Morning everyone. After the death of veteran firefighter and near misses for many residents in the mid-north coast of New South Wales, Australians have been warned the countryside is “ready to burn” as the bushfire season builds ominous momentum.
Questions about politicians’ expenses claims will continue today after Don Farrell became the latest minister to be obliged to explain why he claimed thousands of dollars for family travel. We’re looking again at how young people might be able to dodge the social media ban from tomorrow, and Joel Edgerton is up for a Golden Globe.
Australia
Travels with the Farrells | Senior government minister Don Farrell charged taxpayers $9,000 over three years for his family’s travel costs after being invited to football games and tennis matches around Australia, parliamentary records show. It follows revelations about Anika Wells’ expenses. Our political editor, Tom McIlroy, says the claims are within the “family reunion” rules, but the antiquated regulations may no longer pass the pub test.
‘Ready to burn’ | The recent run of wetter-than-usual summers could become a distant memory as bushfire experts warned that Australia was facing greater risk this year as landscapes dried out and “drier fuels were ready to burn”. Garry Morgan is counting himself lucky after his home near Bulahdelah in New South Wales narrowly escaped being consumed by fire over the weekend.
Joyce choice | A Coalition senator says the Liberals must not become “One Nation lite” to combat the threat of Pauline Hanson’s party, which has been bolstered by Barnaby Joyce’s defection from the Nationals.
Racing home | The NSW Labor government has unveiled plans to redevelop Wentworth Park, the former home of greyhound racing in Sydney, into community sporting grounds and a park to support 7,300 new homes being built in the area.
World
Ukraine meeting | Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met the leaders of the UK, France and Germany in London amid heavy pressure from the Trump administration for Ukraine to cede territory it holds to bring the war to an end quickly. The US peace suggestions raise the question of whether Trump knows the difference between making a deal and making peace.
Birthday offer | The US’s National Park Service will offer free admission to US residents on Donald Trump’s birthday in 2026 – which also happens to be Flag Day – but is eliminating the benefit for Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth.
Japan quake | A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake has shaken Japan, prompting tsunami warnings and orders for residents to evacuate.
Thai break | Thailand has launched airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia after both countries accused each other of breaching a ceasefire deal brokered by Donald Trump.
Awards season | One Battle After Another is the big story of the Golden Globe nominations list, and Joel Edgerton is up for a male actor gong.
Full Story
Who is behind Australia’s new rightwing political group?
Nour Haydar speaks to investigations reporter Ariel Bogle and political reporter Sarah Basford Canales about Reform Australia.
In-depth
A 14-year-old boy has been able to pass Snapchat’s visual age check, with the platform warning about the difficulty in enforcing Australia’s social media ban for those aged under 16. Leo Puglisi, chief anchor and managing director at 6 News Australia, writes today that the ban unfairly penalises under-16s who now won’t be able to get access to news from their favourite platforms. Let us know how the ban, which comes into force overnight, is affecting your family.
Not the news
An epic new show of trademark large-scale installations by the Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson has opened in Brisbane. He tells Monique Ross how Presence, which was created by a team of almost 100 architects, craftsmen, historians and technicians, is about building a sense of shared humanity from which we can address the climate crisis.
Sport
Cricket | England coach Brendon McCullum insists his team do not have a “glass jaw” and can fight back from 2-0 down in the Ashes series. The drama at the Gabba shows that the “one-time nocturnal novelty” of pink-ball Tests can have a longer-lasting impact on the game than the overhyped Bazball strategy, writes Martin Pegan.
Rugby league | The NRL is proposing to ban three members of Tonga’s medical staff for two years after claiming serious concerns over the handling of Eliesa Katoa’s multiple head knocks.
Football | While Mo Salah was all smiles at Liverpool training despite his outburst on Saturday, Wolves are still looking for their first win of the season as they entertain Manchester United in the Premier League. Follow it live.
Media roundup
The Age says the Mornington Peninsula is now “ground zero” for rough sleepers in Melbourne. The Adelaide Advertiser reports on a “secret letter” which state Liberal MPs were asked to sign demanding leader Vincent Tarzia step down ahead of the coup to replace him with Ashton Hurn. The NSW Greens have called for Ausgrid to be taken back into state control after a spike in worker injuries and near misses, the Telegraph says.
What’s happening today
Immigration | The high court in Canberra hears a case testing whether Australia can deport an NZYQ migrant to Nauru despite his poor health.
Economy | RBA interest rate decision announced at 2.30pm, plus monetary policy statement.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
