Morning everyone. Our top story today is an exclusive investigation revealing that some high-ranking Queensland police officers are under review by the ethical standards command after appearing to share lewd posts on social media.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with a “terrorist act” for the alleged stabbing of a Sydney bishop; the search for an unbiased jury to try Donald Trump proved difficult but was ultimately successful; plus, find out about how Raphael the lorikeet hooked up with George the black cockatoo.
Australia
Terror charge | A 16-year-old boy alleged to have stabbed a bishop at a church in western Sydney has been charged with a terrorist act. He is expected to appear at a bedside hearing today. It came after 19-year-old Dani Mansour was charged with riot, affray and destroying or damaging property as part of the mob that allegedly attacked police after the alleged stabbing. And social media pages “notorious” for spreading misinformation have been taken down.
Exclusive | Queensland police’s ethical standards command is conducting a review after high-ranking members of the service appeared to publicly share and comment on lewd social media posts over a number of years.
Centrepay failings | Landlords are wrongly making vulnerable tenants cover the costs of administering the government’s Centrepay debit system, in one case passing it on to a blind disability pensioner, our investigation reveals.
Vape crackdown | State and territory governments support federal legislation that would force vape stores to close by preventing the manufacture, advertisement, supply and commercial possession of non-prescription vapes.
Seven CEO departs | James Warburton, the chief executive and managing director of Seven West Media, has left the company amid a tumultuous period for the broadcaster that has included its entanglement in the Bruce Lehrmann trial.
World
Bird flu fears | The World Health Organization has “enormous” concerns about the impact of H5N1 bird flu, which has spread from poultry to farm mammals and which has an “extraordinarily high” mortality rate in humans.
Jurors removed | A jury has finally been selected for Donald Trump’s criminal case, but it wasn’t an easy process. Two jurors were removed in one of the most high-stakes cases in US history. Prosecutors earlier accused the former president of violating a gag order seven more times amid concerns he was trying to intimidate potential jurors. Follow proceedings live.
Brexit concession | The European Commission has proposed opening negotiations with the UK to restore the mobility enjoyed before Brexit to millions of 18- to 30-year-olds in a major concession.
King snake | Fossil vertebrae unearthed in a mine in western India are the remains of one of the largest snakes that ever lived, a monster estimated at up to 15 metres in length and weighing a tonne.
Kitchen treasure | A couple from Dorset received an unexpected windfall during a kitchen renovation when they discovered a hoard of 1,000 17th-century coins hidden under the floor.
Full Story
Newsroom edition: from Bruce Lehrmann to violence in Sydney – what happens when the media gets it wrong?
From the Bruce Lehrmann trial to the Sydney stabbing incidents, editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and head of newsroom Mike Ticher discuss how to handle breaking news, and what happens when we get it wrong.
In-depth
Melbourne’s community housing blocks offered a golden opportunity to leave couch-surfing and homelessness behind. But several years down the line, an infestation of cockroaches and bed bugs means many residents want to move out despite winning a legal battle showing their provider failed to keep the flats in good repair. One resident tells Benita Kolovos how she has lost count of the number of times she has been forced to change her mattress, while Jack Kramme says the bugs are even in his wheelchair: “They’re everywhere,” he says.
Not the news
In accommodation news of a cheerier sort, a matte black cockatoo and bright green lorikeet have become unlikely friends at a wildlife sanctuary in Tasmania. Greg Iron, director of Bonorong wildlife sanctuary, described their relationship as being “love at first sight”.
The world of sport
Swimming | Kaylee McKeown says she won’t be going for gold in the Olympic women’s 400m individual medley despite breaking Stephanie Rice’s 16-year-old record at the Open Championships on the Gold Coast – the second night in a row she has surpassed the former swimming legend.
LIV Golf | Ethical considerations appear to have been placed on the backburner as the Saudi breakaway competition returns to South Australia next week.
Basketball | A veteran male newspaper columnist has apologised after an uncomfortable interaction with the rising basketball star Caitlin Clark at a press conference which one observer could have been “written in 1971”.
Media roundup
A new $600m rail line in Melbourne’s north is not being used by commuters, the Age finds, 89% of whom still prefer to use their cars. The South Australian government proposes building three or four 20-storey towers in Adelaide’s east to fix the housing crisis, the Advertiser reports. The Sydney Morning Herald says NSW police want tougher knife-crime penalties including for parents who let their kids have tham.
What’s happening today
New South Wales | Findings of the inquest into the death of Ricky Hampson at Lidcombe coroner’s court.
Sport | Directions as former Manly coach Des Hasler sues over his exit from the Sea Eagles.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
