Good morning. It was one of the most anticipated showdowns of the Olympics and it didn’t disappoint for drama. The 200m freestyle final saw Mollie O’Callaghan power to Olympic gold, ahead of her arch-rival Ariarne Titmus in silver. O’Callaghan set a new Olympic record with a blistering finish. Earlier, Chris Burton won the eventing silver for Australia – on a borrowed horse.
Multiple academics have spoken to Guardian Australia about the number of university students who struggle with “basic English” but still receive degrees, saying the integrity of the tertiary sector is under threat – and the rise of AI is accelerating the crisis.
New polling suggests Australians are warming to the idea of a second Donald Trump presidency – and questions linger over the collapse of budget airline Bonza.
Australia
University integrity | Academics say they are under pressure to pass students who hand in written work that far exceeds their English language proficiency.
Essential poll | Latest polling suggests Australians are feeling less opposed to a Donald Trump presidency than four years ago – and less sure the Aukus agreement will make Australia more secure.
Exclusive | Documents reveal the government turned down a plea from budget airline Bonza for financial assistance 10 days before it entered voluntary administration and ultimately collapsed.
Amber Haigh murder trial | The married couple on trial for murdering Amber Haigh initially gave police investigators differing versions of their alleged final car journey with the teenager, a court has heard.
Renting crisis | Rental advocates are warning about the potential for mass no-grounds evictions in NSW between now and the end of the year.
World
UK stabbings | A 17-year-old boy is in custody after two children were killed and nine others injured in a “ferocious” stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside.
On the edge? | Nicolás Maduro’s claim of victory in Venezuela’s presidential election has brought the country to a hazardous standoff, with his opponents accusing him of rigging the vote.
US politics | Kamala Harris will announce her vice-presidential pick in the “next six, seven days”; Donald Trump has sparked alarm after telling voters that if he wins the presidency in November, they would never need to vote again; JD Vance called Trump “morally reprehensible” in resurfaced emails.
Middle East crisis | Israeli drones have hit southern Lebanon as tensions mount over the Golan Heights rocket attack; an Israeli inquest into alleged abuse of Palestinian detainees has sparked far-right fury.
Up in arms | Caracas has erupted in a pots-and-pans banging protest as locals expressed outrage at Nicolás Maduro claiming victory in Venezuela’s disputed presidential election.
Full Story
Can Anthony Albanese’s new cabinet win the next election?
The resignation of two senior ministers has given the prime minister the chance to refresh his cabinet and also solve some political problems. Karen Middleton talks with Nour Haydar about whether Labor’s new line-up has what it takes to secure the party a second term in government.
In-depth
After 18 months of record-breaking ocean temperatures, the planet’s reefs are in the middle of the most widespread heat-stress event on record. Across the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans, latest figures that show 73% of the world’s corals have been hit with enough heat for them to begin bleaching. A vast array of solutions are being worked on but experts are urging a “fundamental rethink” on how to protect reefs – with temperatures forecast to climb even higher in coming decades.
Not the news
During long stretches of Covid lockdowns the Los Angeles-based standup comedian Atsuko Okatsuka began connecting directly with audiences online. She is now instantly recognisable, having earned a huge following for her comedy and dance videos with her equally popular grandma. Ahead of the Australian leg of her world tour, Okatsuka talks about family, feeling like a “freak”, and circumventing industry racism.
The world of sport
Olympics | Mollie O’Callaghan won gold in a blockbuster 200m freestyle final, ahead of Ariarne Titmus in silver; Chris Burton wins Olympic eventing silver on Shadow Man at the Chateau de Versailles; Harry Garside’s Olympic boxing dream ends after just nine minutes.
Covid concern | Team GB swimmer Adam Peaty’s Olympic hopes have suffered a blow after a positive test result.
Tennis | Top seed Novak Djokovic held off old rival Rafael Nadal to progress in the Olympic men’s singles.
Motorsport | Carlos Sainz has signed a two-year F1 deal to drive for Williams from 2025.
Media roundup
The Australian claims the number of surveillance flights looking for people smuggling boats off north-west Australia has fallen 22% in the past two years. Australian businesses are paying untold amounts of ransom to hackers, but the government is hoping to claw back some visibility with a landmark cyber security law, reports ABC News. The Courier Mail says new documents reveal new delays to the Queensland government’s multibillion-dollar Cross River Rail project.
What’s happening today
Politics | Queensland budget estimates are scheduled to be heard.
Victoria | A court mention is due for a couple charged with modern slavery offences in Melbourne.
NSW | The trial of Robert and Anne Geeves, accused of the murder of Amber Haigh, continues at the supreme court.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
