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Key posts

  • Liberals workshop replacements for Scott Morrison, Marise Payne
  • Putin declares victory in eastern Ukraine region of Luhansk
  • “We are not out of the danger yet”: Sydney suburbs go under again
  • Multiple fatalities after Chicago shooting
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Liberals workshop replacements for Scott Morrison, Marise Payne

A trio of Liberal women have emerged as frontrunners to replace Marise Payne in the Senate amid growing expectation in the Liberal Party that the former foreign minister will step down after the NSW state election in March 2023.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne speaking to the media earlier this year with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.Credit:Renee Nowytarger

Discussions are also under way about who could replace former prime minister Scott Morrison in the seat of Cook – if he chooses to walk away – with a number of candidates touted.

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age spoke to nine current federal and state parliamentarians from NSW and their unanimous view was that Payne, who took on the behind-the-scenes role of shadow cabinet secretary after the election loss, would not serve a full six-year term in the new parliament.

Read the full story here.

Putin declares victory in eastern Ukraine region of Luhansk

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared victory in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, one day after Ukrainian forces withdrew from their last remaining bulwark of resistance in the province.

Ukrainian firefighters work to extinguish a fire at damaged residential building in Lysychansk at the weekend.Credit:Luhansk region military administration

Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to Putin in a televised meeting Monday that Russian forces had taken control of Luhansk, which together with the neighboring Donetsk province makes up Ukraine’s industrial heartland of Donbas.

Shoigu told Putin that “the operation” was completed on Sunday after Russian troops overran the city of Lysychansk, the last stronghold of Ukrainian forces in Luhansk.

Anthony Albanese has pledged $100 million more to Ukraine’s war effort after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky face-to-face in a historic first trip by an Australian prime minister to the war-torn country, boosting Australia’s aid efforts higher than that of some European allies.

Read full story here.

AP

“We are not out of the danger yet”: Sydney suburbs go under again

Despite less rainfall in Sydney, authorities remain concerned about overflowing rivers, coastal erosion, damaging wind and hazardous surf conditions, with NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York warning, “We are not out of the danger yet.”

Lansvale resident Nancy Streeta is evacuated by the NSW SES Kogarah Unit. Credit:Brook Mitchell

There had been more than 3900 requests for assistance and more than 85 flood rescues as of Monday 3pm. While some residents in western Sydney have been told they may return home, authorities are urging people not to move through floodwaters.

The three-person crew of a tugboat saved the state from disaster on Monday after a stricken cargo ship carrying hundreds of tonnes of fuel oil lost its engine in a storm and drifted powerlessly towards the cliffs of the Royal National Park.

Read the full story here.

Multiple fatalities after Chicago shooting

Six people were killed and about two dozen were injured after a rooftop gunman opened fire at a Fourth of July parade in the wealthy Chicago suburb of Highland Park on Monday, officials said, as panicked spectators fled the scene.

A Lake County police officer walks down Central Ave in Highland Park on Monday.Credit:Brian Cassella

Officials told a news conference that six people were killed and 24 taken to hospital, and that a rifle was recovered from the scene. A hospital spokesperson reported 31 people were injured.

Police were searching for a white male, believed to be about 18 to 20 years old, and asked the public for tips to help find him.

Read the full story here.

Today’s headlines at a glance

Good morning and thanks for your company.

It’s Tuesday, July 5. I’m Timna Jacks and I’ll be anchoring our live coverage for the first half of the day.

Here’s what you need to know before we get started.

  • The Reserve Bank will impose the third interest rate rise on home buyers in as many months on Tuesday as signs grow the nation’s jobs market is increasingly tight with foreigners looking to get employment in Australia.
  • Six people were killed and about two dozen were injured after a rooftop gunman opened fire at a Fourth of July parade in the wealthy Chicago suburb of Highland Park on Monday, officials said.
  • Despite less rainfall in Sydney, authorities remain concerned about overflowing rivers, coastal erosion, damaging wind and hazardous surf conditions, with NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York warning, “We are not out of the danger yet.”
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared victory in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, one day after Ukrainian forces withdrew from their last remaining bulwark of resistance in the province.
  • Households will pay an average of up to $70 each when the cost of last month’s extraordinary electricity market intervention flows through to retail bills, but the division of the payments has prompted a warning the cost will be unevenly levied on those who can least afford it.
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