Good morning. As the death toll rises across the Middle East while the US and Israel exchange missile attacks with Iran’s forces, Donald Trump says talks with Tehran are on the cards despite reports that dozens of Iran’s leaders have been killed.
In Australia, “less lethal” weapons such as bean-bag and foam baton rounds are meant to provide police with less harmful options – but fatal incidents involving the projectiles in New South Wales and Victoria have now come under scrutiny.
Advances in AI are arriving at a rapid pace but are also coming at a cost, as we consider the voracious energy appetite of datacentres. And: Sam Kerr has fired the Matildas to victory over the Philippines.
Australia
Exclusive | At least three people died within months of each other after being shot with “less lethal” projectiles and stun guns, sparking a series of inquests and civil cases that could overhaul how police officers use force.
Explainer | With 260 datacentres operating across Australia – mostly in Sydney and Melbourne – and dozens more in the offing, concerns are rising about their impact on our power and water resources.
All about choice? | The Liberal party is considering vouchers for nannies and grandparents as part of an overhaul of childcare – a policy experts warn could threaten equity and care standards.
‘We’ve been waiting for this’ | Iranian Australians are celebrating the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and now dream with “quiet anticipation” of regime change in Tehran.
‘Music is a place of hope’ | Delta Goodrem – one of the country’s best-loved and bestselling pop stars – is to represent Australia at Eurovision in May, the 70th anniversary of the annual song contest.
In pictures | Anthony Albanese has led a vigorous life in politics, climbing the ranks to leadership – first of the Labor party, then the nation – in his 30 years in parliament.
World
US-Israel war on Iran | Trump has said Iran’s leadership agreed to talks after the US and Israel struck Tehran; Khamenei’s death has brought contrasting emotions in Iran; the US military has confirmed three of its service members were killed in the operation as the death toll from an Iran school bombing reportedly rises to almost 150. You can find a visual guide to the US-Israel strikes on Iran – and Tehran’s response – here.
Travel turmoil | US and Israeli attacks on Iran have caused severe disruption to flights across the Middle East and beyond as countries closed their airspace and key airports halted operations.
Diplomacy in action | Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, is set to meet with the Indian PM, Narendra Modi, to repair strained ties – after months of diplomatic stalemates for their nations.
Tanker seized | Belgium has seized an oil tanker believed to form part of the so-called “shadow fleet” used by Russia to circumvent western sanctions over the war in Ukraine.
‘I gotta deal with that’ | Actor Shia LaBeouf says he needs to sort out his “small man complex” rather than go to rehab, after his arrest on allegations he battered three men in New Orleans while shouting homophobic slurs.
Full Story
High-speed rail and heartbreak. Will this time be any different?
The federal government has released the business case for a bullet train between Sydney and Newcastle, promising funding in hopes of getting the $60bn project “shovel ready” within two years. But we’ve been here before, with a long line of PMs who have announced grand plans for the train line. Tory Shepherd speaks to Reged Ahmad about the many broken promises, and asks: could we really get it this time?
In-depth
Anthony Albanese’s government came to power promising orderly processes, transparency and a respect for parliament but has been criticised by integrity campaigners over all three. Reports are delayed, then left waiting for responses. It raises the question, Josh Butler writes, of why taxpayer funds are used to pay for politicians to fly around the country and host hearings, if the reports end up just sitting on a shelf.
Not the news
Only a handful of prospective guide dogs pass their rigorous training. Marcus is not one of them. Assessed as a “dawdler” who showed an “unwillingness to work”, the polite and affectionate black labrador was reclassified as a therapy dog. Kate Leaver explores how the guide dog school dropout was able to find a whole new career comforting cancer patients in Sydney.
Sport
Football | Sam Kerr’s header delivered the Matildas a 1-0 win over the Philippines in their Women’s Asian Cup opener – showing the Matildas’ leader is back, Jack Snape writes; Manchester United fought off a 10-man Crystal Palace in the Premier League; and Jurriën Timber grabbed a winner as Arsenal edged a battling Chelsea.
AFL | Collingwood are on a cliff edge as time waits for no one, Jonathan Horn writes in part one of his AFL 2026 predicted ladder.
Cricket | Australia hammer India by 185 runs in their third women’s ODI in Hobart; Sanju Samson takes India past West Indies to set up a semi-final with England in the T20 World Cup.
Rugby league | Kalyn Ponga inspires Newcastle to a Las Vegas NRL win over North Queensland.
Media roundup
The Minns government has launched a snap review of NSW hospitals after fungus, maggots and pigeons “wreaked havoc” on patient care, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Talent scouts are using “world-first” AI technology to assess sporting talent amid the search for Australia’s 2032 Olympians, ABC News reports. A new exhibition at the Australian Museum is set to shed new light on “nature’s vampires”, the Age reports.
What’s happening today
ACT | Federal parliament is sitting in Canberra.
NSW | State budget estimates will be held.
Sport | The AFC Women’s Asian Cup tournament continues with Iran set to face South Korea in Robina.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
