Morning everyone. Older Australians have been left “dumbfounded” by the huge payouts they had to make to a home equity release scheme after they sold their homes, a Guardian investigation has found. We also have the latest on the Fatima Payman saga, pictures from the Midwinter Ball, Joe Biden vows to fight on, and Thanasi Kokkinakis wins a Wimbledon classic.
Australia
Midwinter Ball | It was Canberra’s night of nights last night with the Midwinter Ball bringing the political class out in all their finery, and even an actual celebrity, Rachel Griffiths (pictured with the home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil).
Exclusive | The Albanese government will strike a new funding deal with Papua New Guinea to support asylum seekers after the country threatened to send them back to Australia unless a fresh agreement was signed.
Payman support | A Labor branch in Anthony Albanese’s own electorate has passed a motion expressing support for the dissident senator Fatima Payman, even as expectations grow she is poised to quit the party.
Exclusive | Sydney is running out of landfill and an “emerging weak link” in the plan for how the city manages solid waste in the future could see uncollected garbage left piling up at hospitals and other businesses, experts warn.
Koala ban | Cuddling koalas has been banned by Queensland’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary but other states have even stricter laws on how much the endangered animal can bear.
World
Sleepy Joe? | Joe Biden and Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance on a campaign call and told staffers “no one is pushing me out” of the presidential race. Biden is preparing to meet with party governors after his admission he nearly fell asleep during the disastrous presidential debate last week. The White House denied reports that he is considering stepping down, while here are six possible replacements as Democratic nominee.
UK election | Rishi Sunak has confided to members of his inner circle that he is fearful of losing his normally ultra-safe Yorkshire constituency at the UK general election, the Guardian has been told. One of Sunak’s most loyal cabinet allies said Labour is heading for “the largest majority any party has ever achieved”.
French fracture | France’s prime minister has said nationwide efforts to prevent Marine Le Pen’s National Rally winning an outright majority in parliament could succeed after more than 200 candidates pulled out of Sunday’s legislative election runoff to avoid splitting the anti-far right vote.
Weight watch | People who have been prescribed a weight-loss injection could be at a higher risk of developing an eye condition which can lead to blindness, a study has found.
The first picture story | The world’s oldest known picture story is a cave painting almost 6,000 years older than the previous record holder, found about 10km away on the same island in Indonesia, archaeologists have said.
Full Story
Who is Keir Starmer?
By the end of the week, Keir Starmer could be the UK’s next prime minister. Why do voters in the UK general election feel they don’t know him?
In-depth
For Leonard Wolfenden, the implications of his Homesafe deal were enormous. In exchange for an advance of about $80,000, the “home equity release” scheme claimed 54% of the sale proceeds of his Melbourne home when he sold 13 years later. After Homesafe took its share, he was left with just $235,000 – not enough to buy the small unit he had planned to downsize to, and meaning he spent his last years of life living with his daughter, away from his community, and on a strict budget. Guardian Australia’s investigation into Homesafe has found that customers as old as 89 have signed up to deals that experts have warned are “opaque” and “obtuse”. The company said: “The Homesafe contract is transparent, and our customers enjoy the certainty of being debt free and protecting their lifetime tenancy in their homes.”
Not the news
The third series of the hit Disney+ series The Bear, which follows the fortunes of a Chicago chef Carmy, launched last week to give its fans more details to obsess over. For eagle-eyed viewers here that includes the presence of notable Australian cookbooks such as Peter Gilmore’s Quay: Food Inspired by Nature in Carmy’s apartment and on the shelves of his restaurant, writes Lee Tran Lam.
The world of sport
Wimbledon | Thanasi Kokkinakis has progressed to the third round of Wimbledon after an epic five-set, rain-affected victory over the 17th seed, Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime. It was needed after Jordan Thompson bowed out tamely and Aleksandar Vukic lost to brilliant champion Carlos Alcaraz. Britain’s Emma Raducanu lit up the day with a demolition of Elise Mertens as female players pushed the boundaries with their fashion choices.
Cycling | Mark Cavendish became the most prolific stage winner in the history of the Tour de France after a 35th victory in Saint-Vulbas to overhaul Eddy Merckx’s long-held mark.
NBA | LeBron James has reportedly agreed a new two-year contract with the LA Lakers for a record-equalling 22nd season where he could play with his son Bronny.
Media roundup
Office property valuations have fallen 10% amid forecasts they could fall further, the Sydney Morning Herald warns. Drivers of ultra high-powered cars will have to undergo extra training in South Australia after teenager Sophia Naismith was killed when a Lamborghini mounted a footpath, the Advertiser reports. The search for a 12-year-old girl missing in a creek has entered the “recovery stage” the NT News reports.
What’s happening today
Toowoomba | Bruce Lehrmann committal hearing.
Resources | Judgment and hearing at the federal court in Adelaide on Tiwi traditional owners’ challenge to Santos pipeline.
Economy | ABS releases international trade figures.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
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