Hi there, it's Wednesday, July 27. Here's what you need to get going today.
One thing to know right now: Trump's back in Washington
The ex-president is making his first speech in the capital this morning since leaving office — just after his former vice-president took to a separate Washington stage. Here's the lowdown:
- Mr Pence spoke to conservative student group the Young America’s Foundation and tried to distance himself from his time in the Trump administration:
- He still repeatedly touted the "Trump-Pence administration" through his remarks and is reportedly considering a tilt at the presidency in 2024
- Polls show that Mr Trump remains, by far, the top choice of Republican primary voters, with Mr Pence still far behind
- Mr Trump's spokesperson said he planned to focus on public safety in his remarks at the America First Policy Institute
One thing you’ll be hearing about today: Our inflation figures are coming …
And it won't be pretty — the quarterly figures will show how prices are (still) rising faster than wages. Here's what we know:
- The Consumer Price Index data from the ABS is out at 11:30am AEST — and some economists are predicting the annual figure could pass 6 per cent (and they think 7 per cent by the end of the year)
- It's already over that level overseas — inflation is at a 40-year high of 9.1 per cent in the US and 8.2 per cent in the UK and 7.3 per cent in New Zealand (which is a 32-year high for them)
- If you want a great explainer on how it all works (including what is and isn't counted) head here, or watch this:
News while you snoozed
Let's get you up to speed.
- The decades-old mysterious death of Adelaide's "Somerton Man" might have been solved. A researcher on the case says he's identified the man as Melbourne-born electrical engineer Carl "Charles" Webb. Why was he in Adelaide in 1948? Researcher Derek Abbott said we can't say for sure, but:
- Cashless debit cards are on the chopping block today in federal parliament. Some people on welfare payments had their funds confined to the card, 80 per cent of which can't be spent on alcohol or gambling. It'll be phased out over six months if the legislation is passed
The news Australia is searching for
- International Space Station: Russia's pulling the pin on cooperation here by 2024, and says it'll build its own space outpost
- Women's Euros: Is it coming home this time? England has absolutely annihilated Sweden in the semi-finals of the football championship — they were up 1-0 at half-time but put away another three goals unanswered, winning 4-0. They'll play either Germany or France in the final
One more thing: A crashing end to UK leader debate
It started normally enough — Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss were stating their credentials for the top job as PM.
But the broadcast was immediately cut when presenter Kate McCann fainted, as Ms Truss responded to a question on Vladimir Putin:
The host network, Talk TV, confirmed McCann is OK and neither of the candidates were injured, but the debate was ended in accordance with medical advice
That's it for now
We'll be back later on with more
ABC/wires
