Morning everyone. Iran has signalled that it wants to find a way out of its conflict with Israel, but Israel says its attacks on Iran are not yet finished. The situation in the Middle East is changing by the hour amid efforts by European leaders at the G7 summit to move towards a ceasefire – and Anthony Albanese has a ringside seat on the sidelines in Canada, where he is treading a tricky diplomatic path.
At home we bring you a significant investigation into alleged racism and discrimination in mainstream maternity services. Plus: the future direction of the NSW Liberals could be decided today and new research shows that First Nation people lived in the Blue Mountains high country during the last ice age.
Australia
Birth rights | A medical emergency during the birth of Bobbi Lockyer’s fourth child, and a lack of support before and after it, has traumatised Lockyer. She is one of more than a dozen First Nations women who spoke to Guardian Australia as part of an investigation into alleged racism and discrimination in mainstream maternity services.
Take shelter | New evidence has revealed that people lived in caves in the Blue Mountains during the last ice age 20,000 years ago when the high country was treeless, frozen and – until now – believed to be too hostile for human habitation.
Summit steer | Anthony Albanese will be treading a delicate path at the G7 summit as he tries to pivot gently towards building more alliances while trying to avoid controversy with Donald Trump, writes our chief political correspondent, Tom McIlroy, who is with the prime minister in Canada. Our US politics blog has what’s happening in Kananaskis.
Liberal crunch | The fate of the New South Wales Liberal party will be decided at a crunch meeting today when the party’s federal executive will weigh up whether to end or extend its control over the division.
Rent shock | A two-bedroom apartment in Bondi Junction that is part of an “affordable” housing scheme run by the NSW government has been listed at $1,100 a week to rent, as advocates warn that programs designed to help low-income earners are increasingly out of reach.
World
Iran-Israel crisis | The UK and France are leading efforts at the G7 summit in Canada to engineer talks with Iran although Israel is opposed to the idea as it continues to trade bombing attacks with the Tehran regime for a fourth day. Israel has issued an evacuation order to residents of a large part of Tehran, warning them of the imminent bombing of “military infrastructure” as its foreign minister says it has not finished its operation in Iran. More than 300 Australians have asked for help to leave Iran after becoming stranded there because of the crisis, but many such as Mohammad Reza Azimi (pictured) are torn about what to do. The crisis could also reignite inflation in Australia with the oil price climbing sharply, economists fear. Follow developments live and also check out our visual explainer on the conflict.
Crash clues | Investigators are preparing to study the pilots’ last words for clues as to the cause of last week’s Air India plane crash after recovering the cockpit voice recorder from the wreckage.
Political killing | A man accused of dressing up as a police officer and shooting two Minnesota state lawmakers in their homes – killing one and her husband – allegedly showed up at the houses of two other legislators the same night.
‘Looting America’ | Donald Trump has launched a mobile phone service and $499 gold smartphone, the latest monetisation of his presidency by an empire run by his sons which is being compared to the “looting of America”.
‘Museum’s nightmare’ | An Italian museum has contacted the police after two clumsy tourists almost wrecked a work of art while posing for photos.
Full Story
Arise, Sir David Beckham
Zoe Williams talks about the decision to give David Beckham a knighthood, and what its says about the UK’s honours system that it took so long.
In-depth
Bullying and what to do about it has become a major issue in New South Wales. But, as Caitlin Cassidy reports, some schools are already seeing positive results after introducing an enhanced version of parent-child interaction therapy, a “whole-systems” approach that brings families into the school environment with “dramatic” results.
Not the news
In our weekly series Ranked, it’s the turn of the Gruffalo author, Julia Donaldson, and her collection of children’s picture books (mostly with illustrator Axel Scheffler). What is her best? Is it the story of the mouse outwitting the monster? Or is it the Highway Rat?
Sport
Cricket | The International Cricket Council is ready to sanction four-day Tests in the World Test Championship to help smaller nations to play more games and longer series.
Football | A shortage of fans and decent games means football’s Club World Cup got off to a slow start, writes Jonathan Wilson.
Athletics | The father of the double Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen has been found guilty of hitting the Norwegian runner’s younger sister, Ingrid, with a wet towel, and was handed a 15-day suspended sentence.
Media roundup
Employers want to introduce new Fair Work Commission clauses to remove some staff entitlements in exchange for allowing them to work from home, the Australian reports. The Victoria Liberal party are ready to dump two party elders after their comments about “assertive women”, the Age claims. Network Ten is cutting jobs in its Adelaide newsroom, according to the Advertiser.
What’s happening today
Politics | Anthony Albanese will be holding meetings with world leaders at the G7 summit in Canada, with a reception this morning.
Media | The University of Canberra releases its digital news report for 2025.
Melbourne | Initial directions hearing for man accused of Melbourne terror plot.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
