Happy hump day! Inflation fell to 5.6% in May – lower than economists’ expectations of 6.1% and potentially easing fears of a rate rise next month.
But monthly inflation data can be volatile and a closer look reveals varying price movements. Lower fuel costs helped relieve some of the pricing pressure, but food continued to rise, up 7.9%. And if you’re surprised by your higher insurance premium this year, it’s because insurers have hiked them up a record 14.2% – 2.5 times the inflation rate.
And in “what could go wrong at work today”, a cleaner accidentally wiped 25 years of scientific research at a New York lab.
Top news
Stuart Robert’s ties to lobbying firm face scrutiny | The firm Synergy 360 proposed a structure designed to allow the former Liberal minister Stuart Robert to profit from government contracts he helped win for its clients, according to a bombshell statement to the parliament’s audit committee. Robert immediately rejected the allegation “in the strongest possible terms”.
Queensland health whistleblower law controversy | Shaun Drummond, the Queensland Health boss, has resigned amid ongoing criticism of proposed changes to whistleblower laws made by the department. Earlier this week, the Sunday Mail reported on a submission by the health department that suggested whistleblowers who provide journalists with “inappropriate” information should be penalised. Drummond denied he was trying to restrict press freedom.
Zachary Rolfe loses NT appeal | The ex-constable who shot Kumanjayi Walker, 19, three times during a bungled outback arrest on 9 November 2019 will be required to answer a coroner’s questions about the fatal shooting. Rolfe’s legal team had sought to avoid providing evidence to the coroner, disrupting an inquest into the Warlpiri man’s death. Rolfe has previously been found not guilty of criminal charges relating to Walker’s death.
William Tyrrell’s foster mother speaks | The mother, who can’t be named, has called on New South Wales police to confirm whether they have advised prosecutors to charge her over the toddler’s disappearance. Tyrrell was reported missing by his foster mother from a family member’s home in Kendall on 12 September 2014. In November last year, fresh evidence revived the investigation and triggered a new search for the toddler’s remains. Lawyers for the mother say she “maintains she has nothing to do with William’s disappearance”.
France police shooting | Clashes broke out between youths and police in the Paris suburb of Nanterre after an officer fatally shot a 17-year-old boy. The officer is being investigated for homicide. Watch the 1-minute video on the clashes.
Kanye West accused of antisemitic abuse | Alex Klein, a former business partner of the rapper alleges in a new BBC documentary that he ended his collaboration with West – now known as Ye – after troubling behaviour, including publicly praising Hitler. As a result, he claims being on the receiving end of an angry, racist tirade. “He was saying ‘I feel like I wanna smack you’ and ‘you’re exactly like the other Jews’ – almost relishing and revelling in how offensive he could be, using these phrases hoping to hurt me”.
Tourist carves name in Colosseum | A young English-speaking tourist has sparked an outcry after carving his and his girlfriend’s names into a wall of the 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre. The tourist was filmed by an onlooker using keys to engrave “Ivan+Hayley 23”, and is currently being sought by Italian police.
Cleaner accidentally wipes decades of research | A cleaner at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York destroyed the research by turning off a lab freezer in order to mute “annoying alarm” sounds. RPI is now suing the cleaner’s employer, alleging improper training.
Full Story
What the Wagner mutiny means for Putin
When the Russian mercenary group marched on Moscow, it seemed to take the world – and Vladimir Putin – by surprise. What does it mean for his grip on power – and for his war? Listen to this 30-minute episode.
What they said …
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“Don’t put up rubbish. Like seriously. It’s really hard to argue, ‘you want density but I’m going to build crap’. Don’t do it.” – NSW planning minister Paul Scully speaking to property developers at a housing summit
An alternate approach is for governments to set higher building standards so “crap” housing cannot be built. Although NSW – and soon Victoria – has introduced seven-star energy standards for new homes, urban affairs reporter Elias Visontay says “there’s still a lot of very average homes being built as developers aim to maximise returns” and “the state’s design standards can still be strengthened”.
In numbers
Unfortunately, most will miss out as capacity for her three Sydney shows is around 250,000, while her two Melbourne shows will fit 200,000 fans.
Before bed read
Writer and comedian Roland Bull has penned an op-ed describing his experience with sobriety, particularly how he got over awkward socialising (I know, I’ve gone through a similar experience).
“Not drinking doesn’t feel foreign any more, it feels like home,” he writes. “I have no trouble socialising these days. Of course I’ve developed a few small asides to shut down awkward questions if they arise. ‘I’m embarrassing enough sober’ is my standard offering to someone who asks why I don’t drink. Those who know me know that’s absolutely true.”
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: XIS. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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