Good afternoon.
A Guardian investigation has revealed links between a US business linked to baby deaths around the world and the Australian “birth keeper” Emily Lal, the central witness at the inquest into the death of a Melbourne wellness influencer.
During Emilee Saldaya’s time at the helm of the Free Birth Society, a multimillion-dollar organisation linked to baby deaths around the world, she repeatedly insisted that she had never heard of a woman dying after a freebirth.
Months after an interview in which Saldaya made those comments, the 30-year-old nutritionist, wellness influencer and first-time Melbourne mother Stacey Warnecke died from complications of a massive postpartum haemorrhage after a freebirth. The birth was attended by one of Saldaya’s students and friends, the unlicensed birth attendant Emily Lal.
In 2025, a year-long Guardian investigation identified 48 cases of late-term stillbirths or neonatal deaths or other forms of serious harm involving mothers or birth attendants who appeared to be linked to FBS. Now, for the first time, the Guardian can reveal the full extent of Lal’s ties to FBS. The inquest into Warnecke’s death is ongoing and no findings have been reached.
Top news
World Cup 2026
Paraguay have secured their place in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup after beating Germany in a sudden-death penalty shootout after a tense 1-1 draw after extra time.
Paraguay’s José Canale scored the winning goal, handing the European nation their first World Cup shootout defeat in 50 years.
Morocco are through to the last 16 after beating the Netherlands in the second penalty shootout of the day.
Brazil have also secured their position in the next round of games after beating Japan 2-1 with an added time winner.
Meanwhile, rookie Socceroo Cristian Volpato has talked about his path from Italian football to the Australian national team ahead of the last-32 clash with Egypt on Saturday.
The move represents a homecoming for the 22-year-old junior Italy international, who grew up in Sydney but was rejected by two A-League clubs, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, at age 16.
In pictures
Tennis star Naomi Osaka wore a traditional Japanese-inspired dress on the first day of Wimbledon. The Japanese player walked on to the court in a dress embroidered with cranes and cherry blossoms, created alongside Tokyo-based designer Hana Yagi.
What they said …
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“I didn’t lose hope.” – Junior Apiuta Apiuta
Junior Apiuta Apiuta was rescued by the New Zealand air force after surviving eight days drifting alone in the Pacific Ocean after the engine of his small fishing boat died on a solo fishing trip.
The 42-year-old’s ordeal started earlier this month when he set off from his home island of Pukapuka, about 1,140km (708 miles) north-west of Rarotonga, halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii.
Apiuta said despite the rough conditions, he never lost hope of being rescued.
“Big waves, way higher than the boat, slammed [me] from both sides … but I wasn’t scared because I never lost faith and stopped praying,” he said.
Podcast
How would PM-in-waiting Andy Burnham change Britain? – The Latest
Andy Burnham has set out his vision for the UK in his first big policy speech since launching a bid to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. The Makerfield MP confirmed he would set up “No 10 North” and pledged to “bring about the biggest rebalancing of power the country has ever seen”.
Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s north of England editor, Josh Halliday.
Before bed read
Since 2017, Iason Gabriel has worked at Google’s leading AI research lab, trying to anticipate – and think through – the impact of AI. But as commercial and geopolitical pressures escalate, the political philosopher ponders whether ethics can make any difference.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: ABAS. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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