Good morning. The cause of a Taipan ADF helicopter crash is still unknown and is being probed by investigators who arrived in Queensland yesterday, as the search for the four missing aviators and the remainder of their aircraft continues. It’s the second time an Australian Taipan has crashed this year after one ditched into waters off the NSW south coast in March, and the remainder of defence’s MRH-90 fleet has been grounded until investigators have a better idea of why the crash happened.
Meanwhile, there’s glorious uncertainty heading into the final day of the Ashes, and a bomb blast killed at least 44 people in Pakistan. Plus we take a close look at ugly fruit.
Australia
Electric vehicles | Electric vehicle sales during the first half of 2023 already eclipsed last year’s annual total, though the industry warns that a federal policy vacuum is hampering consumer choice.
Missing chopper | Taipan helicopters might never be flown again by the Australian defence force after a crash during military training exercises in waters off Queensland on Friday.
After the flood | In this photo essay, David Maurice Smith collects striking images from the aftermath of the biggest flood in modern Australian history.
Exclusive | NSW police used force against Indigenous Australians at vastly disproportionate rates during the past three years, internal police data shows.
Climate crisis | The independent senator David Pocock will call for a duty of care in Australian law that would require governments to consider the impact of climate harm on young people in their decision-making.
World
Pakistan bombing | At least 44 people were killed and more than 150 injured in a bomb blast in Pakistan’s north-west that targeted a political party gathering.
US presidency | Donald Trump’s campaign for president is a far cry from his victorious run for the White House in 2016, said his fellow Republican and New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu, who likened Trump’s campaign to the rerun of a soap opera.
Niger coup | A powerful bloc of west African states suspended ties with Niger after a coup there and authorised the possible use of force if the country’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, is not released and reinstated.
Twitter | Kanye West’s account on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, was reinstated almost eight months after he tweeted an image of a swastika blended with a Star of David.
Housing | A disused four-storey stairwell at the back of a Starbucks in south-west London became the latest peculiar piece of property to go on sale in London’s feverish housing market.
Full Story
Rape culture, the ‘good bloke’ myth and sex ed
In the same week a sex education book for teens was pulled from a major retailer’s shelves, a Senate inquiry heard shocking evidence of how universities are failing victims of sexual violence. Guardian Australia political reporter Amy Remeikis speaks to Gabrielle Jackson about the need to reform Australia’s consent laws.
In-depth
Up to 50% of Australian citrus is rejected by food retailers and left on farms to rot, says Josh Ball, co-founder of imperfect box delivery company Farmers Pick.
Awkward potatoes, conjoined carrots, bulging strawberries and hail-blemished oranges have long had an image problem. But the ugly – or imperfect – food movement is, however, gathering momentum as entrepreneurs seek to change our perceptions and food prices rise. Now supermarkets – among those rejecting such produce in the first place – want in on the action.
Not the news
From the climate crisis to so-called culture wars to the internet slowly demolishing our brains: We all seem to read a lot these days about alarming things that are getting worse. Here’s the counterpoint – a list of 13 causes for hope amid some of the world’s bleakest problems. Happy Monday!
The world of sport
Fifa | Uncertainty remains over Sam Kerr’s role in Australia’s must-win match today. Meanwhile, New Zealand crashed out of the Women’s World Cup in a stalemate with Switzerland.
Ashes cricket | Stuart Broad hit his last ball in test cricket for six – before rain, the pitch and Australia’s openers frustrated England on the fourth day of the fifth Ashes test. Here’s a preview of what to expect on the final day.
Netball | At the other World Cup, the Diamonds beat Tonga and England led Malawi.
Rugby | The woebegone Wallabies bombed out again in a Bledisloe Cup blowout.
AFL | The GWS forward Toby Greene has walked a troubled track over the years, but when at his brilliant best, as at the weekend, all the pain is worth it, writes Jonathan Horn in Sportsblog.
Media roundup
Lots of stories today about the missing ADF aircrew, including tributes from their friends in the Age. The Australian reports that Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have set up a political fight over transitioning more than 300,000 Australians in long-term unemployment off welfare. SBS has a story about the Afghan women’s football team, who have been in Australia as refugees for the past two years – but are barred from playing in the Fifa World Cup. The ABC reports on Australians selling recently purchased homes due to mortgage stress.
What’s happening today
Federal parliament | The House of Representatives and the Senate are both sitting today in Canberra.
Lehrmann case | The chair of the Board of Inquiry into the criminal justice system in the ACT, Walter Sofronoff, is due to deliver a copy of its draft recommendations to the ACT government.
Community Cabinet | The NSW premier Chris Minns and the minister for western Sydney, Prue Car, will speak at the first Community Cabinet of the Labor government.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
