Good morning. We lead today with revelations an Indigenous midwife was referred to by a racist slur on a staff whiteboard at one of Sydney’s largest public hospitals – contributing to her quitting in frustration.
Meanwhile, there are calls for answers after a failed project aiming to re-establish a koala population in an area of south-eastern New South Wales resulted in more than half of the koalas involved dying.
In international news, a former Israeli PM says plans for a “humanitarian city” in southern Gaza would amount to a concentration camp for Palestinians. And Jannik Sinner has outclassed Carlos Alcaraz to take the Wimbledon men’s title.
Australia
Exclusive | An attempt by the NSW government to reintroduce koalas to a forest in the state’s far south has failed after more than half of the moved animals died – something not made public by officials.
‘I was fighting a battle’ | A former midwife at Sydney’s RPA hospital who was referred to by a racist slur on a staff whiteboard says the health system needs to do more to create culturally safe workspaces.
‘Gross over-reach’ | The Labor Friends of Palestine group is urging the government to reject key recommendations from the federal antisemitism envoy, including the adoption of a contested definition of antisemitism.
Queensland politics | The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, has announced a “landmark inquiry” into allegations of violence and cultural issues within the state branch of the CFMEU.
Geopolitics | Australia will refuse any US request to join a “hypothetical” conflict with China over Taiwan, the government says, amid reports the US is seeking such promises in Aukus talks.
World
Air India crash | Families of the Air India crash’s victims are calling for more transparency from investigators after a “vague” initial report into the accident deepened the mystery of what happened.
Gaza crisis | Israel’s “humanitarian city” would be a concentration camp for Palestinians, a former Israeli prime minister said; children waiting to collect water are among Palestinians killed in another bloody weekend in Gaza, Palestinian health officials have said.
Russia-Ukraine war | Vladimir Putin has no apparent desire for peace – and a dose of realism for western leaders would allow Kyiv to focus on halting Russia’s advance, Dan Sabbagh writes.
Trump attack | A new US Senate committee report on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at an election rally in Pennsylvania last year has called the event a “cascade of preventable failures”.
Full Story
South Australia’s algae bloom crisis
South Australia’s coastline is battling a toxic algal bloom. Rising sea temperatures and a lack of action about the unfolding catastrophe have left experts increasingly concerned about the health of the state’s marine ecosystems. Tory Shepherd speaks with Nour Haydar about why experts are saying this disaster is “climate change happening”.
In-depth
Each one of us feels pain. We all stub our toes, burn our fingers, knock our knees and worse. But the problem with living in just one mind and body is that we can never know whether our six out of 10 on the pain scale is the same as the patient in the chair next to us. Celina Ribeiro takes us into a journey into the fascinating science of pain – and explains why when it comes to suffering, perspective is everything.
Not the news
Finalists for 2025 Beaker Street science photography prize will be exhibited at Hobart’s Tasmanian museum and art gallery from 6 to 31 August as part of the Beaker Street festival – and includes the first-ever image of a wild eastern quoll glowing under UV light (above), taken by Benjamin Alldridge.
Sport
Tennis | Jannik Sinner (above) roars back to outclass Carlos Alcaraz in four sets to take his first Wimbledon men’s title; a coaching reset helped Iga Świątek turn her ban nightmare into a Wimbledon dream.
AFL | Fremantle are easy targets but deserve more respect for hitting back, Jonathan Horn writes; AFL bans West Coast player Jack Graham for four matches over homophobic slur.
Cricket | Australian bowlers are hunting for early wickets against the West Indies on day two of their third Test in Kingston, Jamaica; England look to the crowd to spur them on to a final-day Test win against India.
Football | Paris Saint-Germain are taking on Chelsea in the final of the Fifa Club World Cup in New Jersey; Liverpool players and fans remember Diogo Jota in first game since forward’s death.
Cycling | Belgian rider Tim Merlier claims stage nine of the Tour de France, as Mathieu van der Poel falls just short.
Media roundup
In documents accidentally shared with ABC News, Treasury officials have told the Labor government that its budget cannot be fixed without raising taxes. Advocates are warning that some of Victoria’s most vulnerable are increasingly lingering under state guardianship because of NDIS failings, the Age reports.
What’s happening today
Diplomacy | Anthony Albanese is in China for an official visit.
Victoria | The trial of Lachlan Young, accused of Hannah McGuire’s murder, continues in Ballarat.
Defence force | Multinational military exercise Talisman Sabre is under way at Shoalwater Bay along the Queensland coast.
NSW | Hearings are being held in the Icac public inquiry into Transport for NSW employees.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
