Morning everyone. Our top story this morning is that the attorney general has approved legal assistance for Anthony Albanese and Bill Shorten in relation to defamation threats by a business associate of the former Liberal minister Stuart Robert. We have the full story, plus how “sook” became the political insult of the moment, a federal Labor stalwart announces he is stepping down as an MP, divers have found the bodies of five of the six people missing in the Sicily yacht sinking, and it’s the turn of Tim Walz to address the Democratic party convention.
Australia
Exclusive | The Victorian government has spent $3.3m on upgrades to the outgoing Myki public transport ticketing system shortly before the new system comes online, data obtained by Guardian Australia reveals.
Legal help | The attorney general has approved legal assistance “in relation to a defamation claim” made against Anthony Albanese and for defamation claims against Bill Shorten, according to documents tabled to parliament.
Exclusive | After almost two decades as a federal Labor MP, Graham Perrett has decided to retire, setting up a battle in his marginal Queensland seat.
Firm suspended | The federal government has suspended research consultancy McNair yellowSquares from further work until an investigation is conducted into allegations it fabricated data on Indigenous communities during last year’s failed referendum process.
‘Very bad’ | Peter Dutton’s comments about people escaping the bloodshed in Gaza are hurtful and “very bad for cohesion and harmony”, according to Palestine’s de facto ambassador to Australia.
World
Wreck find | Divers searching for six people missing after a luxury yacht owned by the family of UK entrepreneur Mike Lynch sank off Sicily have found five bodies although their identities have not been disclosed yet.
Walz on stage | Tim Walz, Bill Clinton and Nancy Pelosi are today’s main speakers at the Democratic party convention in Chicago, while Michelle Obama has been praised for yesterday’s “small is petty” takedown of Trump. You can follow developments with our live blog here. Away from the razzmatazz in Chicago, Kamala Harris is scrambling to secure votes in the battleground states.
Hezbollah attack | Hezbollah launched more than 50 rockets and a swarm of drones into northern Israel overnight, wounding one person, a day after Hamas and Israel poured cold water on any prospect of a ceasefire.
Tate raid | Masked armed police raided the Bucharest home of the misogynist social media influencer Andrew Tate on Wednesday amid fresh claims about trafficking and underage sex.
Trump trap | Vladimir Putin exploited Donald Trump’s “ego and insecurities” to exert an almost mesmeric hold over the former US president, according to a new memoir by his former national security adviser, HR McMaster.
Full Story
The debate over daylight saving
Tamsin Rose speaks to rural and regional editor Calla Wahlquist and columnist Gabrielle Chan about the recurring debate over whether daylight saving should be scrapped.
In-depth
There has been an increased use of the term sook during the current fractious sitting fortnight. From its old Scots origins meaning “suck”, Tory Shepherd looks at how the word has been used recently and where it sits in the lexicon alongside “snowflake”, “bedwetter” or “old jellyback”. But retiring MP Graham Perrett says no one puts too much thought into specific words in the febrile atmosphere of question time. “When you’re in that jungle you just go straight back to grade 5 instincts. It’s tooth and claw on that floor.”
Not the news
In the latest instalment of our critic’s pick feature, Jack Tregoning extols the virtues of the energetic Brisbane DJ duo X Club. The pair, Ben Clarke and Jesse Morath, hit their stride during the pandemic and have built a loyal following of clubbers from around the world after moving to London when borders reopened. They are on tour now in Europe before returning to these shores for a set on the Gold Coast in December.
The world of sport
Rugby league | Ron Coote, the legendary Souths and Roosters lock who won six premierships in the 60s and 70s, has been named rugby league’s 14th Immortal at ceremony is Sydney last night.
Women’s football | The first Asia Women’s Champions League gets under way this weekend with Melbourne City among the serious contenders for the crown.
Cricket | A battling 72 from Sri Lanka’s number nine Milan Rathnayake helped his team recover from a horror start against England in the first test at Old Trafford. The tourists were all out for 236 with England 0-22 at the close.
Media roundup
Victoria’s elite private schools are moving away from competitive sport, according to the Herald Sun, amid “growing aversion to (non-academic) competition in Atar factories”. Sydney’s new metro line is taking passengers away from traditional rail stations only days after opening, the Sydney Morning Herald claims. Members at one of Adelaide’s most exclusive gyms have told the Advertiser that they are in revolt about poor facilities, including showers out of action, broken equipment and a “freezing” pool.
What’s happening today
Melbourne | Interim judgment in defamation case against Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto brought by MP Moira Deeming.
Domestic violence | Federal government to receive the full independent rapid review into family violence.
Sign up
If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. And check out the full list of our local and international newsletters, including The Stakes, your guide to the twists and turns of the US presidential election.
Prefer notifications? If you’re reading this in our app, just click here and tap “Notifications” on the next screen for an instant alert when we publish every morning.
Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
