Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update.
Speaking to the media from the Jewish Museum in Sydney, Anthony Albanese has announced lawyer Jillian Segal AO as the special envoy to combat antisemitism in Australia.
Segal, a former president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, has vowed to use the position to “confront this evil” and “to protect our tolerant and peaceful way of life”. Some progressive Jewish advocates have raised concerns in light of Segal’s past comments opposing a ceasefire in Gaza.
Albanese said he had spoken with members of the Jewish community “who have not felt safe” and said: “That’s not acceptable.” He added it was wrong to hold Jewish Australians responsible for the actions of the Netanyahu government.
The government plans to soon appoint a similar envoy to combat Islamophobia.
Top news
Man arrested after woman’s body dumped in a rubbish bin | Police said a 45-year-old Coolaroo man was arrested on Tuesday in Glenroy. Though the woman was yet to be formally identified, they believed she was a 67-year-old Coolaroo woman who was known to the man.
China-backed hacker group unmasked | A cyber group acting on behalf of China’s powerful minister of state security stole hundreds of usernames and passport words from one Australian entity in April 2022. The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, said attributing this activity publicly was among “increasingly important tools in deterring malicious cyber activity”.
New safe spaces announced for women and children escaping violence | The Albanese government has announced funding for 720 new safe spaces over the next three years, bringing the total to 1,500 spaces nationally. About 4,200 women and children are supported each year by the current sites.
United Airlines flight loses wheel during take-off in LA | The wheel landed on a car in an airport employee parking lot, breaking a car window. The airline said there were no injuries and it was investigating the cause of the incident after the flight landed safely at its destination in Denver.
Leading House Democrat calls on Biden to end presidential bid | Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the armed services committee in the House of Representatives, is the latest Democrat to call for Biden to end his presidential campaign after last month’s spectacular debate failure. Read about Smith and all the other Democrats who’ve called for Biden to leave the presidential race.
Bob’s Burgers actor pleads guilty over role in Capitol attack | Jay Johnston, 54, faces a maximum of five years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony count of civil disorder. Johnston was also charged with felony obstruction of officers during civil disorder, unlawful entry on restricted buildings or grounds and impeding passage through Capitol grounds.
Reform UK under pressure to prove candidates were real people | A series of candidates listed on the website of the Nigel Farage-led party only show their name and the constituency they stood in, without any information about them or contact details beyond a generic regional email address.
Novak Djokovic attacks ‘disrespectful’ chants | The Serbian took aim at the Wimbledon crowd after defeating Holger Rune in round of 16 on centre court. When an interviewer suggested fans may have been supporting his opponent with their “Ruuuune” chant rather than disrespecting him, Djokovic responded: “They were, I don’t accept it … No. I know they were cheering for Rune but that’s an excuse to also boo.”
Gen Z most likely to host Olympic Games watch party | With an official name now bestowed on Australia’s Olympic rowing team, it’s high time to start planning your Olympic festivities. With 41% of Gen Z respondents surveyed “likely” to host a viewing party, it appears the pizza and soft drink is on them.
In pictures
Why does being right on climate feel so wrong?
It’s a hot topic for scientists all over the world, says cartoonist Fiona Katauskas
What they said …
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“You increase punitive measures, what you get is more crime.” – Catherine Liddle
Liddle, who is the CEO of SNAICC – the national voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children – said this week’s snap three-day lockdown was different to a “circuit-breaker” curfew in April.
In numbers
Those figures don’t give a complete picture as many people do not get tested, according to the Royal College of General Practitioners rural chair Michael Clements, who says cases are likely to climb as the winter virus peak hits warmer areas in August or September.
Before bed read
Mapped: the vast network of security deals spanning the Pacific, and what it means
As competition for influence in the Pacific region intensifies, analysis by the Guardian has mapped a vast network of security, policing and defence agreements between the island countries and foreign partners – leading to concerns about militarisation of the region.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: BISH. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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