Morning Mail: fresh details of South China Sea flashpoint, Clooney adds to pressure on Biden, de Minaur pulls out
Good morning. Our top story this morning is an exclusive story about a standoff between the Australian military and China in the South China Sea which underlines rising tensions in the region.
Plus, actor and top Democratic fundraiser George Clooney has joined calls for Joe Biden to stand down, we have the latest on a shocking triple murder and manhunt in the UK, and Alex de Minaur is devastated after pulling out of Wimbledon ahead of his much-anticipated showdown with Novak Djokovic.
Australia
De Minaur ‘devastated’ | A “devastated” Alex de Minaur was forced to pull out of Wimbledon last night with a hip injury, denying him the biggest stage of his career so far and gifting his last-eight opponent Novak Djokovic free passage into the semi-finals.
Exclusive | An Australian helicopter was flying south-east of China’s Shandong peninsula but outside its territorial waters when a Chinese fighter aircraft released flares in its path, new documents show.
Renting headache | The New South Wales government has been accused of failing renters by delaying legislation to end no-grounds evictions as demand for legal aid spikes across Sydney.
Murderer ‘released’ | The immigration minister, Andrew Giles, had released one murderer and one person convicted of “attempt or solicit murder” into community detention even before the high court ruled that indefinite immigration detention was unlawful.
Data drain | Soaring electricity demand from datacentres could strain supplies and contribute to much higher prices unless tech firms agree to act like aluminium smelters that can power up or down to support the grid, an energy analyst says.
World
Triple murder | A British army veteran wanted in connection with the death of three women in a suspected crossbow attack in Hertfordshire has been captured after being found with injuries, police have said. Kyle Clifford, 26, was named as a suspect by police after the deaths of Carol Hunt and two of her daughters Hannah and Louise – the wife and daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt (pictured with his wife).
Democrats divided | A Democratic senator has predicted Donald Trump will defeat Joe Biden in a “landslide” and the actor and party fundraiser George Clooney added his weight to calls for the president to stand down. However, the House Democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi, said it was up to Biden “to decide if he’s going to run”. We’ve got more in Full Story below.
Ban lifted | A travel ban imposed by Dubai authorities on Tori Towey, an Irish woman who was reportedly charged with attempted suicide, has been lifted, according to the Dublin government.
Ukraine boost | The first F-16 fighter jets are on their way to Ukraine and will be flying sorties this summer, according to a statement from the Dutch and Danish governments that was released by the White House at the Nato summit.
Endurance test | A protective ring around the Shackleton’s Endurance, one of the most famous shipwrecks of all time, is to be widened from 500m to 1500m in order to restrict activities close to the vessel.
Full Story
Is it time for Joe to go?
Guardian US political correspondent Lauren Gambino tells Nour Haydar why the Democrats are torn over who should lead them to the next election and just how critical the coming weeks are for Joe Biden’s campaign.
In-depth
The biggest Australian online bookshop Booktopia has gone bust and Amazon offshoot Book Depository has also closed recently leaving a big hole in the market. But although things look a bit bleak, there are some excellent alternatives: shops such as family-owned chain Dymocks and The Nile can mail your next read to your door. Elissa Blake goes shopping around.
Not the news
This week’s consumer problem is one of the most trying of all – how to get your money back if you buy something that doesn’t work properly. A reader has written in to Kat George about how she bought an Apple HomePod mini speaker but couldn’t get it to work with her wifi network. Apple refused a refund. What can she do?
The world of sport
Euro 2024 | England are playing the Netherlands in Dortmund this morning for the right to face Spain in Sunday’s final.
Tennis | Elena Rybakina powered past Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-2 to reach Wimbledon semi-final and cement her status as tournament favourite.
Cricket | England’s quick Gus Atkinson took 7-45 on his debut as the hosts took command of the first Test by dismissing the West Indies for 121 at Lord’s and posting 189-3 in reply.
Media roundup
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that universities are lowering their Atar demands in favour of special entry tests. The Fin Review says a shortage of international shipping could mean prices for imported goods remain higher for longer. The Age looks into how one of Melbourne’s most famous buildings remains derelict and in limbo 10 years after it was spruiked as a new gateway to the city. The Adelaide Advertiser claims Katy Perry is being lined up to perform at the AFL grand final.
What’s happening today
Northern Territory | Decision expected on Alice Springs curfew extension
Washington | Defence minister Richard Marles is at the Nato summit in Washington.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
