Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update.
The independent MP Zali Steggall has told Peter Dutton to “stop being racist” in parliament, as the voices condemning the opposition leader’s recent comments that no Palestinians fleeing Gaza should be allowed into Australia have grown louder.
The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, sided with Steggall, accusing Dutton of wanting to “frighten and divide” Australians a day after Dutton escalated the opposition’s rhetoric about Palestinians.
Labor MPs Josh Burns and Sally Sitou recounted stories of their family members seeking asylum in Australia in response to Dutton’s comment. The opposition leader also contradicted the assessment by the Asio spy chief, Mike Burgess, that rhetorical support for Hamas should not automatically bar Palestinians from receiving visas.
Things became quite heated throughout the day, evident in this clip of the Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young and the Nationals leader, David Littleproud.
Top news
Vigil for slain schoolgirl | The Gold Coast will hold a candlelight vigil for 10-year-old Sophie Wang on Friday, as friends and colleagues rally around her academic father, who found her body. Sophie’s mother was arrested nearby about four hours later and has been charged with her murder.
Unemployment rate rises to 4.2% | Australia’s unemployment rate ticked higher last month, even as employers added 58,200 jobs or about three times as many as expected, dimming chances of a near-term RBA interest rate cut.
MSO cancelling performance over Gaza statement an ‘error’ | The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has walked back its decision to cancel the performance of acclaimed pianist Jayson Gillham who dedicated a piece to slain journalists in Gaza.
Kamala Harris outlines economic plan ahead of November election | The Democratic nominee plans to tackle high grocery, prescription drug and housing costs, drawing a contrast with Trump on tariffs and taxes, according to a Harris campaign statement.
Two fighter jet pilots die in France after mid-air crash | One pilot ejected from the cutting-edge Rafale military aircraft, and authorities launched a desperate search for a missing instructor and a student pilot on the second jet.
Columbia University president resigns in wake of Gaza protests | Minouche Shafik, who for months faced criticism of her handling of campus protests over the war in Gaza has unexpectedly resigned, effectively immediately.
Nasa to say when astronauts ‘stuck’ in orbit will return | Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been onboard the International Space Station for almost 10 times longer than expected after technical problems with Boeing’s Starliner capsule. Nasa is close to announcing when they may return, but is still unsure how.
Alex de Minaur declares himself fit for US Open | Australia’s No 1 (and world No 10) has confirmed he will play in the US Open, declaring himself fit again after being sidelined for a month with a hip injury.
Acclaimed American actor Gena Rowlands dies at 94 | Family of the three-time Emmy winner and dual Oscar nominee, who was known for A Woman Under the Influence, Gloria and The Notebook, confirmed the news on Thursday.
In pictures
With flying colours: vibrant and spontaneous fashion shoots
Rising star of fashion photography Arielle Bobb-Willis creates her playful, exuberant scenes in public across the US – and doesn’t want her models to look “too cool”.
What they said …
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“It is nothing short of disgraceful if the federal government does not adopt each and every one of those recommendations” – Victorian gaming minister, Melissa Horne.
Victoria’s gaming minister joins a growing push within the Labor party to beef up a proposed partial ban on gambling advertising, ramping up pressure on the federal government to accept the recommendations of the bipartisan inquiry conducted by the late MP Peta Murphy.
In numbers
The Australian Institute of Criminology recently launched a dashboard on intimate partner homicide that includes Indigenous stats. The figures are shocking – and yet incomplete.
Before bed read
The panic over Naplan is media spin. There is no long-term decline
We need to be cautious about narratives that Australian students’ performances in Naplan and other standardised tests are getting worse, writes Sally Larsen.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: REFI. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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