Morning everyone. Our exclusive top story this morning reveals that human involvement in deciding support for NDIS participants will be dramatically reduced in a major revamp of the scheme to be implemented next year.
We also report exclusively on how banning credit cards in online gambling has not greatly reduced betting by the biggest punters.
Plus: Gina Rinehart is flying into trouble over her plans for a helipad in Perth. Vladimir Putin has made a string of bellicose remarks about fighting a war with Europe, and it’s the turn of supermarket sorbets to be scrutinised by our taste testers.
Australia
‘Life’s work’ | Children of Tasmania’s Palawa people are the first to be born knowing the sounds of their own language for 150 years, writes Calla Wahlquist, in the latest part of our series Speaking to country.
Exclusive | Funding and support plans for national disability insurance scheme participants will be generated by a computer program and staff will have no discretion to amend them, under a major overhaul of the NDIS to be rolled out next year, Guardian Australia can reveal.
Exclusive | One of the Albanese government’s flagship gambling reforms, a ban on using credit cards for online wagering, had the least impact on Australia’s heaviest betters, new research shows.
‘Not perfect’ | The government’s plans to bar under-16s from social media might take “days or even weeks” to properly take effect, the communications minister, Anika Wells, has conceded, saying the world-leading scheme won’t work perfectly from day one.
Helipad hit | Gina Rinehart’s mining company claimed at a City of Perth council planning meeting last night that helicopter pads are a necessity of modern business, but the council is expect to reject a plan to install one at her new headquarters.
World
Fighting words | Vladimir Putin made a series of hawkish remarks ahead of talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, saying Russia was “ready for war” if Europe wanted to fight. Our live blog is following the closed-door US-Russia talks on Ukraine. We also have a special report from Ukraine on the “slow death of Pokrovsk” under Russian bombardment.
Hegseth questions | Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, told soldiers under his command in Iraq to ignore legal advice about when they were permitted to kill enemy combatants, according to a book. It comes amid renewed scrutiny on the Pentagon chief over whether he ordered a second strike on a boat carrying alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean.
Indonesia toll | The number of people killed by floods and landslides on Indonesia’s Sumatra island rose to more than 700, the country’s disaster agency said. Hundreds are still missing and 1 million people have been evacuated.
Trial and error | Britain’s justice secretary, David Lammy, has been accused of making a “massive mistake” with radical plans to cut thousands of jury trials.
Dell done | Billionaires Michael and Susan Dell have pledged US$6.25bn to provide 25 million American children under 10 an incentive to claim the new investment accounts created by Donald Trump.
Full Story
How the nature laws deal was done
Greens leader Larissa Waters talks to Reged Ahmad about what it was like taking over after a disappointing election, and why she compromised to get nature reforms over the line.
In-depth
As Naplan results are released today, the data identifies 20 schools deemed to have overachieved across all areas of Naplan compared with schools of similar socioeconomic backgrounds. Caitlin Cassidy visits one of them, Carlingford West in NSW, where for 96% of students English is not their first language.
Not the news
It could be the most enjoyable taste test he’s ever conducted, Nicholas Jordan reckons, as he and a few friends tuck into – and crucially, rate – supermarket sorbets. One hits the rare nine of 10 mark as if the raspberries involved “have gone through a superheroic transformation”. Sadly though, one sorbet is just plain “appalling”.
Sport
Football | With the Asian Cup on home soil just 89 days away, the Matildas ended 2025 on a high by defeating New Zealand 2-0 in Adelaide last night thanks to goals from Alanna Kennedy and Hayley Raso – and a successful return for Sam Kerr.
Cricket | Usman Khawaja’s back injury has ruled the veteran opener out of the second Ashes Test and thrown his future in the Australian team further into doubt. England have abandoned their all-out pace attack as spinner Will Jacks comes into the side for only his third Test appearance. The former England batsman, Robin Smith, has died aged 62 at his home in Perth.
Premier League | Another round of Premier league matches are under way this morning with Fulham v Manchester City and Newcastle at home to Tottenham.
Media roundup
Parts of the Coalition’s report into its election defeat are too embarrassing to make public, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The moderate Liberal Andrew Bragg has opened up a Coalition rift by arguing that big cuts to immigrant numbers would not make any difference to housing affordability, the Australian reports. The Courier Mail highlights the plight of Australian caravan makers amid the collapse of Coolum-based Zone RV.
What’s happening today
Sydney | Judgment in Bruce Lehrmann’s appeal against defamation ruling.
Tasmania | Parliament sitting and expected to make a decision on the proposed Hobart stadium.
Canberra | Anika Wells addresses the National Press Club about the social media ban.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
