Morning everyone. Sydney can boast many world-leading features, but unfortunately an increasing cost of living is one of them. That’s highlighted today by a new study that shows only five other world cities are more expensive and it’s costing the local economy dear. Find out which cities they are, along with why government around Australia are urgently checking the state of their concrete buildings.
Elsewhere, Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso has filed a criminal complaint over that World Cup kiss, scientists have created a “complete” model of a human embryo out of stem cells and 17 people are dead after Russian missiles hit a crowded Ukrainian market.
Australia
Concrete questions | Australian governments are urgently checking public buildings to see if they contain aerated concrete after dozens of UK schools had to close classrooms built with crumble-risk concrete that can suddenly collapse.
‘A big issue’ | Sydney’s median property price has surged to 13.3 times the median income, according to a thinktank, and the price of finding somewhere to live is surpassed only by five big cities. Even New York and London are cheaper, making it hard for young talent to settle in the city and potentially damaging startups.
Coal cap | NSW Labor’s tough talk on closing down Eraring power station has been undermined by a decision to scrap a price cap on coal from July, writes Peter Hannam.
Qantas damage | Business customers are reconsidering their corporate accounts with Qantas, brand and travel experts say, as the airline struggles to contain the fallout from damage to its reputation.
Managing menopause | Most women going through menopause are not receiving effective treatment for their symptoms and need more personalised treatment plans, according to researchers.
World
Stem cell breakthrough | Researchers have created “complete” models of human embryos from stem cells in the lab and grown them outside the womb in work that paves the way for advances in fertility, pharmaceutical testing and transplants.
Kiss complaint | The Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso has filed a criminal complaint accusing Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish football federation, of sexual assault over the unsolicited kiss he gave her after the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney.
Trump account | Donald Trump should “absolutely” be held accountable for inspiring the January 6 attack on Congress, Democrat Kamala Harris said, speaking after a former Proud Boys leader was sentenced to 22 years in jail.
Missile strike | At least 17 people are dead after Russia attacked a crowded market in the Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, coinciding with a visit to Kyiv by the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken.
‘Played it down’ | One of the last surviving female codebreakers from Britain’s legendary wartime Bletchley Park team has died at 99. Margaret Betts was called up when she was 19 but she always “played down” her role, her son said.
‘We were lazy’ | The Rolling Stones have announced details of their first album of new songs in nearly two decades, Hackney Diamonds.
Full Story
Why top execs are leaving the mining company with a ‘green vision’
What is going on at Fortescue Metals Group? The company founded by Australia’s richest man, Andrew Forrest, has seen three top executives quit, including its former chief executive Fiona Hick (pictured). Is it really because they don’t share his “green vision”? Or does the company have a governance problem? Our business reporter, Jonathan Barrett, talks to Jane Lee.
In-depth
The northern summer of 2023 was the hottest ever recorded, according to EU monitors, as the climate crisis and emerging El Niño pushed up temperatures and drove extreme weather across the world. In June, July and August, the global average temperature reached 16.77C, which was 0.66C above the 1991 to 2020 average. As if to underline the point about extreme events, south-east Europe is suffering a wave of floods and an “extratropical” cyclone has ripped through southern Brazil, leaving at least 27 dead.
Not the news
Jodie Foster’s “gay silence” moment during a TV interview when she was 17, the cast of Ultimatum trying to order a pizza, and Taylor Swift’s stage dive are all among the 10 funniest things that the artist Xanthe Dobbie (pictured) has ever seen on the internet.
The world of sport
US Open tennis | Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, has beaten China’s Zheng Qinwen (pictured) to reach the semis, and now Daniil Medvedev is taking on Andrey Rublev in the men’s quarters. Follow the action live
Rugby World Cup | Supporters who post online hate speech or threatening messages towards players and officials risk being banned and reported to police, authorities have warned, as the tournament prepares for kick off in France.
Cycling | Jesús Herrada was strongest at the end of a climbing finish to win stage 11 of the Vuelta a España, a 163.5km ride from Lerma to La Laguna Negra.
Media roundup
The AFL has ruled out promoting the voice to parliament on the day of the grand final two weeks before the referendum, the Age claims in an exclusive. A former KPMG partner who exposed serious flaws in NSW’s rail corporation says he would do it again, despite it costing him his job, he tells the Sydney Morning Herald. Perth Wildcats basketball star Bryce Cotton says he feels “disrespected” by the Australian Olympic Committee over his citizenship application, the West Australian reports. A Russian sailor whose catamaran was attacked by sharks has told Channel 7 (via the Cairns Post) about his gratitude at being rescued.
What’s happening today
Sydney | Philip Lowe is to make one of his last speeches as RBA governor at the Anika Foundation.
Tasmania | Environmentalist Bob Brown is in court over protests.
Sport | A public hearing into Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games preparedness.
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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.
