Morning everyone. The slowdown in the Chinese economy and a continuing squeeze on the spending power of Australian households are the two key factors identified by Jim Chalmers as explaining why the economy might be in for a spot of turbulence in the next 12 months. But in an exclusive interview, the treasurer is still hopeful Australia can avoid a recession because “we’ve got a lot going for us”. We also have an exclusive on the war memorial’s tweak of its Ben Roberts-Smith plaque, and some clarity for people in a “situationship”.
Australia
Exclusive | The Australian War Memorial has installed a new 84-word plaque next to a display about Ben Roberts-Smith to acknowledge he was found to be “involved and complicit in unlawful killings in Afghanistan” but “has not been charged” and is appealing. Critics said the move was “inadequate” and that the plaque should be removed.
Chalmers expects ‘bumpy’ year ahead | Jim Chalmers has warned there is no guarantee Australia’s economy is heading for a soft landing after new data showed growth would be going backwards were it not for population increase and infrastructure spending. In an exclusive interview, the treasurer says the next year could be “bumpy”.
Data leak | Authorities are notifying the families of 64 alleged victims of an accused Queensland paedophile after their identities were mistakenly made available to journalists – including at Guardian Australia.
Burney call | The minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, has called for claims of possible clandestine burial sites at the former Kinchela Aboriginal Boys’ Training Home to be investigated after they were revealed by Guardian Australia.
Trans treatment | Fast access to testosterone therapy for transgender adults is “life-saving”, leading to a significantly reduced risk of depression and suicide, a clinical trial led by the University of Melbourne has found.
World
New Horizons | A dramatic thaw in relations between Britain and the EU has raised hopes that the return of the UK to the Horizon science program could be the first of many breakthroughs, diplomats in Brussels have said.
Rape sentence | Actor Danny Masterson, best known for his role in That 70s Show, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the rapes of two women two decades ago.
Suspect search | Police in the UK are still searching for terrorism suspect Daniel Khalife as independent investigations were launched into how the former soldier escaped from the lower-security Wandsworth prison.
Biden bind | A majority of likely Democratic voters say the party should nominate someone other than 80-year-old Joe Biden for president next year, according to a new poll. Meanwhile, the Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy refused four times in an interview to explain in his own words his tweet in 2021 that Donald Trump’ was a “danger to democracy”.
Ocean mystery | A mysterious golden orb that may be an egg laid by an unknown sea creature has been discovered on the ocean floor off the Pacific coast of Alaska.
Full Story
Newsroom edition: why competition is key to cleaning up Qantas’s mess
Jane Lee talks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and head of news Mike Ticher about why more competition will be good for Qantas, and how the government could help bring air fares back down.
In-depth
If you describe yourself as being in a “situationship” and are met with raised eyebrows, you can now point to the newly minted edition of the Macquarie Dictionary which includes the word for the first time. Other “official” new words include “Barbiecore” and “spicy cough”, while it’s somewhat surprising to discover that “net-zero” has only just made it into the lexicon.
Not the news
If you’ve ever thought that movie trailers are too long and give away too much about the plot of that film you’ve been dying to see, then Rebecca Shaw’s column today is where it’s at. She is furious about how long they are and thinks they might even be ruining her life. Whatever happened to some intrigue, some mystery?
The world of sport
AFL | Collingwood clung on to beat a wasteful Melbourne by seven points in front of 92,000 fans at the MCG last night and book their place in the preliminary finals. But the game was marred by a concussion injury to Dees’ Angus Brayshaw after only 10 minutes.
Cricket | Marnus Labuschagne came on the field as a concussion sub and lifted Australia out of a big hole to a three-wicket win over South Africa in the first one-day international at Bloemfontein.
Rugby World Cup | The Australia coach, Eddie Jones, has named the place-kicking full-back Ben Donaldson in a full-strength side for their World Cup Pool C opener against Georgia on Saturday.
Rugby league | Newcastle is basking in the NRL limelight with the Knights women’s team hosting a top of the table clash with the Roosters this weekend, and the men looking forward to their first home final since 2006.
Media roundup
Age-based grades should be abolished in schools, an expert tells the Age, in order to allow children to develop at their own pace. Detectives in South Australia believe human remains found in a water tank are those of a suspected murder victim missing for nearly two years., the Adelaide Advertiser says. The Courier Mail warns that a “savage storm system” is going to hit NRL fans going to the Suncorp stadium in Brisbane for tonight’s Broncos match.
What’s happening today
Diplomacy | Anthony Albanese is in the Philippines for talks with president Ferdinand Marcos Jr and will then fly to India for the G20 summit.
Victoria | Public school teachers will protest in Melbourne this morning.
Sydney | A UN observer on human rights will give a media conference about the disposal of hazardous waste.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
