Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update.
Kamala Harris has shrugged off Donald Trump’s attempts to bring into question the US vice-president’s racial identity, telling a rally in Texas that “America deserves better”.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee labelled Trump’s interview with the National Association of Black Journalists “the same old show” – indeed, one that finished after 34 minutes, well below it’s expected hour runtime. Harris appeared unruffled and kept her remarks on Trump’s comments brief.
During his contentious interview, Trump said he “didn’t know [Harris] was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black.” The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, called Trump’s remarks “repulsive”.
JD Vance was quick to defend his potential future boss. Trump, however, had less than encouraging words for his VP pick.
Top news
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Queen Mary asked to intervene in arrest of Sea Shepherd founder | The former Greens leader Bob Brown has urged Tasmanian-born Queen Mary of Denmark to intervene after high-profile anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson was arrested in Danish-controlled waters, after a Japanese notice for his arrest was issued through Interpol.
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Arrests following Australian of the Year betting scandal | Three men have now been charged, one accused of using insider information, since alleged betting irregularities were detected by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission in relation to previous Australian of the Year awards.
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Melbourne’s ‘explosive’ legionnaires’ disease outbreak expected to grow | The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, says the outbreak will probably grow beyond the 40 cases already confirmed, with authorities working to track down the source. She says the health department is testing and cleaning cooling towers across the city in response to the outbreak.
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Charges laid following Southport stabbings | A 17-year-old boy has been charged with murder and attempted murder after 13 people, including 11 children, were stabbed at a dance class in Southport, England. Violence has flared in Manchester after rioting elsewhere sparked by disinformation about the suspect.
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Accused 9/11 plotters plead guilty | Defence lawyers for the accused, including the self-proclaimed mastermind of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, requested the men receive life sentences in exchange agreeing to plea deals. Officials declined to immediately release the full terms of the plea bargains.
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Venezuela’s leader blames unrest on far-right conspiracy as isolation grows | Nicolás Maduro has gone on the offensive after suspicions he stole last Sunday’s presidential election. Venezuela has been plunged into turmoil and diplomatic isolation. The authoritarian leader accused “perverse and macabre” electoral rivals being behind the unrest.
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Felled Sycamore Gap tree may live on | When the Sycamore Gap tree fell last year, it made a sound heard all over the world. But the saga has brought some “astonishing” green shoots of recovery, the National Trust said – in a literal and metaphorical sense.
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Wolf sparks warning | Dutch authorities have warned visitors with small children to avoid a forested area in the central Netherlands after several “disturbing” incidents involving a wolf, including a young girl who was bitten and a young boy knocked over but uninjured.
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Olympic Games: Australians in action on day six in Paris | Australia’s golden generation of footballers may have fizzed out as the Matildas’ Olympic collapse exposes wider frailties, but the Games are far from over. Don’t miss any Day 6 action thanks to our helpful guide.
In pictures
Is there a proven way to help close the gap?
It helps to think local, says cartoonist Fiona Katauskas.
What they said …
“You could be one slip, fall or illness away from this” – Marayke Jonkers, the interim president of People with Disability Australia.
Disability advocacy groups have reacted with dismay after only 13 of the 222 recommendations handed down from Wednesday’s disability royal commission were accepted by the federal government. Jonkers issued a reminder that people at the heart of the commission are “people’s loved ones”.
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In numbers
Scammers are duping Australian taxpayers by fraudulently accessing online government accounts during the annual June rush to complete tax returns. We look at how users can protect their ATO refunds.
Before bed read
Rex Airlines holds a special place in the heart of country Australia. What would we do without it?
I moved to Sydney knowing I was only a short flight – rather than seven-hour drive – from my home town. I’m devastated that may no longer be an option, writes Guardian Australia’s Claire Keenan.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: OAST. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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