Good afternoon. The “Tony Soprano” of Australia’s cocaine trade has been shot dead in a dramatic daytime hit in Sydney’s Bondi Junction, raising concerns of growing gang violence in the city.
Drug kingpin Alen Moradian was killed in his car in an underground car park this morning.
And in Melbourne’s north-west, a teenager found lying on the road with suspected stab wounds died on his way to hospital. Police believe two assailants fatally stabbed the boy in “a targeted assault on the victim”.
Top news
Victoria police racial bias | Victoria police is facing accusations of racial profiling after a new report revealed people with African, Middle Eastern and First Nations appearances were up to four times more likely to be fined for Covid-related breaches. More than 20% of fines were issued to people of African and Middle Eastern appearance, despite them only making up about 5% of the Victorian population. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people accounted for nearly 3% of all fines, yet make up just 1% of the state’s population.
AFL racism | Many AFL and AFLW players believe a “culture of silence” permeates through the game, leaving them fearful of the potential consequences of speaking out about important issues such as racism. A new report found that 77% of AFLW and 40% of AFL Indigenous or multicultural players reported not being satisfied with how a racism incident was handled once reported. And over in the UK, a landmark report found that English cricket was “racist, sexist and elitist”.
Western Sydney airport flight paths | Proposed flight paths released today will subject some suburbs to noise pollution in excess of 70 decibels, or washing machine-level. The World Health Organization’s recommended aircraft noise level is 45db.
Dolphin baby talk | They socialise, play and display unique personality traits like humans. And now it has been discovered that dolphins do something else that people do – they coo to their babies. A study found that female bottlenose dolphins change their tone when addressing their calves, using a kind of high-pitched baby talk.
Trump admits military paper was classified | A recording that was made at Donald Trump’s Bedminster, New Jersey golf club in July 2021, and obtained by CNN, reveals the ex-president discussing a Pentagon paper detailing plans to attack Iran with people who did not have security clearances. It provides new evidence that Trump – who has been indicted for mishandling classified information – knew of proper declassification procedures.
JPMorgan settles with Epstein victims | A US judge has granted preliminary approval to JPMorgan Chase’s US$290m (A$432m) settlement with women who said the largest US bank ignored the late financier’s sex trafficking.
NZ boatshed sells for $2m – without a toilet | The shed does not include a bedroom, toilet, or full legal title, and zoning rules mean it cannot be inhabited or stayed in overnight – but it still sold at auction for NZ$2,000,050 (A$1.84m).
Texas jet engine death | David Renner, a 27-year-old airport worker, was killed last week after being sucked into a jet engine. Authorities have determined Renner took his own life, all but closing a case that made news headlines across the US.
In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. International helplines can be found at befrienders.org
In pictures
If you’re in France this northern summer, why not pop into Versailles to check out Marie Antoinette’s private apartment? The rooms, which were hidden behind a door in the queen’s bedroom, have reopened as part of the palace’s 400th anniversary.
What they said …
According to the ATP website, Nick Kyrgios has earned US$12,486,696 (A$18,587,071) over his professional career. But the Australian tennis player is keen to reap the financial rewards of any lucrative Saudi deal.
In numbers
The PM’s approval has fallen to its lowest level since the 2022 election and almost half of voters think Australia is heading in the wrong direction, the latest Guardian Essential poll suggests.
Before bed read
There’s a whole lot of arguing – some of it misinformation – and not a lot of listening with regards to the Indigenous voice. Arrernte woman and writer Celeste Liddle explains why neither campaign is convincing:
“I remain an undecided vote, and I feel stuck,” she writes. “Voting yes means putting my faith in people and systems who have never earned that trust and are unlikely to ever do so. Simultaneously, voting no feels like giving in to rabid racists so the clock gets set back generations as unfortunately, few in society appear to be listening to the very real and doable pathways forward that the sovereignty activists are promoting.”
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: TERM. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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