Good morning. The Socceroos left it late as Aziz Behich struck a stunning last-gasp winner against Japan last night in Perth, in a result that all but seals a spot in the 2026 Football World Cup.
The Albanese government has been accused of “trashing its integrity” over the climate crisis by offering sympathy to communities affected by disasters – but then giving the green light to fossil fuel projects.
And: a war of words has erupted between Donald Trump and Elon Musk in an escalating feud prompted by the billionaire’s attacks on the US president’s “big, beautiful” tax bill.
Australia
Climate crisis | A wave of fossil fuel developments have been approved in recent weeks, sparking accusations that Labor is “gaslighting” the public – despite claiming they take the climate crisis seriously.
Mushroom trial | There were times in Erin Patterson’s fourth day in the witness box – writes Guardian reporter Nino Bucci – where it seemed as if her lies, like the mushrooms she prepared, were being cooked down as much as possible.
Drive to survive | Australia’s critically endangered alpine tree frogs are sidestepping the deadly chytrid fungus with a sexual plan B that – for now – is helping the species hang on in the face of extinction.
#MeToo | Brittany Higgins has warned of an orchestrated “backlash” to the #MeToo movement and has urged the government to use its mandate to “transform how sexual assault is handled in Australia”.
Tasmania vote looms | The Tasmanian parliament’s lower house has passed a vote of no confidence in the Liberal premier, Jeremy Rockliff, setting the stage for the fourth state election in seven years.
World
War of words | Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s alliance has devolved into a bitter feud. Trump says he is “very disappointed” in Musk after his attacks on his tax bill; Elon Musk has responded on social media, saying “without me, Trump would have lost the election”. Meanwhile, Trump said he had accepted an invitation to meet Xi Jinping in China.
Gaza crisis | Israel’s government has been accused of arming a Palestinian criminal gang whose members have allegedly looted humanitarian aid, in an apparent attempt to counter Hamas in Gaza.
Russia-Ukraine war | Donald Trump has said it may be better to let Ukraine and Russia “fight for a while” rather than pursue peace immediately, as the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, urged him to increase pressure on Moscow.
Combs trial | The judge in the sex-trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs has threatened to removed the rapper from court for looking and nodding at the jury.
‘Shocked’ | The New Zealand PM, Christopher Luxon, is eyeing new privacy laws after his deputy press secretary was allegedly caught making audio recordings of sex workers without consent.
Full Story
Newsroom edition: can Labor stare down its critics?
The Albanese government wants to increase the tax on super balances above $3m. There have been countless articles and columns warning of the economic havoc it could wreak and the impact this would have on the retirement savings of young Australians. Nour Haydar speaks with Josephine Tovey and Mike Ticher about what will happen if Labor pushes forward with the reform.
In-depth
“Manus is closed. Detention is over, but we are detained still.” Samad Abdul is among the last of more than 2,000 people who passed through the illegal Manus Island detention centre system. Prevented from leaving Papua New Guinea, he says his life is wasting away. Ben Doherty takes a look at the “broken” men left behind in PNG.
Not the news
“Where did all the good times go?” indestructible rocker Jimmy Barnes sings in the opening track of his new album, Defiant. And, as our reviewer Bernard Zuel finds, it seems Barnes’s answer is: wherever the hell I want them to be and, until it all ends, I’m going to be a rock star. It’s an album that could hardly be said to break new ground or reach stellar heights – but it does nail all the essentials.
Sport
Football | The Socceroos have all but booked their 2026 World Cup berth after a last-gasp Aziz Behich goal against Japan in Perth.
Tennis | Aryna Sabalenka has ended Iga Świątek’s reign as queen of clay to reach the French Open final, as has Coco Gauff, who battled past Lois Boisson and the home crowd.
Rugby league | The NRL is poised to unveil Mal Meninga as Perth Bears’ inaugural coach.
Basketball | Can the Indiana Pacers shock the Oklahoma City Thunder? Our writers share their NBA finals 2025 predictions.
Media roundup
US beef could be allowed into Australia for the first time in decades through a biosecurity rule review aimed at securing the removal of tariffs, the Age reports. The New South Wales police minister, Yasmin Catley, has warned that officers cannot be expected to regulate the ballooning tobacco black market, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. An international student agency that collapsed, leaving hundreds of clients in the lurch, may have been trading for more than a year while insolvent, the ABC reports.
What’s happening today
Victoria | Murder accused Erin Patterson will continue to give evidence at her trial in Morwell.
Tasmania | A court decision is expected today for a woman charged over the Hillcrest jumping castle tragedy.
ABS | The Australian Bureau of Statistics is set to release its latest labour account and building approval figures this morning.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
