Afternoon Update: Democrats worried after poor Biden performance; Nine to cut 200 jobs; and sharp increase in Victorian motorcyclist fatalities

Good afternoon. Joe Biden frequently struggled to complete his statements and Donald Trump frequently told lies and half truths.

That sums up the first 2024 US presidential debate, where the hopefuls sparred over abortion and tax policy. Biden’s voice was raspy at times and his performance has many Democrats worried about his ability to beat Trump. Some are now calling for Biden to step aside. Meanwhile, the Republican nominee repeated false claims about the January 6 riots and the national debt. Read our factcheck.

Top news

• Nine to cut 200 jobs | The Nine Entertainment chief executive, Mike Sneesby, has told staff he is cutting jobs due to the “economic headwinds” facing the media and end of a deal with Meta, with up to 90 positions to go on legacy mastheads the Sydney Morning Herald, the Age and the Australian Financial Review. The announcement comes only days after Seven West Media said it would axe up to 150 jobs.

• TikTok, Meta talk down news at parliamentary inquiry | TikTok told the inquiry that less than half of 1% of content consumed in Australia is produced by news organisations. However TikTok’s own economic report released earlier this year found that 27.5% of users come to the app for current events and social causes. Meanwhile, Meta warned that “all options are on the table” when asked whether the company will pull news from its platforms in Australia, should it be designated under the news media bargaining code to pay for news.

• Albanese government approves controversial ANZ takeover of Suncorp | ANZ’s hoped-for acquisition of the insurer Suncorp’s banking arm is back on track after the federal treasurer signed off on the deal. The ACCC had knocked back the deal after raising concerns it would further cement the market dominance of the big four banks. ANZ then appealed to the independent Australian Competition Tribunal, which overruled the ACCC.

• Sydney man charged with murder over alleged stabbing of woman | A 42-year-old has been charged after a woman, believed to be in her 50s, was found in her inner-west home with significant stab wounds to her upper body. Police say the man was known to the woman.

• WA man allegedly set up fake free wifi at airports to steal data | A man has been charged after he allegedly set up the “evil twin” wifi networks at Australian airports and on domestic flights to steal personal data from unsuspecting members of the public.

• Russia imposes sanctions against Abbott and Howard | Russia has imposed sanctions against 27 Australians, including the two former prime ministers. In a statement, Russia’s foreign ministry said the sanctions were “in response to politically motivated sanctions against Russian individuals and legal entities”, which it argued was “part of [a] Russophobic campaign by the collective West”.

• US imposes fresh sanctions on Iran | The US has announced fresh sanctions against Iran’s petroleum sector in response to what it described as an expansion of the country’s nuclear program which has provoked renewed fears that it is preparing to build an atomic bomb.

• Deadly Slovakia crash | At least six people have been killed and five others injured after a passenger train and bus collided at a railway crossing in southern Slovakia.

What they said …

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“This was a disaster. Biden’s team needs to convince him to withdraw and have an open convention.” – a House Democrat in a swing state

In numbers

Thirty-five motorcyclists have died on Victorian roads so far this year.

Before bed read

“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. No question. I have never been more mentally stimulated, invigorated and challenged. I had a moment last week where I just collapsed on the floor and just sobbed and was like, ‘I can’t do this’.”

Read this interview with WA actor Sophia Forrest, who talks about outdated consent laws and navigating the industry as a non-binary actor.

Daily word game

Today’s starter word is: RIPE. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.

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