The Loop: Swimmer Emma McKeon makes history, more space junk in NSW, and cycling accidents at Commonwealth Games

Hi, over there. He Monday, August 1st, and you’re reading The Loop, today’s news summary.

One thing to know: Australian house prices are falling, and fast

A new report from analytics firm CoreLogic has found that house prices in Australia are down at the fastest pace since the global financial crisis in 2008 and market conditions are “likely to worsen” as interest rates continue to rise.

Data showed the country’s median property value fell 2 percent since early May to $747,182 (including homes and apartments).

But the numbers vary depending on the location, so here’s a breakdown of what’s happening in the big cities:

Property prices in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart fell sharply in July.(Core Logic)

Economists expect Australian house prices to fall between 12 and 20 percent after recently hitting record highs.

Today we heard a lot about China’s influence in the Solomon Islands

Big investigation by Four Corners has revealed details of how money from Beijing has helped keep the controversial Solomon Islands leader in power.

It also reveals how China is pursuing economic opportunities in the Solomon Islands to enhance its strategic interests in the Pacific.

A Chinese state-owned company is negotiating to buy the country’s deep-sea port and World War II airstrip.

You can read the full report from the Four Corners team here.

This is what happened when Four Corners tried to film a Chinese business in the Solomon Islands as part of an investigation…

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.

Watch what happens when Four Corners tries to record Chinese business in the Solomon Islands

News you might have missed

• Australian Swimmer Emma McKeon has won a record-breaking 11th Commonwealth Games gold medal, overtaking sports legends such as Ian Thorpe and Leisel Jones to have the most gold medals of any Commonwealth Games athlete. On social media she described the moment as a “huge milestone” in her career

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• You may remember that last week we reported what it looked like big chunks of space junk found in the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales. Well, the whereabouts of another large piece have now been revealed (well, to Earth, to be precise). It is also believed to be related to SpaceX, but the company has not yet claimed ownership. Here’s how it looks…

More space junk found in the NSW Snow Mountains, this time on a property in Moonbah.(Provided: Nick Lodge)

• The federal government has warns gas producers that they will withdraw “gas trigger” to limit their exports if domestic supply for next year is not guaranteed. It came after consumer watchdog ACCC warned the government to consider intervention as the outlook for next year was “very concerning”, with most gas supply slated for export.

This is what Australia is looking for online

• Bill Russell. The famous American basketball player and civil rights activist has died at the age of 88. Russell is a 12-time NBA All-Star and the centerpiece of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years. Tributes poured in from basketball players and activists around the world, including the NBA itself…

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• Nichelle Nicols: The American actor who broke barriers for black women in Hollywood when he played lieutenant Nyota Uhura on the original Star Trek TV show has died at the age of 89. He also served for many years as a NASA recruiter, helping bring minorities and women into the corps astronauts. . Here’s how fellow Star Trek cast member George Takei remembers him today…

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One more thing: There was a big accident while cycling at the Commonwealth Games

Dramatic photos have emerged after three cyclists were taken to hospital and spectators were injured in a horrific accident during the men’s scratch race in Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

English Matt Wall was thrown through the barrier and into the crowd at Lee Valley VeloPark, before receiving treatment and eventually leaving in an ambulance.

Onlookers were also injured when Walls and his bike crossed the barrier at the corner of the track.

Matt Walls and his bike crossed the barrier surrounding the track during the crash.(Getty Images/PA Images: John Walton)

A wall spread horizontally among the shocked crowd. (AP: Ian Walton)

Riders also fall in accidents at the bottom of banking. (AP: Ian Walton)

Retired Australian cyclist Stuart O’Grady told Channel Seven he believes the multiple abilities of cyclists have contributed to the crashes we’ve seen at the Commonwealth Games (some have previously involved Australia’s Matt Glaetzer).

“We have different athlete abilities at the Commonwealth Games, more so than the Olympics and World Championships,” he said.

“We may not be at the level of big international superstars, so when you are racing with the tires a few millimeters on the bike with no breaks and high pressure incidents, things can go wrong very quickly.”

You are up to date!

We’ll be back tomorrow with more.

If you happen to be riding a bike before then, simply…

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ABC/cable

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