Good afternoon.
Victoria appears to have recorded its hottest day, with preliminary weather observations showing temperatures have hit 48.9C in Walpeup and Hopetoun in the state’s north-west.
The temperature will need to be validated by the Bureau of Meteorology overnight before it is confirmed as a state record. Guardian Australia’s Stephanie Convery wrote from Ouyen in the state’s north-west: “Heat like this feels like being smothered.” Victoria’s chief health officer urged people to “take action” if showing any signs of heat-related illness.
A total fire ban was declared for the Wimmera and North East districts on Wednesday as six major fires burn in the state – three of them out of control. Melbourne also sweltered, with Australian Open officials forced to suspend play on the outside courts under extreme heat protocols. The tournament, while still on track to break attendance records, faces a million-dollar hit as fans stayed away.
Top news
White House backtracks initial claims about Alex Pretti after intense backlash
Police allege man charged with hate speech at Sydney protest has links to disbanded neo-Nazi group
Nato chief warns of ‘harshest winter’ in a decade as Russian attacks cut power in Kharkiv
Two killed in plane crash near Gold Coast, igniting bushfire
Mexico president asks South Korea for more BTS concerts: ‘Everyone wants to go’
In video
Guardian Australia’s favourite Australian picture book poll has officially begun, and a very convincing Grandma Poss is here to explain how the voting will take place. The poll contains 50 nominees, the oldest of which was first published in 1973, and the newest in 2022. Cast your vote now!
What they said …
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“The scariest thing about this disorder is how persuasive it is when it tells you: You don’t need help. It makes you blind, but convinced you have insight. You feel powerful, certain, unstoppable.” – Kanye West
The rapper, now known as Ye, took out a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal apologising for antisemitic behaviour and denying he is a Nazi.
Full Story
A civil liberties expert on what Labor’s hate speech laws get so wrong
Crafted after the Bondi terror attack, Labor’s hate speech laws are designed to give the government new powers to combat racial hatred, but have faced strong criticism from across the political spectrum. NSW Council for Civil Liberties president, Timothy Roberts, speaks with Reged Ahmad about whether the new laws may risk undermining democracy in Australia.
Before bed read
This week sees the release of Melania, Amazon’s official feature-length documentary about Melania Trump, directed by Brett Ratner. Amazon has thrown US$35m towards marketing, some of which could be seen at a special VIP screening held in the White House. If the images from the event are any indication, there should be quite a lot of it left over.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: BUND. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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