Good morning. All eyes are on Tehran as it weighs up options for retaliation after US airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Despite global calls for diplomacy and de-escalation, Israel is escalating its own bombing campaign against Iran.
It’s a terrifying wait for Australians with loved ones still trying to leave the Middle East, as the UN security council prepares to meet for talks over the crisis.
And, closer to home, there are warnings that Australia is doomed to lose its struggle against nicotine if officials push a prohibition-style approach instead of focusing on harm reduction.
Australia
Iran reaction | The Albanese government has called for “de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy”, but has been criticised for a “weak” response to US airstrikes on Iran – as almost 4,000 Australian citizens still wait to escape the Middle East.
‘Who knows if they’re safe?’ | Australians with family in Iran are anxiously awaiting Tehran’s next move after it threatened retaliation over US airstrikes on its facilities.
Nicotine battle | Australia is waging a “de facto war on nicotine” that is doomed to fail in the same way as previous prohibition-style policies, experts say, amid efforts to combat the illicit tobacco trade.
Missing out? | One of Australia’s most popular savings account operators, ING, has ignored regulatory advice to tell customers when they are about to lose bonus rates on promotional accounts.
In the name of science | Melbourne’s Dr Véronique Paris has a hands-on approach to her research on mosquito-borne diseases: letting hundreds of mosquitoes bite her bare arm inside a special cage.
World
Iran airstrikes | Iran’s president says the US “must receive a response” to its attack; Israel has bombed “dozens of targets” across Iran after US claims the strikes at nuclear sites were an “overwhelming success”; “we weren’t expecting it yet”: US attack met with panic in Iran; the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities is Trump’s biggest gamble yet as president, Patrick Wintour writes; Iran moves to shut strait of Hormuz.
Gaza crisis | One man’s account of coming under fire during a desperate attempt to gather food aid for his family in Gaza; the Israeli military has recovered the remains of three hostages held by Hamas.
‘I saw panic’ | French police are questioning two people after Disneyland Paris was hired for an alleged fake marriage ceremony involving a girl aged about nine being posed as the “bride”.
Islamic State threat | A suicide bombing by Islamic State at a church in the old Christian quarter of Damascus has killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens more, Syrian authorities said.
Immigration raids | A 68-year-old Mexican-born man has become the first Ice detainee in at least a decade to die, while being transported from a local jail to a federal detention centre.
Salvaged vessel | The superyacht belonging to the late tech tycoon Mike Lynch has been moved to a town in Sicily where British and Italian investigators will examine its sinking.
Full Story
Mushroom trial comes to a close
The mushroom trial that intrigued the world is drawing to a close after weeks of evidence. Erin Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one of attempted murder, for allegedly and deliberately serving beef wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms. Reged Ahmad speaks with Nino Bucci about the trial’s final arguments as the jury prepares for deliberations.
In-depth
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards has warned the US to “expect regrettable responses” to its airstrikes on the country’s nuclear sites. However, Iran’s proxy militias across the Middle East are sending mixed signals about their willingness to strike US targets. Their apparent reluctance or inability to come to Iran’s aid will limit Tehran’s options if it opts to escalate the conflict with the US, Jason Burke writes.
Not the news
There are two kinds of readers: those who would choose death before dog-ears and those whose books bear the marks of a life well read. But a new generation of readers are finding a way to combine both approaches by reviving the art and romance of marginalia, by transforming their books and reading experiences into #aesthetic artefacts. Caitlin Welsh looks at how “annotating” books went from a big no-no to BookTok’s next trend.
Sport
Tennis | Carlos Alcaraz has beat Jiri Lehecka to extend his winning streak and regain the crown as king of Queen’s; Nick Kyrgios says: “If I’d acted a bit differently, I would have had a Wimbledon title.”
AFL | Blues get bullied by Kangaroos in horror show for Michael Voss, Andrew Stafford writes.
Rugby union | The British & Irish Lions land in Australia with fitness concerns over Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan.
Cricket | Harry Brook makes his mark with 99 for England but India steady the ship with the first Test in balance.
Rugby league | Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan opens up on mental health struggles and hitting “rock bottom”.
Media roundup
Two giant boring machines are at a standstill after a bungle brought Sydney’s largest metro tunnel build to a grinding halt, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. There’s backlash over a controversial waste-to-energy project proposed for Geelong’s suburban fringe with direct links to the Chinese government, ABC News reports.
What’s happening today
Victoria | A hearing is scheduled in Melbourne in a union case against Victoria police.
Business | The Metcash full-year results are due to be revealed.
NT | The World Archaeological Congress is being held in Darwin.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
