Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto | The Australian prime minister said there is “no more important relationship” for Australia than with Indonesia as a new security pact was announced. Reporters were unable to ask any questions about the deal, which deepens military ties between the nations.
Tree honouring Tony Abbott sawn off in ‘extremely rare’ act of vandalism | A second attack on a tree commemorating the former PM has prompted the Blue Mountains council to take measures to ensure it does not happen again. CCTV cameras pointed at Abbott’s tree will be installed.
Sicily yacht sinking | Morgan Stanley International’s chairperson, Jonathan Bloomer, is among those missing after a a 56-metre yacht carrying UK tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch sank off the coast of Sicily during a violent storm.
US intelligence officials say Iran behind Trump campaign hack | The announcement comes after several news organisations reported they had received internal campaign records, including a dossier on Ohio senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate.
Rocket explodes during testing at UK’s new spaceport | The German company Rocket Factory Augsburg said an “anomaly” led to an explosion as they attempted to make the first UK vertical rocket launch into orbit. No-one was injured.
Tasmanian favourite takes out Gourmet Traveller restaurant of the year | Tasmania’s The Agrarian Kitchen is known for its hyper-seasonal farm-to-table approach and is the first eatery from the island state to claim top gong in the event’s 45-year history.
Add ice-lolly licking to primary school curriculum, urge scientists | Primary school pupils in England should also have the opportunity to knead bread dough, dig in the soil, plant vegetables and play with shadows as part of their early science education, according to the recommendations.
Chappell Roan blasts ‘entitled’ fans for ‘creepy behaviour’ | The 26-year-old singer posted two TikTok videos on Monday night in which she called out people for allegedly becoming abusive when she refused to pose for photos.
In pictures
Pretty in pink: Sydney Cherry Blossom festival 2024
Billed as the city’s “most Instagrammable” flower festival, the event offers “a slice of Japan” with picture-perfect blooms as well as bonsai, manga and origami demonstrations, Japanese cuisine and live appearances to celebrate Hello Kitty’s 50th birthday.
What they said …
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“This is a toxic legacy that needs to be explained and fixed.” – NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson
Following Guardian Australia’s exclusive, Higginson called it “baffling” the NSW EPA cancelled plans to tighten regulations on a type of cheap, recycled landscaping product after the then Coalition government was warned about it.
In numbers
The AEC is reporting “pre-election enrolment has never been higher”. By comparison, leading into the 2022 federal election, just 79.3% of eligible Australians were enrolled by 30 June 2021.
Before bed read
The write stuff: Australian children have to earn their pen licence, but is the coveted certificate on the way out?
The origin of the tradition, which helps children get a grip on literacy, is shrouded in mystery. In the office of Guardian Australia, it seems some staffers never got their pen licence … or maybe needed theirs revoked.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: LUG. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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