Morning everyone. Kamala Harris has picked as her running mate Tim Walz, the progressive Minnesota governor with a history of winning over Republicans. We have extensive reporting on this big story.
At the Olympics we’ve seen an incredible gold for the 14-year-old skateboarder Arisa Trew but an agonising exit for the Boomers.
Plus we reveal a father’s heartache over the investigation into his son’s murder.
Australia
Trew blue | Arisa Trew has become Australia’s youngest ever Olympic gold medallist in winning the skateboarding park event medal overnight at the famous Place de la Concorde. Anthony Albanese has shared a video call with some of Australia’s medal winners to congratulate them on their success.
Reynolds’ ‘pain’ | Linda Reynolds has told a defamation trial she experienced “incredible pain” and at one point left question time and started “sobbing uncontrollably” due to the media scrutiny over Brittany Higgins’ alleged rape. Communications between Higgins and a sexual assault survivor advocate about a fundraising effort will be handed over to Reynolds’ legal team after the senator’s lawyers argued it was an attempt to “capture public opinion”.
Betting balk | A leading anti-gambling advocate has refused to sign a contentious non-disclosure agreement for a briefing with the government about gambling advertising reforms.
Centrepay warnings | A government-appointed reviewer who warned the government of serious problems with its Centrepay debt recovery system 11 years ago says her report was “mostly buried” and ignored.
Turtle danger | The pig-nosed turtle and the Dalhousie catfish are among 13 new species added to Australia’s list of endangered species.
World
‘Honour of a lifetime’ | Kamala Harris has ended days of intense speculation and named Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Ahead of a joint rally in Philadelphia she praised his “convictions on fighting for middle-class families”. Our excellent profile reveals that the former high school teacher, youth football coach and congressman has a record of taking on and defeating Republicans. His record in office is unashamedly progressive but there are some things that could prove a liability, although Republicans have also praised his selection. Our Politics Weekly America podcast also analyses the decision.
England riots | The UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, will chair another emergency meeting to consider how to tackle the violent disorder that has erupted across England. Elon Musk has continued his attacks on Starmer by labelling him “two-tier Keir”.
Shares bounce | Shares on Wall Street have risen along with European markets as the bounce in the ASX on Tuesday was followed overseas. But analysts warned: “We might not be out of the woods.”
Unexpected find | Several packages of cocaine with a street value exceeding $1m have washed up on a Florida beach after Hurricane Debby crashed ashore.
‘Hobbit’ bone | The remains of a member of the smallest ancient human species on record, who stood at just 1 metre tall, have been discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores.
Full Story
How a botched murder investigation left two families broken
Courts and justice reporter Nino Bucci describes how police used flawed identification evidence against a 15-year-old boy after the 2019 stabbing of a Melbourne teenager.
In-depth
“To lose a young man like that, it’s not simple,” says Lual Akech. “And there’s no justice.”
Lual’s 17-year-old son, Aguer, was killed in 2019 during a fight at a Melbourne train station. As we revealed yesterday, the police investigation into his alleged murder was deeply flawed, resulting in a 15-year-old spending a year in custody, before the case against him collapsed. Lual believes the case was mishandled because of how Victoria police treat South Sudanese-Australians. The force strongly rejects this suggestion.
“We’ve been victimised, especially in Victoria,” says Lual. “Are we not human? We should be treated the same way [as other Australians].”
Not the news
What are the best east coast getaways during the winter? Our writers have chipped in with a few suggestions, ranging from hiking and swimming in thermal pools of the Kosciuszko national park to a sauna “you won’t forget” in northern Tasmania.
The world of sport
Boomers blow | The men’s basketball team crashed out when they lost a thrilling quarter-final to Serbia 95-90. It came despite leading by 20 points earlier and after Patty Mills had forced overtime by scoring with 1.4 seconds of regular time left.
Olympic catering | The British swimming star Adam Peaty claims athletes have found worms in their food in Paris as he criticised inadequate catering at the Olympic village.
Paris summit | Australia’s Oceana Mackenzie is among those who has plotted a route to the finals of sport climbing in what is a part mental puzzle, part physical challenge.
Media roundup
The Age leads with tributes to the three-time Maribyrnong mayor and “rising Labor star” Sarah Carter who was found dead at her home in Melbourne. Financial traders have told the Fin Review they don’t believe the Reserve Bank chief’s warning yesterday that there is no rate cut in sight and are still betting on a cut this year. Border protection authorities have intercepted at least four suspected illegal fishing boats off WA’s Kimberley coast, the West Australian says.
What’s happening today
Sydney | Hearing in Uber’s case against New South Wales state revenue commissioner.
Indigenous affairs | Jack Thompson delivers the Vincent Lingiari lecture.
Environment | Tanya Plibersek joins a webinar on strengthening nature laws.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
